Valtellina

"The place where the Nebbiolo grape challenges the mountains. Slopes of dizzying steepness, harsh soils, and interminable stretches of stone walls which make the Valtellina Italy’s the largest terraced viticultural area. A wine, a grape variety, and a territory narrated through its historic sub-zones (Inferno, Grumello, Maroggia, Sassella e Valgella)". Alessandro Masnaghetti

Finish: printed on both sides, with numerous background information on areas, heights, extent, variety of grape varieties, production details and Google Earth coordinates

Size: DIN A4 or 59 x 84 cm (opened)

Alessandro Masnaghetti is a very old stone of the Italian wine industry. The journalist has worked for renowned publications such as Guido Vini d'Italia L'Espresso and the renowned wine guide by Luigi Veronelli. He has also published numerous articles and tasting reports, for example in the New York Times and the Revue du Vin de France.

Alessandro, in close cooperation with the land registries and consortiums of the most famous wine-growing regions, has been publishing for several years the cartographic work of the most important wine regions in Italy, which is probably unique to this day and which brings new insights to even the most widely travelled, well-read and wine-loving connoisseur of Italy. A must for all lovers of Italian wines who want to experience and experience the true diversity and strength of the Italian wine world, right down to the smallest individual location of the respective appellation, apart from the usual standard mush. SUPERIORE.DE

The geological origins of the soil date back to the time when African and European plates collided, creating the Alps. The diversity of the terroir lends minerality and elegance to this white-pressed Nebbiolo rarity. straw yellow with golden reflections. Lush bouquet of green apple, citrus fruits, honey and toasted bread. Dry and fresh on the palate, this unusual white provides a lot of drinking pleasure, rounded off by a fine minerality in the complex finish. Be sure to aerate! SUPERIORE.DE

The Nebbiolo grapes for the Inferno Superiore come from the Calvario, Sopragironi, Sottogironi and Ca Rossa subzones. They grow there in southern exposure on terraced slopes on poor, sandy soils. Rich, bright carmine red. Interesting aroma spectrum of spices, wild berries, liquorice and mint. Very harmonious on the palate, the tannin very well integrated and the Nebbiolo fruit and acid component present until the respectable finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Mazér" is a dialect word from Valtellina and means "noble", an apt description of the character of this wine. It is a Valtellina Superiore and the quintessence of the experience that Nino Negri has gained since 1897 in the production of the Chiavennasca grape (Nebbiolo). A small part of the Nebbiolo grapes is dried for a few days - concentrating the grape juice - and then mixed with the rest of the grape mass.

A pure bouquet of red fruit with a hint of tobacco, hints of mineral notes on the palate and fine tannins, perfectly integrated into an appealing acidity structure. A very authentic, classic and full-bodied wine with an Alpine character. SUPERIORE.DE

"Le Tense" is made from grapes that come exclusively from the Sassella DOCG subzone. During Swiss rule (1512 - 1797), the best vineyards were "secured" by armed guards, which is how it got its name. They became the most famous vineyards in the appellation. The selection of vines produces a wine that expresses the character of the soil: old stones and rocks that represent the terroir of Sassella. Nebbiolo from Sassella produces elegant aromas and delicate, harmonious flavours that are typical of the alpine reds of Valtellina.

Silky and polished with wild berries, blueberries, bitter almond, crushed rock, ash and mild spice. It has all the ethereal and finely balanced flavours of a Valtellina Nebbiolo, but they are presented in a slightly more direct and accessible way. The firm tannins are enveloped in beautiful fruit, and the medium-long finish ends harmoniously. A wonderful wine from the far north of Lombardy. SUPERIORE.DE

"Light, bright ruby colour with garnet-red tendencies. Medium intensity on the nose of preserved wild berries, with notes of cloves and varnish. Medium-bodied on the palate with fresh fruit and somewhat broad tannins on the finish." Falstaff

Cristina Scarpellini's remarkable entry-level wine opens compactly with aromas of wild berries, violets, gravel, liquorice and some flint. Bright and straightforward on the palate, with alpine strawberry, star anise and a hint of botanical herbs. Its lively acidity and gripping tannins make it a perfect accompaniment to food. SUPERIORE.DE

Essenza is a classic Valtellina Superiore that draws its fruit from the terraced high mountain vineyards in one of the northernmost corners of Italy. Ruby red with garnet-coloured inclusions. Wonderful aromas of dried strawberries, mushrooms and flowers that open up into pure fruit. It is medium-bodied on the palate with appealing depth and intensity. The fine and complex tannins are polished and flattering. Essenza magically balances power and elegance, gaining much of its straightforwardness and focus from the lingering mineral notes of crushed slate or granite that add salty notes to the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"A poised Nebbiolo with plenty of raspberries, strawberries, sweet spices and mixed herbs. Medium-bodied with creamy tannins. Velvety and elegant with a harmonious, succulent finish." James Suckling

The grapes for Carluccio "Carlo" Negri, named after the winery's authoritative pioneer, come from vineyards in the DOC and DOCG areas of Valtellina on the slopes of the Rhaetian Alps along the right bank of the Adda River. The sfursat, world-famous for the region, is produced by the natural drying of the grapes, favoured by the cool and dry winds from the mountains. In the "fruttaio", the fruit shed, they lose almost 30% of their weight during this process. The result is therefore a unique Nebbiolo: rich and intense, with the typical mineral and fresh character of Alpine wines.

Medium ruby red. Concentrated, complex bouquet with notes of ripe berry fruits, cyclamen and spices like black pepper and cinnamon. Dry on the palate, with beautiful dark primary fruit with firm tannins that are tart when young. Further on, full-bodied, persistent, with a long finish and subtle hints of cloves and liquorice. Harmonious, too, its fresh acidity, which will make it vibrant and exciting, especially after further years of ageing, one of the best wines of the appellation. SUPERIORE.DE

"A energetic Valtellina with cherry and floral aromas and flavors that are highlighted with hints of vanilla and bitter citrus. Full-bodied with round tannins that are soft and velvety and plenty of ripe fruit that remains fresh, focused and intense." James Suckling

The "Sassorosso" vineyard is located on a rocky promontory that is separated from the rest of the mountain and has been almost completely eroded by the glacier over the centuries. It is visually distinguished by the unmistakable red colour of the ferruginous inclusions in the rock. The overlying shallow soil layer consists of clay and sand and lies on friable, metamorphic rock into which the roots can penetrate. The unmistakably elegant and mineral character of the terroir is thus particularly strongly expressed in this Nebbiolo.

Bright, transparent ruby red with a fine garnet hue. On the nose, small red fruits such as blackberry, redcurrant, cherry and raspberry complemented by fresh, floral notes of violets and roses. The palate is dense with a very tasty attack, silky tannins and a seemingly endless finish. A wine of great austerity and purity with considerable ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Aromas of cut plum, red liquorice, roasted thyme and hibiscus. Medium-bodied with velvety tannins. Straightforward with real freshness and juicy red fruits." James Suckling

"The 2019 Grumello Sassorosso is a potent wine laced with strong mineral and savory notes that lend nuance as well as energy. Sweet dried cherry, crushed rocks, sage, mint and pipe tobacco open in the bouquet, but the Sassorosso remains a bit stern and unyielding in feel." Vinous

"Spicy at first, with notes of tarry smoke, loamy earth and grilled herbs evolving into a more subtle thread that winds through flavours of plum sauce, cherry reduction, anise and graphite. Long and slightly juicy overall, with a creamy edge to the otherwise chewy tannins that firm up the spicy finish." Wine Spectator

This smooth and exceptionally polished Valtellina Superiore comes from Sassella, one of the most famous villages in the Valtellina appellation on the north bank of the River Adda. Bright ruby red in colour. Camphor, wild roses, wild berries and hints of graphite and vanilla are the main characters in this fragrant red wine. Straightforward and elegantly structured, it reveals red cherry, pomegranate and liquorice on the palate, accompanied by present but fine tannins. The lively acidity provides the necessary drive, including further ageing potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"A well-balanced Nebbiolo with notes of red berries, bark and forest floor. Medium-bodied with fine tannins. Velvety with a juicy core of red berries. Fresh and delightful." James Suckling

This wine is literally on fire. Flammante comes from the Inferno (hell), an area where the fruit of this fiery, warm and full-bodied wine comes from the hardness of the Rhaetian rock. With all the vigour in every sip, it is a wine of extreme grace and elegance that makes you think and marvel. Ruby red colour tending towards garnet. A beguiling bouquet of Mediterranean spices and herbs, then strawberry, wild rose, dried earth and minerals. Complex and full of character on the palate with a beautiful fruit centre and animating freshness that makes you long for the next glass. SUPERIORE.DE

"Creme de cassis, berries, mushrooms and some herbs on the nose. Medium-bodied with firm tannins. Balanced and flavorful with bright acidity and a focused finish with excellent length." James Suckling

The "Ca' Guicciardi" vineyard takes its name from the farmhouse that lies at its centre. The single vineyard is characterised by small, very steep valleys. Impressive rock faces alternate with terraces supported by some of the highest dry stone walls in Valtellina. The special colour of the rock, which tends towards a quartz-like white, considerably enhances the power of the sun and leads to higher temperatures and more light here than in other parts of the valley.

Vigna Ca' Guicciardi has an intense, bright ruby red colour, pronounced aromas of ripe red fruit with predominant notes of black cherry, blackcurrant and spices, with hints of liquorice, cloves and cinnamon in the background. Soft and full on the palate, without appearing broad or denying its Alpine origins. You can't help but compare it to a complex Burgundy, its round tannins and wonderful depth and length round off the experience in a well-proportioned and highly elegant way. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Valtellina Superiore Inferno Ca' Guicciardi shows a little more ripeness, just a little, which is expressed with strawberry jam, wilted blue flowers, crushed slate and spicy pepper. The Inferno sub-region is known for its warmth, hence the name "Inferno". The mouthfeel is polished, lean and soft." Wine Advocate

"A lovely, harmonious red, expanding with silky finesse on the palate to reveal flavors of cherry coulis, warm fig and red licorice, with a sanguine thread of iron, smoke and spices. Long and supple, with good focus, though only medium-bodied in weight. Lightly chewy on the fragrant, herb-laced finish." Wine Spectator

The "Fracia" vineyard has belonged to Nino Negri since it was founded in 1897. It lies at the confluence of several alpine valleys and the vegetation in this area is almost Mediterranean with lavender and rosemary. The result is a wine that is flavoursome and flowery with a characteristic, spicy aroma.

Intense ruby red colour with garnet reflections. Complex aromas of dog rose and violets on the nose, which develop into spicy notes such as rosemary and lavender. Dense, rich and with well-structured tannins on the palate. The well-balanced and fresh acidity leads to a long, very flavoursome finish. An alpine red that is already a pleasure to drink, but its complexity and power will really come to the fore with further bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, shiny ruby red colour. Elegant hints of honey, rosehip and strawberries on the nose, some sage, peach, cold smoke. Beautifully polished and fresh on the palate, elegant, slightly creamy fruit, delicately flowing, fine pressure on the finish." Falstaff

"Raspberries, damp earth, herbs and orange peel on the nose. Medium-bodied with dusty tannins and an attractive minerality. Firm and persistent. Drink or store." James Suckling

"The Nino Negri 2019 Valtellina Superiore Valgella Vigna Fracia shows a bright ruby red colour, and although the bouquet is not as expressive as some of its peers, it opens slowly with notes of cassis, dried orange peel and sweet nectarine. The bouquet is characterised by red berries, fruit and a hint of wild roses and mountain flowers. It is delicate and light in texture. This wine is packaged in a bottle with a greenish-grey label that reflects the slate soils of Valgella. Give it a little more time in the bottle." Wine Advocate

"Firm and chewy, this compact red opens in the glass, offering a tarry undertow, with flavors of baked cherry, medicinal herbs and white pepper, plus a touch of black licorice. Long and minerally on the finish." Wine Spectator

"This is a project with which I am still celebrating the beginning of my adventure as a winemaker, which is why this Riserva bears my name. Valgella is the region where my exciting journey began, and this wine not only bears my signature, but also pays tribute to the steep slopes from which we have wrested its fruit with its elegant shyness."

Bright garnet red colour. Fine and subtle on the nose, where the initial iron-rich mineral notes are replaced by articulate aromas of spices, red rum fruit and coffee. Full-bodied and expansive on the palate, ethereal, with a present, sand-blasted tannin structure. Long and juicy on the finish. Certainly needs at least two more years for the tannins and oak to integrate perfectly. We are certain that, with a little patience, it will reach radiant perfection; it is a wine that rightly bears the winemaker's name! SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark, shiny ruby red colour. Great, open-hearted nose of rose hips, peaches, raspberries, some mint and smoky notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, very juicy, very fruit-accentuated, prancing, shines magnificently on the tongue, straightforward and precise right through to the fine finish." Falstaff

"Dark wild berries, savory spices and roasted earth aromas define the nose of this brooding wine made from Nebbiolo. Ripe black cherries open the palate giving way to more floral, herbal and mineral notes on the long and deep finish." Wine Enthusiast

The grapes for the most classic red wine of the Valtellina are air-dried by the alpine winds for about 2 months after the harvest. Infinito shows a fresh, almost mentholated side of the Nebbiolo grape that adds lift and brightness to the bouquet. Immediately after these spicy herbal notes, the wine dives into the darker fruit of blackcurrant, wild plum and pressed rose. This wine offers an exciting and unexpected array of flavours that highlight its unique personality, which can only be achieved in this form with the Nebbiolo grape in the Italian Alps. As the wine settles on the palate, there is even a subtle sweetness that comes from the appassimento process, rounding it out to a distinctive classic. Be sure to aerate before enjoying! SUPERIORE.DE

"Made with air–dried grapes, the Tenuta Scerscé 2018 Sforzato di Valtellina Nebbiolo Infinito opens to a medium–dark color and moderate fruit weight that feels velvety, rich and open–knit. The sforzato, or appassimento, process brings on extra heft and intensity for sure, but the Nebbiolo grape never loses its inner grace and poise. Aromas of dried rose, wild cherry, plum and sweet earth rise from the bouquet. A pretty layer of cured tobacco gives the wine a more fleshed–out feel on the close." Wine Advocate

"Licorice with sweet, candied strawberries, spice box and creme de cassis. A very flavorful nebbiolo with a brighter palate than the nose, rounded by creamy, dusty tannins in a firm, slightly austere setting." James Suckling

The "Ca' Guicciardi" vineyard takes its name from the farmhouse that lies at its centre. The single vineyard is characterised by small, very steep valleys. Impressive rock faces alternate with terraces supported by some of the highest dry stone walls in Valtellina. The special colour of the rock, which tends towards a quartz-like white, considerably enhances the power of the sun and leads to higher temperatures and more light here than in other parts of the valley.

Vigna Ca' Guicciardi has an intense, bright ruby red colour, pronounced aromas of ripe red fruit with predominant notes of black cherry, blackcurrant and spices, with hints of liquorice, cloves and cinnamon in the background. Soft and full on the palate, without appearing broad or denying its Alpine origins. You can't help but compare it to a complex Burgundy, its round tannins and wonderful depth and length round off the experience in a well-proportioned and highly elegant way. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2020 Valtellina Superiore Inferno Ca' Guicciardi shows a little more ripeness, just a little, which is expressed with strawberry jam, wilted blue flowers, crushed slate and spicy pepper. The Inferno sub-region is known for its warmth, hence the name "Inferno". The mouthfeel is polished, lean and soft." Wine Advocate

"A lovely, harmonious red, expanding with silky finesse on the palate to reveal flavors of cherry coulis, warm fig and red licorice, with a sanguine thread of iron, smoke and spices. Long and supple, with good focus, though only medium-bodied in weight. Lightly chewy on the fragrant, herb-laced finish." Wine Spectator

The "Fracia" vineyard has belonged to Nino Negri since it was founded in 1897. It lies at the confluence of several alpine valleys and the vegetation in this area is almost Mediterranean with lavender and rosemary. The result is a wine that is flavoursome and flowery with a characteristic, spicy aroma.

Intense ruby red colour with garnet reflections. Complex aromas of dog rose and violets on the nose, which develop into spicy notes such as rosemary and lavender. Dense, rich and with well-structured tannins on the palate. The well-balanced and fresh acidity leads to a long, very flavoursome finish. An alpine red that is already a pleasure to drink, but its complexity and power will really come to the fore with further bottle ageing. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, shiny ruby red colour. Elegant hints of honey, rosehip and strawberries on the nose, some sage, peach, cold smoke. Beautifully polished and fresh on the palate, elegant, slightly creamy fruit, delicately flowing, fine pressure on the finish." Falstaff

"Raspberries, damp earth, herbs and orange peel on the nose. Medium-bodied with dusty tannins and an attractive minerality. Firm and persistent. Drink or store." James Suckling

"The Nino Negri 2019 Valtellina Superiore Valgella Vigna Fracia shows a bright ruby red colour, and although the bouquet is not as expressive as some of its peers, it opens slowly with notes of cassis, dried orange peel and sweet nectarine. The bouquet is characterised by red berries, fruit and a hint of wild roses and mountain flowers. It is delicate and light in texture. This wine is packaged in a bottle with a greenish-grey label that reflects the slate soils of Valgella. Give it a little more time in the bottle." Wine Advocate

"Firm and chewy, this compact red opens in the glass, offering a tarry undertow, with flavors of baked cherry, medicinal herbs and white pepper, plus a touch of black licorice. Long and minerally on the finish." Wine Spectator