Italy
Although Italy’s winemaking history goes back over 2500 years, it is only since the second world war that their wines have become known outside the country.
Wine was always considered to be part of a meal and for many was a significant portion of their caloric intake. As Italian incomes rose, wine became less of a food staple and more of a social beverage, albeit still enjoyed with a meal. Per capita consumption of wine fell from a high of 120 litres per person annually in the early 70’s to under 40 litres per person today. This meant that Italian winemakers were forced to find export markets for their products. Inexpensive Chianti and Lambrusco were the first to conquer the export markets in the 70’s. Later, Brunello, Barolo, Amarone and the Super-Tuscans showed that Italy could produce high quality wines for which consumers would pay top dollar.
One of Italy’s greatest strengths is its huge range of local grapes. There may be over 350 autochthonous varieties, although the top 10 account for about 40% of all vineyard acreage. These include Sangiovese, Trebbiano, Montepulciano, Cattarato, Barbera and Glera.
Showing all 35 results
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Fattoria Conca d’Oro Mixed Case Treviso Prosecco 2023
Mixed Case – Conca d’Oro Prosecco Treviso DOC Brut
$26.50 -
Cantine Rallo Nero d’Avola ‘Principe’ IGP 6 pk 2022
The Cantine Rallo “Il Principe” (the Prince) is composed of a solid base of Nero d’Avola (the most common red of western Sicily) with the addition of a smattering of Cabernet Sauvignon. All grapes are hand harvested from their Patti Piccolo vineyard at the end of September. After soft-pressing, the wine is aged for 6 months in stainless steel and an additional 5 months in 50 HL ok casks. The result is an intensely coloured red wine with violet reflections. The aromas are of ripe cherries, black currants, strawberries and purple flowers with secondary aromas of licorice and exotic spices. The tannins are soft and smooth on the lingering fruit driven finish.
$22.50 -
Cantine Rallo Nero d’Avola Il Manto 2022
Grown organically from the family vineyards in Alcamo, this is Rallo’s more international expression of the Nero d’Avola grape. It is made from a selection of the best grapes which is given some aging in small barriques for 6 months. It has intense aromas of ripe red friuts, blackberries and macerated cherries complemented by vanilla and spice notes. Round and full-bodied with a long toasty finish. Delicious!
$30.50 -
Casale Marchese Frascati Superiore 2023
The Casale Marchese estate makes Frascati as it should be made. They use the best clones of Malvasia and only the best 15 – 20% of their grapes are sold under their label. The remainder is sold to the local co-operative. The estate practices sustainable farming, coupled with high density, short-pruned planting, yielding limited grapes per vine. The result is optimal fruit concentration.
$24.95 -
Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico Riserva 2020
Produced only in the best vintages, the “Riserva” is one of the most representative wines of the winery, and it is the top expression of Sangiovese own characteristics. Red garnet colour, scent with red fruit aromas, followed by notes of tobacco, black pepper and sweet wood, which become more complex and delicate with the ageing.
$61.50 -
Colognole Chianti Rufina 2021
Colognole is based in the small Chianti Rufina region, which accounts for just 3% of total Chianti production (and 40% of this is produced by the Frescobaldi family). Rufina is known for possessing the highest elevation vineyards in Chianti which explains why it is slightly cooler than Classico. The wines are also known to be very age-worthy.
$25.50 -
Fattoria Conca d’Oro Prosecco Millesimato Conegliano Extra Dry 2023
This is a superb example of Prosecco Superiore. The grapes grow on the beautiful hills of Conegliano and Valdobbiadene, a unique and incomparable place. The particular composition of the soil, the lay of the land and the rolling hills and valleys which are blessed with a favourable climate influenced by the mountains and the sea, all contribute to making an intensely aromatic Prosecco with a distinctive and elegant flavour. Fresh and fruity with green apples, grapefruit, banana and floral notes of acacia. Follows through with good acidity, making it fresh, harmonious and velvety.
$26.50 -
Fenocchio Barbera d’Alba 2022
A deep ruby red colour with intense youthful aromas of plum, black licorice and a hint of cedar. The palate is dry with fairly high acidity that is well-balanced by intense fruity flavours. The finish is medium in length with an evident earthiness.
$31.95 -
Fenocchio Barolo 2019
Light garnet colour with a very perfumed nose of black cherry, stewed strawberries, roses, black licorice and a hint of cedar. The palate is dry, medium bodied with firm tannins and well-balanced acidity. The finish is quite long with lingering notes of black licorice.
$82.50 -
Kupelwieser Alto Adige Chardonnay 2023
Grafted to slow-growing rootstock and trained on traditional wire trellises (Guyot), this Chardonnay grows in the best vineyard zones in the valley floor around the centre of the village of Cortina s.s.d.v. The favourable location of the vineyards, ideal sunshine, and the good ventilation of the berries assures the excellent quality of the grapes of this varietal.
$23.95 -
Kupelwieser Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2023
From Italy’s northernmost, but highly acclaimed region of Alto Adige, one gets to experience the best of two worlds, with Mediterranean and Alpine climatic conditions coming into play. This wine shows crisp and refreshing Pinot Grigio handcrafted by award-winning winemaker Peter Zemmer. The grapes are sourced from vineyards on the valley floor of the ‘Lowlands’ of Alto Adige. Zemmer’s low-yield approach in the vineyards results in a complex, dry white wine which reveals flavors of citrus and pear with nuances of mineral, all showcased by a lengthy finish.
$23.95 -
La Quercia Montepulciano d’Abruzzo 2020
La Quercia (The Oak). This Montepulciano is a great example of what happens when you match low-yield winemaking expertise with a prolific growing zone, and constantly cut, cut, cut back the vines. Made by winemaker Antonio Lamona, the result is one of the best quality, most expressive and balanced Montepulcianos around. Full-bodied, smooth, and packed with notes of blackberry, wild cherry, chocolate and spice. This is a flavourful versatile wine that will pair with anything you put on the table .
$24.95 -
La Togata Jacopus Rosso Di Montalcino 2022
Montalcino is starting to resemble a desert. So says Eric Guido in Vinous. This shifting climate reality has set the stage wherein, for some vintages, minimum Brunello aging requirements can be excessive given the nature of the berries and juice extracted. Rosso di Montalcino, given it less restrictive requirements, offers winemakers an option to balance the wine produced relative to the vintage character.
$35.95 -
Luigi Righetti Campolieti Valpolicella 2021
Medium ruby; intensely aromatic nose with strawberry, dried cherry, currants and hints of leather, autumn leaves and asian spice; dry, medium-bodied with classic ripasso flavours, a ripe, round palate and some wood tannins bringing complexity to the long and satisfying finish. 13.9% alc
$25.50 -
Luigi Righetti Capitel de Roari Amarone 2020
All Amarone is the result of drying the grapes for 3 to 5 months prior to pressing. Capitel de Roari is Righetti’s premium amarone, coming from the best grape selection, and receiving delicate oak treatment.
$48.95 -
Luigi Righetti Custoza DOC 2023
The Luigi Righetti Custoza is a delightfully vibrant wine. A clear, pale lemon colour in the glass, the bouquet is intense and complex with aromas of citrus fruits such as tangerine and lime as well floral orange blossom and tropical notes of banana and pineapple. The wine is light and juicy on the palate with citrus and white peach flavours and a distinct roundness that finishes with mouthwatering acidity.
$19.95 -
Luigi Righetti Pinot Grigio 2023
Righetti’s Pinot Grigio shows good mid-palate weight and fruit concentration. The nose has floral aromas with overtones of pistachios and just a hint of honey. The palate is soft and round with a long, clean citrus finish. The production of Pinot Grigio was elevated to DOC status in 2017 with the adoption of the “delle Venezie” production area which includes the entire regions of Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Trentino.
$19.95 -
Luigi Righetti Ripasso Selezione 2021
This is Luigi Righetti’s premium Ripasso, a selection of the best Valpolicella grapes macerated for 14 days on the pressings from the Amarone. The sugars in the Amarone skins trigger a second fermentation, boosting the alcohol a bit and contributing rich, dried fruit flavours to the finished wine. It is then aged in small oak barrels for smoothness and added notes of vanilla and spice
$26.95 -
Luigi Righetti Rose 2023
This is really a Valpolicella blend in the form of a Rosé wine. Modern and refreshing given the ferment and maturation in stainless steel. Pale salmon in colour, aromas of raspberry, rose petal, white peach and a hint of thyme. Palate is layered with cherry, and red berries (cranberry), subtle white pepper and a clean finish. Very food friendly.
$19.95 -
Luigi Righetti Sognum Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
This wine is inspired by the appassimento process used to produce the famous Amarone della Valpolicella. Because of the unusual production methods (for Cabernet Sauvignon anyway) this wine is somewhat different than Cabernet from California or Chile. Appassimento (the drying of grapes for about 40 days prior to pressing) gives the wine a concentrated, uniquely Veronese signature. Following the pressing of the dried grapes, fermentation takes place in French oak barrels where the wine remains for 6 months and spends an additional 6 to 8 months in bottle before release.
$24.95 -
Luigi Righetti Valpolicella Classico 2023
Valpolicella is the quintessential pizza and pasta wine, grown in the Veneto region of Italy, just north of Verona. Aromatic wine with cherries and a hint of almond. Lighter-bodied and predominantly fruity, it shows unusually good fruit concentration for Valpolicella, with lovely cherry fruit flavours, violets and a hint of white pepper. Can be served lightly chilled.
$20.95 -
Majolini Franciacorta Brut
Franciacorta is one of the best-kept secrets among lovers of traditionally made sparkling wine. Champagne and Cava are fairly well understood in our market: Franciacorta less so. Not to be outdone, the region stipulates the wine must receive longer lees contact than the minimum required for Cava and Champagne. A case in point is this Brut, which receives 36 months of aging on lees before disgorgement.
$56.95 -
Montepeloso A Quo 2022
The wines of Proprietor Fabio Chiarelloto are some of the most highly praised coming out of Tuscany. The 2022 A Quo is an absolutely gorgeous offering from Montepeloso. This vintage is a blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon, enhanced with smaller amounts of Montepulciano, Mareselan and Alicante Bouchet.
$42.95 -
Nua Brut – vino Spumante
Nua Brut is from one of Italy’s top Prosecco producers. Located in Milan, they have produced for us a special spumante to fit the price and style required. Although it is not 100% Glera (the Prosecco grape), we actually think it is a lot better, as they have added Pinot Noir to our blend to give it more seriousness and some suggestive red fruit notes. This wine shows vibrant red apples, ripe citrus, honey and hazelnuts with a hint of toasty brioche. The bubbles are persistent and mouth filling and the wine finishes clean. A great bubbly at a fantastic price.
$17.95 -
Schola Sarmenti Nerio – Nardo DOC Riserva 2020
A statement of tradition and terroir, this wine is derived from old vines planted in the region’s traditional Alberello style (free standing bush vines).
$34.50 -
Schola Sarmenti Primitivo Critera 2022
Despite its youth, this wine really delivers on the palate, bursting with sumptuous dark cherry and blackberry fruit. Rich, round, juicy, and expressive with a silky edged finish. Drink now, but be sure to save a few bottles to see how it develops.
$25.50 -
Sinopie Chianti Superiore DOCG 2022
Sinopie refers to the guide lines that artists drew on the walls in preparation to paint large fresco’s. Our own guide lines for making Sinopie Chianti are the crispness of its fruit, the vibrancy of acidity and its genius for pairing with foods. Such is the Sangiovese in the style of Classic Chianti.
$20.95 -
Terre Gaie Pinot Grigio 2023
This is a light, dry and bright wine, refreshing, with fine delicate acacia flower, citrus and nutty aromas. The palate follows through with light citrus and hazelnut overtones. A perfect patio wine!
$17.35 -
Terre Gaie Prosecco DOC
A product of the delicate, fruity, indigenous varietal Glera (formerly called Prosecco). Prosecco sparkling wine is produced using the Charmat Method, whereby the bubbles formed through a secondary fermentation are captured in special tanks, prior to bottling.
$22.50 -
Tunella Pinot Grigio 2023
The wine has an intense straw yellow color, evolving to a richer yellow with aging. It has a fruity and fragrant nose evoking aromas of warm bread crust and intense perfume of acacia blossom and ripe tropical fruit. The palate echoes the nose and is elegant, medium-bodied with moderate acidity and delicate hints of yeast. A wine with a decisive character.
$30.50 -
Tunella RjGialla 2023
Ribolla Gialla is a great vine native to Friuli, one of the jewels of this beautiful region, renowned for the production of premium wines, especially great whites. La Tunella is a winery based in Colli Orientali del Friuli and has always been very focused on indigenous grapes. This Ribolla Gialla “Rjgialla” is a good example of the quality of wine produced by La Tunella. It is a wine that proudly retains its roots in Friuli.
$30.50 -
Tunella Sauvignon 2023
Sauvignon Blanc from the Colli Orientali in North East Italy, this has an intense bouquet with scents of sage and tomato leaf blend with delicate notes of melon and yellow pepper. Perfectly balanced, fresh, dry with long aromatic persistence.
$30.50 -
Venica e Venica Pinot Grigio 2023
First impression is made by the slight coppery hue due the short time the wine spends on the skins during which the copper tone is extracted. The bouquet of ‘Jesera’ (a term for a small glacial lake) presents as lively and fresh, with floral notes and hints of yellow peach and a touch of minerality The palate is lively and savoury with a creamy and vibrant finish. There is a slight tannic note to the wine which comes from the skin contact. 10% of the wine spends some time in large wooden barrels and 5 hectoliter tonneaux.
$51.95 -
Villa di Corlo Corleto Lambrusco Grasp. di Cast. 2023
Lambrusco is Italian for wild grape. Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro clone is about as good as it gets for this category. Grasparossa refers to both the appellation (in the hills of Modena) and to the clone of Lambrusco. This clone of Lambrusco results in a deeply coloured, more tannic and fuller bodied version of Lambrusco. This wine is a treat!
$25.50 -
Zanatta Vermentino di Gallura DOCG Renadoro 2023
Vines are grown all over the island of Sardinia, but it is from Gallura (“stony area” located in northeastern corner) where many of the better wines originate. The whole island benefits from the briny nature of the strong, sea air, yet Gallura is particularly unique as the soil is build upon a foundation of Granite and the sandy soil which is derived from weathering of the granite hillsides.
$26.50