wines

Sur Sur is a fresh Grillo, named after the little cricket whose gentle chirping symbolises lightness and new beginnings – a loving reminder of the playful, unforced life of the Sibyllines that blossoms on Sicilian soil. The vines grow in the west of Sicily around Contessa Entellina, on clayey-loamy soils with a chalky structure, which lend the wine a lively freshness and aromatic purity.

Three grape varieties, three soils, one rosé. Nals Margreid summarises in this cuvée what makes up the South Tyrolean wine landscape between Nals and Magreid in miniature: Merlot from broodinglimestone gravel soil with a high humus content, Pinot Noir and Lagrein from porphyry, sandy river alluvial soils. 280 to 400 metres above sea level, a Mediterranean climate with warm summers, mild winters – and the Ora, the warm afternoon wind from Lake Garda, which sweeps over the slopes every day and shapes the flavour of the grapes. Hand-picked, short maceration, fermentation in steel for around three weeks, then five months of ageing on the fine lees before bottling.

The name says it all: Grillo means cricket – and in Sicilian folk tales, the cricket is the fairies' horse that carries them through the night on its back. "Cavallo delle Fate" therefore – the fairy horse. A wine that takes its name seriously: light at first glance, but with an energy that carries. Grillo is one of the oldest grape varieties in Sicily, a cross between Catarratto and Zibibbo, long known primarily for Marsala. In Regaleali, it grows on the hills of Sant'Anna and Piana Case Vecchie, 480 metres above sea level, facing south-east, in deep loamy, slightly calcareous soils. Tasca deliberately plays with two harvest times: Some of the grapes are harvested earlier – for freshness and minerality – the rest later, for body and structure. No wood, no malolactic fermentation, four months of maturation on the lees in steel tanks. Cool, precise, with respect for a grape variety that needs no disguise.

Guarnaccio is called Perricone in the old Regaleali dialects and stands for a long, almost forgotten tradition of indigenous red wines. The vines are rooted on 2.6 hectares in the historic Vigneto Ciminnita, newly planted in 2011, on brooding, fine clayey soil with a sparse limestone flow. Rich in polyphenols and with spicy flavours, the Guarnaccio evokes memories of an ancient winemaking tradition.

Swiss precision meets Tuscan elegance in this characterful Supertuscan, which has embodied the Widmer family's DNA for over four decades. The name has a double meaning: three grape varieties and three terroirs, which Barbara Widmer combines with inimitable finesse to create a harmonious cuvée. This 70% Sangiovese composition comes from the vineyards of Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti and Maremma, refined with 15% each of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The continental Chianti vineyards at an altitude of 230-400 metres with their clay and galestro-interspersed soils meet the Mediterranean Maremma terroir with its sandy clay soils, which give the wine its characteristic depth.

Federico Giuntini-Antinori runs the area's most traditional estate, whose family tree can be traced back to the 15th century. Rufina is the northernmost district in Chianti, where the vineyards grow around the Villa di Selvapiana and in the vineyards of San Martino a Quona, Pian de' Marroni and Cerbognole. Mainly Sangiovese with small additions of Canaiolo, Colorino and Malvasia Nera are harvested between the end of September and the beginning of October, partly by hand. Spontaneous fermentation takes place in steel tanks at 28-30°C with a 25-day maceration period. Maturation lasts 12 months in 25-litre French oak barrels and concrete vats.

Silìneo – a neologism born from the fusion of "sinuoso" (supple) and "lineo" (linear). The name epitomises what this wine is all about: elegance, suppleness, balance and harmony. It is the most classic wine from Fattoria del Cerro and has been the most successful for years. Silìneo is made from 90 per cent Sangiovese (locally called Prugnolo Gentile) and ten per cent Merlot and Colorino, from vineyards in Acquaviva di Montepulciano on soils of marine Pliocene origin with clay and silt between 250 and 400 metres above sea level. After manual harvesting, fermentation takes place with maceration at 24 to 28°C with daily overflow and délestage. The wine then matures for seven months in tonneaux, followed by eleven months in large Slavonian oak barrels.

Ruby red with light violet reflections. Inviting aroma of violets, redcurrants and wild strawberries. Delicately fruity, dry and crisp on the palate with a lively acidity and fine, sparkling perlage. Brings freshness and drinking pleasure to every garden party. Goes perfectly with finger food, cold cuts, prosciutto & co. SUPERIORE.DE

Sardinian sun meets Mediterranean breeze – samas feels like a glass of holiday under olive trees by the sea. The fruit is grown on sandy, chalky soils in the sunny south-west of Sardinia and was harvested in the cool morning hours to preserve freshness and flavour. The grape variety blend of 80% Vermentino and 20% Chardonnay is perfectly selected. After cool fermentation and around 40 days on the fine lees in the tank, the wine matures for a few months in stainless steel tanks – elegant, clear and yet complex. Sunny yellow in the glass, almost like a ray of light caught in the glass. The nose offers aromas of grapefruit and lime, exotic fruits such as pineapple, Mediterranean herbs – especially sage – and a delicate, fresh minerality. On the palate, it is velvety, yet clearly contoured and full of energy: juicy, slightly salty and with a vibrant freshness that immediately whets the appetite for the next sip. SUPERIORE.DE

This single-varietal Riesling comes from well-ventilated vineyards with Alsatian clones and combines freshness, structure and ageing potential. After manual harvest in small crates and one night of cooling at 10 °C, the grapes are gently pressed. The must remains on the lees for 48 hours to extract aromatic precursors before fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks. The wine then matures for six months on the fine lees.

In the vineyards between La Morra and Verduno, where Matteo Ascheri has been capturing the essence of Nebbiolo for generations, a wine is created that shows all the elegance of this royal grape variety without the heaviness and complexity of its big Barolo brothers. Here, on the characteristic marl-clay soils of the Langhe, the Nebbiolo vines benefit from an ideal south-south-west exposure at an altitude of 350 metres. Matteo's proven philosophy – to let the terroir speak for itself without overpowering it with excessive technology – is also evident in this Nebbiolo: gentle vinification in stainless steel tanks preserves the freshness and elegance typical of the variety, while a short refinement in Slavonian oak barrels gives the wine a subtle structure without masking its natural finesse.

A Greco with clear origins: Daltavilla reflects the extraordinary terroir of Tufo with striking precision and elegance. The calcareous tufa soils of the high altitudes give this wine mineral depth and fresh structure. The 2024 vintage is characterised by ripe, clean grapes that were able to ripen particularly aromatically thanks to cool evenings during the ripening phase. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with a golden green hue. The nose smells of yellow fruits such as almond zest, warm lemon and white peach, complemented by floral notes and a subtle smoky flavour in the background. Juicy and dry on the palate, with harmonious acidity and elegant fruit, carried by a spicy mineral note that leads into the long, slightly salty finish. Daltavilla stands for clear origin and stylistic purity – a Greco that combines terroir and style and reveals the soul of a great appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

Morabianca Falanghina Irpinia DOC is a delicate, modern interpretation of one of the oldest white grape varieties in Campania. The grapes come from higher-lying plots in Mirabella Eclano – one of the coolest areas of Irpinia –which gives the wine freshness and finesse. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with a silvery hue. The bouquet smells of ripe Williams pear, apricot, citrus blossom and a hint of white pepper. Juicy on the palate, with a fine texture and a good balance between fruity richness and lively acidity. Finishes with subtle floral notes and a mineral accent. Clear and precise, with subtle depth and cool elegance – a Falanghina with ambition and character. SUPERIORE.DE

A youthful classic with history: Collecastrese is a single-varietal Falanghina from the wine-growing region around Monte Massico – an old cultivation centre of the legendary Falerno wines. The limestone and tufa soils lend the wine a mineral freshness, while the proximity to the coast promotes mild ripeness and aromatic clarity. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with a greenish-yellow hue. On the nose, ripe peach, green pear, tropical fruit notes such as pineapple and mango, accompanied by floral nuances. On the palate, it has a charming smoothness, clean fruit and fine acidity; the salty minerality characterises the long, fresh finish. An uncomplicated but expressive introduction to the world of Villa Matilde – a Falanghina with character, balance and a regional profile. SUPERIORE.DE

Monti in Chianti, at the southern tip of the Chianti Classico, seven kilometres south of Gaiole. Marco Ricasoli-Firidolfi has been cultivating the same slopes here for generations – the family dates back to the Lombard era, and the winegrowing is no less ancient. The estate has been certified organic since 2010. The Rosato is made from the same Sangiovese vineyards that supply the fruit for the Chianti Classico and the Gran Selezione San Marcellino. Hand-picked, short maceration time of 40 to 50 minutes, must clarification at low temperature, around one month of fermentation in steel tanks, then three to four months sur lie. The result is not a light summer rosé, but a rosato with substance: lively acidity, salinity, fine minerality.

Probably the most famous Lugana from the southern shore of Lake Garda – i Frati is the flagship of the estate. Made from 100% Turbiana from calcareous moraine soils, it combines regional typicity with fine modern precision. Brilliant straw yellow in the glass with greenish reflections. Fresh citrus fruit, white peaches, pears and a hint of almond blossom on the nose, complemented by delicate herbal notes. Clear and juicy on the palate, with lively, well-integrated acidity, fine flavour and a subtle mineral vein that lends freshness and depth in equal measure. The final is long, elegant and characterised by citrus fruit. A timeless classic that brings the terroir of the Lugana region perfectly into the glass – stylish, stimulating to drink and with assured ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

The indigenous Verduzzo grape variety unfolds its full potential here: the grapes dry directly on the vine, naturally concentrating sugar and flavours. After a late harvest, fermentation takes place in barriques - a rare, traditional style. A bright golden yellow colour in the glass. The aroma is enticing with notes of candied apricot, acacia honey, vanilla and a fine spiciness from the wood. On the palate, the wine is full-bodied, soft and harmonious, with a balanced sweetness and creamy flavour. An expressive, elegant dessert wine with a long finish and regional character. SUPERIORE.DE

Rêverie means daydream. Gaspari deliberately chose the French word – for a wine that requires no concentration, no patience, no prior knowledge. You pour, you drink, you are happy. This is more difficult to create than it sounds. 2025 was a warm, generous vintage in Valpolicella – mediterranean fruit, ripe flavours, a natural balance between power and freshness. The fact that the Rêverie nevertheless remains light is due to the decision: early harvest, short skin contact, no intervention, no wood. Celestino Gaspari does not intervene in a wine that shines on its own – he leaves it.

The grapes for Ettamiano are harvested when slightly overripe, a trick that the famous winegrowers' co-operative likes to use with great flair. The variety should show as much of its origin as possible, which is why they rely on short maturation and only use French barriques that have been used several times. Intense ruby red colour with violet reflections. At first sip, Ettamiano is a Primitivo that is characterised by its pleasantness, but at no time does it pander. The glass reveals hints of ripe but lively fruit, spicy notes of cinnamon, then cocoa and liquorice. The flavour is consistent and persistent, supported by a fresh and spicy note that keeps you coming back for more. Long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

A wine like an ecosystem: Misto Mare is no ordinary white wine, but a polyphonic poem of nature from Alois Lageder. The blend combines grapes from over 14 white and red grape varieties from organically or biodynamically cultivated vineyards that are still in the process of conversion to organic certification. The grapes come from a wide range of altitudes in South Tyrol – a reflection of regional diversity, captured in a single wine. The name refers to the geological past: Around 200 million years ago, South Tyrol was covered by a primordial sea. Today, vines grow there on what was once seabed, their complexity reminiscent of the former depths and the complex balance of marine habitats.