Vite Colte

A Sauvignon from Piedmont that doesn't overwhelm, but rather calmly tells a story – of gentle hills, morning mist and cool altitude. Tra Donne Sole, named after a novella by Cesare Pavese, plays quietly but impressively with the typicality of the grape variety. The grapes come from selected vineyards with calcareous soils that give the wine freshness and structure. Maturation in stainless steel tanks preserves precision and flavour. Pale straw yellow in the glass. The nose reveals clear aromas of lime, gooseberry and whitecurrant, accompanied by elderflower, freshly cut grass and a hint of passion fruit. The palate is lively but finely characterised, with juicy fruit, well-integrated acidity and a surprisingly elegant, slightly mineral final. A Piedmontese Sauvignon with finesse – unpretentious, fresh and absolutely enjoyable to drink. A white wine with a literary name and clear character. SUPERIORE.DE

Sparkling like a sunny day on the plain, this Barbera immediately radiates joie de vivre without drawing attention to itself loudly – the name Rosso Fuoco, meaning red wine of fire, carries its poetic part with dignity. The grapes are organically grown on gently undulating limestone-clay soil in Astigiano. Gentle manual harvesting, stainless steel processing and spontaneous ageing give the wine clarity and vitality, while the plump fruitiness remains uncomplicated.

A Chardonnay that transports us to the Italian summer with the first sip: Fosche is like a morning light over Barolo – fresh, airy and simply lively. The grapes grow on gently sloping hills and the wine is fermented spontaneously in stainless steel to preserve the pure fruit and cool clarity. No wood, no masquerade – just Chardonnay at its most elegant and fresh. In the glass, it has a light straw yellow colour with a silvery sheen. The nose opens with aromas of Golden Delicious and Williams pear, with delicate notes of orange blossom, citrus zest and a hint of apricot – all balanced on a fine mineral base. Fresh and lively on the palate, with elegant clarity. Citrus freshness and juicy fruit blend perfectly with a delicate creaminess from the fine yeast maturation, which lingers pleasantly on the long, sparkling, light finish. Light-footed enough for an aperitif, or just present enough to lift a spinach and salmon quiche to a new level. SUPERIORE.DE

The name says it all: La Gatta (the cat) doesn't sneak into the glass – she purrs her way into it. This Moscato d'Asti from the best plots around Canelli shows how much character can be found in a delicately sparkling white wine. The vines are rooted in calcareous soils with south to south-east exposure, which gives the grapes optimum ripeness and aromatic concentration. Harvested in the cool morning hours and fermented at a controlled temperature, the natural residual sugar is retained and fermentation is stopped early – this keeps the alcohol content low and the flavour high.

The Roero region has long been the quiet sister of Barolo – but with wines like this, it is clear that great stories are also being told here. Villata comes from selected vineyards in the heart of the Roero, where the calcareous and sandy soils give the Arneis its fine signature. The grapes are harvested early in the morning, matured in stainless steel and remain on the fine lees until bottling – this preserves freshness, precision and fine texture.

Imagine a morning over the Canavese hills – fine dew, fresh air and the scent of flowers. Merlana captures precisely this clarity in the glass. The grapes come from the steep slopes of the Serra di Ivrea. After harvest, they are fermented cool and matured in stainless steel tanks without the influence of wood – in the name of varietal purity and precision. The colour in the glass is a clear straw yellow with a greenish tinge, as if the light of dawn is dancing on it. The bouquet opens with notes of white peach, meadow flowers, fresh hay and a hint of jasmine. The palate is clear as a bell, with lively acidity, citrus-fresh elegance and salty minerality. Everything appears tidy, light-footed and yet very expressive. An authentic, straightforward white wine from Piedmont that delights with its alpine lightness and the finesse of Erbaluce – ideal as an aperitif, with asparagus or fine fish. SUPERIORE.DE

A Gavi that sits immediately on the palate – fresh, clear and elegant. Cortese from sun-drenched, high-altitude slopes around Gavi, pressed in stainless steel and designed to present freshness and minerality in crystal-clear form. Full concentration on the terroir. Straw yellow in the glass. A lively, aromatic bouquet of ripe apple, yellow pear, white flowers and a fine citrus note, complemented by a delicate hint of spring herbs and limestone. Taut yet soft on the palate. The fruit is juicy, the lively acidity adds tension and a subtle saline-mineral tone gives the wine structure. The finish is harmonious, clear and fresh, almost dancingly elegant. A (not only) summery all-rounder that is an instant delight – ideal with antipasti, white fish, asparagus or simply on its own with the first glass of the evening after work. SUPERIORE.DE

The vines are planted where the Piedmont slopes gently at Canelli and the Barbera grape can develop its depth. The name is reminiscent of Cesare Pavese, the great son of these hills – and his most famous work "La Luna e i Falò". Like the novel, this wine also carries a quiet melancholy, paired with expression, maturity and identity. Matured in barriques and large casks for around a year, this is a Barbera full of character and at the same time modern.

A Barbera with structure, clearly defined terroir and down-to-earth elegance: Croere grows on calcareous, white soil (marl-clay mixture), typical subsoil for finely mineralised, expressive wines with depth. The grapes come from vineyards with very low yields and are fermented traditionally with 15 days of maceration at 28–30 °C; after spontaneous malolactic fermentation, the wine matures in barriques – compact, but with finesse.

Timorasso is not mainstream, but rather a speciality of Piedmont. With its Derthona, Vite Colte presents a white wine that you rediscover and then prefer to drink again immediately – because it has a different appearance and is captivatingly clear. It has a bright straw yellow colour in the glass, almost fading into gold. Notes of acacia blossom, hawthorn, ripe peach and a hint of honey emerge on the nose – plus a cool shimmer of flint and minerality, which makes everything a little more exciting. On the palate, structure meets juiciness: full-bodied, yet light on the palate thanks to present, fine acidity. There is also a subtle nutty undertone that adds fine depth without becoming dominant. The finish is long, elegant and clears the palate with chalky freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

La Bella Estate (The Beautiful Summer) is named after a work by Cesare Pavese. This Moscato Passito is the result of over 20 years of experience. "Over time," explains the president of the company, Piero Quadrumolo, "we have managed to find an optimal balance with the aim of obtaining an aromatic wine with the clear varietal character of a Moscato that is not too broad or boring and also has good acidity." Today, just 15,000 bottles are bottled per vintage, most of which are delivered directly to the haute cuisine of Piedmont.

Gentle in flavour, powerful in body. La Casa in Collina is Vite Colte's charming statement on Barbaresco. Created from traditional grape variety assemblages from old terroirs in a light southern exposure, this wine combines nuance with poise: around 20 days of slow fermentation and a year in large oak barrels create a balance that allows depth without sacrificing elegance. In the glass, the colour is a rich ruby red that thickens to a fine garnet at the edges. The nose opens with a refined profile: ripe plum, red berry and violet, accompanied by coffee powder, tobacco leaf and a hint of fine woody spices, subtly intense but never overwhelming. Lively and carefully structured on the palate, with well-embedded tannins, fresh acidity and dense fruit. The big wood is noticeable, but nuanced. The finish is long, savoury and pleasantly round, with a hint of subtle vanilla and juicy cherry. This Barbaresco is confident and expressive, yet approachable enough to enjoy today. Optimal value for money – good potential available. SUPERIORE.DE

Barolo Paesi Tuoi is more than just a designation of origin. The name – borrowed from the novel "Among Peasants" by Cesare Pavese – evokes Piedmont not just as a landscape, but as a cultural space: rural, archaic, full of inner tensions. And so this Barolo is not an expression of a single cru, but a synthesis of the villages, hills and soils that together form the essence of this appellation. The grapes come from different, characterful vineyards around Barolo, Monforte and Serralunga, carefully selected and vinified separately. Long maceration periods, followed by around two years of ageing in traditional, large oak barrels – the result is a classic style with depth.

Dreamlike Barbera, dedicated to the last work (La Luna e i Falo = Young Moon) by the writer Cesare Pavese. This wine symbolises the connection to the earth and to one's own origins. Dark purple in colour. Complex aromas of dark red, plump, juicy cherries, fine spices, plums and black forest berries on the nose. Polished, dense and very fruity on the palate. Present but silky tannins, finely enveloped by the fruit, rich in finesse and persistent with a first-class acidity structure. SUPERIORE.DE

The name alone conjures up images: La Luna e i Falò – "The moon and the fires". An allusion to Cesare Pavese's novel of the same name, a reflection of a deep-rooted love of one's homeland, melancholic and powerful at the same time. And so is this Barbera from the heart of the Nizza region – deep in the Monferrato – is not just a pleasant wine, but an expression of inner density and grown identity. The grapes come from old vineyards around Agliano Terme, with poor, calcareous soils and optimal south to south-west exposure. After a long maceration period, the wine is aged for 18 months in French barriques, followed by further maturation in the bottle. A Riserva with format, precision and the necessary breath.

Essenze is not a random name. This Barolo from the historical heartland of the appellation is not looking for a bang, but for the essentials: Origin, typicity and inner depth. The grapes come from selected plots around the village of Barolo itself – including the renowned Cannubi, Liste and Fossati vineyards, whose limestone-rich marl soils and varying altitudes ensure multi-layered expressiveness. After fermentation on the skins, the wine matures for two years in large and small Slavonian and French oak barrels – vinified separately, depending on the character of the parcel, before the final cuvée is blended.

There are wines that speak immediately – and those that tell a story. The Riserva Spezie undoubtedly belongs to the second category. Obtained from a small, high-altitude vineyard in the historic San Cristoforo cru site above Neive, this Barbaresco combines terroir depth with contemplative maturity. The clay and limestone-rich soil, the exposed south-east exposure and the late harvest characterise the concentrated style. Three weeks of maceration are followed by a long, patient ageing regime: two years in large oak barrels, a further six months in concrete and then many more years in the bottle – until it opens up with the expression that only time can give.

A Riserva that only comes into being when the year allows it – and which makes a promise with its name: Essenze stands for the essence of the grape variety, the terroir and the time. The grapes come exclusively from the best cru sites in the municipalities of Barolo, Monforte, Serralunga, La Morra and Castiglione Falletto. Each parcel is vinified separately, carefully monitored, matured – and finally composed like a mosaic. The result: a Riserva Barolo that does not need to be loud to radiate authority. It is only bottled in exceptional years such as 2015 – after more than 42 months of ageing in large barrels and barriques.