wine classics

Dark ruby red in colour. Opens with aromas of dark cherry, plum, spices and Spanish cedar. The delicate blackberry flavour is also very seductive on the palate, which in turn blends with tobacco, minerals and well-integrated wood. The final is fresh with pinpoint acidity and an intense, spicy length. The Chianti Classico from Poggio Bonelli is very attractive, stylish and in tune with the times every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Intense ruby colour with a fine garnet sheen. Open and accessible nose with notes of plums, some smoke and vanilla in the background. Characterised by grippy tannins on the palate" Falstaff

"The Poggio Bonelli 2021 Chianti Classico shows a beautiful combination of candied cherries and powdery mineral notes. These are characteristics I often find in the Sangiovese wines that are best suited for a pizza or pasta night. This casual presentation hits the mark, offering plump dark fruit and good acidity to finish. The mouthfeel is medium-bodied and leans slightly towards the more robust side of the spectrum." Wine Advocate

"Spiced cherries, wild berries and hints of liquorice, walnuts and wet stones. Medium-bodied with firm tannins. The aftertaste is toasty and cedary. Bright and concentrated." James Suckling

Más de Fer is made from selected grapes from the Col de Fer and San Gallo hills. An exquisite cru that smells of meadow flowers and, with its pronounced fruitiness and delicate citrus acidity, is the ideal accompaniment from amuse-gueule to dessert. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with an olive-green hue and small, persistent bubbles. Mango and orange zest on the nose, with notes of yellow flowers. Smooth on the palate, with good freshness and velvety fruit melt, good tension and fine pressure." Falstaff

"Typical nose of Glera , fresh and salty with floral, lemon, apple and pear notes, solid finish and spicy aftertaste." Decanter

Rich ruby red colour. Bouquet of rose hips and ripe raspberries, juicy and gripping on the palate. For us, another beautiful facet of Chianti Classico, just as it should be: authentic, drinky and excellent value! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a subtly brightening rim. Briefly reductive on the nose, then opens up to lush wild berries and fine spice, with a slight hint of sage and dried ginger. Beautiful juiciness and compact fruit on the palate, savoury, comes in several layers, classic." Falstaff

"A juicy, fruity and bright Chianti Classico with wild berries, dried herbs and some dried flowers, developing into a medium body with fine tannins. Juicy yet structured and compact. Focused finish with excellent length." James Suckling

The Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Bosco di Gica Brut is tangy and taut with sharp flavours of lemon, green apple and crisp white peach. The wine is delicate and bright with sharp, tiny bubbles that build beautifully to create lovely foam and lively effervescence. This is one of the most edgy and straightforward of Franco Adami's great sparkling wines. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with a persistent, airy perlage. Very fragrant on the nose, floral, white flowers, elderberry, white rose, some white stone fruit, citrus, very fresh. Balanced on the palate in terms of fruit and perlage, very round, right from front to back, good length, very fine!" Falstaff

"The Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Bosco di Gica entices with a bouquet that’s more savory than sweet. A note of green apple mixes with mint leaf and wet stone hints. It impresses further with its mix of tension and elegance. Brisk acidity and tart orchard fruits contrast its creamy wave of fine bubbles. A saline tinge lingers on along with a Granny Smith resonance that keeps the senses salivating as this finishes with excellent length and freshness. This is a fantastic value." Vinous

Andreolas Col del Forno brut is an elegant and well-balanced Prosecco from an outstanding Rive vineyard. A subtle, fresh aroma of green apple and young pear, delicate yet demanding on the palate with a drinky, citrus-fruity note. SUPERIORE.DE

"Inviting freshness, light fruit; creamy foam, fresh fruity, also apple, balanced, very nice." (JLF) Merum

"Brilliant, bright silver-green colour with persistent perlage. Fragrant nose of juicy lemon and lime, with delicate green spice and a hint of lychee. Great freshness on the palate, crisp, balanced, with great pressure, spans a wide arc in the airiest perlage." Falstaff

"Blood orange, pear and acacia blossom creamy and mouth-filling mousse, bright acidity and citrus, pear and pineapple finish." Decanter

"Dei Casel" is a former name of the Adami family. The Glera grapes for this delicately fruity Prosecco Superiore come from chalky soils. An inviting bouquet of apricot, peach, apple, pear and floral notes. Wonderful play of sweetness and acidity on the palate, its semi-dry style and consistent perlage are invigoratingly fresh and velvety. This spumante is much more than an aperitif, it is also an excellent accompaniment to mild sushi dishes or delicately flavoured antipasti. SUPERIORE.DE

Bareta is the quintessence of the classic Merotto prosecco. Remarkable variety of aromas, fruity and slightly ethereal on the palate with a crisp, dry finish. SUPERIORE.DE

Colbelo Extra Dry presents the characteristic flavours of stone fruit, hay and lemon blossom, sparkling, frothy and smooth on the palate. A spumante full of harmony. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant silver-grey with a fine perlage. Spicy notes on the nose, some grass, pear and vineyard peach, later citrus zest. Juicy on the palate, full-bodied perlage, slightly fruity sweetness, balanced, harmonious with a medium finish." Falstaff

Vigna Ochera is the new name for the popular Vigne dei Piai and is a fantastic Prosecco Spumante di Valdobbiadene Superiore from the Rive di Rolle vineyard. Rich, shimmering green-yellow in colour. A pronounced aroma of white flowers, lime and white roses, followed by quince and fresh butter. Pleasantly soft, fine bubbles, with a fresh apple flavour and invigorating taste. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with light greenish reflections. Lemon zest, peach and green apple dominate the nose. Very fruity-sweet on the palate, delicate perlage, good balance between sweetness and acidity, juicy finish." Falstaff

Subtle ruby red colour with light reflections. Warm, well-dosed bouquet of wild berries, cherries and some smoke. Fine tannins on the palate, with plenty of juice and fruit at the core, floral and spicy notes, compact. A fine salty vein in the harmonious finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Medium ruby red with a light orange rim. Open nose of dark chocolate, blood orange peel, coffee notes behind. Powerful tannins on the palate, dense and with an acidity curve, medium finish, gains with further ageing." Falstaff

"Convincing in this vintage as well: tones of plums, liquorice and herbs; compact structure, lots of character and juice, finishes long on notes of wild berries and spices. Pleases with its complexity." Vinum

"A powerful and full-bodied red wine with aromas and flavours of walnuts, plums and dark chocolate. Also some black olives. It is tannic and grainy on the palate, but should still age well." James Suckling

"The 2021 expresses the conditions of the vintage with an overall density, but remains balanced and agile. In-house Oenologist Giuseppe Rigoli explains that a small portion of the grapes were harvested very early to preserve freshness and the rest were brought in by the end of September. He also carried out a slightly shorter maceration of 15 days (compared to 20 days in 2020). The wine opens with a hint of vanilla and then moves into mint and violets. The sandy tannins envelop the concentrated red berries and grip powerfully on the finish. The original quality of the fruit shines through and the savoury nuances remain." Decanter

Very fine, finesse-rich Chianti Classico in organic quality with intense aromas of berries, red fruits and violets. Refined flavour, harmonious and spicy, the light tannins are velvety soft. This wine is pure drinking pleasure! SUPERIORE.DE

"An open, lacy version, whose cherry, strawberry, earth and Mediterranean scrub flavors are backed by a dense, tightly wound structure. Though balanced and long, this red will benefit from another year in bottle." Wine Spectator

"Aromas of red and dark berries with chocolate orange, spice box and wet stones. Juicy and racy with a medium body and velvety texture. Flavorful finish." James Suckling

From the 2019 vintage, the successor to the famous "Eticchetta Blu" is called "Maggiolo", derived from maggio (May) and giaggiolo (iris). The latter covers the fields in May with its flowers and floral scents, which we also find in the bouquet of this Chianti Classico. Bright ruby red in colour, fruity aromas of violets, mulberries, blackberries and blueberries as well as hints of sweet spices and cocoa. Very fresh and juicy on the palate, then the soft tannins envelop the pretty fruit centre and, together with a fine saltiness, lead into the medium-long finish. A wonderfully balanced and drinkable red wine from organic cultivation that certainly won't get old in good company. Drinking pleasure at a high level! SUPERIORE.DE

"A fresh, lively and bright Chianti Classico with notes of cherries, sweet spices and some earth. It is medium-bodied with fine tannins. Focused and structured, with a delicious core of cherries in the centre and a juicy finish. From organically grown grapes." James Suckling

"Dense and tightly wound, exhibiting plum, cherry, boysenberry, earth and mineral flavors. Flashes of wild rosemary and thyme peek through as this persists on the long, dense finish." Wine Spectator

"The bouquet is very floral, red raspberry, nuances of nutmeg and laurel flavours. The sip is iodised, with spicy and floral memories." Luca Gardini

Our team drinks this after work, our very special insider recommendation for purists: finely balanced and very elegant Prosecco Millesimato Spumante Superiore with a shiny golden colour and green reflections. Floral bouquet, fine perlage and elegant flavours of pear and white fruit, which lend the aristocratic, dry structure a great deal of elegance and length. This is not an everyday occurrence, even in the noble DOCG Conegliano Valdobbiadene! SUPERIORE.DE

"Inviting, fresh and fruity; smooth foam, dry, subtle apple, also length, very nice." (JLF) Merum

"Bright straw yellow with greenish reflections. Very fresh and fruity on the nose, citrus notes, green apple, some fresh grass, mint. On the palate with good pressure and tension, fresh, juicy, slightly salty with good length." Falstaff

Rustico is Nino Franco's bestseller. Brilliant silver-green colour. Fresh aroma of apple, white flowers and cut grass, with a tart coolness and well nuanced fruit on the palate and a delicate melting texture. A stylish and very sociable all-rounder at a high level! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright olive green with straw yellow colour. Initially fine floral notes on the nose, with some candied lemon zest, orange peel and white rose petal. Beautiful depth and well-developed fruit on the palate, crisp, airy, shows a fine arc of tension, good length." Falstaff

"The alpine flavours are strong and compact, without the cold fermentation notes that so many have. Excellent prosecco." James Suckling

"The NV Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rustico delights the nose with chamomile and mint, leading to candied apples and sweet melon. It feels silken and creamy, with a pretty inner sweetness and cooling acidity that adds a lovely lift. It tapers off perfumed, leaving a hint of confectionary lime that lingers." Vinous

"This wine exudes fragrant aromas of green apple, pear and a hint of citrus fruit. On the palate, it has a refreshing character with vibrant fruit flavours and a lively, invigorating acidity that transports you to an orchard surrounded by the sweet scents of ripening fruit." Wine Enthusiast

Chianti Classico Vallenuova has the potential to become a favourite wine. It is an archetypal expression of Sangiovese from a single vineyard that could not be more typical and authentic. Vibrant, sparkling ruby in colour, with a hint of cedar wood and small wild berries on the nose, along with spices, beetroot and white pepper. Leather, tobacco and a hint of citrus fruit on the palate, with a pleasantly lean final and a convincing, drinkyfreshness. SUPERIORE.DE

"Powerful, rich ruby colour. Appealing and finely characterised nose of blackberry, fresh plums and soot. Juicy and clear on the palate, shows beautifully worked out fruit, fine-meshed tannin, salty, with a hint of graphite on the finish." Falstaff

"The Tolaini 2021 Chianti Classico Vallenuova is a simple wine with lots of dark cherry fruit, soft lines and medium texture." Wine Advocate

"The nose vacillates between spicy aromas of hot tar and earth and sweet notes of vanilla and cherry. On the palate, an orange peel element adds texture to this sweetness, while bright acidity and dusty tannins fan the flames of a lingering, savoury earthiness." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2021 Chianti Classico Vallenuova offers a tantalising blend of macerated red cherry, plum, liquorice, new leather and blood orange. The 2021 is lush and vibrant, with striking energy, an excellent example of the vintage. All the elements are very well balanced." Vinous

"Rich and expressive on the attack, with flavours of sweet cherry, raspberry, mint, rosemary, iron and spice. This supple, lush red wine firms up, with fine tannins on the long, delicious finish." Wine Spectator

"Fresh character of red and blue fruits with violets, cocoa and crushed stones. Medium-bodied with very polished but velvety and mouth-filling tannins and lively acidity that gives the fruit tension and juiciness. Broad and structured. Long finish." James Suckling

Bright ruby red colour, open-hearted notes of cherry, raspberry and violet, paired with green pepper and cloves. Delicate on the palate, with a nice tang. Delicate, fine tannins, vivaciously supported by a fresh acidity structure with subtle extract sweetness, round off this incredibly authentic and juicy Tuscan experience. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2022 Chianti Classico is a fine entry-level offering from San Felice. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry fruit, spice, new leather and a kick of orange peel all grace this soft, open-knit red. Drink it over the next few years." Vinous

"A cool earthiness defines the nose, with aromas of flint, wild herbs and tart blackberries, and then umami notes of mushroom and balsamic. The palate brings cherries and more berries, but dusty, chewy tannins and notable acid emphasize that flinty earthiness, which continues to anchor the wine." Wine Enthusiast

Bright cherry pink with light reflections. Subtly sweet nose of raspberry, strawberry and traces of citrus and honey. The palate is fruity and precisely forward, with a wonderful interplay of fruit and acidity and a savoury, very fresh style typical of Sorbara. With its fine perlage and respectable final, the winery's bestseller Brutrosso wins hearts in a flash! SUPERIORE.DE

The name La Rivetta has become a symbol of an excellent terroir. La Rivetta 120 stands for a special synergy of soil, microclimate and tradition, which is enhanced by 120 days of maturation on the lees. This is reflected in a brilliant yellow colour with a slight greenish tinge and a fine, delicate perlage. The aroma is reminiscent of Granny Smith apples, wisteria and acacia blossom. The flavour is fresh and fragrant with a yellow-fruity aroma. The result of extended ageing is a complex, creamy sparkling wine. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant silver grey. On the nose, roasted hazelnuts, yellow peach, a hint of banana, milk chocolate on the finish. Notes of hazelnuts on the palate, dense and full-bodied, with well-integrated perlage, long finish." Falstaff

"A fruity sparkling that has aromas and flavors of pear, nectarine and melon. It’s bright and juicy with easygoing bubbles and a clean, refreshing finish." James Suckling

The sparkling classic from Italy's leading Prosecco winery is now certified organic. Radiant in the glass, with the scent of white flowers and fruit, extremely fine and elegant in flavour. Clean, delicate finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, youthful green-yellow colour. On the nose, baby banana, pear and a hint of lime, with fine grapey notes. Elegant tension and creamy fruit on the palate, savoury, the perlage is very well integrated, makes the tongue click, harmonious in approach and finish." Falstaff

"The NV Brut Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore opens with a perfumed blend of sweet wildflowers, spice, hints of crushed stone and freshly sliced apples. It presents a chiseled, mineral style with zesty acidity and crunchy orchard fruits that cascade on the palate. Medium in length yet remarkably fresh, it cleans up beautifully with nuances of green melon that add a lovely mouth-watering quality." Vinous

"It is somewhat sharper and firmer, with notes of wild fennel, alpine mint and geranium. Frothy, alpine-like, long and incredibly refined." James Suckling

The first alcoholic fermentation of the must takes place in steel vats on the fine lees at a controlled temperature and after a waiting period of at least six months, the wine is bottled. The bottles remain at a constant temperature of 12°C so that the wine can undergo its second fermentation and mature on its own yeasts, which remain at the bottom of the bottle as a light sediment (note: it is not filtered!).

An animating cherry red colour with violet reflections and a yeasty cloudiness due to the lack of filtration. A surprisingly cheeky nose of wild strawberry and redcurrant, very fresh and accessible. The palate is vibrant with lots of raspberry and traces of rhubarb, the exciting interplay is flanked by delicate yeast tones and a wonderfully present acidity and ensures an impressive race and class that only the Lambrusco grandmaster Christian Bellei can conjure up in the bottle! SUPERIORE.DE

Pèppoli is an entertaining, very relaxed red wine with a firm fan base. A sparkling, intense ruby colour with a slight garnet hue. The Pèppoli expresses its strong personality through its bouquet of ripe fruit with light mineral accents. The flavour spreads gently yet powerfully on the palate with lively tannins and a long finish. Very easy to drink, very classic and, incidentally, excellent value! SUPERIORE.DE

"Graceful and familiar, Pèppoli is like a cheerful postcard from the Chianti region. It enchants with shiny cherries, cinnamon and chopped basil. Accents of leather and smoky toast are appropriately restrained. On the palate, the fruit takes centre stage: stewed plums and blackberries meld effortlessly with light, supple tannins that bring just a hint of dust. Juicy on the finish." Decanter

"The Chianti Classico Pèppoli 2022, Antinori's entry-level offering, is a fine start to the year that shows just how compelling this vintage can be. The 2022 is bright, floral and beautifully lifted and has class. The understated, refreshing style is so compelling." Vinous

"Balanced and moderately long, this bright, fruity red offers cherry, strawberry and light earth flavors in a charming, approachable profile." Wine Spectator

Integral, which means zero dosage or Brut Nature, celebrated its premiere with the 2018 vintage. And the name says it all: this Prosecco from the core zone of Valdobbiadene is a 100% Glera sparkling wine of unadulterated quality. It is the successful result of years of experimentation to vinify a fruity and complex Prosecco with minimal residual sweetness. Straw yellow colour with crystalline reflections. Light, fine-pored and persistent perlage. Fresh and mineral on the nose, with pronounced notes of white fruit. Dancing, smooth and wonderfully dry on the palate. An unmistakable sparkling wine that could not be more complex, exciting or original. SUPERIORE.DE

"Brilliant, very clear silver colour. A nose of tropical fruit, mango and pineapple, with subtle hints of candied mango, savoury. Likewise on the palate, with great fruit expression, juicy, with well-integrated perlage, accessible, drinks very well." Falstaff

Col Fondo has been part of the Adami product family since the early 1900s. Initially, grandfather Abele and later father Adriano bottled the wine in spring. This then began to ferment again in the warmer months of May and June, producing what is known in Veneto as "vin col fondo". The origin of the name is quickly explained: it is due to the yeasts that settle on the bottom of the bottle after all the residual sugar has been consumed, causing the wine to develop in an exciting way over time.

Exciting: Col Fondo can be drunk clear or cloudy with yeast to create new sensory experiences every time. Drinking it clear means discovering the classic notes of yeast, ripe fruit and also a light balsamic note such as mint, liquorice, thyme and eucalyptus. In this case, simply store the bottle upright and pour the wine carefully, separating it from the sediment that remains in the bottle. If, on the other hand, you prefer it cloudy with yeast, you are opting for a more original experience: the yeast aroma is emphasised, the aroma of ripe fruit lends a particularly intense balsamic note and the wine becomes stronger, richer and fuller on the palate. In this case, store the bottle horizontally and serve as normal. SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine is said to be a little cloudy due to the yeast still in the bottle, so don't worry. Impressive aromas of chamomile, honey, roasted apples and white tea pour from the glass. The structured palate shows notes of Asian pear and quince, with a leeky and tart finish." Wine Enthusiast

"Fermentation aromas of yeast, tamarind and biscotti, melded with salted lemon rind, tonic and rosemary. The finish is pithy and nicely phenolic, finishing with an emphatic bite. Long and clean. Best of all, thoroughly intriguing. Savory, refined and persistent. Loads of character." James Suckling