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 47 results
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Mixed Case – Primo Italiano Spumante
Our Primo Italiano Spumante case offers the opportunity to sample two top examples of Italian sparkling wine. This case includes a first-class Prosecco DOCG along with an amazing Franciacorta DOCG, arguably Italy’s finest spumante and which will be the equal to your favorite Champagne.
$42.50 -
Schola Sarmenti Mixed Case Reds
Roccamora Negro Amaro Salento IGT 2021 : Though often written as Negroamaro, the correct presentation of the name should be in two words Negro Amaro (Native Wine Grapes of Italy-Ian D’Agata © 2014 Univ. of Cali.). The name refers to the black colour of the grape skin. The variety is noted for its dependable production, being adaptable to many soils and for its ability to maintain acidity in hot climates.
$36.95 -
Armilla Brunello di Montalcino 2019
Dark black cherry color indicating the ripeness of the vintage. Nose is expressive and big with cherry and notes of licorice and dates. Mouthcoatingly smooth and with more ripe cherry, toast and mineral on the palate. The finish sticks to the teeth and is long. The balance of the fruit, alcohol, oak and acidity work perfectly together to form a finish that easily lasts 45 seconds. The tannins are ripe, but firm.
$73.95 -
Cantine Rallo AV01 Catarratto Orange 2021
AV01 is a rich and intense Sicilian Orange wine produced using 100% Catarratto grapes. The wine shows slightly orange tints and has a strong character. The wine is produced by spontaneous fermentation in acacia barrels and steel tanks and maceration on the skins lasts 24 hours. It has aromas of tangerine, chamomile, roasted almonds and dried herbs. The taste is very fresh with bright and lively acidity, quite structured with some tannic backbone and notable minerality. Organic with no added sulfites and unfiltered.
$58.95 -
Cantine Rallo Nero d’Avola ‘Principe’ IGP 2022
Intense red with violet rim. The bouquet and flavours expressed include ripe, sweet cherries and black currants. The wine finishes with darker notes of tar and licorice
$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 -
Cantine Rallo Syrah la Clarissa 2022
The Clarissa Syrah has an intensely fruity nose with black cherry, blackberries, hints of bacon with a touch of leather. A little more than medium bodied, rich and round with plenty of fruit on the palate that contributes nicely delineated structural tannins. Compares with a Rhone-Valley Syrah.
$25.95 -
Cantine Rallo Syrah la Clarissa 6 pk 2022
From the winery’s 20-year-old vineyard in Alcamo, western Sicily. The wine is produced from organically grown grapes and matured in stainless steel in order to best express the intense fruit and vibrant acidity of the variety. The la Clarissa Syrah is a very deep ruby red with violet reflections. The bouquet is rich and full showing scents of blackberry and black currants complimented by a black pepper aroma typical of Syrah. The palate is supple and well balanced with soft tannins and a lingering, fresh finish.
$25.95 -
Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico 2020
This is a traditional Chianti Classico from one of the original founders of the Consorzio del Vino Chianti Classico. Red ruby colour with purplish reflections in its youth. Intense scent, rich in fruity aromas as cherry and blackberry, well integrated with floral notes of red rose. Well balanced, slightly savoury, with oak hints.
$33.95 -
Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico 375 mL 2020
Red ruby colour with purplish reflexes in its youth. Intense scent, rich in fruity aromas as cherry and blackberry, well mixed with flower notes of red rose. Well balanced, slightly savoury, with oak hints.
$21.95 -
Castello di Verrazzano Chianti Classico Riserva 2018
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 2020
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 -
Colognole Riserva Del Don Chianti Rufina 2017
Why ‘Riserva del Don’? In Southern Italy, from whence the family originated, tradition held that the “Don” (property owner) was to be gifted a small, but premium part of each vintage.
$41.95 -
Fattoria Conca d’Oro Prosecco Millesimato Conegliano Extra Dry 2022
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.
$79.95 -
Fenocchio Barolo Castellero 2018
Fenocchio has a small parcel of 0.8 hectares in this exceptional cru located near the town of Barolo. The soils in the western exposed vineyard are marl and tuff with a high percentage of sand making for excellent drainage. The Nebbiolo Michet and Lampia vines here average 30 years of age.
$99.95 -
Fenocchio Barolo Villero 2018
VERY LIMITED: From a 1-hectare plot of 65-year-old vines of the historic ‘Villero’ cru in the village of Castiglione Falletto. Soils here are clayey with calcareous sediments, rich in iron. Nebbiolo Michet, Lampia and Rosé clones are grown here. Just 5,000 bottles produced.
$129.95 -
Kupelwieser Alto Adige Pinot Grigio 2022
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
The 2020 vintage in Montalcino is being heralded as one that produced wines that are particularly well balanced and delicious on release. The 2020 “Jacopus” Rosso di Montalcino is a clear, ruby red colour. The ample bouquet shows aromas of red cherries and strawberries with hints of blood orange, Tuscan herbs and an earthy complexity. The rich and well structure palate displays soft flavours of purple fruits with good acidity and a long, solid aftertaste with well managed tannins
$35.95 -
Luigi Righetti Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020
Righetti’s Amarone is produced from selected Corvina (70%), Rondinella (20%) and other indigenous varietals (10%) grown in the hills of the Valpolicella Classico DOC. The finest bunches of ripe grapes are placed in shallow, wood crates and left to dry over a period of 3-5 months. Thereafter, the grapes are pressed, the juice is fermented to dryness, and the wine is aged in large casks of Slavonian oak.
$38.50 -
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 2019
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 Capitel de Roari Amarone 375 mL 2019
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.
$23.95 -
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 Sognum Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
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 2022
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 -
Massimo Lentsch Etna Rosso DOC San Teodoro 2019
A wine with a ruby red color tending to purplish. The nose expresses very fine and delicate notes of small red fruits, wild spices, medicinal herbs and cloves. Balanced and harmonious in the mouth with great structure, it ends with a savory and persistent finish.
$43.50 -
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.
$41.95 -
Montepeloso Alpha 2021
Alpha is a Rosso di Toscana produced from younger vines between 8 and 20 years of age. It is Fabio Chiarelotto’s newest creation, and once again goes in a direction unlike many other Rosso di Toscana wines from the Etruscan Coast.
$28.50 -
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 -
Prima Fonte Janna Pecorino Offida 2022
100% Pecorino, originating from Offida, a commune in the province of Ascoli Piceno, Le Marche, 80 km south of Ancona and about 12 km from the coast. Offida is recognized as the finest production area and is the only DOCG for the Pecorino variety.
$24.50 -
Schola Sarmenti Nerio – Nardo DOC Riserva 2019
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 2021
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!
$17.15 -
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 2022
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 2022
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 2022
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 Merlot 2021
The colour is intense ruby red. Aromatically, the wine shows berries (especially blueberries and black currant), violets, plums, cherries, tomato leaf, fennel and rhubarb. Some medicinal herbs such as mint and thyme can be perceived as well as a balsamic note that fades into pine. On the palate it is wide and deep, medium-bodied, juicy and dripping of blackberries and cherries. The tannins are light and velvety and the herbaceous and earthy flavors balance the fruit aromas for a soft and enveloping sip. The acidity is generally low.
$42.95 -
Venica e Venica Pinot Grigio 2022
The bouquet of the 2021 Pinot Grigio ‘Jesera’ (‘Jesera’ is a term for a small glacial lake) is intriguing with aromas of jasmine, ginger, pear and apple with hints of citrus and incense. 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.
$51.95 -
Venica e Venica Ronco delle Mele Sauvignon 2022
This is a truly exceptional wine from a highly regarded estate. It has fruity aromas of gooseberry, mango, pineapple, passion fruit and melon, wrapped around intense spicy scents of sage, anisette, box wood, fig leaves, tomato leaves and grapefruit. Very long finish with lingering mango and gooseberry.
$89.95 -
Villa di Corlo Corleto Lambrusco Grasp. di Cast. 2022
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