Wine

With this exceptional Chianti Classico Riserva, the Mazzei family celebrates their famous ancestor Ser Lapo, in whose writings the name "Chianti" is mentioned for the first time. The upper part of the label features a faithful reproduction of one of his writings (from 1398) with beautiful calligraphy. "Don't worry about the cost of this wine, even though it was expensive: its quality will make up for it."

Opens with classic aromas of blackberry, cassis and a fine hint of violet. Warm and full on the palate, a firm core of dark, sweet fruit, smooth tannins, rich and with elegant acidity. Spicy and long, with an unmistakable appetising hint of sage and mint on the finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright ruby red with a subtly brightening rim. Medium expression on the nose, subtle earthy tones, with ripe, shy, cherry fruit. A little wild on the palate, with a slightly animal touch, plenty of tannins and a fine mint flavour, not yet fully integrated, be patient!" Falstaff

"The Chianti Classico Riserva Ser Lapo 2021 is a complex, beguiling wine. It presents a distinctly aromatic, flavourful expression of Sangiovese. Cedar wood, pipe tobacco, crushed autumn leaves and wild red cherries race across the palate, all framed by a lively salty undertone. Once again, Ser Lapo is one of the undiscovered jewels in the Mazzei range." Vinous

The label of the Vinnae, now made from 100% Ribolla Gialla, features the two-headed eagle that already adorned the bottles of great-grandfather Anton: a symbol of Austro-Hungarian origin and a greeting from the winery. Bright, clear straw yellow colour. Elderflower, sliced apples, white apricots and waxed lemons on the nose. Fascinating wine with a fine, dense bouquet. Structured, profound and with an engaging minerality on the long-lasting final. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, pale straw yellow with golden reflections. Opens fruity on the nose, with notes of nectarines, mirabelle plums and a hint of acacia blossom. Fresh on the palate, with lively acidity, crisp fruit, slightly juicy, simple." Falstaff

"The 2022 Ribolla Gialla Vinnae is distinctly savory, wafting up with a blend of wild herbs, lime zest and flinty stone. This is crunchy in feel and full of mineral tension, with perfumed inner florals over a core of tart green apple. The 2022 finishes with medium length and is nearly salty with a sour citrus concentration that pinches at the cheeks." Vinous

"An attractive Ribolla Gialla that has subtle floral notes of white almond, green apple and citrus. Crisp, light to medium-bodied on the palate with a clean, bone-dry finish." James Suckling

Light greenish yellow, floral aromas of flowers, tangerine and peach. Fresh and elegant on the palate, very precise, long-lasting and juicy on the finish. A multi-faceted, exotic wine with good development potential. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with light greenish reflections. Very intense and persistent aroma on the nose, slightly aromatic, pleasantly fruity. Dry, fresh, balanced on the palate, with lively acidity and a velvety texture, with an excellent finish." Falstaff

"Intense straw with a green tinge. Firm, petrolly nose with apple and green peach. Full-bodied palate that comes with plenty of acidity, which gives it an edge. Apple and peach fruit on a long finish." Jancis Robinson

"The 2020 Riesling Afix emerges from the glass with an exotic blend of tropical flowers, dried citrus peel and sweet spice. On the palate, it displays a pleasant inner sweetness that combines lemon and lime with a stimulating core of salty minerality. The 2020 finishes with excellent length and tension, while the residual acids provide a fresh impression. It is very beautiful." Vinous

"An attractive white wine with sliced white peach, lime and lemon. Very tangy and lively. Medium body. Bright acidity with lots of fruit and a tangy finish. Lots of energy." James Suckling

Bright, straw-yellow colour with a slight greenish tinge. Delicately fruity, fragrant aroma typical of the variety with notes of ripe tropical fruit. Balanced, medium-bodied and clean flavour. Fresh, lively acidity and a marvellous finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Fragrant and well flavoured, with a broad palate sensation that finds a fine harmony with the bright, lively acidity. Flavours of yellow pear, persimmon, orange peel and dried herbs, as well as rich hints of honey and praline. The finish is lingering and shows a clean, savoury note." Wine Spectator

"This wine strikes a terrific balance between primary fruit and integrated oak. You get a fresh and contemporary interpretation of the versatile Chardonnay grape that is nothing like the heavier wines you may remember from just a few years back. The 2022 Chardonnay Gaun is bright and luminous. Its creamy texture is layered with lemon meringue pie, peachy mousse and golden apple. There is a ripe, slightly candied quality (from the hot vintage) that is well synchronized, with almond biscuit, pie crust and baking spice." Wine Advocate

When a wine is named after the founder and mastermind of what is probably the most famous and popular winery in the Modena region, then you should take a closer look, or even better, reach for the bottle. This exceptional sparkling wine is produced using the blanc de noirs method, i.e. a white spumante from red grapes - certainly not an everyday occurrence in the Lambrusco world.

And the result is just as special and high-class: golden in colour with greenish reflections, lively and with a fine, infinitely long-lasting perlage. Delicate white peach, flint, salt, lemon and grapefruit on the nose. The palate is crisp and vibrant with an elegant acidity, the subtle fruit sweetness opens up beautifully and its delicate mousseux gives this exceptional sparkling wine its inimitable structure. The archetype of an aperitif and simply unbeatable in its high-class, irresistible drinking flow and on a par with the great name of the founder! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright silver with a delicate perlage. The nose initially has a slight reduction, a hint of flint, ripe lemons, cold smoke and candle wax. Precise, almost cutting on the palate, with racy acidity and a high draw, makes the tongue click." Falstaff

"This pale straw sparkler entices with ripe McIntosh apple aromas and delicate hints of lemon zest and white-flower honey. The zippy palate pops in mixed citrus notes culminating in a fresh finish accentuated by a delicate hint of green herbs, perfectly balancing the vibrant fruit notes." Wine Enthusiast

The Chardonnay wraps itself in a refined fragrance of fresh bananas, pear and caramel. The elegant, distinctly scent-corresponding taste is soft and fascinatingly warm and sensual. SUPERIORE.DE

Medium pale straw yellow in colour. Livio Felluga's Sauvignon Bianco impresses with its elegance, the typical varietal bouquet of pear and gooseberry, elderflower and garden herbs and a fascinating minerality. The flavour is soft and fruity, with a beautiful melting texture and a fresh, long finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow with a golden shimmer. Powerful, compact nose, ripe gooseberry and papaya, followed by a hint of nettle. Various citrus fruits on the palate, crisp, vibrant acidity, mouth-watering final." Falstaff

"The 2022 Sauvignon opens with an herbal tinge, as rosemary and sage give way to lemon rinds and exotic spice. This is soothingly round with cooling acidity that enlivens its depths of sour melon and citrus tones. The 2022 finishes spicy, potent and long, with a minty resonance and liquid stone hints." Vinous

"A rather restrained and noble Sauvignon with white sesame, light pears, apples and flint. Medium-bodied with a solid mid-palate and nice length. It is complex and beautiful. Real sophistication with sauvignon blanc." James Suckling

Bright, straw-yellow colour with greenish reflections. Pronounced, rich, somewhat smoky varietal aroma, fine woody spice. Clean, fruity, powerful flavour. Round, full-bodied flavour. Fresh final with a long, spicy aftertaste. For us, one of the most fascinating Pinot Gris wines in South Tyrol every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Showing a copperish color, the Alois Lageder 2022 Pinot Grigio Porer offers an extra hint of crunchiness, thanks to some minimal white wine tannin. The aromas veer towards grape skin, apricot and poached pear, and you can almost taste the waxy bloom on the skins. This wine stands somewhere at the crossroads of a Ramato and a natural wine, stylistically speaking." Wine Advocate

Light gold, lots of mineral notes in the nose and fine pear, peach, apple. Lively, fresh and delicate on the palate, racy acid structure, unfolds splendidly, fresh and delicate. This rare drop is one of the best representatives of its grape variety every year. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright, light straw yellow. In the nose of fresh honey, green pears, meadow herbs, in the reverberation slightly of peppermint. On the palate racy and powerful, also shows fine phenolic, elegant, seems very pure, with nice length." Falstaff

"This has a pretty nose of white peaches, grapefruits, wild herbs, stones and white flowers. Medium-bodied with crisp acidity and minerally at the end." James Suckling

Here comes Surmont, the successor to Rain Riesling. As in the past, part of the grapes come from the South Tyrolean lowlands, while the other part now comes from the Valle Isarco from high and cool sites on soils of volcanic origin, which give the wine a fresher, almost alpine style.

Bright, straw-yellow colour with a slight greenish tinge. Clean, distinct, fragrant varietal aroma with fine fruity notes (peach, pear). Balanced, medium-bodied. Fresh, juicy finish. The racy acidity is harmoniously integrated into the fruit structure. A wonderful Riesling italico in a small edition. SUPERIORE.DE

Strong red colour, reaching into violet. The bouquet is very intense and wide-ranging with berries, fresh grass and flowers. On the palate, this Lagrein with its dense primary fruit (summer cherry and blackberry) presents a strong personality with a harmonious structure and fine tannin framework. SUPERIORE.DE

"Dark purple red with violet reflections. Rich nose with distinct notes of red fruits, violets, vanilla and cocoa. Velvety and silky on the palate, pleasant acid structure, grippy tannin, medium-long finish." Falstaff

"A youthful red wine with blue fruits, blueberries, lavender and black plums on the nose, with hints of sage. Medium-bodied and structured, with broad, creamy tannins. It's all about the fleshy berry fruit." James Suckling

What would Piedmont be without its slightly effervescent red Freisa? Normally, the Piedmontese tend to enjoy these immensely drinkable wines themselves, so that hardly any relevant quantity remains for export. The nose has an animating scent of rose petals, cinnamon and cherry, which are also found in the drink. L'Avvenata is a rather slender red, distantly reminiscent of a Nebbiolo. Its softer tannins and greater fruitiness make it a joyful companion for all occasions, even when slightly chilled. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 L'Avvelenata is bright and beautifully perfumed, the 2019 is a fresh, vibrant red to drink now and over the next handful of years. The purity of the red berry fruit is compelling. Attractive floral and spice notes lend freshness throughout." Vinous

This extremely delicate Moscato, which was christened Kabir (the Great) in Arabic so as not to be overshadowed by the far more powerful Ben Ryé, never fails to surprise and delight. Elegant and balanced, beguiling scents of melon and orange peel, aromatic balance, sweetness and freshness on the palate. A delight with intensely flavoured cheeses and shortbread with white fruits. SUPERIORE.DE

The former Cerasuolo di Vittoria exudes a wonderful fragrance of dark wild cherries. Dense but not heavy on the palate, long and pure with multilayered subtle fruit flavours. A sensual and at the same time pleasure-giving wine, 60 percent Nero d'Avola from the oak barrel and 40 percent Frappato matured in the glazed cement tank. SUPERIORE.DE

"The 2019 Rosso Vittoria is darkly alluring, with a whiff of balsam herbs and cocoa giving way to black currants and air-dried meats. This is savory yet silky in feel, with depths of dark red fruit offset by a tinge of tangerine. Inner violet and lavender tones resonate as the 2019 finishes gently tannic yet remarkably fresh. A saline tinge calls the taster back to the glass. The Vittoria Rosso is a blend of 60% Nero d'Avola and 40% Frappato." Vinous

In this wine from Pietracupa, the aromatic grace of Fiano di Avellino is perfectly combined with the mineral power of the Montefredane soils. Citrus notes on the nose, a variety of fruit flavours on the palate, rocky minerality, complexity and an excellent structure beguile the senses. SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright straw yellow. Very fruity nose, of ripe mango and ripe peach, radiant and inviting, a hint of fresh honey. Hearty and flattering on the palate, balanced fruit-acid play, delicate pressure on the final." Falstaff

"Honeysuckle, jasmine, lemons, white pears and almonds on the nose. Medium-bodied, with crisp acidity and a creamy, dry palate with chalky notes at the end." James Suckling

Beautiful white from Carricante that captures the energy of Etna and reflects its essence. Sparkling lemon yellow with a drop of gold. Yellow stone fruit, mint, flowers and spice aromas on the nose. Complex flavour, full fruit and subtle minerality on the palate. Racy, delicately flavoured and sophisticated. SUPERIORE.DE

"A zippy white, with salty tang supporting flavors of crunchy pear, grated ginger, Meyer lemon peel, pastry cream and blanched almond." Wine Spectator

"A savoury nose that stands out from tar and stones, with spices and nuts overlaying tart citrus fruits such as bergamot and pithy lemon. On the palate, the juicy lemonade lingers and is complemented by a peppery finish. Coherent and substantial, with a taut acidity." Wine Enthusiast

"The 2022 Etna Bianco is delicate and floral with a nuanced blend of nectarine and wet stones. It is soft and enveloping with a pretty inner sweetness up front and zesty acidity enlivening its core of citrusy apples. The finish is long, colouring but still fresh, with notes of sour lime and zesty spice." Vinous

"Aromas of exotic flowers, yellow plums and beautiful citrus peel. Mineral and racy, very crisp and firm, steely and citrus-accentuated. Bright acidity with a firm, steely structure." Decanter