Lombardy

"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 Croatina grapes for this finely sparkling Oltrepò Pavese classic come from the south-west side of Cascina San Carlo at an altitude of about 250 metres. The vineyard covers 12 hectares of land composed of silt, clay and sand. Intense ruby red with violet reflections. Fresh scent of red fruits, soft, full-bodied-fruity and vinous on the palate. The fine acidity, the mousseux and the hearty-fresh fruit make this Bonarda a classic companion of rustic breads, pasta dishes with meat or risottos. SUPERIORE.DE

Bright straw yellow with silver reflections. On the nose, aromas of lemon and fresh flowers, notes of pear and ripe peach and hints of almonds. Fresh, balanced and subtle on the palate, with a lingering, fruity finish. SUPERIORE.DE

"Transparent straw yellow with hints of silver. Williams pear, lemon and some fresh straw on the nose. Tangy on the palate, moderate acidity, pleasantly tart, medium-long finish." Falstaff

Delicate salmon pink colour. Fine, delicate bouquet with notes of pomegranate, peach and apricot. Full and rich on the palate with a delicate bitter note and an invigorating freshness on the finish. This rosato is full of character and anything but random and, for us, the fresh, very harmonious wine for a Mediterranean lunch on a warm summer's day. SUPERIORE.DE

Here comes a real rarity in the glass: white vinified Pinot Nero. Light yellow with golden reflections. Fresh bouquet of citrus, whitecurrant and herbs. Crisp, fresh acidity on the palate, yellow-white fruit and a fine salinity. A real delicacy as an aperitif or with octopus salat. SUPERIORE.DE

Attractive salmon colour, pleasant bouquet, elegant, fresh on the palate, juicy, beautiful fruit, lively acid structure, subtle extract sweetness on the finish. A versatile food companion with a great pleasure factor! SUPERIORE.DE

"Bright pink-red with a silver shimmer. Spicy nose of meadow herbs and nettle, with a hint of gooseberry and stone fruit. Precise fruit centre on the palate, with beautiful pressure and elegance, persistent." Falstaff

Pale pink colour with visual hints of the rosés of Provence. Subtle notes of small red fruits and rose petals on the nose. Beautiful, persistent perlage on the palate, then fresh and harmonious with a delicate berry and lime flavour. This Spumante made from 100% Pinot Nero has a noble and aristocratic appearance, never overpowering, but possessing a subtle elegance and finesse. 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

Marzemino is an indigenous Venetian grape related to Refosco and Teroldego. Intense ruby red in colour with clear, purple-red reflections. In the glass, it has a fragrant and generous aroma of ripe red cherries and blackberries. The palate reveals a finely tuned harmony and an enveloping softness, enlivened by a cheerful, fresh acidity that leads to a very respectable finish full of character. Mazane is a highly distinctive red that you would not necessarily immediately recognise as being from Lake Garda. 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

Tre Filer is made from the sugary sweet must of overripe (stramature), dried white wine grapes and matures for a year in oak barrels. A wonderful sweet wine: grapey in aroma, with notes of apple, honey and apricots, fascinating - an almost hypnotic sweetness that enchants the palate. Gourmets appreciate the combination with spicy cheese flavours, terrines, puff pastry or shortbread. SUPERIORE.DE

Straw yellow in colour with light green reflections tending towards yellow. Lugana Pievecroce is a beautiful, light-coloured wine with aromas of melon, lemon peel, ripe pears and jasmine, accompanied by a lively acidity. On the palate, there is plenty of juicy flesh, freshness and persistence with delicate hints of tropical fruit. This crisp white is simply delicious. 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

Groppello gentile is a grape with tightly packed berries, small seeds and a very thin and fragile skin. It is certainly the most famous red wine grape on the Riviera del Garda and was already cultivated by the Romans in the Valtènesi.

Brilliant, deep ruby red colour. Pungent and very clear bouquet of fine spicy notes, plus an interesting potpourri of violets, sage, plum, pepper and olive wood.
Precise and fine texture on the palate with well-defined, beautifully knitted tannins. Primary fruit flavours, balanced and elegant through to the delicate and persistent final. A feminine and well-proportioned red with a beautiful terroir character. SUPERIORE.DE

Intense, crystalline and deep ruby red colour. An inviting nose of violets and ripe red berries, with rich and cosy notes of spices and roasted nuts. Vertical on the palate with beautiful, present tannins that provide a certain chewiness and depth. Campostarne has a lot of interesting corners and edges, which not only makes it exciting and full of character, but also qualifies it as an ideal food companion. SUPERIORE.DE

Demesse Vecchie is named after the village where Olivini has its family seat. The historic part of the vineyard was home to a nunnery in the late 17th century. The addition "vecchie" promises that the grapes for this very complex Lugana come from the estate's oldest vines, some of which are over 50 years old. They are also harvested late and carefully selected, after which they are matured on the fine lees for several months.

Straw yellow with golden reflections. Orange peel, juicy peaches and hints of almond butter on the ripe nose. Full and delicately fruity on the palate, with delicate notes of vanilla and honey, some apricot and banana. A well-balanced, dry wine with a wonderful balance between fruit and acidity and by no means heavy or broad, but infinitely long. SUPERIORE.DE

"This wine from the estate's single vineyard opens with aromas of ripe pears, lemon peel and oil, citrus blossom and a hint of river stone. The round palate offers a blend of fruit, grapefruit and tangerine, followed by mouth-watering acidity and a savoury finish." Wine Enthusiast

"Chalky phenols meet an oaky touch that leads the way to a palate of spiced fruit, lanolin and melon accents. The acidity, fresh as sea spray, ensures a very good length. Very drinkable." James Suckling

"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

Rosa Mara is undoubtedly one of the favourite wines of Mattia Vezzola, who is dedicated to reinterpreting a historic vinification method that has been practised in this region since the 18th century. This Chiaretto is produced using the traditional "a lacrima" method, in which the grapes are pressed gently and carefully so that they begin to "cry". To achieve the perfect colour, the tone of the rosato is constantly monitored during production. Speaking of perfect: with this wine, Mattia proves how masterfully he has mastered this process and brought it to absolute perfection.

Pale pink in colour with a fine mother-of-pearl hue. The bouquet of probably the most famous Chiaretto from Lake Garda is fascinatingly inviting and stimulating with notes of vineyard peach, cherry stones, dried herbs and a hint of grapefruit. On the palate, it fulfils all expectations in terms of its class and juiciness, structure and harmonious texture. Salty minerals provide balance, while ripe fruit trees cascade upwards. The crisp, refreshing final is exciting and characterised by a pleasant citrus and almond note. SUPERIORE.DE

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

Pratto is a wonderfully complex cuvée of Turbiana, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Bianco. Sweet floral notes on the nose, elegant, fruity and creamy on the palate with a mineral note. A full-bodied, round wine that will tempt you to the next glass ... SUPERIORE.DE

Ca' Brione is Nino Negri's top white wine and was first produced in 1986. The geological origins of the soil date back to the time when the African and European plates collided to form the Alps. The resulting variety of rocks gives the wine minerality and elegance.

Fresh yellow colour with greenish reflections. Balsamic, elegant, slightly reductive bouquet with hints of apple, pear and spices, delicate nuances of strawberries and almond blossom. Deep and rich in flavour, yet fresh and harmonious, with an elegant, very pleasant bitter note and fresh acidity paired with minerality in the long final. For us, Ca' Brione is one of the greatest white wines in Italy! SUPERIORE.DE