Casanuova by Nittardi, a Chianti Classico strenghtening the wine and art combo

“Wine and culture” or either “wine is culture”: no limits for us (LOL). But, now, the combination is made by Nittardi, a winery in Chianti Classico (and not only there), owned by Stefania Canali (history expert from Venice) and her husband Peter Femfert (German editor and art connoisseur). They bought the winery in 1981, but the estate and the amazing small village with the tower in Castellina in Chianti is dated back earlier in the history and art (that is culture, of course).

LasteRosse, an original Classic Method from Groppello rediscovered in Trentino

I want to talk about a wine that is born from an authentic love story. It all starts in Val di Non Mountains, in Trentino, that’s an enological region of North-East Italy. Soon the dream of Pietro Pancheri and his wife Silvia Tadiello (the LasteRosse owners) becomes reality: they have created a winery that respects territory, land and traditions. In practice, they have chosen to work sustainable agriculture, to preserve the native vines and to work following the rhythms of nature with a careful look to the moon.

Roberto Ceraudo, the Calabrian prophet who has rediscovered the Pecorello vine

Roberto Ceraudo really loves his land. If the jewel called Dattilo is his creature, built in his own likeness, his sons Susy, Caterina and Giuseppe are his pearls. Roberto gave his best for this land that slopes slightly from the hills of Strongoli, creating a natural terrace towards the Ionian Sea. We are in Calabria, in the province of Crotone. In 1973, Roberto started his adventure among fields, sowing, harvesting, up and down on his tractor.

Quarta Generazione and Giovanna Paternoster’s Aglianico: new air in Vulture

Today, I talk about a wine that was born in one of the smallest regions of southern Italy: Basilicata. Aglianico del Vulture it’s (that’s cousin of the homonymous wine and vine of Campania) and only here, in Vulture area, it has unique characteristics. Some geographical notes: the Basilicata region borders with Campania, Apulia and Calabria. The Aglianico vine originates in the territory at the slopes of a prehistoric volcano that has been extinguished for millennia, Mount Vulture, which reaches 1,326 meters above sea level.

Folle Conero La Calcinara, the cool Marche wine from “Red Brothers”

That’s the liking company in the Marche region (Centre of Italy). No more schematic, ingested, formal, rigid presentations. La Calcinara is a smart, young and jaunty company, as a modern “start-up” (as it would be said today) that breathes through the image of its owners: Paolo and Eleonora Berluti brothers. They are a tangible example of the enthusiasm and liveliness with which the Conero area offers, for some time, so many excellent red wines that deserve to be known more and better.

Fattoria Le Terrazze – Sassi Neri 2013: from Conero, spelled “red” but pronounced “happiness”

Among many excellent Italian red wines, the Rosso Conero variety is certainly one of the most deserving of being discovered and appreciated. They are made from Montepulciano grapes, and considered to be the most delicious and important red wines of the Marche region, made in two different denominations: Rosso Conero DOC (Denomination of Controlled Origin) and the Conero Riserva DOCG (Denomination of Controlled and Guaranteed Origin). If you have already read the article in the TWR Lands section you already know what I mean.

Barone Sergio – Sergio 2010, the naked essence of Nero d’Avola

Pure, unadulterated, naked in his essence. “Sergio is Nero d’Avola as it should be” in the mind of Baron Giovanni Sergio: without any contribution from wood. This red wine, so typical of Sicily, is derived from the island’s native grape par excellence: the Nero d’Avola. The Barone Sergio company is located in the heart of its typical cultivation area: southeastern Sicily, in the province of Syracuse. The vineyards are located in two districts: Le Mandrie and Gaudioso. This is the territory of Eloro Doc, one of the least known in the island.

Quadra – QSaten 2009 – The revolutionary and unconventional Franciacorta

Quadra_1Today’s wine is the brainchild of Mario Falcetti (oenologist and agronomist, former Contadi Castaldi, Terra Moretti group), and it has the distinction of being produced by a winery I like to call “unconventional”. Falcetti, the manager of the Quadra winery since 2008, has a reputation for taking things into his own hands and revolutionizing both management philosophy and winemaking techniques.