Tuscany | Maremma

Even with the entry-level wine, Morisfarms does not deviate one bit from its usual quality standard, which has delighted us with its consistency for over 15 years now. Freshness and relaxed drinkability are the strengths of the Rosso Maremma with its earthy fruit bouquet of cherry and plum and its spicy notes on the finish. This delicious red wine from the Maremma is a crowd favourite. SUPERIORE.DE

The name says it all: Badilante honours those workers who, with their spades – the "badili" – for generations to drain and reclaim the marshland of the Maremma. Simone Castelli, son of the legendary OenologistMaurizio, vinifies this single-varietal Sangiovese on the organically farmed Podere 414 vineyard near Scansano. The grapes grow at an altitude of 230 metres in clayey, loamy soils with a high proportion of skeleton. Spontaneous fermentation in cement, 15–18 days maceration with délestage and remontage, followed by maturation partly in cement and partly in wood.

The dense, well-articulated Rigoleto made predominantly from organically grown Sangiovese grapes is extremely drinkable. The bouquet beguiles with beautiful aromas of dried plums and dark cherries. Opens with a lively bouquet of wild strawberries, rhubarb, violets and crushed stones. Silky to the touch, Rigoleto has impressive weight yet wonderful energy as a wave of ripe red and blue fruit swirls under the scent of lavender and spice. SUPERIORE.DE

I Vini del Mare Belvento - this name stands for the still young project of the Moretti family, as it says which wines they harvest and press here in the Maremma, close to the sea: the wines of the sea of beautiful winds.

The name says it all, as this is a rosato that is reminiscent of the unconventional times of 1968 in terms of its lightness and vivacity. In the glass, it is a radiant, delicate peach-pink colour - almost as if a sunrise had taken wing. A floral bouquet of grapefruit, pineapple, apricot and wild meadow flowers heralds various adventures. On the palate, it remains dancingly light, with bone-clear acidity and crisp fruit, slightly salty notes and an expression of redcurrants round off the picture. Unfiltered, direct, fresh - an invigorating counterpoint to everyday grey life. Flower Power combines Sangiovese with reductive clarity, drinkability and catchiness - puristic, pink and full of (serious) emotion. SUPERIORE.DE

I Vini del Mare Belvento - this name stands for the still young project of the Moretti family, as it describes the wines they harvest and press here in the Maremma, close to the sea: the wines of the Sea of Fair Winds. "According to legend, this is the sea into which Aphrodite scattered the pearls of her necklace and from which Tuscany was born. The beauty of the region makes us believe this legend! But scientifically speaking, the Belvento, the beautiful wind, is an important factor in the development of grape quality, as it is precisely this wind that ensures good ventilation of the vineyard, the cooling breeze that keeps the freshness in the grapes and makes these wines so pleasantly invigorating." Flavours and aromas are always created here from the interplay of land and sea. This is why the labels of Belvento wines depict the animal species that live on the coast, in the waters and in the nearby nature reserve.

The grapes for Maurizio Castelli's new, crisp and fresh white wines come from a vineyard on Monte Bottigli, a "forteto" known to the locals for its wild and impenetrable nature. They ripen with a view of the panorama of the Tuscan archipelago and ideally embody the maritime character of the Maremma. Bright yellow with a bouquet characterised by floral and yellow-fleshed fruit aromas. On the palate, it has a medium structure, complexity and persistence, and its freshness makes it extremely enjoyable in the glass. For us, Costa Ovest is the ideal summer wine! SUPERIORE.DE

Suvereto, south of Bolgheri – where the Tuscan Maremma lies between the Tyrrhenian Sea and the metalliferous hills of the Colline Metallifere, the Frascolla family continues the legacy of Rita Tua and Virgilio Bisti. They began in 1984 with a modest ten hectares, and today Tua Rita is one of the most respected addresses in the region. The Palazzetto epitomises the philosophy of the house, even in the entry-level segment: top quality without pretence. Sangiovese forms the backbone of this cuvée, with Cabernet Sauvignon providing structure and small proportions of Merlot and Syrah. The grapes come from various plots on the estate and are vinified according to organic principles. Short maceration, maturation in stainless steel tanks – deliberately without wood in order to preserve the clear fruit and vibrancy of the grape varieties.

Classic Vermentino from the Montecucco region: intensely floral, fruity bouquet with clear notes of hawthorn, green apple, grapefruit and white peach. Fresh and juicy on the palate, the elegant acidity opens up a beautiful fan, then salty notes in the well-proportioned final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Serrata di Belguardo" shows the Mediterranean and cheerful soul of the Maremma and is one of the winery's most characterful all-rounders. The cuvée of 80% Sangiovese and 20% Alicante Bouschet comes from sun-drenched, calcareous and sandy slopes near Grosseto, whose proximity to the sea provides the vines with constant breezes and night-time cooling. The 2021 vintage was almost ideal: a cool spring followed by a warm summer without extreme heat peaks, allowing the grapes to ripen evenly. After selective manual harvesting, each batch was vinified separately and matured for around ten months in French barriques and large wooden barrels.

Flavourful Morellino with a fine bouquet of cherry fruit, orange peel and spicy herbs. Opens very juicy and firm on the palate, with a supple and persistent fruity final. SUPERIORE.DE

Poggio al Lupo brings the trendy white Vermentino variety in its sunny, Mediterranean form with clear elegance. A light, slightly golden straw yellow colour in the glass. The aroma is reminiscent of green mandarin, lemon zest, white peach and a hint of Mediterranean herbs. The palate is fresh, with animating acidity, delicate salty minerality, ripe fruit and crisp drinkability. Fruit sweetness and freshness balance each other out. An uncomplicated, reliable Tuscan from the west coast – lean, typical of the region and ideal with seafood, grilled vegetables or light fish. SUPERIORE.DE

Pale straw yellow with greenish reflections – the 2024 already shows its youthful vitality in the glass. Yellow citrus fruit, crisp green apple, a hint of mint and fine floral notes on the nose. The vintage was characterised by a cool spring and moderately warm summer, which gives the wine freshness and structure. Taut and lively on the palate, with precise acidity, salty minerality and a straightforward final. The ageing in stainless steel preserves the clear style of the house. A Vermentino with profile and an energetic character – ideal for summer enjoyment. SUPERIORE.DE

Delicate salmon pink with a copper shimmer in the glass - a rosato that already radiates elegance visually. Light berries, white flowers, a hint of pink grapefruit and fine herbal notes on the nose. On the palate, the 2024 impresses with a smooth texture, well-integrated acidity and a fine minerality. The vintage brought balanced fruit and remarkable freshness, which is reflected in harmonious balance and subtle depth. Not a loud rosé, but a stylish, Mediterranean wine with fine pressure and cool finesse - ideal with antipasti, fish or simply on its own. SUPERIORE.DE

The name Hebo goes back to an ancient Etruscan settlement near Suvereto and reminds us that this area was already wine country thousands of years ago. Francesca Moretti conceived this wine as a versatile everyday companion that bears Petra's signature without being too expensive. The blend combines Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese and Cabernet Franc – the varieties that Elisa Bonaparte Baciocchi, Princess of Piombino, introduced to this area at the beginning of the 19th century. After selective hand-picking, the grapes ferment in stainless steel at controlled temperatures. Maturation is mixed: part in large Slavonian oak barrels of 30 to 50 hectolitres, 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.

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.

Bright yellow organic Vermentino with a small proportion of Grechetto. The idea came from Maurizio Castelli, who also advises the Barberani winery in Umbria. Maurizio Castelli creates this marvellous white wine from the Tuscan coast from a traditional, local blend based on a historical model and always picks the grapes quite late. The nose has a bright aroma of apple, pear, flint and a certain exoticism. Complex and full on the palate, the rich flavour is accompanied by an invigorating, racy acidity right through to the long final. SUPERIORE.DEs Suckling