Italy

Ever since the acquisition in 1994, the Angelini family has been investing greatly in their high density - low yield vineyards and in the renovation of winemaking facilities at each one of their three estates. As a result the wines are outstanding, beautifully refined, showing great elegance and depth of flavours. Skilfully crafted by chief oenologist Mario Calzolari, Angelini wines express all the attributes of the classic Tuscan appellations. Careful selection of grapes and clever use of Slavonian oak ensures approachability and elegance of the core Angelini range.

The Sassicaia estate at Bolgheri, in coastal Tuscany, came to Nicolò through his mother, Clarice Della Gheradesca, whose family has owned land here since 1800. The Incisa Della Rocchetta family launched Sassicaia onto the open market with the 1968 vintage: the first to be commercially produced; and it was as well received as the Premiers Crus of Bordeaux.

Alessandro Nieri's estate continues to be a superb source of great value Chianti. Two exciting additions to our list are equally well priced. Moro, a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, was gently oaked in old French barriques. Described by Alessandro as his 'Mini Supertuscan' it exhibits succulent cherry fruit and fine texture. Dicatum is monovarietal Sangiovese that was aged in combination of 60% new and 40% of used French oak. The result is already approachable, delicious wine of quite considerable structure and great balance.

Conti Zecca's search for quality is greatly helped by their large estate of more than 300 hectares. From these extensive vines they can select the best grapes and produce consistent wines. The reds are the stars but the whites are surprisingly good. The Nero, now a cult wine, is a blend of Negroamaro, Cabernet and Malvasia. The Terra also has some Aglianico in the blend and is very rich and has dark plum flavours. The range is magnificent all the way down to the Donna Marzia wines which are perfectly made and with a striking label.

For four generations the De Stefani family has had a passion for vine growing and the art of producing fine wines. From their 3 estates north of Venice they produce a fantastic range of wines and continually strive to make improvements in their vineyards to get the highest possible quality of grapes and wines. They are currently working to increase the density of vines in their vineyards, which reduces the vigour and yield of each vine resulting in better quality grapes.

Predictably Ca'Rugate have won another three glasses from Gambero Rosso for their 2006 Soave Monte Fiorentine, as well as the award for Italy's best priced wine! Their whole range is superb value from the clean and fresh Soave San Michele to the pure and beautiful, multilayered, La Perlara.  From the evidence in the glass it is not suprising that Ca'Rugate are fast gaining the recognition they deserve

Villa Armellina is a selection of the grapes from preferential positions of the probably best cultivable area for the type of vine, Prosecco - the Valdobbiadene. The style is typical and demanding and enjoys an excellent reputation in the whole world.

This leading Umbrian producer is another new addition to our list. Twenty hectares of vineyards owned by the Sportoletti family are superbly positioned on the hills of Spello and Assisi. The varieties planted range from traditional Grechetto and Sangiovese to the international Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. The production is capably run by brothers Remo and Ernesto and the wines, displaying wonderful concentration and elegance, are equally celebrated by traditionalist and modern critics alike.

Angelo Gaja is known for producing elegant, opulent wines that are true to their origins. He is a pioneer in the production of single-vineyard wines in Piedmont. The quality of his wines is such that they have been described by Wine Spectator, a leading consumer wine publication, as "perhaps the finest Italian wines ever made."

Established in 1871, Bruno Giacosa is the third generation of his family to produce wine in this Neive estate and has worked in these family cellars since he was a very young man during World War II. Today, he is ably assisted by his daughter Bruna who markets the wines throughout the world. The Giacosa family philosophy is a simple one, based on the respect of local tradition in the vineyard and the cellar, and a driving passion that has been handed down from generation to generation.

Cesare Pio founded his estate in 1881, establishing close relationships with the best growers of Barolo and beginning a tradition of top quality production. Cesare's son Giuseppe introduced their Barolo to foreign markets; in fact, he himself traveled around Europe delivering his wine and entering it in tastings where it earned prizes as early as 1910.

For more than three generations the Tacchino family has produced superb fresh and modern wines in Castelletto d'Orba in Monferrato, Piedmont. This is perfect wine country, where the hills of Monterrato provide a natural amphitheatre which protects the vineyards from the northerly winds and allows maximum ripeness. The wines are all made without the use of oak to retain freshness and allow maximum expression of the fruit. This results in wines with great purity. The Barbera del Monferrato has deep, velvety red fruit flavours with spicy notes. The Dolcetto d'Ovada is packed with cherry fruit and is a delightfully light and refreshing red. The excellent Gavi di Gavi is full of citrus fruit and tropical notes with crisp acidity and a lingering finish.

This is a fantastic value for money Pinot Grigio from the central alpine region of Trentino in the north of Italy. The vineyards for Soravalle Pinot Grigio are located up to 800 metres above sea level.

Parva Res is situated in the hills east of Marsala at the border with Salemi and Mazara del Vallo in Sicily. The vineyards lie between 200 and 400 meters above sea level.

The climate is hot, with long, dry summers characterized by substantial fluctuations of about 15°C between daytime and nighttime temperatues, giving wines with a great deal of aromatic character. The average rainfall is just 650mm, mainly during winter months.
The soil is mainly sandy-clay with a sub-alkaline reaction. Total limestone up to 35%.

The wines of Parva Res are superb value for money, brimming with rich, ripe fruit but well balanced and fresh.

As the third generation to manage Casa Vinicola Botter, Alessandro Botter has led the company in an impressive era of growth. He says that his passion is to extract the very best from the huge potential found in the indigenous grape varieties of Montepulciano díAbruzzo.

Elena produces a large range of wines. The delicious, fruity Selezione range includes the rich and elegant Pinot Grigio, showing just what this variety can do in the right hands, the nutty, appley Pinot Bianco, a speciality of Alto Adige, and the deep ruby Merlot which is aged in traditional large oak casks and is full bodied with berry fruits and hints of dark chocolate. The “Cru” range includes the Gewurztraminer Kastelaz, a full-bodied, spicy and aromatic wine which consistently wins the Gambero Rosso Three Glasses award, and the Sauvignon Blanc Castel Ringberg which is deliciously aromatic with fine underlying gooseberry fruit and refreshing acidity. The Ludwig Pinot Noir has sweet plum and cherry fruit with hints of spice and a smooth and elegant finish.

Tenuta dell'Ornellaia was founded in 1981, in a beautiful, unspoiled part of Tuscany. From the outset, the mission was to produce outstanding wines. Since then passion and dedication, coupled with a unique terroir and an extraordinary microclimate, have brought the Tenuta dell'Ornellaia's prestigious labels great success and recognition as one of the most important wineries in the world.