Wine

Lageder's Lagrein Rosé is a finely characterised expression of South Tyrolean origin: lively, mineral and carried by quiet precision. The grapes come from vineyards around Margreid and Salurn, where the Lagrein finds ideal conditions for aromatic depth and cool freshness on warm, gravel-rich soils.

Unlitro – a name that is the programme and at the same time sums up the entire philosophy of Ampeleia. At a time when wines are becoming ever more complex, the team around Elisabetta Foradori and Giovanni Podini are focussing on the essence of winemaking: creating an honest, easy-drinking wine that expresses the beauty of the Maremma landscape without embellishment. The grapes for this special blend of Alicante Nero, Sangiovese, Carignano, Mourvèdre and Alicante Bouschet come from the organically farmed vineyards near Roccatederighi. Here, just a few kilometres from the Tyrrhenian Sea, the vines thrive on the characteristic Galestro and Alberese soils of the Maremma at an altitude of 200-400 metres. The Mediterranean climate, with its warm days and cool sea breezes, creates ideal conditions for wines with natural balance and freshness.

Kretzer – this is what the rosé from Lagrein has been called in South Tyrol for centuries. The name sounds more determined than Rosato, and it is: Lagrein is one of the most independent grape varieties in the country, almost exclusively at home in South Tyrol, with an aroma that no other rosé grape displays in the same way. Wild berries, violets, a hint of dark spice – and the freshness that comes from vinification as a rosé. Martin Foradori aptly describes this wine as a character type between two worlds: "the freshness and fragrance of a white wine, the fruity juiciness and delicate spiciness of a red that can be drunk young".

The name is a tribute. Maria Iris Bertarelli – co-founder and the heart and soul of Collemassari – is the woman who, together with her brother Claudio Tipa, acquired the abandoned castle in Montecucco in 1998 and planted it with a vision: that this forgotten hilly landscape between Montalcino and Scansano had what it takes to become an appellation in its own right. Irisse is her wine. Vermentino with up to 25% Grechetto – more body, more substance. But what really sets Irisse apart from Melacce is the short maceration on the skins, followed by twelve months' ageing in large oak casks. This yields a depth one rarely expects from Vermentino.

The oldest red wine variety in South Tyrol finds ideal conditions at the Ebnerhof in a wind-protected, warm south-east location. On the terraced vineyards, which the Unterthiner family has been cultivating for generations, Vernatsch thrives on Pergel vines that are up to 18 years old – the traditional form of cultivation that is part of the South Tyrolean landscape. After gentle processing, the wine ferments in stainless steel tanks before maturing in large wooden barrels – just the right balance between freshness and structure.

The name ‘Hebo’ traces back to an ancient Etruscan settlement near Suvereto and serves as a reminder that this part of the Maremma has been a wine-growing region for thousands of years. Francesca Moretti conceived this wine as a versatile everyday companion that bears Petra’s signature without being prohibitively expensive. The blend combines Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc – the very varieties that Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Princess of Piombino, introduced to this area in the early 19th century. Following selective hand-harvesting, the grapes ferment in stainless steel at controlled temperatures. Ageing takes place in a combination of vessels: part in large Slavonian oak casks of 30 to 50 hectolitres, and part in two- to three-year-old French barriques. After around 12 months, the cuvée is blended and matures for a further few months in the bottle.

Pinot Grigio is Italy's best-selling white wine variety – and at the same time one of the most misunderstood. What becomes a pale all-purpose weapon on an industrial scale shows a completely different face in South Tyrol. The grapes for Hofstätter's version come from Mazzon and Egna in the Adige Valley, where the soils are skeleton-rich and well-drained and the vine builds up its aromas with a concentration that gives the wine real substance.

Inu – sardinian for "dog" – stands for steadfastness and character. This Riserva reveals the full potential of the indigenous Cannonau variety: clear, structured and with a typical Sardinian temperament. The grapes come exclusively from the best sites on volcanic alluvial soils in the Sinis-Tirso region, where Mediterranean warmth meets fresh breezes – a combination that creates delicate ripeness and aromatic precision. Careful hand-picking is followed by gentle maceration, then around 12 months of ageing in barriques and medium-sized oak barrels – followed by at least six months of ageing in the bottle. This gives the wine depth and tranquillity without losing its fruitiness.

Lagrein is the quintessential red wine of South Tyrol. This grape variety is grown in any significant quantity almost nowhere else in the world – it is so intrinsically linked to this region that its name still evokes the Adige Valley to this day. Kellerei Tramin sources its Lagrein from Auer, the warmest part of the growing region, where the Ora breezes from Lake Garda sweep through the valley every day and the vines reach full maturity in a climate that Lagrein clearly thrives in. The winery was founded in 1898 by the parish priest of Termeno. Since then, it has remained true to its commitment to getting the very best out of every vineyard – from the highest Gewürztraminer plots to the warm Lagrein vineyards on the valley floor in Auer.

The wines of La Badia have a clear style: clean and traditionally vinified, they are always a great pleasure. Intense ruby red, the bouquet has a burst of red-coloured fruit, pipe tobacco, cedar wood and sweet spices. The full-bodied flavour of Roberto Stucchi is wonderfully smooth, the acidity well balanced and the finish clean and long-lasting. SUPERIORE.DE

Chronicon – the name sounds like history, and that is exactly what this wine delivers: a chronicle of what Montepulciano is capable of in the hills of Bolognano. The vines grow around the estate, overlooking the Majella National Park, on clayey soils with a westerly exposure. The grapes are harvested by hand at the end of September, followed by a good two weeks of maceration at a controlled temperature – long enough to extract colour, structure and the typical varietal fruit. Ageing in oak barrels for six to nine months gives the wine a polished finish without over-moulding it.

Delicate straw yellow colour with a silvery shimmer – this Pinot Grigio reflects the elegance of the Colli Orientali in a particularly accessible way. The vines grow on calcareous hillside soils around Cividale, where warm days and cool nights refine the flavour of the grapes. The nose has a clear aroma of white melon, pear, green apple and a hint of acacia blossom. Juicy on the palate, with fresh acidity and a subtle spiciness that testifies to the terroir. Maturation in stainless steel tanks preserves the purity and produces a cheerful, Mediterranean white wine that combines origin and style in charming harmony. A Pinot Grigio that bears the signature of the Sirch family as well as the purism of the region. SUPERIORE.DE

In the Arbëresh dialect of Basilicata – the language that the Albanian immigrants of the 15th century brought with them to the south of Italy – verha simply means: the wine. Elena Fucci is best known for her Titolo, one of the finest Aglianico del Vulture wines in the world. The Contrada Catavatta is right next door – the same volcanic soils of tuff, ash and pumice, the same altitude at the foot of Monte Vulture, the same manual labour. The vines here, however, were threatened with decay. Elena Fucci saved them: Not with great ambitions, but with the simple conviction that good soil should not waste good wine. 100% Sauvignon Blanc, spontaneous fermentation, steel, no touch of wood. A white wine that tells the story of the Vulture terroir in a language that is rarely heard there: fresh, direct, mineral.

Pale straw yellow with a greenish tinge – a Friulano with a classic appearance and modern clarity. On the nose, white flowers, Williams pear, a hint of yellow apple and a delicate almond note – typical of the indigenous grape variety. Dry, soft and balanced on the palate with fine fruit, subtle herbal spice and a pleasant almondy aftertaste. The ageing in stainless steel brings out the varietal typicity particularly clearly and leaves room for the fresh, accessible nature of this wine. An honest, very successful Friulano that combines drinking pleasure and origin in a charming and characterful way. SUPERIORE.DE

The name is a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Sardinian word for ladybird – and yet this wine is far more than just a charming gimmick. Mamaioa is an organically produced Cannonau in its purest form, spontaneously fermented, with short maturation in cement and stainless steel – undisguised, straightforward and characterised by the terroir of the Sinis region west of Oristano. A modern Cannonau with a natural signature, deliberately unadorned in the best sense of the word – honest, typical of the region and pleasingly versatile.

A Vermentino that could hardly be more Gallurese: On the granite-rich soils of the northern hills of Sardinia, moulded by wind, light and salty sea air, Elibaria matures into a white wine that makes its origins tangible in the glass. The wine is matured puristically in stainless steel tanks and for several months on the fine lees – without wood, without fining, but with maximum precision.

Moscato Giallo is one of the most fragrant grape varieties in South Tyrol – and one of the most vulnerable. In the wrong hands it becomes sugary sweet and arbitrary, in the right hands it shows something rare: aromatic depth with complete dryness. Nals Margreid cultivates it in the southernmost part of its vineyard area, in Margreid – the warmest, most Mediterranean tip between Nals and Lake Garda. The vineyards lie at an altitude of 220 to 350 metres, exposed to the south-southeast, on white, broodinglimestone gravel soil with a high humus content. The climate bears the fingerprint of the Ora, the warm afternoon wind that blows daily from Lake Garda over the slopes, extending the growing season and shaping the flavour of the grapes. Hand-picked, three weeks of fermentation in steel, five months of ageing on the fine lees.

In his book *Native Wine Grapes of Italy*, Italy expert and wine critic Ian D'Agata writes about the grape variety: "Verdicchio is arguably Italy's greatest indigenous white grape variety. This statement may come as a surprise to those who have so far only tasted bland or watery Verdicchio wines, which have sometimes even been bottled in incredible, amphora-shaped bottles."

Deep, dark ruby red with a garnet red centre. The aroma is warm and complex: black cherry, dried plums, a pinch of tobacco and balsamic notes, underpinned by a hint of liquorice and toast. Powerful and well-structured on the palate, with dense tannins and a ripe, almost velvety texture. The ageing in barriques adds depth without overpowering the fruit. Negroamaro in this Riserva form shows its full potential: independent, complex and with elegant maturity. An authentic representative of the DOC Leverano, characterised by the warm climate of Salento and the craftsmanship of Conti Zecca. SUPERIORE.DE

Branu means "spring" and is a fresh greeting from Gallura: the name alludes to new beginnings and lightness and it is the programme. 100% Vermentino, grown on the granite terraces around Arzachena, captures spring in a glass – primarily in flavour and style, but never too playful. The vineyards are located close to the coast, with granite substrates, sparse scrubland and a constant sea breeze – a terroir that combines minerality and freshness as it matures.

The namesake of the winery – and the wine. Pandolfo Malatesta, the bold 15th century general whose portrait by Piero della Francesca now hangs in the Louvre, once lived on this estate. The Sangiovese vines stand at an altitude of 150 to 250 metres, characterised by brown limestone soils, planted in 1999 with 4,500 vines per hectare. After 14 days of maceration, 70% of the wine is matured in stainless steel and 30% in large Slavonian oak barrels – one step more complex than the Federico, but not yet the Riserva.

Pale straw yellow with a greenish tinge. On the nose, delicate citrus fruit, white flowers, a hint of lime blossom honey and subtle yeast notes – typical of the lively Ribolla Gialla. On the palate, the wine is clear and unpretentious, with juicy freshness, a delicate structure and a subtly salty final. Ageing in stainless steel preserves the variety's purity of flavour and underlines the estate's straightforward style. An invigorating white wine with a distinct regional character and a delightful lightness – perfect for sunny days, Mediterranean cuisine and that big smile in your glass. SUPERIORE.DE

Delicate straw yellow colour with silver reflections. The aroma: clear, fresh and typical of Friulian Sauvignon - green gooseberry, lemon zest, elderflower and a hint of sage. Lively and juicy on the palate, with well-balanced freshness. The flavour remains precise without being overpowering, the acidity is present but well integrated. The ageing in stainless steel tanks preserves the tension and varietal character, while a fine melting texture lends the wine elegance. A modern classic with a northern Italian soul - its balance makes it a versatile accompaniment to light cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE