Sentiero dei Pini Pinot Grigio
Pinot Grigio is one of the most popular whites in the western world, loved for its refreshing, delicate flavours. Inland from Venice, the high altitude Adige Valley is home to some of the best quality examples in Italy, if not the world. This wine was made by local expert Giuseppe Secchi. He named it after a famous local vineyard - on a cone shaped hill that was once home to a Roman temple, approached by a spiralling path lined with pine trees. Cool climate fresh and truly thirst quenching, this wine displays crisp, pure, lemon and grapefruit flavours, a touch of ripe, white stone fruit and a sophisticated, minerally edge. It's a 'drink anytime' wine but perhaps best enjoyed as an aperitivo, with seafood, grilled fish or summer salads.
Porta Rossa Langhe Nebbiolo DOC
Rocksand Shiraz
Not only has this family estate won 60 Golds in a decade, but also 'Best Wine in the World'. That was for their 2005 Shiraz in 2008! The secret to this weighty, spice packed red is the sandy soils, which hold little rain for the vines, plus the unrelenting hot sun. The result is a modest yield of small berries crammed with juicy flavour. With this style of wine, award winning winemaker Jaime Quendera is now forging a reputation for Setúbal's rich, bold reds. Mostly Shiraz along with a splash of local variety Alicante, Jaime finished the wine in expensive oak barrels to add a gorgeous spicy vanilla lift to the blueberry, blackberry and peppery fruit. A fine treat to serve with spicy chorizo sausages, a hearty stew or the Sunday roast.
Vinha do Fava Touriga Nacional
The word 'Nacional' is reserved for treasures that fly the flag for Portugal. Touriga Nacional certainly does that. Ten years ago the Freitas family planted the grape on their acclaimed Fava vineyard. In 2015 it produced a wine so special that it was bottled under the vineyard name for the first time ever. It won a string of Gold on its debut - making over 60 Golds in 10 years for this fine family estate. The 2016 won Grand Gold, and the 2017 here has won Gold, Double Gold, Grand Gold and Best in Show ... ! Dating back to 1920, Casa Ermelinda Freitas is run by fourth generation Leonor Freitas, who has been awarded a 'Comendadora' (equivalent to a Dame) for her services to Portuguese wine. Her daughter Joana follows in her footsteps. Aged in barrel, this rich red is packed with spicy berry, herb and mineral character. A top match with slow cooked beef or lamb.
Coriole McLaren Vale Sangiovese
Mark Lloyd of Coriole planted Sangiovese in his McLaren Vale vineyards in the mid 1980s and in 1999 he famously won the inaugural Australian Sangiovese Awards – a precursor to the Australian Alternative Varieties Wine Show, where this delicious 2016 Sangiovese won Gold! It has beautiful bright spiced cherry and plum fruit, with a savoury touch of herbs and spice. It's a terrific food wine - try it with your best Italian pasta dish.
Ciabot Berton Barolo DOCG Roggeri
Pasqua Valpolicella
Dont miss this rare chance to secure a magnificent wine from a top producer thats in seriously short supply. Made by an acclaimed winemaker at the top of their game, this is a slice of wine history you dont want to miss. Add it to your collection while you can.
Tombacco Biferno Rosso
Tombacco Biferno Rosso Riserva DOC displays brilliant garnet reflections of an intense ruby red, the Biferno is a wine with a full and aromatic taste. Old world nuances ranging from ethereal vanilla to sharp notes of spices and cinnamon. In the mouth it is rich, velvety and harmonious, perfect for enhancing red meat dishes or traditional cheeses.
Luciano Sandrone Barbera d'Alba
Luciano Sandrone crafts wines of profound integrity, purity and deep expression. The Barbera d'Alba is matured for 15 months in wooden barrels, a good part of which are new, which balances the natural fruity and fresh texture of the wine with soft tannins.
Tasca Lamuri Nero d'Avola
Bright, intense ruby red, Tasca Lamuri Nero d'Avola displays rich aromas of cherry, blackberry and mulberry. Vanilla bean, tobacco and aromatic herbs on the palate lead into dark forest fruits and oak adding a beautifully balanced flavour. Good structure and pleasantly fruity with red and black berries.