A weekly appointment to discover excellent Italian wines. Luca Gardini selects the most interesting labels among reds, whites, and rosés, focusing on natural wines.
REDS
PERTINELLO
Romagna Sangiovese DOC Il Bosco di Pertinello 2021
A Surprising interpretation of single-variety Sangiovese of freshness and tension from the upper Bidente Valley from a winery emerging with increasing vibrancy on the regional scene. Aged in steel only, it has a raspberry nose, with touches of underbrush, then citron thyme and blood orange peel, a juicy drink, nice firmness, and length.
VIGNETI DI ETTORE
Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Classico 2018
A measured-refined blend of Corvina, Corvinone, Croatina, Rondinella and Oseleta aged for 30 months in large oak barrels from a winery that has and will be talked about: very intense nose, sour cherry, touches of laurel, eucalyptus, and gardenia. On the palate, it is brackish-savory, with fruity-balsamic finish and floral notes.
RONCO DEI PINI
Colli Orientali del Friuli di Prepotto DOC Schioppettino 2020
A family history that began in the 1960s in Prepotto, in the Colli Orientali del Friuli, and comes to the present day, the desire to share fine territories through consistency and respect for local varieties. Processed in steel and wood vats of different sizes, Ronco dei Pini's Schioppettino shows a nose with notes of red currant, pepper leaf, and touches of nutmeg, to the drink elegant and complex, with a fruity finish.
WHITES
LA FORTEZZA
Vino Bianco Donna Daniela
Undoubtedly one of the most successful labels in La Fortezza's premium line. 'Unprecedented' blending Aglianico, Greco and Fiano, again with small 'support' from reserve wines, memorable winemaking experience, nectarine and lemony sage on the nose, crispness and density on the palate, fruity-officer return.
LO TRIOLET
Vallé d'Aoste DOC Pinot Gris 2020
A small totem of the valley’s appellation, a mountain wine if there is one, from an equally symbolic winery, is a forerunner of solid quality work. A floral nose, notes of bergamot, field mowing, touches of green apple and sensations of elderberry. The taut-sappy palate, with fruity-floral return and some citrus sensations. Nice persistence.
ROSE'
MARISA CUOMO
Costa d'Amalfi DOC Rosato 2022
A complementary blend from Piedirosso and Aglianico, processed only in steel, returns the unmistakable flavor of the sea. Floral on the nose, touches of rose petals, then lemongrass and raspberry, the palate is mineral, with a fruity finish and a salty touch.
SPARKLING
GIOVANNI AIELLO
Valle d’Itria IGT Frizzante Chakra Blu 2021
An orthodox bottle refermented, as per family tradition, from blends of Verdeca, Maruggio and Marchione, the possibility of exploring new and further varietal nuances. Fresh, officinal nose, notes of green sail, hints of sage, then floral of hawthorn and linden, touches of toasted dried fruit, equally fresh, iodine-driven sip, with a slightly almondy finish.
CANTINE MONFORT
Trento DOC Dosaggio Zero Blanc Le Général Riserva 2015
A gem from just a few thousand bottles, a culmination of work begun in the mid-1980s and focused on the aging potential of sparkling wines from a winery that has little to learn in reliability and quality. Pure chardonnay, bergamot, clementine zest, yellow plum and chamomile notes on the nose, juicy-salty palate.
SWEET
POSSA
Cinque Terre DOP Sciacchetrà 2021
Very rare and refined, mythological sweet wine, as in the Possa winery tradition, Heydi Samuele Bonanini. Bosco and white grapes, notes of peach syrup, eucalyptus honey and cedar zest on the nose, the juicy, briny mouthfeel of tension and crispness, and closes with a fruity-citrusy return.
NATURAL
FATTORIA DI BACCHERETO - TERRE A MANO
Carmignano DOCG Terre a Mano 2019
Bacchereto's house red blend, a spectacular biodynamically run project, among the most important in Italy, from Sangiovese, Canaiolo Nero, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Cherries on the nose, notes of lemony sage and bergamot mint. Juicy, taut palate with fruity menthol finish.
