wines

A Pinot Grigio with substance and origin: the grapes for this classic white wine come from the chalky flysch soils of the Colli Orientali, where cooler nights and good aeration ensure aromatic clarity and freshness. Pale straw yellow in the glass with a greenish tinge. The aroma is typical of the variety and delicate: yellow apple, pear, white flowers and a hint of lemon zest. Dry, lively and straightforward on the palate, with fine fruit, subtle minerality and balanced acidity. An elegant representative of its grape variety, not focussing on superficial fruit, but on balance and drinking flow. SUPERIORE.DE

Rhine Riesling in South Tyrol? What sounds unusual at first glance makes perfect sense in the valley floor around Kurtinig. The loose, well-aerated sandy soils with calcareous gravel offer ideal conditions for the demanding Rheinriesling. The microclimate does the rest: the warm afternoon wind from Lake Garda alternates with cool morning breezes from the north, ensuring constant ventilation from April to October. The grapes undergo a 6–8-hour cold maceration before pressing – a process that releases the fine fruit flavours from the skins. Fermentation takes place at a controlled 19 °C in stainless steel.

The aromatic soul of South Tyrol. Gewürztraminer is considered the most typical of all South Tyrolean white wines – full-bodied and unmistakably aromatic. At Peter Zemmer, this grape variety grows on low-growing rootstock in the Guyot system, in the best vineyard sites on the valley floor around Kurtinig at 220–230 metres above sea level. The favourable location, ideal sunshine and good aeration of the grapes create ideal conditions for this demanding variety. After destemming, a six to eight-hour cold maceration follows, which transfers the valuable flavours from the skins into the must and intensifies the characteristic bouquet. Gentle pressing and subsequent fermentation at a controlled temperature of 19 °C in stainless steel preserve the varietal aromas in all their splendour.

The three sisters from Fittà: Meri, Valentina and Alessandra Tessari have turned the winery founded by their parents Giovanni and Rosetta in 1982 into one of the most respected addresses in Soave Classico. Suavia is the Germanic origin of "Soave" – the name says it all. While their neighbours from the flatlands have long since bowed to industrial pressure, the sisters cultivate exclusively the autochthonous Garganega and Trebbiano di Soave grape varieties on twelve hectares at an altitude of 300 metres. Their vineyards are located on the volcanic hills of Fittà, on copper-red, black and grey soils full of basalt and other volcanic rock. Here, where 50-year-old vines thrive on mineral-rich subsoil, wines of unmistakable expressiveness are produced.

Il Colombaio di Santa Chiara is not only clearly ahead of the game with the famous Vernaccia di San Gimignano, the family winery also proves this with its Rosato Cremisi. A tantalising and captivating nose of dried orange peel, flowers, ginger and nectarine. Soft and supple on the palate, yet very dynamic and full of energy with citrus fruit, peppery herbs and green melon. The drinking flow is enormous, the salty tension combined with a subtle tangerine note provides plenty of fun, excitement and freshness. SUPERIORE.DE

Ribolla Gialla with ambition: "Rjgialla" is Tunella's elegant interpretation of the indigenous grape variety that has been rooted in Friuli for centuries. The vines grow on slopes with lean marl soil, which gives the wine precision and freshness. Bright straw yellow in colour with greenish reflections. The bouquet is fine and expressive: lemon zest, white peach, blossom honey, pear and a hint of herbal spice. Slender but full of character on the palate, with lively acidity, delicate fruit and a clear, slightly salty finish. A fresh, delicate white wine with a regional profile - ideal with light summer cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for the savoury Fiulòt come from selected hillside parcels of Astigiano. Harvested and processed parcel by parcel, the must ferments at a controlled temperature in stainless steel; ageing on the fine lees in tanks preserves freshness, precision and varietal purity – in the spirit of an animating Barbera style. Bright ruby red in colour with a violet hue. Clear, ripe cherry and plum fruit, redcurrant, violets and a fine hint of liquorice on the nose. Juicy and straightforward on the palate: lively, well-integrated acidity, soft, fine-grained tannins and a smooth texture with a good drinking flow. The stainless steel ageing keeps the fruit crystal clear and the finish fresh. A charming, very varietal Barbera d'Asti that brings origin and elegance to the glass in an uncomplicated way – ideal with traditional cuisine. SUPERIORE.DE

The evening fall winds of the Mendel Mountains characterise the entire terroir of the St. Michael-Eppan winery. They ensure cool nights and give the grapes those extraordinary characteristics that characterise the aromas, unmistakable freshness and longevity of the wines. The fall wind is the natural force that blows over the vineyard every day, positively influencing the climate and supporting the valuable work of the winegrowers at the cooperative winery.

Even with his entry-level Vernaccia, Alessio Logi proves his unique class and also that the whites from San Gimignano can definitely play at the very top. Brilliant straw yellow in colour with sparkling reflections. Powerful aromas of citrus fruit, honeydew melon, jasmine, flint, crushed oyster shells and a hint of coriander and basil on the nose. Taut and precise on the palate, rich in extract and with great acidity. Brilliantly clear and with an interesting finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Mario Schiopetto was born in 1930, he grew up in the family-owned Osteria ai Pompieri and had his first professional experiences as a fireman and later as a truck driver. In 1963, guided only by his taste and love of wine, he began to devote himself to wine production in his parents' farm and produced the first pure Tocai in 1965. The historic label at the time included the drawing of his fire engine, which he also used to deliver the wine to customers. With the 2019 vintage, the winery recalled these historical roots and resumed the cute drawing on part of its wine labels.

Pinot Nero is a rarity in the Colli Orientali - and a challenge that Tunella masters with sensitivity. The vines are planted on well-ventilated slopes with calcareous flysch soils, which give the delicate Pinot structure and freshness. A transparent ruby red colour in the glass. The nose is fine and complex: red cherry, wild strawberry, a hint of rose and subtle earthy tones. Elegant and silky on the palate with fine acidity, delicate tannins and a surprisingly long, spicy-mineral finish. The 2023 vintage is particularly clear and focussed - with cool fruit, good inner tension and an almost Burgundian noblesse. A Pinot Nero with a regional accent that perfectly reveals the delicate side of Friuli. SUPERIORE.DE

2023 was a year of contrasts in Friuli: Warm days, cooler nights and occasionally challenging weather conditions demanded sensitivity in the vineyard - but Cabernet Franc in particular benefited from this. The vines from the higher-lying plots in the Colli Orientali yielded perfectly healthy harvestwith lively acidity and clear flavours. The wine shows nuanced freshness on the nose: blackcurrant, green peppercorns, laurel and a fine balsamic note. Juicy and cool on the palate, with youthful tension, a slender body and a precise final. Not a loud performance, but a finely crafted red wine that impressively demonstrates the potential of this rare grape variety in north-east Italy. SUPERIORE.DE

Vibrant, radiant colour, rich in green-golden reflections. The rich fragrance of this Moscato d'Allessandria (Zibibbo) is floral of white roses and acacia, followed by mineral notes, peach and orange blossom, to finish with candied citrus fruits and a hint of honey. On the palate, the olfactory impressions of mineral origin and the fresh structure are confirmed, savoury and enveloping. SUPERIORE.DE