Luca Maroni

Pinot Gris with an intense straw-yellow colour with golden-copper reflections, which can be traced back to the historic Ramato process: Here, the mash remains in contact with the skins for approx. 10 hours. Broad, fruity bouquet with sweet notes of blackberry, pear and ripe apricot, delicate hints of almond blossom. Harmonious, dry and full-bodied on the palate. Medium-long, slightly mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"This has a pale copper color and hints of honey and white strawberries to the apple and peach aromas. It’s medium-bodied, creamy and fruity with plump, soft, ripe stone fruit." James Suckling

Crognolo is a wonderfully balanced wine that offers the tangy freshness and acidity of Sangiovese, which is balanced and softened by the small proportion of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine smells of cherry, blackberry and plum. Its primary intensity is bright and cheerful. The finish shows a nice density, extraction and well-integrated tannins. SUPERIORE.DE

"The Crognolo 2021 is a great entry-level wine from Sette Ponti. An explosion of red/purple fruits, blood orange, spices and rose petals race across the palate, lifted by bright acids that add energy. All elements are very well balanced. This is a very inviting wine." Vinous

"Dusty, perfumed aromas of spiced plums with sour cherries and dried cherries are followed in the mouth by a vertical palate full of fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity and juicy fruit. It feels balanced and upright, ready to spring into action as soon as the cork is pulled. Vibrant red and black fruits intermingle, punctuated by a certain saltiness and supported by those tannins. The finish is long, juicy and flavoursome and leaves you wanting another sip." Decanter

"This young red wine shows all its components in the right place, but needs time to integrate. It offers flavours of cherry, violet, earth, iron and mint, which fade into powerful tannins on the finish." Wine Spectator

"Bright ruby violet colour. Expressive flavours of blackberries and rich cherries, with fine spicy components in the background. Compact, concentrated on the palate, with grippy tannins that also become juicy, salty on the finish." Falstaff

"The wine shows dark concentration, certainly more than you'd expect from Sangiovese, with lots of cherry, spice and blue flower that ties directly into the Merlot. It offers a medium to full-bodied texture with fine, chalky tannins." Wine Advocate

"Ultra-fresh, juicy cherries with more delicate aromas of violets and rose petals on the nose roll onto a palate rich with more cherries and berries balanced by earthy, tart notes of earth, branches and roots and a finish of bitter cocoa and aniseed." Wine Enthusiast

"The purity of the fruit in this wine is impressive, with redcurrants, orange peel, peaches and lemon on the nose and palate. Full-bodied yet compressed and agile. Tasty finish. Restrained now, but given a year or two it will come into its own." James Suckling

The hills around Orvieto have always been recognised as an area with amazing potential for quality white wines. The Verdeluce is no exception. This complex cuvée combines the elegance of Pinot bianco with the juicy structure of the Sémillon grape and the freshness of Grechetto. Vibrant light yellow colour. The fresh bouquet is intense and inviting, characterised by citrus fruits, sweet herbs and floral nuances. Elegant and taut on the palate with a balanced, fresh acidity and an intense final. SUPERIORE.DE

The delicious Salealto consists of equal parts Insolia, Zibibbo and Grillo and was matured for approx. 10 months on the fine lees in stainless steel. Deep golden yellow in colour with green reflections. Open nose with hints of beeswax, yellow flowers, acacia, red apple and green pepper. Very refreshing on the palate, low acidity, a fine saline note and wonderful fruit flavours. Herbal spice and expansive fruit with beautiful freshness on the deep finish - be sure to aerate. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense, bright straw yellow with a green shimmer. Ripe fruit notes on the nose, reminiscent of pineapple and lemon, followed by jasmine blossom. Lots of citrus fruit on the palate, fresh and straightforward, vibrant acidity, animating mouth-watering final." Falstaff

""The Cusumano 2020 Salealto represents a first attempt to make wine with in-house yeasts developed over years with the help of a research center in northern Italy. The wine is luminous and bright with summer peach, white flower and apple blossom. It shows a silky, mid-weight texture with some distant flint or mineral." Wine Advocate

Schioppettino is an old Friulian grape variety from which this wonderful, medium-bodied wine is made. Smells of red berries, herbs and liquorice. Fresh, floral and fruity notes on the palate, mineral and long. SUPERIORE.DE

"Attractive aromas of dark cherries, licorice, dried rosemary and wet stones, following through to a medium body with a solid and velvety tannin structure. Smooth and balanced." James Suckling

Aromas of dried roses, incense, white pepper, lavender and crushed wild blueberries in the glass. Juicy character on the palate with zesty acidity and tart red and blue fruits. As it progresses, it tapers off with beautiful primary tension and leaves a mysterious hint of gravel and bitter blackberry on the palate. Wonderful exoticism from Etna! SUPERIORE.DE

"Here, too, a blend from 5 contrade. Attractive bouquet with hints of Pinot, finely outlined red fruit and earthy-mineral notes. Sweet and tart fruits alternate on the delicate palate, supported by a good and lively acidity structure, shows a lot of grip." Weinwisser

"The 2022 Etna Rosso opens with a woody mix of savoury herbs, underbrush and red liquorice. There's a lovely inner sweetness here, with crisp red and blue fruits swirling over a stream of savoury acidity. The 2022 lingers but remains remarkably fresh, finishing on a tart blackberry note." Vinous

"Cottanera's Etna Rosso 2022 is deliciously vibrant and textural, with ripe dark cherry and herbal notes emphasised by some nice sapidity which beckons you back for another sip." Decanter

"Only the best grapes" adorns the label. Dark ruby red, in the bouquet fine notes of dark fruits, herbal spice and delicately toasted wood. Impressive elegance and clarity on the palate, the fruit is always fresh and present, the polished tannins lead this almost Burgundian red into a wonderful final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Deep dark, elegant ruby red. In the nose elegant fragrance, many ripe forest berries, delicate spice, noble. Shows itself compact on the palate and with elegant melting, beautiful density, clear fruit, slightly salty in the final with a rich aftertaste, can mature well." Falstaff

"A layered, flavorful red, showing ripe fruit and a linear tannin structure. Medium to full body. Slightly cooked fruit at the finish. A juicy, lightly tannic red." James Suckling

The Biancosesto is a true Friulian made from equal parts of the local Ribolla Gialla and Friulano grape varieties. Fresh, citrus-fruity aroma with hints of apple and pear, accompanied by a full-bodied, harmonious and pleasantly dry flavour. A refined interpretation of down-to-earthness with a beautiful arc of tension. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright olive green with straw yellow colour. Juicy citrus fruit on the nose, elderberry, juicy pink peach, rose petal, grapefruit, pomegranate, inviting. Fresh, juicy, clear on the palate, with well-defined fruit, full of tension and accessible, pure drinking pleasure." Falstaff

"Perfumed, elegant nose with citrus blossom and menthol, rich on the palate with candied fruit." Decanter

"This bright white features juicy pineapple, passion fruit and lychee notes accented by hints of grated ginger, ground cardamom, vanilla and white blossoms. Well-knit and lightly chalky in texture, with a focused, mineral-driven finish." Wine Spectator

"I like the undertones of crushed stone in the grapefruit and gooseberry flavours. It's bright, creamy and citrusy, with a medium body and a lively, zesty finish." James Suckling

"The Tunella 2022 Friuli Colli Orientali Biancosesto emphasises its modernist style with a very rich and creamy texture that comes from ageing in large Slavonian oak barrels. The blend consists of equal parts Friulano and Ribolla Gialla, and the fruit benefits from marl and sandstone soils that develop freshness and sweet concentration. This wine is complex and rich with ripe fruit, apricots and pears. It is a 360-degree expression with an extra dose of opulence to finish." Wine Advocate

Generous, seductive and very complex bouquet of cherries, plums, spices and other flavours. The flavour of the "Vigneti Vallata di Marano" is particularly impressive due to its elegance and length. A wonderful Amarone in which power and concentration go hand in hand. SUPERIORE.DE

"A classically rich Amarone that has aromas of walnuts, dates, dried cherries and spice box. Full-bodied and powerful yet tangy and stylish, with chewy layers of dried fruit and spices." James Suckling

The name refers to the altitude at which the grapes for this champagne-style spumante are grown. Noble light yellow in colour, the bouquet has delicate notes of broom, yellow fruit and the typical yeast note. A fine, persistent perlage on the palate, with fine yellow fruit and respectable depth, with an aristocratic, elegant, fresh, fruity and long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

The grapes for this graceful Valpolicella Classico come from the Miniere vineyard on the Bertani Villa Novare estate, a south-west-facing site covering just 4 hectares and consisting of two terraces. Bright ruby red in colour, with a very clear nose of fresh fruit, cherry and wild berries, with elegant notes of white pepper. Spicy, juicy and flavoursome on the palate, with remarkable persistence, straightforwardness and great length! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright red; fresh, fruity, inviting; juicy, balanced, reductive, off-dry." Merum

"Sparkling ruby red colour. Delicate fruity notes on the nose, raspberries and cherries, some orange zest and a hint of herbs. Pomegranate on the palate, fresh and straightforward, refreshing acidity, delicate tannins, salty final." Falstaff

This Montepulciano d'Abruzzo is one of the best we have ever tasted. Concentrated ruby red in colour, its nose and taste are characterised by a wonderful balance between fruit components and oak spice. A compact, elegant and very balanced red with a rich finish. Perfect! SUPERIORE.DE

"The Terre di Casauria Riserva San Clemente 2018 opens with a mentholated blend of plum sauce, sage and dusty earth. On the palate, it is elegant and polished, with juicy red and blue fruits that fade into savoury herbs and exotic spices. The 2018 tapers off long and structured. A hint of violets and lavender calls the taster back to the glass." Vinous

Le Difese is the freshest and most accessible of the three wines from Tenuta San Guido. For us, it is one of the most beautiful price-quality wonders of Tuscany. Magnificent, sweetly perfumed fruit aromas in the opulent bouquet, equally generous and broad in the long-lasting flavour of dark cherries, wild strawberries and tangy rosehips. Le Difese shows the great class of the winery in a more playful way. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light, transparent garnet colour. Juicy, accessible nose. Quite a charmer with a little Sangiovese bite on the finish for the short term. Decent, medium finish." Jancis Robinson

"Bright and appealing flavours of raspberry and cranberry with some cedar follow through to a medium body with fine tannins and a crisp finish. Fresh and crisp." James Suckling

"Bright red and violet scents with a creamy background and herbal notes lead to a soft and structured palate full of fresh, tangy cherries and dark hedgerow berries. Ripe, precise and flavoursome with a long, airy, balsamic finish, Le Difese should be enjoyed over the next ten years." Decanter

"The 2022 Le Difese is full-bodied, juicy and expressive, making it a good choice to drink now and over the next few years. Crushed flowers, juicy red cherry fruit, mint, spice and blood oranges race across the palate. This exuberant yet medium-bodied Tuscan coastal red wine is a true delight. The 2022 is a particularly beautiful edition. It benefits from a warm year, an earlier bottling and an earlier selection." Vinous

The grapes for this elegant Metodo Classico come from loose limestone soils with a clay content from the Überetsch and Unterland regions. The three grape varieties are vinified separately, gently pressed and fermented at a controlled temperature of 14°-16°C. The wine is matured in stainless steel on the lees of the first fermentation until spring. The wine is matured in stainless steel on the lees from the first fermentation until spring. Bright straw yellow in colour, fine and persistent perlage, fruity aroma with a subtle yeast note. Fresh, dry and very persistent on the palate, with a pleasant aftertaste of dried fruit and a saline touch. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant straw yellow with an olive green centre, persistent perlage. Fresh nose of green apple and white peach, also reminiscent of pepper and flint. Gentle entry on the palate, with fine-grained perlage, subtly full-bodied in the mid-palate, with a grapefruit final." Falstaff

"Flinty and floral, with orange blossom aromatics, then to a palate of bright acidity, peach, citrus fruit and strawberry." Decanter

The grapes for this high-calibre Valpolicella Classico Superiore come from the rather barren, calcareous and terraced vineyards of Tenuta Novare above the Ognisanti church. Wines of greater complexity, perfect structure and higher concentration are produced here than in most other vineyards in Valpolicella. Sparkling ruby-garnet colour. Fragrant nose with wonderful overtones of sour cherry, dried flowers and white pepper. Perfectly balanced on the palate with firm tannins and wonderful spice and depth of fruit thanks to the ageing in wood. A superior, winning wine from the heart of the Valpolicella region. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light ruby red colour with edge brightening. Lots of herbs and tobacco on the nose at the start, followed by compact cherry fruit. Lively and refreshing on the palate, harmonious, animating, juicy, ripe tannins and vibrant acidity, lingering final." Falstaff

"There is a palpable energy to this gorgeous expression, distinguishing it from the galumphing standard of so many in the region. Pinot in spades, with a tingle of red mountain berries and orange peel. The taut and pumice-like tannins direct crunchy length. The oak is evident but very subtle. The acidity is palate-whetting and juicy. A delicious wine." James Suckling

Dark ruby, finely spicy bouquet, juicy cherry notes and delicate caramel. Elegant texture, with firm tannins and well structured. A round wine and ideal food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red. A nose of ripe cherries and ripe plums, plus a hint of blackberries and milk chocolate, reverberating on dried rose petal. Fleshy and juicy on the palate, showing creamy fruit core with great tension, reverberating with savoury tannin and fine pressure." Falstaff

"Sweet herbs mix with peppery florals and freshly crushed blackberries as the 2017 Merlot blossoms in the glass. This envelopes the palate with mineral-tinged red and blue fruits as zesty acidity keeps the expression amazingly fresh, yet decidedly savory. A staining of primary concentration lingers through the lightly structured finale, along with a salty flourish that keeps the mouth watering for more. Very nice." Vinous

Feudi di San Gregorio's DUBL project was born in 2004 out of an awareness of the great richness of the indigenous vines of the Irpinia region and the desire to open up new horizons for them: as Metodo Classico Spumante or by means of the famous Méthode Champenoise. A consultant was quickly found for this - none other than Anselme Selosse, who is known for his champagnes and his flair for the specialities of the vines and vineyards.

A quarter of the base wines for this top product are aged for 6 months in oak barrels, after which the cuvée matures for two years in the bottle on the fine lees before being disgorged. Strong light yellow colour and a super-fine perlage. On the nose, light-coloured fruit, yeasty notes and nuances of fresh bread. Powerful and fresh on the palate, with a lovely spiciness and a potpourri of stone fruit, fine honey notes and roasted almonds. SUPERIORE.DE

"A flavourful, creamy sparkling wine with aromas of peaches, pineapple, nutshells and cake crust. It has a medium body with a broad and frothy mousse." James Suckling

"The Metodo Classico Dubl Edition II Brut, matured on the lees for 36 months, is an easy-drinking wine with fresh flavours of lemon peel, white peach and honeydew melon. This sparkling wine offers a dense and firm effervescence with a fresh, medium-bodied mouthfeel." Wine Advocate

The grapes for Ciampagnis come from a 7.8-hectare vineyard located just above sea level at an altitude of 32 metres. Fresh, Mediterranean-spicy bouquet with notes of white flowers and an exotic touch of mango, lychee and rhubarb. Medium-bodied on the palate with a beautiful silky texture, full-bodied flavours of citrus, pineapple and apple, the long ageing on the lees ensures terrific freshness and complexity. A seductive wine with great potential for enthusiasm, full of energy and personality with a mineral finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with golden reflections. Very intense nose of exotic fruits such as pineapple, mango and papaya, plus salted lemon and mint. Very juicy, salty on the palate with exotic, long-lasting fruit flavours as well as good pressure and an animating drinking flow." Falstaff

"This vibrant Chardonnay shows good balance and integration, offering bright pineapple and persimmon fruit flavours with a rich hint of grilled macadamia nut and aromas of orchard blossom and mountain herbs. Creamy and mineral on the finish." Wine Spectator

"A tight and slightly herbaceous chardonnay that’s fully focused on fresh pink grapefruit and a lot of mangoes at its core. Light-bodied, it shows a silky, super-refined texture, fruity length and refreshing acidity." James Suckling

"The 2022 Chardonnay Ciampagnis is a seductress that captures the imagination with a beguiling array of crushed nectarines infused with tropical citrus, a hint of curry leaves and sweet, sweet spice. The wine impresses with a balance of contrasts, combining tart fruit and green citrus notes with cool acidity and a hint of apricot towards the finish. Incredibly fresh and dramatically long, the Ciampagnis finishes with a colourful length and gentle tannins that leave a pleasantly tart sensation that lingers." Vinous

Sparkling yellow-green colour. The elegant, floral-scented Sauvignon Bianco Mantele is irresistible, with beautiful varietal typicity and a pleasingly slender waistline. Fine mineral notes on the palate add playfulness and vibrancy, overall very juicy and fresh. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, shiny golden yellow colour. Pronounced nose of nettle, followed by tropical fruit of pineapple and passion fruit. Velvety on the palate on entry, then with a lot of tension, fresh and fruity until the lingering final." Falstaff

"After aeration with a fine Sauvignon nose, passion fruit, green chilli pepper, cassis leaves, grass clippings, Granny Smith. Finely woven, profound, generous. Minerality on the palate, tweaks the edge of the tongue, vital, taut acidity." Vinum

"Aromas of gooseberries, lemon leaves and subtle tomato leaves. Light- to medium-bodied with weight and texture, yet it has sharp acidity, savory citrus notes and a gently leafy aftertaste." James Suckling

Deep, dark ruby red colour. Full, deep and explosive bouquet reminiscent of dark berries, tobacco and liquorice. Illuminati's single-vineyard classic Zanna, with its elegant, very complex flavour and delicate oak spice, leaves nothing to be desired every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2018 Colline Teramane Montepulciano d'Abruzzo Riserva Zanna is quite backward today, dark and brooding. Exotic spice and black currants form its understated bouquet. This is a more lifted and fresh style for Zanna, with round, supple textures and ripe citrus-tinged black fruits. Edgy tannins linger through the mentholated finale as hints of spiced cherry fade slowly." Vinous