Raise three glasses to our Italian portfolio
Let’s raise a glass (or three) to our Italian portfolio and in particular these wines which have just been awarded the coveted ‘Tre Bicchieri’ in the 2019 Gambero Rosso guide. It’s worth noting too, that all of these wineries have taken Tre Bichieri in previous years…
Ferghettina Franciacorta Pas Dosé 2011 *current vintage, limited quantity in stock
This is a fantastic zero dosage sparkler from the Ferghettina winery in Lombardy, northern Italy. 100% Chardonnay and aged on lees for 80 months. Small quantities are produced in only the best vintages.
Prà Monte Grande Soave Classico 2016 *current vintage
Graziano Prà blends Garganega with 20-30% Trebbiano di Soave, sourced from 40 year old vines on his Monte Grande vineyard near the town of Monteforte d’Alpone in Soave Classico. The Garganega grapes are left to partially dry on the vine, which – combined with ageing in large Allier oak casks for 10 months – results in a complex yet elegant wine.
Feudo Maccari Saia Nero d’Avola 2016 *2015 is still in UK stock, however this too was Tre Bicchieri!
A beautifully opulent Nero d’Avola produced from 30-40 year old ‘Albarello’ bush vines, planted around 15km from the town of Avola in Sicily’s south-eastern tip.
Villa Raiano Fiano di Avellino Ventidue 2016 *2015 still in stock
Fiano is the focus of production at this Campanian winery. For Ventidue, the grapes are harvested from vines on one of Villa Raiano’s finest vineyard plots at around 500m altitude. After whole bunch pressing, and 10 months on fine lees, the result is a rich and textural Fiano with complex savoury and stone fruit characters.
Il Grigio Chianti Classico Riserva 2015 *2014 still in stock
An exemplary Chianti Riserva from a Tuscan winery that has been at the forefront of developments in the region for the last 40 years. Produced from 100% Sangiovese, and the best grapes from their Chianti Classico vineyards, it ages in oak for up to 24 months – approximately two thirds in large oak botte and a third in barrique. Winemaker Leonardo Bellaccini calls this their ‘flagship’ wine, offering classic Chianti characters and great complexity.
Barbaresco Riserva Camp Gros 2013 *2012 vintage is still in UK stock, but this too was Tre Bicchieri!
This is an iconic wine from Marchesi di Grésy – produced since 1978 but in only the best vintages. Camp Gros is a 2.6ha parcel within the renowned Martinenga estate, considered by many to be the best single vineyard in Barbaresco. The wine matures in French oak barriques for 12 months, followed by a further 16 months in 12.5 hl Slavonian oak casks and even more in bottle before release. The result is a masterful Barbaresco Riserva – rich, full and complex.