Italian Wine

Winemaker Description 

The best Italian whites come from the tiny top north-east corner and this is a classic blend of mainly Pinot Bianco and Friulano. Elegant and fresh with a great minerality, clean fruit and touches of a salty, savoury and herbiness to the palate. Straw yellow color. When young, it is characterized by an elegant bouquet of fresh fruit, developing sweet hints of apple and pear over time. Round and well-balanced taste, with fruity and, at the same time, mineral hints.

A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Ribolla Gialla, Friuliano. From a vineyard located in the village of Farra D'Isonzo, composed of hilly terrain and layers of sandstone and loam rock.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2020

Winemaker Description 

Deep and dark with lifted seductive aromas of red fruits and spice, powerful ripe red and black fruits wrapped in a structured but lush, elegant frame. Tremendous length and complexity.

Winemaker Description 

Tasting notes
Look:    intense ruby red.
Nose:    ripe cherries and sweet spices.
Palate:  rich, intense cherries and berry fruit; good length and soft tannins.

Food pairing | A wine of rare versatility, suitable for a wide variety of foods and drinking occasions, from aperitifs to serious dinners. Perfect with richly-sauced pasta dishes of the Mediterranean tradition; excellent with grilled and roasted red meats, as well as with the warm spicy flavors of Asian and South American cuisine.

89 Points Wine Enthusiast | Sour plums and boysenberries set the stage for this vivacious Dolcetto on the nose. The palate is plump and round with fine tannins giving the dense blackberry flavors a sturdy frame to hang on to. 

Winemaker Description

Ruby red. Aromas of cherries, plums, raspberries, and black pepper. Refined, light tannins and bright acidity make this a lifting, fruity wine. Pair with salumi, tomato and meat-based sauces and pizza Margherita.

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Eric Guido of Vinous Media 95 Points | "The 2019 Taurasi Radici is impossible to ignore, mixing cloves with incense, crushed stones and dried black cherries. This is saturating and intense, with a silken textural wave that ushers in masses of tart wild berry fruits and spices, all carried by a stream of vibrant acidity. It finishes long and youthfully tense, with a mineral tinge that lingers along with notes of black licorice and a sour cranberry crunch. In 2019, the Taurasi Radici is back to form. The new releases from Mastroberardino demonstrate this storied estate's ability to adapt to modern-day vintages...In fact, instead of coming across as sun-kissed or in any way dried out, they are notably energetic, with a beautiful purity of fruit and tannins that promise further development. When asked about global warming, Piero Mastroberardino explains, “We can now achieve soft tannins in a big Taurasi; the world has changed." Whether or not this is a good thing for the long term remains to be seen. As for the 2019 Taurasi Radici, it’s a drop-dead classic, and I am very excited to see how the Riservas will show two years from now. It will easily continue to impress for the next two decades or more...Mastroberardino remains a reference point producer in the region, with its eyes firmly set on the future."

James Suckling 95 Points | "Vivid dark ruby color, with aromas of blueberry jelly, earth, black truffles, toasted pepper and chocolate. Velvety on the palate, with juicy acidity, a full body and very good fruit concentration. Great complexity and polish in the finish. Drink or hold..."

Producer Notes

Full, complex and intense, with notes of cherry, violet, wild berries, and a distinctive spicy aroma. This elegant wine has flavors of plum, black cherry, strawberry and intense spices. Aged for 24 months in French oak barriques and Slavonian casks, then a minimum 24 months refinement in bottle. aging potential of 50 years or more. Pair with mature cheeses, truffles, porcini mushrooms, Ragout and other dishes with long cooked sauces and roasted red meats.

Expert Reviews

Dillon Mafit writes:  The chinato tasted like the nectar of the gods, like the most perfectly ripe apricot drizzled in honey, dropped into a glass of 1967 Château Rieussec Sauterne, and dosed with some sort of bitter aphrodisiac.  - thrillist.com

In Mauro Vergano's words (courtesy of LDM website): "I must say that producing a Chinato from Moscato wine was my first big challenge. First produced in 2003, it was the first product of its kind present on the market. The wine I use is a Moscato d’Asti with a higher alcohol content (more than 10%) compared to the ones that are commonly available. As is well-known, the Moscato I use comes from the prestigious winery of Vittorio Bera & Figli. I have to admit that when I was first looking for a Moscato for the first attempts I used wine from various producers, then I was lucky enough to meet Gianluigi Bera and his Moscato and I haven’t left them since. His Moscato’s fragrance and its full-bodiedness meld perfectly with the aromatic extract composed of citrus zest, cinnamon and vanilla. These fresh and sweet aromas are balanced by the bitter flavour of the China (Calisaya and Succirubra) which give it a persistent taste that is absolutely unique. A brief description of the production cycle which all the products share: The first step is the preparation of the extract or “concia”. This is done by leaving a mixture of chopped herbs and spices in alcohol for about 20/30 days. Then the extract is filtered and left to age for a few months. The second step is the actual preparation of the product. To make the product I mix the extract, sugar and alcohol. The last step is clarification followed by filtering which produces a clear product with long-term stability."

Winemaker Description 

85% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo Nero, 3% Malvasia, 2% Trebbiano.

Borghi d'Elsa has intense, fragrant and elegant aromas of blackberries and raspberries, with violet and Florentine iris notes. On the palate, the taste is dry, full, harmonious and slightly tannic, with an elegant aftertaste of toasted almond and fruits of the forest.

Winemaker Description

The Chianti Classico Riserva La Selvanella has a clear, dark, ruby color and full, complex bouquet with strong notes of red fruits, irises, and hints of vanilla. The flavor is full, generous, warm and savory with an elegant aftertaste of woodland undergrowth and toasted almonds.

Producer Description 

Mionetto Brut Prosecco Sparkling Wine originates from the Veneto region of Italy, renowned for its grape cultivation. With a longstanding reputation for crafting exceptional wines, Mionetto guarantees a delightful, crisp effervescence in every bottle. 

This Prosecco boasts a light straw in color with bright yellow highlights and a bouquet of honey, apples, and white peach, culminating in a refreshing, well-balanced acidity and lively mouthfeel. Its versatility shines through in its ability to complement a variety of dishes, from spicy curries and Southeast Asian cuisine like Thai or Vietnamese, to beloved American classics such as burgers and pizza.

For optimal enjoyment, serve chilled in a champagne flute or white wine glass. Prosecco also reigns as the preferred choice for the quintessential brunch cocktail, the mimosa, or the classic Aperol Spritz.

Winemaker Description 

The grapes from the province of Treviso, an area that has always produced high quality Prosecco, give this sparkling wine a luminous straw yellow hue and for its emphatic yet stylish mousse. The bouquet is redolent of golden apple, while the palate is appealingly marked by aromatic notes of golden apple, white peach and honey.  

Expert Review

90 Points Wine Enthusiast |  Fresh and vibrant, this classic Prosecco is exactly what we are all looking for: freshness, fun and fruitiness. Ample apple and lemon notes with a touch of white flower define the nose. These lead to a zippy palate that directly translates from the nose with loads of fresh apples and a touch of minerality.

Winemaker Description 

Old vines, steep slopes, organic viticulture and hand-harvested grapes all add to the quality and enjoyment of this top-notch Prosecco from Mongarda. Mineral, clean and fresh, the tiny bubbles keep the bright apple and pear fruit in perfect balance. Try with some prosciutto and hard cheeses.

Expert Review

Eric Guido writes:  Zests of lime give way to crushed rocks and minty herbs as the 2023 Extra Dry Prosecco Valdobbiadene Superiore opens in the glass. It splashes across the palate with a wave of silken bubbles offset by saline minerals and tart orchard fruits. A spike of acidity adds lovely balance. The 2023 leaves a tinge of sweet spice contrasted by sour citrus, tapering off with wonderful length and freshness.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Vinous 92

Our Expert Review 

"Lovely nose of orchard fruit: White peaches, Green Apples and pears. Medium-bodied with nice long-lasting bubbles. The Perfect Aperitif Prosecco to take to a Picnic or BBQ."
- Oscar Garcia, Wine buyer | 67 Wine

Expert Review - Vintage 2020

James Suckling 91 Points | Notes of spiced cherries, spices, and dried citrus peel, with fine tannins and a fine finish.

Winemaker Description

Dark ruby in color, its bouquet of leather, earth, herbs, black cherries, licorice and plums is confirmed on the medium to full-bodied palate - round, spicy, elegant, attractively fruity and extremely versatile.

Winemaker Description

The name Monte Bernardi appears in records dating back to the eleventh century. The Monte Bernardi estate now extends to over 70 hectares of land including 22 hectares of organically farmed vineyards. Monte Bernardi has the highest percentage of old vines of any commercially producing estate in Chianti Classico, including six hectares over 55 years old, and one extraordinary hectare planted in 1933, all thriving under the care of the vineyard team.

Retromarcia means “to back up” or “to reverse,” and this wine is Monte Bernardi’s traditionally made beacon of Sangiovese’s natural elegance and expressiveness. It’s a medium-bodied wine that blends fruit freshness with bright acidity and structure. Fresh and fruity, medium bodied, well balanced, with a nice structure, juicy acidity and a long finish.

Monte Bernardi Retromarcia Chianti Classico is a deep, ruby red with hints of purple. Intense notes of mountain herbs, aromas of cranberry, wild cherry and red plums, anise, spice, and orange peel. Fresh and fruity, medium-bodied, well balanced, with a nice structure, juicy acidity and a long finish.

Expert Review - Vintage 2020 

James Suckling 92 Points | Dried cherries and loganberries with hints of autumn leaves and mild ginger powder. Medium-to full-bodied with fine, spice-coated tannins and a slightly chewy finish. Nice and spicy at the end. Give it a couple of years.

Winemaker Description 

Dried cherries and loganberries with hints of autumn leaves and mild ginger powder.  Medium-to full-bodied with fine, spice-coated tannins and a slightly chewy finish.

Our Professional Review 

Debra 67Wine.com | Montenidoli is a mountain above the appellation of San Gimignano.  A noble and elegant expression of Vernaccia San Gimignano from this historic estate. This wine is certified organic, aged in stainless steel and macerates on the skins for about 7 days. It has nice complexity , light-medium bodied, energetic, vibrant with a nice texture.  Fresh, pure, with flavors of stone fruits ,  orange zest and blanched almonds and a nice lingering finish.  Pair with seafood, pasta and vegetables or  simply with cheeses. Debra, Italy white wine Buyer

Winemaker Description 

Wine Description 

90% Sangiovese/10% Colorino-Canaiuolo. From certified-biodynamic vines in San Casciano in Val di Pesa at the northern edge of the Chianti Classico zone. Hand-harvested and mainly destemmed but with the berries left whole. They are fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts and without sulfur in concrete tanks. Maceration lasts around 12 days and there are no extractive techniques, only a submerged cap or cappello sommerso. The wine is aged partly in 15-hectoliter foudres and partly in concrete for up to one and half years. It is bottled with a small amount of sulfur and without fining or filtering and is released in the late spring two years after the vintage.

Expert Review - Vintage 2022 

Antonio Galloni of Vinous writes 92 Points | The 2022 Chianti Classico is a powerful wine, one that marries the intensity of the year with the translucent energy that is such a signature here. Readers will have to be patient, as this is far from an easygoing Chianti Classico. Time in the glass releases the aromatics somewhat, but the 2022 is in no mood to show all of its cards. It is easily one of the most reticent wines of the vintage."

Winemaker Description 

Straw yellow color with green tints. An intense and persistent nose with scents of flowers and plants, rosemary, thyme and sage. On the palate, clear predominance of vegetal notes, warm and full of good thickness and balanced with a long persistence. 

Producer Description 

This distilled-spirit specialty is a rue-flavored grappa made from the infusion of Nardini Grappa with the brances of rue (in Italian: ruta), a strongly scented evergreen subshrub grown around Lake Garda in northern Italy, long used to aid digestion.

Winemaker Description

The Gattinara spends a minimum of 3 years in large oak whereas both crus see at least four years in large oak.

Expert Review - Vintage 2018 

Vinous 95 Vinous | The 2018 Gattinara is a stunning wine in the making. Extraordinary in its complexity and nuance, the 2018 dazzles with a kaleidoscope of aromas, flavors and textures. Kirsch, hard candy, flowers and lively acids captivate the senses. The 2018 is elegant, weightless and full of character. It is, quite frankly, everything Gattinara can and should be. This is a great place to start for readers who want to know why the 2018 vintage is so magical at Nervi-Conterno. If it weren't for the single-vineyard wines, I would have said the 2018 is one of the very best wines that have ever been made here! (2018). 

Robert Parker 94 Points | Roberto Conterno acquired Nervi in 2018, and this is the first vintage in which the brand name is listed as Conterno Nervi (as opposed to Nervi Conterno, or just Nervi). Fully under his winemaking watch, the 2018 Gattinara comes from a vintage that performed well in this part of Alto Piemonte. Roberto had the confidence to produce his two single-vineyard expressions (Vigne Molsino and Valferana) in 2018, which is not exactly intuitive, as the growing season proved more challenging in other parts of Piedmont. But Roberto interprets each vintage with a keen eye and deft approach that is often contrary to his peers. I think what stands out here is the freshness, the balance of acidity that plays nicely into the minerality of the wine and the brightness of its wild rose and redcurrant flavors. This Gattinara carries a lot of fruit and primary intensity, all backed by subtle touches of balsam herb and soft tarry end notes. This 2018 underlines the elegance in Nebbiolo. (2018). 

Winemaker Description 

The Alpi Retiche IGT Bianco produced by Nino Negri is a wine that reflects the uniqueness and diversity of the mountain territory of the Rhaetian Alps in Lombardy. This white wine is the result of Nino Negri's ability to create wines that express the richness and complexity of their terroir, in a geographical and climatic context particularly favorable for quality viticulture.

Visually, Alpi Retiche IGT Bianco has a light and bright straw yellow color, with greenish reflections that anticipate its freshness. On the nose, the wine unfolds a delicate and pleasantly aromatic bouquet, with notes of fresh fruit, such as green apple and pear, accompanied by floral nuances and a touch of minerality, typical of mountain wines.

On the palate, this white wine reveals itself to be light, fresh and harmonious. The acidity is well balanced and contributes to a pleasant sensation of liveliness, accompanied by delicate flavors of fresh fruit and a light herbaceous note in the finish, which adds complexity and persistence.

This wine is perfect for accompanying light appetizers, fish and seafood dishes, fresh salads and delicate cheeses. It is also an excellent choice as an aperitif, thanks to its ability to stimulate the appetite and be enjoyed in convivial moments.

Winemaker Description 

This area bears a name that immediately evokes the main character of the terroir: heat. Rocky outcrops increase temperatures by reflecting the sun's rays during the day and releasing heat at night. The steep slope allows the sun's rays to strike the ground perpendicularly, thus increasing the solar radiation. A good amount of soil allows the Nebbiolo to mature in terms of sugar content, but above all in terms of polyphenols.

Ruby red hue tending to garnet; pronounced, layered nose with top notes of cherry, ripe plum and sweet spice (cinnamon and cloves) and a tinge of sulphur; dry, mineral and austere but harmonious on the palate, with an elegant slightly bitter finish of roasted hazelnut. Serve with roasted red meats, lamb, game, and mature cheeses.

Winemaker Description

With a dark garnet-red color, the wine shows distinctive, fine aromas of small fruits, raspberry preserves, roses and violets, with an herbal note. In the mouth, the wine has full, lively tart fruit flavors, elegant tannins and a lingering aftertaste, with traces of prunes and toasty oak. 

Winemaker Description 

Occhipinti SP68 Bianco is a dry, organic and biodynamic white wine made with the Albanello and Moscato de Alejandría varieties and produced by Arianna Occhipinti, in Sicily, Italy.

"The name of a road, for a wine that is a journey", is the perfect and forceful description that Arianna Occhipinti gives to her Occhipinti SP68 Bianco, a wine that refers to the Strada Provinciale 68 as a tribute to all those peasants who have travelled along this road from the countryside for three thousand years, first with amphoras and then with barrels containing the fruit of their labour, fatigue and joy, and the aroma of their land.

In the middle of Strada Provinciale 68, in Vittoria, Sicily, we also find the Arianna Occhipinti winery where this Occhipinti SP68 Bianco was created. The wine is made with grapes that come from vineyards with an average age of 15 years, located 280 metres above sea level and composed of soils of red sand and limestone, which are cultivated according to the principles of organic agriculture and biodynamics.

The plots are cultivated without employing chemicals, and the grapes are harvested by hand and fermented with their native yeasts. The must remains in contact with the skins for 15 days. The wine is aged for 6 months in cement tanks and finally bottled unfiltered.

Occhipinti SP68 Bianco is a terroir wine born out of respect for the land and the vineyard, and reflects the philosophy of Arianna Occhipinti who states the following: "If the work in the vineyard is performed with care, the passage to the winery becomes simpler and requires fewer interventions. Winemaker Description. 

Expert Review - Vintage 2023

Eric Guido writes:  The 2023 Bianco SP68 is distinctly savory, as wild herbs and wet concrete give way to crushed nectarines. This is soothingly round and supple with a spicy tinge of ginger up front, leading to tart orchard fruits and a cascade of salty minerals. The 2023 finishes vividly fresh yet still potent, leaving hints of green melon and lime zest that linger on and on. Allow the Bianco SP68 some time to open in the bottle to express its aromatics properly.  Drinking 2024 to 2027.  - Vinous 90

Expert Rating

Vinous Stephen Tanzer writes 93 Points | (from 63-year-old vines in the center of the vineyard; aged in a combination of old barriques and new larger casks) Sweet aromas of redcurrant, cherry, smoke and mint, all lifted by high notes of orange peel, rose petal and minerals. Concentrated, vibrant and gripping, with a silky quality and noteworthy precision to the flavors of red fruits, spices and minerals. Harmonious acidity gives a juicy, sappy quality and real elegance to this densely packed Barbaresco. Here the tannins are considerably finer than those of the normale, and the long, juicy, gripping finish leaves behind a captivating floral perfume. A beauty. 

This is from a massale selection, including a bit of the lighter, floral rose clone of nebbiolo while the rest of the vineyard features five different clones. 

Our Professional Review

Debra 67Wine.com | A stunning wine with a provactive nose of rose petals, herbs, violets, red berries and cedar. A fuller style with purity and complex flavors of licorice,  strawberry, red berry fruits, and mushroom  Beautifully balanced structure and finesse with minerality and  firm tannins.  

Pair with roasted meats, boar, bolognese , truffle dishes,   and heartier pasta dishes.

Winemaker Desccription

The Sorì Paitin belongs to the Pasquero-Elia heirs since 1796. It is the Serraboella warmest slope, graced with unique soils that since ages is planted with Nebbiolo. Sorì means the first place where the snow melts with the first winter sun rays. Ancient rule to select the best plots for Nebbiolo. Serraboella is the most famous cru in the Southern Neive. A long hill exposed to West that gently bends towards South getting steeper. On this very side: the steepest and the warmest, the Barbaresco has a unique expression. Power, volume are laced by a elegant texture.

Expert Reviews

Wine Spectator 95 Points | Alluring aromas and flavors of cherry, raspberry, leafy underbrush, tar, iron and hay mark this luscious red, which is fresh and firm at once, with a chalky, minerally essence on the long finish. Best from 2026 through 2042. (2020). 

James Suckling 94 Points | This offers a broad spectrum of aromas, from toasted spices and walnut shell to vibrant red fruit and rose petals. Hints of earth and undergrowth, too. Very dynamic and meaty on the palate with a full body and beautiful tannins. It’s velvety and compact and evenly distributed. Crunchy, too. Better after 2026. (2020). 

Robert Parker 94+ Points | In the local dialect, a "sorì" refers to the top of a hill that gets the most sunlight. The 2020 Barbaresco Serraboella Sorì Paitin is a special selection of fruit from a pinpoint area within this greater cru site in the village of Neive. Certified for organics, it does indeed show slightly riper and sweeter fruit, which is expected given the very warm temperatures seen during this growing season. This wine does not have the same austerity that we get in the wider selection from Serraboella. Instead, this bottle offers a softly layered expression with cassis, red rose, peony, apricot, spice and iodine. (2020). 

Winemaker Description

Intense ruby red colour with violet hints, very clear. Very intense, with vegetable and spicy hints, light liquorice nuance. Dry and smooth to the palate, enjoyably fresh, well balanced and harmonious, good nose-palate persistence.

Matching and service – Lean starters, dry and liquid soups even with savoury sauces, grilled and pan cooked meat, goat and sheep medium seasoned cheeses.
There are no studies on the Monica vine capable of identifying its exact origin. What is certain is that it was brought to Sardinia and planted in 1400 by the Camaldolese monks around their monasteries. 

From here, grapes of the monks, grapes of monks and then Monica … many theories, many memories of other vines that the character of Sardinia has transformed and adapted. Today Monica is a perfectly integrated son of Sardinia, the south-eastern part is his land of choice… and therefore at home in the Pala family.

Oltreluna has the spirit and character of Sardinia where the vine lives and breathes, but retains a small and intriguing memory of its mysterious origin. Kind like its name, but extraordinarily complex like the land that hosts it. It is the moon that is reflected on a silver sea in the blue of the night, it is a journey that has begun and is always evolving… it is thinking about the character of wild Sardinia with an extraordinary and elegant versatility.

Grapes – Monica 100%. 

Bart Hopkins 67wine.com | What a pleasant surprise this deceptively delicious organic Barbera turned out to be! Made from organic grapes with no sulfites added, this joyous and lively spirited wine starts to sing its beautiful melody as soon as the screw cap is cracked. Earthy aromas of dark berries are followed by a refreshingly energetic  and vibrant palate that wakes up the taste buds and brings new life to the concept of food friendliness. Silky tannins, vibrant acidity and a touch of black pepper, and rustic spice compliment the dark fruited finish. Pure and unadulterated, this is a naked expression of Barbera in its most natural setting, a wine that thrives for down home cooking, hearty pasta dishes and good cheesy pizza.