Tuscany

Vernaiolo is one of the oldest members of the Rocca delle Macìe family and has always been the estate's most traditional example of Chianti. Its name is derived from the Latin vernāle, which means "of spring" and indicates the season in which the Chianti was bottled after it had survived the winter. Even today, this lively, ruby-red wine is ready to drink in the spring after the harvest and retains its fresh and fruity characteristics for a long time.

Poggio Bonelli in Castelnuovo Berardenga looks back on a centuries-old tradition – coveted over the centuries by Siena's most prestigious noble families, from the medieval Spennali to the powerful Piccolomini and the Chigi Saracini. Today, Villa Chigi honours the memory of Count Guido Chigi Saracini, who was not only a passionate wine lover but also founded the famous Accademia Chigiana in 1932. The vineyards are perched 280 metres above sea level on the sun-drenched southern slopes of the Chianti zone around Castelnuovo Berardenga. Here, between the warm, typically Mediterranean Chianti hills and the plains of the Crete Senesi, the vines benefit from excellent breezes and air circulation, which limit the risk of water stagnation and humidity. The special transitional soils between clayey, sandy sediments and atypical Chianti soils create ideal conditions for Sangiovese.

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 cuvée of 85% Sangiovese and 15% other grape varieties comes from the historic vineyards near Gaiole in Chianti. Vinified in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature, traditional ageing methods preserve the typical Sangiovese freshness and authentic Chianti character. Bright ruby red in the glass. The bouquet is characterised by dark fruit: black cherries and blackcurrants, with elegant notes of violets and balsamic hints of liquorice and mint. Juicy and refreshing on the palate with the characteristic playful acidity of Sangiovese, velvety spiciness and charming fruity notes that remain present into the finish. An uncomplicated but refined Chianti of remarkable authenticity. SUPERIORE.DE

Cerros Rosso di Montepulciano impresses with a sweet, fragrant bouquet of violets, lavender, allspice and wild blueberries. It is soft and supple with ripe wild berries and juicy acidity. It leaves a layer of gentle tannins and blackberries that taper off slightly spicy and with medium length. SUPERIORE.DE

As the name Sasyr suggests, this wine is a blend of Sangiovese and Syrah. Only 15 per cent of the Sangiovese matures for six months in large oak barrels, the rest comes from stainless steel. Pretty red colour with notes of blood orange, blueberries, crushed violets, dried herbs and some cedar wood. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh, dense finish. Sasyr is a fresh and harmonious red wine for many occasions. SUPERIORE.DE

A pretty bouquet of bright cherries, raspberries and pink flowers makes Gracciano della Setas Rosso di Montepulciano a real pleasure on the nose. It is juicy and savoury rather than sweet, with hints of wild berries and minerals. A hint of liquorice resonates on the medium-length finish as it fades away freshly. 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 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

Capezzana is opening a new chapter with the Monna 1475 series – fresh, accessible and uncomplicated, without abandoning the quality standards of the traditional Tenuta. The Bianco combines Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc to create a Mediterranean cuvée that is vinified in stainless steel tanks to preserve the lively fruitiness and freshness of the grapes. A wine for the moment, to be drunk young and a perfect match for Capezzana's vision of getting younger wine lovers excited about Carmignano. In the glass, the 2024 is bright yellow in colour with green reflections. The bouquet is fruity with notes of tropical fruit – pineapple, banana – and delicate hints of white and yellow flowers. Soft and full on the palate, with beautiful harmony and balance. The structure is pleasantly present, the refreshing acidity is perfectly balanced, the finish is medium-long and fruity with floral notes. An uncomplicated, elegant white wine that is just as convincing as an aperitif as it is with light fish dishes and seafood – tuscan lifestyle in a glass, naturally from the best vineyards! 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.

From the youngest vineyards of the 530-hectare Camigliano estate – where the tufa soils on the south-western slope of Montalcino give the Sangiovese particularly juicy fruit and fragrant flavour. 80% Sangiovese, supplemented by 20% Merlot for supple fullness. After gentle pressing, the wine ferments at a controlled temperature in stainless steel, then matures in large barrels and rests in the bottle for a few weeks before bottling. Vivid ruby red with garnet nuances, aromas of sour cherry, wild berries and a hint of liquorice, fruity and fresh on the palate, with soft tannins and animating length. SUPERIORE.DE

Avignonesi's uncomplicated everyday wine combines Tuscan tradition with international grape varieties: Sangiovese and Merlot form the backbone, complemented by Cabernet Sauvignon, Colorino and Syrah. The grapes undergo an eight-day maceration at a controlled temperature, with the alcoholic fermentation guided by natural yeasts from the company's own pied-de-cuve selection. After eight months of ageing in stainless steel, the wine is ruby red in colour with inviting aromas of ripe cherries and blackberries, with a hint of liquorice. On the palate, it is lively and full-bodied with direct fruit, carried by velvety-soft tannins and a pleasant persistence reminiscent of Mediterranean scrub. A versatile and animating companion for every day. 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.

Three grape varieties, three characters, one wine: Sangiovese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon share the Cretum Rosso in equal parts – an assemblage that could not be more typical of southern Tuscany. Each variety is vinified separately and only then do they come together in the tonneau. The Sangiovese thus retains its lively acidity and cherry fruit temperament, while Merlot contributes fullness and Cabernet structure.