Quality

To better understand the hierarchy of Italian wines quality, we present their classification with a division into four categories:

Table wines - Vino da Tavola
Wines of the lowest category.
Apart from the name - table wine on the label is also indicated its color, white or red, and the name or brand of bottling company. These wines are usually made from a blend of various grape varieties coming from various geographical zones and can be drunk everyday. Table wines should not be kept to long.

IGT wines - Indicazione Geografica Tipica
Protected geographical origin.
These wines are classified between table wines and DOCs and DOCGs. On the label is indicated the geographical region of origin, for example I.G.T. Toscana - IGT Tuscany, main grape, vintage (optionally). These wines are of very good quality, often equal DOCs and DOCGs despite the statutory classification. To this category belong, for instance Supertuscans, excellent quality wines that can be aged.

DOC wines - Denominazione di Origine Controllata
Controlled designation of origin.
These are quality wines on the third level of the classification of wines. On the label is always indicated DOC, set under the name of wine. These wines are produced in strictly defined zones. Their quality and organoleptic characteristics are imposed by appropriate low regulations, so-called disciplinari. These regulations define zone of origin, permitted grape varieties, maximal yield from one hectare, vine growing conditions, minimal alcohol natural level and wine typical characteristics. These regulations also regulate the production of special wines, such as Passito (naturally sweet wine obtained from grapes subjected to drying or noble mould), Spumante (sparkling wine), and aromatized wines.
Before putting the wines on the market, they are subjected to special chemical and organoleptic analyses made by an appropriate control commission appointed by Italian chamber of commerce. They are given a task of estimating if a particular wine meet obligatory production and quality standards. For these wines are also defined subzones or smaller areas, where strict production requirements are imposed, for example Colli Senesi, and smaller zones or even estates.
Next are defined characteristics of Riserva for high quality wines, made only in the best vintages, that are aged (at least for two years), and Superiore for wines with a higher alcohol content compared with common DOC wines. This classification results from unique soil conditions and geographical location of the production zone of a particular wine.
The current number of DOCs is 334.
The denomination Classico is awarded to the wines that come from the oldest historical zone of a larger winemaking area.

DOCG - Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita
Controlled designation of origin guaranteed.
DOCG is the highest status of wine. Currently in Italy more than 70 wines are classified as DOCGs. Before being awarded to DOCG, it is necessary to have DOC status for at least 5 years. The DOCG wines have to meet much more stricter standards than DOCs. These requirements include lower yield from one hectare, minimal alcohol level, maturing period or obligatory ageing, regulations of chemical and organoleptic analyses before putting in the market. These analyses are made for every batch of wine. Strictly defined rules enable to set on the bottle a special state recognition band with number, where it is written controlled designation of origin guaranteed and typology of wine - Frizzante, Spumante, Classico and bottle capacity.

Featured Italian Wines

Azienda Vitivinicola Ornella Bellia

Cabernet Franc

Dry red wine with Cabernet Franc. This French grape variety is popular in the whole region of Veneto, also Ornelia has grown her vineayards in the surroundings of Pramaggiore with it. Vinified only in stainless steel tanks, the wine is light and gently fruity, goes well with every dish, best with meats.

Color: vivid red with violet hues.
Aroma: intense, notes of red fruits.
Flavor: dry, pleasing.
Food Matching: with dishes based on meats, roasted meats, poultry.
Serving temperature: 14%.
Alcohol content: 13%.

Cantina della Vernaccia Oristano

Montiprama

A dry red wine made from native Sardinia grape Nieddera. It is an extremely unique wine made from a grape of ancient origin coming from the zone called Valle del Tirso, the River Tirso Valley. Nieddu is the Sardinian dialect for black, similar is the color of Nieddera wine. Its rich structure not only results from the potential of fruit but also from a special process of vinification. After a few months after the harvest young wine is poured into big French oak barrels called tonneau and into small barriques, in which it matures at constant temperature for 10 months. Rich and consistent with a beautiful aromatic note.

Color: burgundy with purple reflections.
Aroma: rich, notes of red fruit, toasted wood.
Flavor: soft, full, warm.
Food matching: excellent on pasta with meat sauce and roast meats.
Serving temperature: 18°/20°C.
Alcohol content: 14%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Laudana Nizza Barbera d’Asti Superiore

A dry red wine of the autochthonous Barbera d‘Asti grape variety of Piedmont. The grapes were sellected from the vineyards located in the Barbera d‘Asti DOC Nizza subzone. The vineyards are situated in the hills, open to sun, on lime-sandy soils. Laudana is the name of vineyards yielding ripe grapes from which is made this fine wine. Moreover, the zone is considered by the local growers as the best grapegrowing area of Barbera. The harvest is done manually. After ten days of fermentation of grape juice in contact with the skins, part of the fresh wine goes to large wooden casks with a capacity of 750 litres and part to barriques. After 18 months of ageing in wood and next in the bottle, this Laudana wine is ready to drink

Color: ruby red becoming crimson.
Aroma: intensive, ethereal, slightly spicy with notes of delicately expressed wood.
Flavor: velvety, long lasting in the mouth.
Food matching: dishes based on red, grilled and stewed meats; dishes based on mashroom; game; seasoned, blue, spicy cheeses.
Serving temperature: 18C

Cantina Formigine Pedemontana

Lambrusco Passione

A dry red wine from Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro, Emilia‘s native grape. Our partner from surroundings of Modena decided to invest in biological agriculture. After many efforts and hard work was created a new Lambrusco with a nice label projected by children and called Passion. Without this label there wouldn‘t granted a certificate for biological agriculture and the wine wouldn‘t be invented. The main merit of biological winemaking lies in a very small amount of sulphur dioxide in wines derived from the vineyards, where chemical and synthetic additives are not used.

Color: ruby red with violet reflections.

Aroma: vinous, intense, notes of ripe forest fruits.

Flavor: full, pleasant, crisp.

Food matching: excellent with cured meats, meats especially greasy meats.

Serving temperature: 10°C.

Alcohol content: 10,5%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Piemonte Cortese 10L

Dry white wine from the native Piedmont grape Cortese(100%). Cortese is the most popular white grape variety of Piedmont, which gives a wine with good structure and a slightly aromatic note. Cortese is the Italian adjective meaning nice, polite, just like the wine made from this grape, which easily adapts to the climate and soil conditions of the areas where it is grown. The practical packaging Bag in Box is a guarantee of freshness of the wine, even after opening, the contents of the carton can be consumed within 6 months.

Color: straw yellow.
Aroma: aromatic, tropical fruit notes.
Flavor: dry, crisp.
Food matching: goes very well with appetizers, fish, salad from fresh vegetables. In warm days should be served much chilled as an accompaniment to any light meal.
Serving temperature: 8/10°C.
Alcohol content: 11.5%

Casa Maschito

Basilicata Rosso

A dry red wine of Basilicata’s native grape, Aglianico del Vulture. A wine labelled Basiclicata Rosso is a basic version of an excellent Aglianico grown on the area of an extinct volcano, Vulture. The vineyards situated on high slopes and late harvest make the wines obtained from the berries of this ancient grape variety are strong and concentrated. Not aged in wood, yet it has a very good structure, conserves fruit freshness and marked tannins typical for the grape. It’s an ideal accompaniment with the meal, best with meat dishes and sauces.

Color: intense ruby red.

Aroma: complex, fresh notes of ripe cherry.

Flavor: dry, tannic.

Food matching: excellent with meat-based dishes and meat sauces.

Serving temperature: 18°/20°C.

Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Vinchio Vaglio Serra

Castel del Mago Pinot Chardonnay Brut

Dry white sparkling wine obtained from a blend of Pinot Nero and Chardonnay. This is another sparkling wine from this producer distinguished by very high quality. The category ‘Brut‘ indicates that sugar level is below 12gr/l. Prolonged fermentation makes the wine has excellent aroma qualities and flavor, with a delicate hint of yeast and bread crust.

Color: straw yellow.
Aroma: gentle.
Perlage: small, numerous and intense.
Food matching: very good as an aperitif or with light appetizers, dishes based on fish and desserts.
Serving temperature: 6°/8°C.
Alcohol content: 12%.

Azienda Agricola Cencig Nicola & Mauro

Verduzzo Friulano

A sweet white wine made from the indigenous Verduzzo Friulano grape of Veneto. It is a strain that depending on the method of vinification gives the wine dry or sweet, strong, with a good scent. Verduzzo from our producer was harvested in late autumn, hence sweetness and an aroma of very ripe, almost raisiny grapes are scented in a bottle of this excellent wine.

Color: yellow shiny, with goldish hues
Aroma: complex notes of peach, apricot, honey, raisins
Flavor: sweet, velvety
Food matching: perfect for a gorgonzola blue cheese or Roquefort, smoked cheeses, Pecorino sheep cheese type. Great combined with cream of pumpkin. Equally after a meal tastes delicious with dry biscuits
Serving temperature: 10°/12°C.
Alcohol content: 13.5%

Cantine Sant’Agata

Barbera di Asti Superiore "Altea"

A dry red wine of Piedmont‘s native grape, Barbera, in the Superiore version or with higher alcohol levels and from a special selection of grapes. The most popular grape variety of Piedmont, has, of course, its legend which explains its name. The king of the Longobards, Grimoald, liberated the city of Asti in 665 from the Franks which were perceived as barbarian invaders. This was done successfully thanks to the strong local wine that was given to the Frank troops and made them drunk. Hence, from that moment on the wine that was drunk by barbarians has been called Barbera. To celebrate this victory Grimoald ordered that Barbera is an obligatory accompaniment on the royal table. Even several centuries after the events this wine still delights by its power and character, what is best proved by Altea. 80% of this wine is aged for more than 12 months in French oak large barrels of 700 litres called tonneaux, and 20% in barriques. Then, the batches of wine are blended and bottled. A stunning wine for people that can appreciate the charm of Piedmont‘s authentic wine.

Color: intense ruby red.
Aroma: rich, complex, notes of honey, almond, chocolate and cherries.
Flavor: warm, full, harmonious.
Food matching: excellent with meat roasts, meat stuffed ravioli- agnolotti.
Serving temperature: 18°C.
Alcohol content: 13,5%.

Azienda Vitivinicola Ornella Bellia

Pinot Grigio

A dry white wine of the Pinot Grigio grape variety. The Pinot grape family of French origin is well naturalized in the mild climate of Estern Veneto. The local Pinot Grigio wine with slightly fruity and floral notes is distinguished by a good structure. As other wines from our producer Pinot Grigio was fermenting in contact with noble remains of grapes for several months.

Color: brilliant straw yellow.
Aroma: pear and apple notes, slightly pepper note.
Flavor: dry, firm, mineral, harmonious.
Food matching: best with aperitifs, hors d’oeuvres, soups, white meats and fish.
Serving temperature: 10°/12°C.
Alcohol content: 12,5%.