From Italy With Love Red 6 Pack Collection
Embark on a flavorful journey through Italy’s most celebrated wine regions with this From Italy With Love Red 6 Pack Collection. Handpicked to showcase the diversity and charm of Italian red wines, this collection features bold Chiantis, velvety Montepulcianos, and elegant Nebbiolos, among other treasures. Each bottle offers a taste of Italy’s rich winemaking heritage, with notes of ripe fruit, earthy undertones, and impeccable balance. Perfect for pairing with Italian cuisine or sharing with loved ones, this collection is a heartfelt tribute to the passion and tradition of Italian winemaking.
1 x Pietra Pura Hyria Primitivo Puglia 2022 - Puglia, Italy
Organic - currently undergoing certification
Winemaker "An intense bouquet of red fruits which burst through to the palate. Rich and smooth, with a wellbalanced finish.
Wimemaker "Rocca delle Macìe has combined experience and expertise to create three different types of wine using Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes, which are vinified and bottled in the Puglia Region, under the watchful eye of the Zingarelli family’s chief winemaker, Luca Francioni. The Primitivo grapes of this wine come from selected vineyards located in southern Puglia, where the traditional Alberello basso vine training method is employed."
Vinum "An intense bouquet of red fruits, persistent with hints of blackcurrant and wild berries and lightly spiced thyme and aromatic herbs. Rich and smooth, with good body and a well balanced and persistent finish. 30% of the wine is aged in barriques for 12 months and 70% for the same period in stainless steel.
Ideal with meat, game or seasoned cheeses.
100% Primitivo
The PietraPura range is a successful collaboration with famous winery group, Rocca delle Macìe which makes the most of the native vines of the Salento area to create wines that express the very best of the terroir. Rocca delle Macìe has combined experience and expertise to create three different types of wine using Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes. Mandus and Cotis, two expressions of Primitivo di Manduria DOC, Dolceluna – Primitivo Dolce Naturale DOCG- and Negramaro -Salento IGT- represent the high end of the range and are produced using grapes cultivated in vineyards selected by Rocca delle Macìe’s technicians. The grapes are then vinified and bottled in the Puglia Region, under the watchful eye of the Zingarelli family’s chief winemaker, Luca Francioni.
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when film producer Italo Zingarelli – of Ettore Scola’s “We All Loved Each Other So Much” fame, and also the wildly popular series of films featuring comedy duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (including “They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity Is Still My Name”) – decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate – extending across 93 hectares (230 acres) in all, of which only two were under vine – in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone.
Puglia, also known as Apulia, is a long, narrow region comprising the heel of southern Italy's boot. Puglia is a major producer of both wine grapes and table grapes. Its name comes from a-pulvia, or “lack of rain” in Roman. The terroir is influenced by a sunny, warm Mediterranean climate with breezes from the Adriatic sea and fertile soil rich in limestone. The Puglian wine region is divided into three subregions: Foggia in the north, Bari and Taranto in the center, and Brindisi and Lecce in the south.
After Veneto, Puglia is tied with Sicily as the second biggest wine region in Italy. The Puglia area is mostly home to grape growers, rather than wine producers. However, there are winemakers producing quality wines in Puglia in smaller quantities. In addition to grapes, Puglia produces 40 percent of Italy's olive oil.
The grape of most interest to non-Italians is the early-ripening Primitivo, a speciality of the Gioia del Colle plain just south of Bari and Manduria, the western coast of the heel just south of Taranto. DNA analysis has proved what many had suspected all along, that this vine variety is one and the same as California's Zinfandel.
Primitivo is a dark-skinned grape known for producing inky, tannic wines, particularly Primitivo di Manduria and its naturally sweet Dolce Naturale variant. Although there have been contentious and long-running debates about the variety's geographical origins, there is little question that Primitivo's modern-day home is in southern Italy, particularly Puglia.
1 x Giulio Straccali Chianti Classico 2020 - Tuscany, Italy
91/100 James Suckling (2016 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2014 vintage)
90/100 James Suckling (2013 vintage)
Bronze James Suckling (2012 vintage)
James Suckling "Very aromatic with dried rose petals and blackberries on the nose. Full body, a soft and velvety texture and a crisp, clean finish. Shows a pretty combination of richness and freshness. " (2016 vintage)
James Suckling "A focused and juicy red with currant, plum and berry character. Medium to full body, solid and polished tannins and a long and pretty finish. All in finesse." (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Elegant, this leans to the austere side, yet there is enough cherry and strawberry fruit for balance. Leather, earth and tobacco notes round out the flavor spectrum." (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "A fluid, elegant red, sporting cherry, strawberry and earth flavors. Offers a fine Sangiovese character, with moderate length." (2014 vintage)
James Suckling "Silky and dense with beautiful dried cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Outstanding and typical Chianti Classico." (2013 vintage)
James Suckling "A light, fruity red with sliced-plum and sour-cherry character. Medium body with fine tannins and a fresh finish."(2012 vintage)
Since 1925 the Straccali wine estate in Tuscany, founded by its namesake Giulio Straccali, has been in the vanguard of progressive Chianti wine producers. An expert enologist, entrepreneur, farmer and wine producer, Giulio Straccali was above all a man of vision. Through the wines of Tuscany, he sought to communicate to the rest of the world the scents, colors and flavors of his beloved homeland. Convinced of the need to protect and nurture the reputation and quality of Chianti wines, Straccali consistently showed a pioneering spirit. He was instrumental in the founding of the Black Rooster Consortium and from 1942 until his death in 1969, he served as Vice President. In 1978 Italo Zingarelli, founder of the Rocca delle Macie estate in Castellina in Chianti, as part of his long-term business strategy and sharing the same dream set out by Giulio Straccali many decades earlier, purchased the company from the Straccali family.
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when film producer Italo Zingarelli – of Ettore Scola’s “We All Loved Each Other So Much” fame, and also the wildly popular series of films featuring comedy duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (including “They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity Is Still My Name”) – decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate – extending across 93 hectares (230 acres) in all, of which only two were under vine – in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone.
The company estate now extends to more than 500 hectares (1250 acres) with, in total, more than 200 (500 acres) used as vineyards and 22 (54 acres) as olive groves, subdivided across the company’s six estates: Le Macìe, Sant’Alfonso, Fizzano e le Tavolelle in the Chianti Classico Area, in addition to the Campomaccione and Casa Maria estates in the Morellino di Scansano Area (Maremma).
The Chianti region in Italy's Tuscany wine growing region is split between Chianti and Chianti Classico. Accordingly, two separate DOCG designations apply to wines from the Chianti region: the Chianti Classico DOCG for the heartland of Chianti, and Chianti DOCG for all other Chianti regions. (In 1984, the Chianti region was promoted from DOC to DOCG - Italy’s highest classification - and in 1996, Chianti Classico - the historic heartland of the region - DOCG was created, which gave autonomy to that region. In the last 20 years, a consortium of Chianti Classico producers have researched new Sangiovese clones, replanted vineyards, updated cellar practices and generally made Chianti Classico DOCG a world-class appellation. Chianti Classico must contain a minimum of 75% Sangiovese. In the 2014 edition of its annual compendium of wine ratings, Gambero Rosso noted that Chianti Classico DOCG wines were noteworthy for their “significant return to a more defined style, true to tradition.” The typical Chianti Classico wine is a ruby-red, Sangiovese-based wine with aromas of violets and cherries and a hint of earthy spice.
Sangiovese 90%.Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica), a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany, and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. Italy's love affair with Sangiovese – and indeed the world's – is generations old, though recent grapevine research suggests the variety is not as ancient as once thought.
Canaiolo & Merlot 10%.
The Canaiolo Nero grape is particularly widespread in central Italy, used in the production of different DOC and DOCG wines. In particular it is used to impart softness to Chianti to stand alongside the Sangiovese. In addition to the Chianti, Canaiolo nero is used almost exclusively in blends, even for different wines of central Italy. The berry is black, medium, round and smooth with blue-violet consistent skin with much bloom. The bunch is medium, rather sparse, stubby or pyramidal, with one or two wings and with a medium-small, five-lobed, rarely three-lobed, dark green and opaque leaf. The grape Canaiolo nero prefers warm climates and hilly terrain, with good exposure. This grape has low vigor and medium age of maturation. The grape Canaiolo nero gives an intense ruby-red wine, alcoholic, but with low acidity. Blended with Sangiovese adds flavor and aroma.
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
1 x Collosorbo 'Rosso di Montalcino' Sangiovese 2021 - Tuscany, Italy
90/100 Falstaff
90/100 Raffaele Vecchione - WinesCritic (2019 vintage)
Bronze - Falstaff (2019 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2019 vintage)
91/100 Vinous Antonio Galloni (2018 vintage)
90/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2016 Vintage)
90/100 Robert Parker ~ Wine Advocate (2016 Vintage)
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Falstaff "Dark ruby red colour. On the nose candied blackberry, plums, cinnamon, apple compote, in the echo some fine oak. On the palate a rich notion and dark fruit core, stretches determinately over the tongue, in the echo slightly loose knit and dominant wood tannin."
Vinous Antonio Galloni "The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino is dark and earthy, showing more depth than I’d expect from an early-drinking Rosso, displaying ripe strawberry mixed with sweet spices, wild herbs, and moist earth-mineral inflections, as the 2018 Collosorbo gains richness in the glass. On the palate, I’m finding silky depths of textural black cherry, as it coasts effortlessly across the senses, turning fleshy and sweeter, as red inner florals build. The finish is long, showing a bit of heat yet all composed, as primary dark red fruits linger, along with sweet spices with a twang of mouthwatering acids to balance it all out." (2018 vintage)
James Suckling "Offers more concentration on the nose with mostly notes of blackberry pie, plum cake and even some Christmas pudding. On the palate, the fruit is melded beautifully with chewy yet tight tannins and taut acidity. Great stuff for what it is." (2016 vintage)
Robert Parker "The 2016 Rosso di Montalcino opens to a bright ruby colour with purple highlights. The wine is youthful and bright in personality with a full load of plump cherry and ripe blackberry. You also get hints of spice, crushed mineral and balsam herb to round off the bouquet. The mouthfeel is rich, generous and nicely structured. This is an excellent value buy (55,000 bottles were made).” (2016 vintage)
The Winemaker "A traditional, fresh velvety wine, Rosso di Montalcino comes from the Estate’s best vineyards, the same that produce Brunello. It is made from 100% Sangiovese with persistent, fruity aromas and considerable structure. This is a very versatile wine suitable for average periods of aging." (2016 vintage)
The Tenuti di Collosorbo has been owned by the Ciacci family since 1850. The first bottle of Brunello di Montalcino was made in 1966 by Giuseppe Ciacci, a progenitor of the first of the three generations of this winery. Now Giovanna Ciacci and her daughters, oenologist Laura and agronomist, Lucia Sutera Sardo, operate the vineyard and winery, assisted by esteemed oenologist Paolo Caciorgna and cellar master, Daniele Guidotti, who has been in charge of the Tenuta's winery for more than twenty years and is considered one of the family.
The region of Rosso di Montalcino is found in the same defined area as its bigger brother, the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Both are situated in the heart of Tuscany, in central Italy. This DOC was created in 1984 in order to make the most of the fruit from younger vines of new plantings. The idea was to create a fresher style of wine that needed considerably less ageing time (one year with only six months in oak) than its sibling.
Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica), a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany, and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. Italy's love affair with Sangiovese – and indeed the world's – is generations old, though recent grapevine research suggests the variety is not as ancient as once thought.
1 x Tenuta Santa Maria Ripasso Superiore 2018 - Veneto, Italy
93/100 James Suckling
94/100 Decanter (2017 Vintage)
91/100 CellarTracker (2017 Vintage)
91/100 Wine Spectator (2017 Vintage)
90/100 5StarWines (2017 Vintage)
96/100 Decanter (2016 Vintage)
93/100 Falstaff Magazin (2016 Vintage)
90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2016 Vintage)
88/100 Robert Parker (2016 Vintage)
Silver - International Wine & Spirit Competition (2017 Vintage)
Silver - London Wine Competition (2017 Vintage)
Bronze 87 - Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 Vintage)
Gold - London Wine Competition (2016 Vintage)
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 Vintage)
Best of Wine Tourism - Great Wine Capitals
Federazione Italiana Vignaioli Indipendenti: FIVI
Integrated Crop Management National Quality System SQNPI
James Suckling "Creamy wild strawberries and raspberries on the nose, held tight by a light, oaky note. Medium-to full-bodied with some tight, firm tannin that exerts the same kind of restraint on the juicy fruit. This is quite a complex wine that’s delicious now, but will continue to improve. Drink or hold."
Decanter "The Bertani family can trace its roots in Negrar, the heart of the Classico zone, back to the 15th century. Grapes are hand harvested; the wine spends 12 months in large oak casks so that classic red forest fruits and silky tannins can develop. On the nose, it has soft, ripe red fruits, while the well-balanced palate displays ripe plum and pomegranate and a hint of spice. Stunning juicy core, round tannins and an elegant finish.
Drinking Window 2021 - 2025 (2017 Vintage)
Decanter - "The palate brings a tobacco note, integrated oak and a peppy carriage of acidity. Long and modern. Scents of dried flowers, plum, tobacco, black cherries, coffee, herbs and menthol. " (2016 Vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Aromas of ripe black-skinned berry, porcini mushroom and cooking spice lead the way. The dense palate offers prune, licorice and a touch of cinnamon alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2022. Kerin O’Keefe" (2016 Vintage)
Robert Parker "Aged two years in large oak casks, the 2016 Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore shows a good mix of primary fruit and oak rendering with light spice and cinnamon to back the dried cherry and blackberry aromas. This is a blend of 75% Corvina, 15% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella, representing a very classic approach to the Valpolicella bending formula. There is a sweet note of candied cherry on the close. Pair this wine with pasta in a meat ragù. Some 27,000 bottles were made." (2016 Vintage)
Falstaff Magazine "Rich and intense ruby red. Compact nose of cherry compote and raspberries, shows ripe forest berries and some leather on the finish. On the palate multilayered and full, spreads out as an elegant drink, very well balanced, fine savoury tones with small berries, appealing and fine up to the finish." (2016 Vintage)
The Winemaker - "The Ripasso method is delicately achieved conducting a secondary extended maceration and fermentation over the Amarone grape skins, giving the wine higher complexity, bolder and softer body, and intense colour. Reminiscent of the Amarone, the wine is a vivid ruby red color. At the nose, intense hints of cherry, blueberry, licorice and lingering accents of cinnamon and pepper. At the palate, soft and warm structured velvet tannins and a very balanced acidity. Long finish with fruity sensations."
Centuries old, Tenuta Santa Maria all Pieve is located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica. The 100-acre producer is comprised of two estates, one in the Valpolicella Classico zone and the second in the Illasi Valley. Tenuta Santa Maria all Pieve was established by Gaetano Bertani in 1850 and today it is owned and operated by his descendants, Gaetano Bertani and his sons Giovanni and Guglielmo. Since its sixteenth century origins this elegant estate has been known for the production of fine wines, especially for its for Amarone Classico and Valpolicella Ripasso. It has a stunning chateau and walled vineyards. Since the 1800's the estate has been making wines using the Guyot Method, a technique with an emphasis on high density, and low yield harvests.
Ripasso is a red wine from the Valpolicella zone located north of Verona in the Veneto region of Italy. Ripasso is generally less well known than Valpolicella and Amarone wines, also from this area, even though it shares some features of both wines.
The term 'Ripasso' sounds like and in fact means “repassed.” That refers to its production process whereby regular, fermented Valpolicella (which is a blend of three regional native red grape varieties - Corvina, Rondinella and occasionally Molinara) is added to a cask containing the skins and lees left over from recently fermented Amarone wines. The process of adding (or repassing”) the lighter Valpolicella wine over the remainders of the “bigger” Amarone wine imparts additional color, texture and flavor to the Valpolicella wine. Also, it induces a second fermentation of the wine that increases the wine’s alcoholic content.
The end result is a wine called Ripasso that retains the vibrancy of Valpolicella but is darker in color, bigger and more flavorful and complex than the original Valpolicella.
Valpolicella is one of the most prestigious Italian winemaking areas in the Veneto region and is located northwest of the elegant Roman town of Verona, in the western corner of the Veneto. The region has grown far beyond the original classic area and extends east to Soave and west to Bardolino, next to Lake Garda.
1 x Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva Famiglia Zingarelli 2019 - Tuscany, Italy
93/100 Luca Gardini
92/100 James Suckling
92/100 Wine Spectator
92/100 Natalie Maclean
90/100 Stephen Blandford, The Real Review
90/100 Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics
90/100 5 Stars Wine - The book - Vinitaly
Bronze - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
94/100 James Suckling (2018 vintage)
93/100 Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics (2018 vintage)
90/100 Falstaff (2018 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2018 vintage)
94/100 Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics (2017 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage)
91/100 Falstaff (2017 vintage)
90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage)
Bronze - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2017 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2017 vintage)
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards
Gold - Selections Mondiales des Vins Canada
Silver - Mundus Vini
Gold - Mundus Vino (2018 vintage)
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2018 vintage)
Gold - International Wine & Spirit Competition (2018 vintage)
Luca Gardini ''Another great classic from Zingarelli family’s estate, from Castellina in Chianti area. Sangiovese, with Cabernet and Merlot to enrich the blend, berry jam on the nose, with notes of iris and peony. The mouthfeel has iodine-brackish 93 tannins, with floral-fruity return and good persistence.''
James Suckling "Savory plums, mushrooms, leather and spiced oranges on the nose, with a medium-bodied palate rounded by firm but polished tannins. Elegant and refined."
Wine Spectator "Boasts juicy cherry, blackberry, plum, earth and tobacco aromas and flavors, with undertones of leafy underbrush. Firm and balanced, with a lingering aftertaste that echoes the fruit and picks up a mineral note. Sangiovese, Colorino and Cabernet Sauvignon."
Natalie Maclean " ...a vibrant, medium-bodied and mouth-watering Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colorino and Merlot red wine blend, aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. Vibrant with dark fruits, plum, cherry, vanilla and toasty oak spice flavours on the palate. Pour with a meaty lasagne.
Stephen Blandford, The Real Review "Garnet with orange/brick edges. The bouquet offers iris and violet perfume with raspberry fruits, clean and fresh if not overly complex. In the mouth there is ripe fruits riding on savoury elements, a thread of saline minerality carrying the wine along, tannins are rusty but fine in texture, the whole lingering pleasantly. An enjoyable drop."
Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics "Slightly cloudy on the nose showing notes of black prunes, crumbled tobacco and leather. Medium bodied, light tannins and a finale of medium length."
Falstaff "Clear garnet red with ruby highlights. On the nose there's aromas of savoury herb and wood alongside red bell pepper and plum jam. Mouth-filling on the palate, with noticeable acidity. Some bitter notes and broad tannins make for a slightly drying finish."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "This vintage naturally delivers a step up in concentration and flavor, and those characteristics are felt here, although overall winemaking is simple and rather consistent over the years."
James Suckling "Aromas of cherries, red plums, mushrooms, truffles and dried flowers. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. Layered and textured, with spicy character. It’s balanced and focused with great freshness. Succulent, long finish." (2018 vintage)
Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics "Extremely intriguing in the mixed floral and fruity profile showing a bohemian energy with notes of pressed red flowers, raspberries, ripe blackcurrants and orange juice. Meduim to full bodied, rounded tannins and a juicy finale which both merchants and consumers will enjoy. Well made." (2018 vintage)
Falstaff "Light, brilliant ruby red. Citrus on the nose, also floral tones, violets, wild berries, then cherry and blood orange again. Fresh and clear on the palate, with crunchy fruit and red berry core, drying tannin then shows in the rear area." (2018 vintage)
Wine Spectator "There's a nice mix between the cherry, plum and berry fruit and savory notes of eucalyptus, juniper and oregano in this red, adding in accents of iron and tobacco for complexity. Just a touch dry in the end." (2018 vintage)
International Wine & Spirit Competition "An elegant, stylish and harmonious wine with creamy, ripe black and red fruit; spice and cedar wood flavours supported by ripe, soft tannins. Medium-bodied, sleek and polished, with excellent balance and length." (2018 vintage)
Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics "The slight reduction in the glass defines an opalescence that gives intrigue and attracts attention. The hints of black plums, currants and raspberries slowly make their way through the liveliness of the orange juice and reveal the main soul of this young Riserva. Medium-full body, ripe tannins precise in the extraction and a warm and enveloping finish of remarkable beauty." (2017 vintage)
James Suckling "Pretty density to this with blackberries, currants and plums, as well as hints of walnuts on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with creamy tannins and a delicious, succulent finish." (2017 vintage)
Falstaff "Intense bright ruby red. Subtle expression on the nose, light forest and cherry fruit, lacquer, a hint of fine leather, spicy, after a little aeration again fruity with ripe strawberries. On the palate then superficial, ripe red berry fruit, with rich enamel, also powerful, you should put it away." (2017 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Crushed berry, botanical herb and baking spice aromas mingle with a whiff of sunbaked earth. The medium-bodied, savory palate offers ripe Marasca cherry, licorice and coffee bean alongside fine-grained tannins." (2017 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "From a hot and dry vintage that leans toward darker and more concentrated fruit, this is a mid-weight Tuscan red with dried plum and black currant backed by spice and dry tobacco. The Rocca delle Macìe 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Famiglia Zingarelli does reflect the characteristics of the hot vintage, and it's a little dry and brittle as a result. However, there is enough easy fruit to pair with a grilled steak and pan-fried porcini mushrooms on top." (2017 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Smoky cherry and plum fruit is interlaced with earth, iron and tobacco flavors in this dry red, which turns leaner and more focused on the finish, echoing the earth and tobacco notes and picking up tea and spice accents." (2017 vintage)
The Chianti region in Italy's Tuscany wine growing region is split between Chianti and Chianti Classico. Accordingly, two separate DOCG designations apply to wines from the Chianti region: the Chianti Classico DOCG for the heartland of Chianti, and Chianti DOCG for all other Chianti regions. (In 1984, the Chianti region was promoted from DOC to DOCG - Italy’s highest classification - and in 1996, Chianti Classico - the historic heartland of the region - DOCG was created, which gave autonomy to that region. In the last 20 years, a consortium of Chianti Classico producers have researched new Sangiovese clones, replanted vineyards, updated cellar practices and generally made Chianti Classico DOCG a world-class appellation. Chianti Classico must contain a minimum of 75% Sangiovese. In the 2014 edition of its annual compendium of wine ratings, Gambero Rosso noted that Chianti Classico DOCG wines were noteworthy for their “significant return to a more defined style, true to tradition.” The typical Chianti Classico wine is a ruby-red, Sangiovese-based wine with aromas of violets and cherries and a hint of earthy spice.
The Chianti DOCG designation covers wines from six Chianti sub-zones (Colli Pisane, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini, Montalbano and Rufina) as well as all other Chianti wines. The Chianti Classico DOCG is located in the very center of Tuscany, between Florence and Sienna."
"Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region (behind Sicily and Apulia) but it is eighth in terms of output, reflecting both the poor soil of Tuscany and deliberate efforts to limit yields and increase the quality in the wine. After Piedmont and the Veneto, Tuscany produces the third-highest volume of DOC/DOCG wines. More than 80% of the regions' production is in red wine, with the Sangiovese grape being Tuscany's' most prominent grape. Trebbiano is the leading white variety of the region.
The history of viticulture in Tuscany dates back to the Etruscans in the 8th century BC. From the fall of the Roman Empire and throughout the Middle Ages, monasteries were the main purveyors of wines in the region. As the aristocratic and merchant classes emerged, they inherited the share-cropping system of agriculture known as mezzadria. Many Tuscan landowners would turn their half of the grape harvest into wine that would be sold to merchants in Florence. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Tuscany returned to the rule of the Habsburgs. Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Super Tuscan are Tuscany’s best known wines.
Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica), a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany, and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. Italy's love affair with Sangiovese – and indeed the world's – is generations old, though recent grapevine research suggests the variety is not as ancient as once thought.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
1 x Poderi Colla Nebbiolo D' Alba DOC Drago (Organic) 2021 - Piedmont, Italy
91/100 Decanter Magazine (2020 vintage)
90/100 CellarTracker (2018 vintage)
93/100 Falstaff (2017 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2017 vintage)
Organic - Winery been operating organically since launch and all wines are organic
100% Nebbiolo
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Poderi "...Poderi Colla remains one of the under the radar gems in Piedmont. Specifically, the Barbaresco (and Barolo, too) is consistently outstanding."
Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Poderi Colla is a beautiful hilltop winery located on the outskirts of the hamlet of Treiso, one of the four communes of the Barbaresco production zone. The estate is well-known for the many excellent wines it produces."
Decanter Magazine "Vibrant floral aromas mingle with an intense red and black fruit medley. The palate is fresh with crunchy red fruit and hints of dark chocolate and wildflowers. Concentrated, with structured tannins and racy freshness." (2020 vintage)
Falstaff "Bright ruby with fine garnet highlights. Open and accessible nose, shows notes of raspberry and rose petals, some clove in the background. Juicy and hearty on the palate, opens with pithy, vivid tannin, with nice depth on the finish and long length." (2017 vintage)
Winemaker "Garnet red. Complex nose with aromas of plum, spices, red berries, dried rose and violet. On the palate it is straightforward, tasty, with prominent tannins well integrated into the structure of the wine. Good length and persistence with a fruit and spice aftertaste. An imposing wine for the whole meal, this wine is excellent with pasta dishes with meat sauce and with meat main courses."
Winemaker "This wine is produced at Cascine Drago in the Nebbiolo d’Alba production area, at the border of the Barbaresco area. It embodies all the features of delicacy, elegance, structure and drinkability of a great Nebbiolo. It is aged one year in large casks and in its first years it is a smoother than its ‘brothers’ Barolo and Barbaresco.
Winemaker "Although this difference is often not grasped, for us it is crucial. The area where we are allowed to produce Nebbiolo d’Alba is small, with a kind of soil suitable for this appellation. On the other hand, the Langhe Nebbiolo area is large, with heterogeneous soils. Finally, Nebbiolo d’Alba is made using 100% Nebbiolo grapes while Langhe Nebbiolo allows an 85% minimum Nebbiolo content."
Poderi Colla is a highly regarded Italian, family owned winery with a rich history dating back to the 1700s. The winery is known for its dedication to crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Langhe region in Piedmont. The winery was founded by the Colla family, who have produced wine for more than five generations. Brothers Tino and Beppe Colla brought Poderi Colla to international fame. Prominent figures in the winemaking world, the bothers studied winemaking in Burgundy and brought Pinot Noir cuttings back to Italy to propegate at their family's wine estate. Tino and Beppe Colla both played significant roles in elevating the reputation of Barolo and Barbaresco wines to international acclaim.
The Poderi Colla winery focuses on sustainable viticulture and traditional winemaking techniques, producing wines that showcase the authentic flavors of the grapes. Poderi Colla produces a range of wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, and other regional varieties. Their Barolo and Barbaresco wines are especially revered, and they often age them in large oak casks to allow the wines to develop complex and nuanced flavors over time.
Talk to us at Pop Up Wine and we'll gladly organise a tour of the Poderi Colla winery when you are next in Italy. We can arrange a tour of the vineyards, cellars, and tasting rooms where you will be able to learn about the winemaking process and sample Poderi Colla wines. Visiting the estate offers an opportunity to experience the beauty of the Langhe region while enjoying some of Italy's finest wines.
The Langhe is a prestigious winemaking region located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is renowned for its outstanding wines, picturesque landscapes, and rich culinary traditions. Here's some information about the Langhe winemaking region. The Langhe region experiences a continental climate with some Mediterranean influences from the nearby Ligurian Sea. The area benefits from a combination of factors such as sunlight exposure, altitude, and soil composition, which create an ideal environment for growing high-quality grapes. The region's terroir is primarily composed of limestone, clay, and sandstone soils, which contribute to the unique flavors and characteristics of Langhe wines. The Langhe is famous for its production of red wines, with Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto being the prominent grape varieties. Nebbiolo is the noble grape of the region and is responsible for producing some of Italy's most iconic wines, such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Barbera and Dolcetto are also widely planted and play significant roles in producing well-regarded wines, including Barbera d'Alba and Dolcetto d'Alba. Barolo and Barbaresco are the crown jewels of the Langhe region. Both wines are made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and are renowned for their complexity, age-worthiness, and distinctive flavors. Barolo, often referred to as the "King of Wines," typically displays robust tannins and flavors of cherry, tar, and roses. Barbaresco, considered its slightly more delicate counterpart, is known for its elegance and finesse.
Nebbiolo d'Alba is a red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape variety in the Alba region of the Piedmont in northwestern Italy. The wine is closely related to the more famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines, as they all come from the same Nebbiolo grape. However, Nebbiolo d'Alba tends to be more approachable, affordable, and ready to drink at a younger age compared to its Barolo and Barbaresco counterparts.
Flavor Profile
Nebbiolo d'Alba wines often exhibit the characteristic red fruit aromas of Nebbiolo, with notes of cherry, raspberry, and sometimes plum. There can also be floral undertones, such as violets. On the palate, the wine generally has good acidity, elegant tannins, and a medium to full-bodied structure. Nebbiolo d'Alba can be more approachable and less intense than its Barolo and Barbaresco counterparts, making it a great choice for those looking to experience the essence of Nebbiolo without the extended aging requirements.
Food Pairings
Nebbiolo d'Alba pairs well with a wide range of dishes. It complements traditional Piedmontese cuisine, such as pasta dishes, risotto, and roasted meats. The wine's versatility also allows it to pair nicely with various Italian and international dishes, making it a delightful option for many dining experiences.
Value and Enjoyment
Nebbiolo d'Alba wines often provide excellent value, offering a taste of Nebbiolo's elegance and character at a more affordable price point than Barolo and Barbaresco. Due to their relative accessibility, Nebbiolo d'Alba wines can be enjoyed earlier, while the more prestigious Nebbiolo wines are still aging and developing in the cellar.
Overall, Nebbiolo d'Alba offers a fantastic introduction to the world of Nebbiolo-based wines, allowing wine enthusiasts to savor the unique qualities of the Nebbiolo grape without the longer wait for maturity.
Embark on a flavorful journey through Italy’s most celebrated wine regions with this From Italy With Love Red 6 Pack Collection. Handpicked to showcase the diversity and charm of Italian red wines, this collection features bold Chiantis, velvety Montepulcianos, and elegant Nebbiolos, among other treasures. Each bottle offers a taste of Italy’s rich winemaking heritage, with notes of ripe fruit, earthy undertones, and impeccable balance. Perfect for pairing with Italian cuisine or sharing with loved ones, this collection is a heartfelt tribute to the passion and tradition of Italian winemaking.
1 x Pietra Pura Hyria Primitivo Puglia 2022 - Puglia, Italy
Organic - currently undergoing certification
Winemaker "An intense bouquet of red fruits which burst through to the palate. Rich and smooth, with a wellbalanced finish.
Wimemaker "Rocca delle Macìe has combined experience and expertise to create three different types of wine using Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes, which are vinified and bottled in the Puglia Region, under the watchful eye of the Zingarelli family’s chief winemaker, Luca Francioni. The Primitivo grapes of this wine come from selected vineyards located in southern Puglia, where the traditional Alberello basso vine training method is employed."
Vinum "An intense bouquet of red fruits, persistent with hints of blackcurrant and wild berries and lightly spiced thyme and aromatic herbs. Rich and smooth, with good body and a well balanced and persistent finish. 30% of the wine is aged in barriques for 12 months and 70% for the same period in stainless steel.
Ideal with meat, game or seasoned cheeses.
100% Primitivo
The PietraPura range is a successful collaboration with famous winery group, Rocca delle Macìe which makes the most of the native vines of the Salento area to create wines that express the very best of the terroir. Rocca delle Macìe has combined experience and expertise to create three different types of wine using Primitivo and Negroamaro grapes. Mandus and Cotis, two expressions of Primitivo di Manduria DOC, Dolceluna – Primitivo Dolce Naturale DOCG- and Negramaro -Salento IGT- represent the high end of the range and are produced using grapes cultivated in vineyards selected by Rocca delle Macìe’s technicians. The grapes are then vinified and bottled in the Puglia Region, under the watchful eye of the Zingarelli family’s chief winemaker, Luca Francioni.
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when film producer Italo Zingarelli – of Ettore Scola’s “We All Loved Each Other So Much” fame, and also the wildly popular series of films featuring comedy duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (including “They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity Is Still My Name”) – decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate – extending across 93 hectares (230 acres) in all, of which only two were under vine – in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone.
Puglia, also known as Apulia, is a long, narrow region comprising the heel of southern Italy's boot. Puglia is a major producer of both wine grapes and table grapes. Its name comes from a-pulvia, or “lack of rain” in Roman. The terroir is influenced by a sunny, warm Mediterranean climate with breezes from the Adriatic sea and fertile soil rich in limestone. The Puglian wine region is divided into three subregions: Foggia in the north, Bari and Taranto in the center, and Brindisi and Lecce in the south.
After Veneto, Puglia is tied with Sicily as the second biggest wine region in Italy. The Puglia area is mostly home to grape growers, rather than wine producers. However, there are winemakers producing quality wines in Puglia in smaller quantities. In addition to grapes, Puglia produces 40 percent of Italy's olive oil.
The grape of most interest to non-Italians is the early-ripening Primitivo, a speciality of the Gioia del Colle plain just south of Bari and Manduria, the western coast of the heel just south of Taranto. DNA analysis has proved what many had suspected all along, that this vine variety is one and the same as California's Zinfandel.
Primitivo is a dark-skinned grape known for producing inky, tannic wines, particularly Primitivo di Manduria and its naturally sweet Dolce Naturale variant. Although there have been contentious and long-running debates about the variety's geographical origins, there is little question that Primitivo's modern-day home is in southern Italy, particularly Puglia.
1 x Giulio Straccali Chianti Classico 2020 - Tuscany, Italy
91/100 James Suckling (2016 vintage)
92/100 James Suckling (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2015 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2014 vintage)
90/100 James Suckling (2013 vintage)
Bronze James Suckling (2012 vintage)
James Suckling "Very aromatic with dried rose petals and blackberries on the nose. Full body, a soft and velvety texture and a crisp, clean finish. Shows a pretty combination of richness and freshness. " (2016 vintage)
James Suckling "A focused and juicy red with currant, plum and berry character. Medium to full body, solid and polished tannins and a long and pretty finish. All in finesse." (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Elegant, this leans to the austere side, yet there is enough cherry and strawberry fruit for balance. Leather, earth and tobacco notes round out the flavor spectrum." (2015 vintage)
Wine Spectator "A fluid, elegant red, sporting cherry, strawberry and earth flavors. Offers a fine Sangiovese character, with moderate length." (2014 vintage)
James Suckling "Silky and dense with beautiful dried cherry and strawberry aromas and flavors. Full body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Outstanding and typical Chianti Classico." (2013 vintage)
James Suckling "A light, fruity red with sliced-plum and sour-cherry character. Medium body with fine tannins and a fresh finish."(2012 vintage)
Since 1925 the Straccali wine estate in Tuscany, founded by its namesake Giulio Straccali, has been in the vanguard of progressive Chianti wine producers. An expert enologist, entrepreneur, farmer and wine producer, Giulio Straccali was above all a man of vision. Through the wines of Tuscany, he sought to communicate to the rest of the world the scents, colors and flavors of his beloved homeland. Convinced of the need to protect and nurture the reputation and quality of Chianti wines, Straccali consistently showed a pioneering spirit. He was instrumental in the founding of the Black Rooster Consortium and from 1942 until his death in 1969, he served as Vice President. In 1978 Italo Zingarelli, founder of the Rocca delle Macie estate in Castellina in Chianti, as part of his long-term business strategy and sharing the same dream set out by Giulio Straccali many decades earlier, purchased the company from the Straccali family.
Rocca delle Macìe was established in 1973, when film producer Italo Zingarelli – of Ettore Scola’s “We All Loved Each Other So Much” fame, and also the wildly popular series of films featuring comedy duo Bud Spencer and Terence Hill (including “They Call Me Trinity” and “Trinity Is Still My Name”) – decided to realize his lifelong dream by acquiring the “Le Macìe” estate – extending across 93 hectares (230 acres) in all, of which only two were under vine – in order to create a winery in the heart of the Chianti Classico zone.
The company estate now extends to more than 500 hectares (1250 acres) with, in total, more than 200 (500 acres) used as vineyards and 22 (54 acres) as olive groves, subdivided across the company’s six estates: Le Macìe, Sant’Alfonso, Fizzano e le Tavolelle in the Chianti Classico Area, in addition to the Campomaccione and Casa Maria estates in the Morellino di Scansano Area (Maremma).
The Chianti region in Italy's Tuscany wine growing region is split between Chianti and Chianti Classico. Accordingly, two separate DOCG designations apply to wines from the Chianti region: the Chianti Classico DOCG for the heartland of Chianti, and Chianti DOCG for all other Chianti regions. (In 1984, the Chianti region was promoted from DOC to DOCG - Italy’s highest classification - and in 1996, Chianti Classico - the historic heartland of the region - DOCG was created, which gave autonomy to that region. In the last 20 years, a consortium of Chianti Classico producers have researched new Sangiovese clones, replanted vineyards, updated cellar practices and generally made Chianti Classico DOCG a world-class appellation. Chianti Classico must contain a minimum of 75% Sangiovese. In the 2014 edition of its annual compendium of wine ratings, Gambero Rosso noted that Chianti Classico DOCG wines were noteworthy for their “significant return to a more defined style, true to tradition.” The typical Chianti Classico wine is a ruby-red, Sangiovese-based wine with aromas of violets and cherries and a hint of earthy spice.
Sangiovese 90%.Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica), a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany, and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. Italy's love affair with Sangiovese – and indeed the world's – is generations old, though recent grapevine research suggests the variety is not as ancient as once thought.
Canaiolo & Merlot 10%.
The Canaiolo Nero grape is particularly widespread in central Italy, used in the production of different DOC and DOCG wines. In particular it is used to impart softness to Chianti to stand alongside the Sangiovese. In addition to the Chianti, Canaiolo nero is used almost exclusively in blends, even for different wines of central Italy. The berry is black, medium, round and smooth with blue-violet consistent skin with much bloom. The bunch is medium, rather sparse, stubby or pyramidal, with one or two wings and with a medium-small, five-lobed, rarely three-lobed, dark green and opaque leaf. The grape Canaiolo nero prefers warm climates and hilly terrain, with good exposure. This grape has low vigor and medium age of maturation. The grape Canaiolo nero gives an intense ruby-red wine, alcoholic, but with low acidity. Blended with Sangiovese adds flavor and aroma.
Merlot is a red wine grape variety with strong historic ties to Bordeaux and the southwest of France. It is the second most-planted red wine grape variety in the world, after Cabernet Sauvignon. Merlot is extremely popular in northern Italy, the United States. Chile has built its reputation mainly on its Merlot-based cuvées. Merlot's flavour profile includes plum and black cherry. Often described as producing smooth, rounded and "easy drinking" wines. Merlot is often used to great effect in blends, and is known in his capacity to make some of the most famous wines in the world.
1 x Collosorbo 'Rosso di Montalcino' Sangiovese 2021 - Tuscany, Italy
90/100 Falstaff
90/100 Raffaele Vecchione - WinesCritic (2019 vintage)
Bronze - Falstaff (2019 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2019 vintage)
91/100 Vinous Antonio Galloni (2018 vintage)
90/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2016 Vintage)
90/100 Robert Parker ~ Wine Advocate (2016 Vintage)
Silver - Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
Montepulciano d’Abruzzo
Falstaff "Dark ruby red colour. On the nose candied blackberry, plums, cinnamon, apple compote, in the echo some fine oak. On the palate a rich notion and dark fruit core, stretches determinately over the tongue, in the echo slightly loose knit and dominant wood tannin."
Vinous Antonio Galloni "The 2018 Rosso di Montalcino is dark and earthy, showing more depth than I’d expect from an early-drinking Rosso, displaying ripe strawberry mixed with sweet spices, wild herbs, and moist earth-mineral inflections, as the 2018 Collosorbo gains richness in the glass. On the palate, I’m finding silky depths of textural black cherry, as it coasts effortlessly across the senses, turning fleshy and sweeter, as red inner florals build. The finish is long, showing a bit of heat yet all composed, as primary dark red fruits linger, along with sweet spices with a twang of mouthwatering acids to balance it all out." (2018 vintage)
James Suckling "Offers more concentration on the nose with mostly notes of blackberry pie, plum cake and even some Christmas pudding. On the palate, the fruit is melded beautifully with chewy yet tight tannins and taut acidity. Great stuff for what it is." (2016 vintage)
Robert Parker "The 2016 Rosso di Montalcino opens to a bright ruby colour with purple highlights. The wine is youthful and bright in personality with a full load of plump cherry and ripe blackberry. You also get hints of spice, crushed mineral and balsam herb to round off the bouquet. The mouthfeel is rich, generous and nicely structured. This is an excellent value buy (55,000 bottles were made).” (2016 vintage)
The Winemaker "A traditional, fresh velvety wine, Rosso di Montalcino comes from the Estate’s best vineyards, the same that produce Brunello. It is made from 100% Sangiovese with persistent, fruity aromas and considerable structure. This is a very versatile wine suitable for average periods of aging." (2016 vintage)
The Tenuti di Collosorbo has been owned by the Ciacci family since 1850. The first bottle of Brunello di Montalcino was made in 1966 by Giuseppe Ciacci, a progenitor of the first of the three generations of this winery. Now Giovanna Ciacci and her daughters, oenologist Laura and agronomist, Lucia Sutera Sardo, operate the vineyard and winery, assisted by esteemed oenologist Paolo Caciorgna and cellar master, Daniele Guidotti, who has been in charge of the Tenuta's winery for more than twenty years and is considered one of the family.
The region of Rosso di Montalcino is found in the same defined area as its bigger brother, the Brunello di Montalcino DOCG. Both are situated in the heart of Tuscany, in central Italy. This DOC was created in 1984 in order to make the most of the fruit from younger vines of new plantings. The idea was to create a fresher style of wine that needed considerably less ageing time (one year with only six months in oak) than its sibling.
Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica), a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany, and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. Italy's love affair with Sangiovese – and indeed the world's – is generations old, though recent grapevine research suggests the variety is not as ancient as once thought.
1 x Tenuta Santa Maria Ripasso Superiore 2018 - Veneto, Italy
93/100 James Suckling
94/100 Decanter (2017 Vintage)
91/100 CellarTracker (2017 Vintage)
91/100 Wine Spectator (2017 Vintage)
90/100 5StarWines (2017 Vintage)
96/100 Decanter (2016 Vintage)
93/100 Falstaff Magazin (2016 Vintage)
90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2016 Vintage)
88/100 Robert Parker (2016 Vintage)
Silver - International Wine & Spirit Competition (2017 Vintage)
Silver - London Wine Competition (2017 Vintage)
Bronze 87 - Decanter World Wine Awards (2017 Vintage)
Gold - London Wine Competition (2016 Vintage)
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2016 Vintage)
Best of Wine Tourism - Great Wine Capitals
Federazione Italiana Vignaioli Indipendenti: FIVI
Integrated Crop Management National Quality System SQNPI
James Suckling "Creamy wild strawberries and raspberries on the nose, held tight by a light, oaky note. Medium-to full-bodied with some tight, firm tannin that exerts the same kind of restraint on the juicy fruit. This is quite a complex wine that’s delicious now, but will continue to improve. Drink or hold."
Decanter "The Bertani family can trace its roots in Negrar, the heart of the Classico zone, back to the 15th century. Grapes are hand harvested; the wine spends 12 months in large oak casks so that classic red forest fruits and silky tannins can develop. On the nose, it has soft, ripe red fruits, while the well-balanced palate displays ripe plum and pomegranate and a hint of spice. Stunning juicy core, round tannins and an elegant finish.
Drinking Window 2021 - 2025 (2017 Vintage)
Decanter - "The palate brings a tobacco note, integrated oak and a peppy carriage of acidity. Long and modern. Scents of dried flowers, plum, tobacco, black cherries, coffee, herbs and menthol. " (2016 Vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Aromas of ripe black-skinned berry, porcini mushroom and cooking spice lead the way. The dense palate offers prune, licorice and a touch of cinnamon alongside velvety tannins. Enjoy through 2022. Kerin O’Keefe" (2016 Vintage)
Robert Parker "Aged two years in large oak casks, the 2016 Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore shows a good mix of primary fruit and oak rendering with light spice and cinnamon to back the dried cherry and blackberry aromas. This is a blend of 75% Corvina, 15% Corvinone and 10% Rondinella, representing a very classic approach to the Valpolicella bending formula. There is a sweet note of candied cherry on the close. Pair this wine with pasta in a meat ragù. Some 27,000 bottles were made." (2016 Vintage)
Falstaff Magazine "Rich and intense ruby red. Compact nose of cherry compote and raspberries, shows ripe forest berries and some leather on the finish. On the palate multilayered and full, spreads out as an elegant drink, very well balanced, fine savoury tones with small berries, appealing and fine up to the finish." (2016 Vintage)
The Winemaker - "The Ripasso method is delicately achieved conducting a secondary extended maceration and fermentation over the Amarone grape skins, giving the wine higher complexity, bolder and softer body, and intense colour. Reminiscent of the Amarone, the wine is a vivid ruby red color. At the nose, intense hints of cherry, blueberry, licorice and lingering accents of cinnamon and pepper. At the palate, soft and warm structured velvet tannins and a very balanced acidity. Long finish with fruity sensations."
Centuries old, Tenuta Santa Maria all Pieve is located in the heart of the Valpolicella Classica. The 100-acre producer is comprised of two estates, one in the Valpolicella Classico zone and the second in the Illasi Valley. Tenuta Santa Maria all Pieve was established by Gaetano Bertani in 1850 and today it is owned and operated by his descendants, Gaetano Bertani and his sons Giovanni and Guglielmo. Since its sixteenth century origins this elegant estate has been known for the production of fine wines, especially for its for Amarone Classico and Valpolicella Ripasso. It has a stunning chateau and walled vineyards. Since the 1800's the estate has been making wines using the Guyot Method, a technique with an emphasis on high density, and low yield harvests.
Ripasso is a red wine from the Valpolicella zone located north of Verona in the Veneto region of Italy. Ripasso is generally less well known than Valpolicella and Amarone wines, also from this area, even though it shares some features of both wines.
The term 'Ripasso' sounds like and in fact means “repassed.” That refers to its production process whereby regular, fermented Valpolicella (which is a blend of three regional native red grape varieties - Corvina, Rondinella and occasionally Molinara) is added to a cask containing the skins and lees left over from recently fermented Amarone wines. The process of adding (or repassing”) the lighter Valpolicella wine over the remainders of the “bigger” Amarone wine imparts additional color, texture and flavor to the Valpolicella wine. Also, it induces a second fermentation of the wine that increases the wine’s alcoholic content.
The end result is a wine called Ripasso that retains the vibrancy of Valpolicella but is darker in color, bigger and more flavorful and complex than the original Valpolicella.
Valpolicella is one of the most prestigious Italian winemaking areas in the Veneto region and is located northwest of the elegant Roman town of Verona, in the western corner of the Veneto. The region has grown far beyond the original classic area and extends east to Soave and west to Bardolino, next to Lake Garda.
1 x Rocca delle Macie Chianti Classico Riserva Famiglia Zingarelli 2019 - Tuscany, Italy
93/100 Luca Gardini
92/100 James Suckling
92/100 Wine Spectator
92/100 Natalie Maclean
90/100 Stephen Blandford, The Real Review
90/100 Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics
90/100 5 Stars Wine - The book - Vinitaly
Bronze - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate
94/100 James Suckling (2018 vintage)
93/100 Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics (2018 vintage)
90/100 Falstaff (2018 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2018 vintage)
94/100 Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics (2017 vintage)
93/100 James Suckling (2017 vintage)
91/100 Falstaff (2017 vintage)
90/100 Wine Enthusiast (2017 vintage)
Bronze - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (2017 vintage)
Bronze - Wine Spectator (2017 vintage)
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards
Gold - Selections Mondiales des Vins Canada
Silver - Mundus Vini
Gold - Mundus Vino (2018 vintage)
Gold - Decanter World Wine Awards (2018 vintage)
Gold - International Wine & Spirit Competition (2018 vintage)
Luca Gardini ''Another great classic from Zingarelli family’s estate, from Castellina in Chianti area. Sangiovese, with Cabernet and Merlot to enrich the blend, berry jam on the nose, with notes of iris and peony. The mouthfeel has iodine-brackish 93 tannins, with floral-fruity return and good persistence.''
James Suckling "Savory plums, mushrooms, leather and spiced oranges on the nose, with a medium-bodied palate rounded by firm but polished tannins. Elegant and refined."
Wine Spectator "Boasts juicy cherry, blackberry, plum, earth and tobacco aromas and flavors, with undertones of leafy underbrush. Firm and balanced, with a lingering aftertaste that echoes the fruit and picks up a mineral note. Sangiovese, Colorino and Cabernet Sauvignon."
Natalie Maclean " ...a vibrant, medium-bodied and mouth-watering Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Colorino and Merlot red wine blend, aged in French oak barrels for 24 months. Vibrant with dark fruits, plum, cherry, vanilla and toasty oak spice flavours on the palate. Pour with a meaty lasagne.
Stephen Blandford, The Real Review "Garnet with orange/brick edges. The bouquet offers iris and violet perfume with raspberry fruits, clean and fresh if not overly complex. In the mouth there is ripe fruits riding on savoury elements, a thread of saline minerality carrying the wine along, tannins are rusty but fine in texture, the whole lingering pleasantly. An enjoyable drop."
Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics "Slightly cloudy on the nose showing notes of black prunes, crumbled tobacco and leather. Medium bodied, light tannins and a finale of medium length."
Falstaff "Clear garnet red with ruby highlights. On the nose there's aromas of savoury herb and wood alongside red bell pepper and plum jam. Mouth-filling on the palate, with noticeable acidity. Some bitter notes and broad tannins make for a slightly drying finish."
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "This vintage naturally delivers a step up in concentration and flavor, and those characteristics are felt here, although overall winemaking is simple and rather consistent over the years."
James Suckling "Aromas of cherries, red plums, mushrooms, truffles and dried flowers. It’s full-bodied with fine tannins and bright acidity. Layered and textured, with spicy character. It’s balanced and focused with great freshness. Succulent, long finish." (2018 vintage)
Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics "Extremely intriguing in the mixed floral and fruity profile showing a bohemian energy with notes of pressed red flowers, raspberries, ripe blackcurrants and orange juice. Meduim to full bodied, rounded tannins and a juicy finale which both merchants and consumers will enjoy. Well made." (2018 vintage)
Falstaff "Light, brilliant ruby red. Citrus on the nose, also floral tones, violets, wild berries, then cherry and blood orange again. Fresh and clear on the palate, with crunchy fruit and red berry core, drying tannin then shows in the rear area." (2018 vintage)
Wine Spectator "There's a nice mix between the cherry, plum and berry fruit and savory notes of eucalyptus, juniper and oregano in this red, adding in accents of iron and tobacco for complexity. Just a touch dry in the end." (2018 vintage)
International Wine & Spirit Competition "An elegant, stylish and harmonious wine with creamy, ripe black and red fruit; spice and cedar wood flavours supported by ripe, soft tannins. Medium-bodied, sleek and polished, with excellent balance and length." (2018 vintage)
Raffaele Vecchione, Wine Critics "The slight reduction in the glass defines an opalescence that gives intrigue and attracts attention. The hints of black plums, currants and raspberries slowly make their way through the liveliness of the orange juice and reveal the main soul of this young Riserva. Medium-full body, ripe tannins precise in the extraction and a warm and enveloping finish of remarkable beauty." (2017 vintage)
James Suckling "Pretty density to this with blackberries, currants and plums, as well as hints of walnuts on both the nose and palate. It’s full-bodied with creamy tannins and a delicious, succulent finish." (2017 vintage)
Falstaff "Intense bright ruby red. Subtle expression on the nose, light forest and cherry fruit, lacquer, a hint of fine leather, spicy, after a little aeration again fruity with ripe strawberries. On the palate then superficial, ripe red berry fruit, with rich enamel, also powerful, you should put it away." (2017 vintage)
Wine Enthusiast "Crushed berry, botanical herb and baking spice aromas mingle with a whiff of sunbaked earth. The medium-bodied, savory palate offers ripe Marasca cherry, licorice and coffee bean alongside fine-grained tannins." (2017 vintage)
Robert Parker, Wine Advocate "From a hot and dry vintage that leans toward darker and more concentrated fruit, this is a mid-weight Tuscan red with dried plum and black currant backed by spice and dry tobacco. The Rocca delle Macìe 2017 Chianti Classico Riserva Famiglia Zingarelli does reflect the characteristics of the hot vintage, and it's a little dry and brittle as a result. However, there is enough easy fruit to pair with a grilled steak and pan-fried porcini mushrooms on top." (2017 vintage)
Wine Spectator "Smoky cherry and plum fruit is interlaced with earth, iron and tobacco flavors in this dry red, which turns leaner and more focused on the finish, echoing the earth and tobacco notes and picking up tea and spice accents." (2017 vintage)
The Chianti region in Italy's Tuscany wine growing region is split between Chianti and Chianti Classico. Accordingly, two separate DOCG designations apply to wines from the Chianti region: the Chianti Classico DOCG for the heartland of Chianti, and Chianti DOCG for all other Chianti regions. (In 1984, the Chianti region was promoted from DOC to DOCG - Italy’s highest classification - and in 1996, Chianti Classico - the historic heartland of the region - DOCG was created, which gave autonomy to that region. In the last 20 years, a consortium of Chianti Classico producers have researched new Sangiovese clones, replanted vineyards, updated cellar practices and generally made Chianti Classico DOCG a world-class appellation. Chianti Classico must contain a minimum of 75% Sangiovese. In the 2014 edition of its annual compendium of wine ratings, Gambero Rosso noted that Chianti Classico DOCG wines were noteworthy for their “significant return to a more defined style, true to tradition.” The typical Chianti Classico wine is a ruby-red, Sangiovese-based wine with aromas of violets and cherries and a hint of earthy spice.
The Chianti DOCG designation covers wines from six Chianti sub-zones (Colli Pisane, Colli Fiorentini, Colli Senesi, Colli Aretini, Montalbano and Rufina) as well as all other Chianti wines. The Chianti Classico DOCG is located in the very center of Tuscany, between Florence and Sienna."
"Tuscany is Italy's third most planted region (behind Sicily and Apulia) but it is eighth in terms of output, reflecting both the poor soil of Tuscany and deliberate efforts to limit yields and increase the quality in the wine. After Piedmont and the Veneto, Tuscany produces the third-highest volume of DOC/DOCG wines. More than 80% of the regions' production is in red wine, with the Sangiovese grape being Tuscany's' most prominent grape. Trebbiano is the leading white variety of the region.
The history of viticulture in Tuscany dates back to the Etruscans in the 8th century BC. From the fall of the Roman Empire and throughout the Middle Ages, monasteries were the main purveyors of wines in the region. As the aristocratic and merchant classes emerged, they inherited the share-cropping system of agriculture known as mezzadria. Many Tuscan landowners would turn their half of the grape harvest into wine that would be sold to merchants in Florence. Following the end of the Napoleonic Wars, Tuscany returned to the rule of the Habsburgs. Chianti, Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and Super Tuscan are Tuscany’s best known wines.
Sangiovese (or Nielluccio in Corsica), a dark-berried vine, is the most widely planted grape variety in Italy. Virtually synonymous with the red wines of Tuscany, and all the romanticism that goes with the territory, Sangiovese is the core constituent in some of the great names in Italian wine. Italy's love affair with Sangiovese – and indeed the world's – is generations old, though recent grapevine research suggests the variety is not as ancient as once thought.
Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
1 x Poderi Colla Nebbiolo D' Alba DOC Drago (Organic) 2021 - Piedmont, Italy
91/100 Decanter Magazine (2020 vintage)
90/100 CellarTracker (2018 vintage)
93/100 Falstaff (2017 vintage)
Bronze - CellarTracker (2017 vintage)
Organic - Winery been operating organically since launch and all wines are organic
100% Nebbiolo
Antonio Galloni, Vinous Poderi "...Poderi Colla remains one of the under the radar gems in Piedmont. Specifically, the Barbaresco (and Barolo, too) is consistently outstanding."
Terroir Sense - Ian D'Agata "Poderi Colla is a beautiful hilltop winery located on the outskirts of the hamlet of Treiso, one of the four communes of the Barbaresco production zone. The estate is well-known for the many excellent wines it produces."
Decanter Magazine "Vibrant floral aromas mingle with an intense red and black fruit medley. The palate is fresh with crunchy red fruit and hints of dark chocolate and wildflowers. Concentrated, with structured tannins and racy freshness." (2020 vintage)
Falstaff "Bright ruby with fine garnet highlights. Open and accessible nose, shows notes of raspberry and rose petals, some clove in the background. Juicy and hearty on the palate, opens with pithy, vivid tannin, with nice depth on the finish and long length." (2017 vintage)
Winemaker "Garnet red. Complex nose with aromas of plum, spices, red berries, dried rose and violet. On the palate it is straightforward, tasty, with prominent tannins well integrated into the structure of the wine. Good length and persistence with a fruit and spice aftertaste. An imposing wine for the whole meal, this wine is excellent with pasta dishes with meat sauce and with meat main courses."
Winemaker "This wine is produced at Cascine Drago in the Nebbiolo d’Alba production area, at the border of the Barbaresco area. It embodies all the features of delicacy, elegance, structure and drinkability of a great Nebbiolo. It is aged one year in large casks and in its first years it is a smoother than its ‘brothers’ Barolo and Barbaresco.
Winemaker "Although this difference is often not grasped, for us it is crucial. The area where we are allowed to produce Nebbiolo d’Alba is small, with a kind of soil suitable for this appellation. On the other hand, the Langhe Nebbiolo area is large, with heterogeneous soils. Finally, Nebbiolo d’Alba is made using 100% Nebbiolo grapes while Langhe Nebbiolo allows an 85% minimum Nebbiolo content."
Poderi Colla is a highly regarded Italian, family owned winery with a rich history dating back to the 1700s. The winery is known for its dedication to crafting wines that reflect the unique terroir of the Langhe region in Piedmont. The winery was founded by the Colla family, who have produced wine for more than five generations. Brothers Tino and Beppe Colla brought Poderi Colla to international fame. Prominent figures in the winemaking world, the bothers studied winemaking in Burgundy and brought Pinot Noir cuttings back to Italy to propegate at their family's wine estate. Tino and Beppe Colla both played significant roles in elevating the reputation of Barolo and Barbaresco wines to international acclaim.
The Poderi Colla winery focuses on sustainable viticulture and traditional winemaking techniques, producing wines that showcase the authentic flavors of the grapes. Poderi Colla produces a range of wines, including Barolo, Barbaresco, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, and other regional varieties. Their Barolo and Barbaresco wines are especially revered, and they often age them in large oak casks to allow the wines to develop complex and nuanced flavors over time.
Talk to us at Pop Up Wine and we'll gladly organise a tour of the Poderi Colla winery when you are next in Italy. We can arrange a tour of the vineyards, cellars, and tasting rooms where you will be able to learn about the winemaking process and sample Poderi Colla wines. Visiting the estate offers an opportunity to experience the beauty of the Langhe region while enjoying some of Italy's finest wines.
The Langhe is a prestigious winemaking region located in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is renowned for its outstanding wines, picturesque landscapes, and rich culinary traditions. Here's some information about the Langhe winemaking region. The Langhe region experiences a continental climate with some Mediterranean influences from the nearby Ligurian Sea. The area benefits from a combination of factors such as sunlight exposure, altitude, and soil composition, which create an ideal environment for growing high-quality grapes. The region's terroir is primarily composed of limestone, clay, and sandstone soils, which contribute to the unique flavors and characteristics of Langhe wines. The Langhe is famous for its production of red wines, with Nebbiolo, Barbera, and Dolcetto being the prominent grape varieties. Nebbiolo is the noble grape of the region and is responsible for producing some of Italy's most iconic wines, such as Barolo and Barbaresco. Barbera and Dolcetto are also widely planted and play significant roles in producing well-regarded wines, including Barbera d'Alba and Dolcetto d'Alba. Barolo and Barbaresco are the crown jewels of the Langhe region. Both wines are made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes and are renowned for their complexity, age-worthiness, and distinctive flavors. Barolo, often referred to as the "King of Wines," typically displays robust tannins and flavors of cherry, tar, and roses. Barbaresco, considered its slightly more delicate counterpart, is known for its elegance and finesse.
Nebbiolo d'Alba is a red wine made from the Nebbiolo grape variety in the Alba region of the Piedmont in northwestern Italy. The wine is closely related to the more famous Barolo and Barbaresco wines, as they all come from the same Nebbiolo grape. However, Nebbiolo d'Alba tends to be more approachable, affordable, and ready to drink at a younger age compared to its Barolo and Barbaresco counterparts.
Flavor Profile
Nebbiolo d'Alba wines often exhibit the characteristic red fruit aromas of Nebbiolo, with notes of cherry, raspberry, and sometimes plum. There can also be floral undertones, such as violets. On the palate, the wine generally has good acidity, elegant tannins, and a medium to full-bodied structure. Nebbiolo d'Alba can be more approachable and less intense than its Barolo and Barbaresco counterparts, making it a great choice for those looking to experience the essence of Nebbiolo without the extended aging requirements.
Food Pairings
Nebbiolo d'Alba pairs well with a wide range of dishes. It complements traditional Piedmontese cuisine, such as pasta dishes, risotto, and roasted meats. The wine's versatility also allows it to pair nicely with various Italian and international dishes, making it a delightful option for many dining experiences.
Value and Enjoyment
Nebbiolo d'Alba wines often provide excellent value, offering a taste of Nebbiolo's elegance and character at a more affordable price point than Barolo and Barbaresco. Due to their relative accessibility, Nebbiolo d'Alba wines can be enjoyed earlier, while the more prestigious Nebbiolo wines are still aging and developing in the cellar.
Overall, Nebbiolo d'Alba offers a fantastic introduction to the world of Nebbiolo-based wines, allowing wine enthusiasts to savor the unique qualities of the Nebbiolo grape without the longer wait for maturity.