Author Archives: VinoeStile

THE GREEN HEART OF SICILIAN WINE GROWING RIGHT IN THE CENTRE OF PALERMO

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Where once stood the vineyard of Sant’Erasmo, a prestigious estate on the outskirts of Palermo, today there is a space that tells the story of tradition and transformation, a guardian of the past and a workshop of the future, symbol of a concept of wine-growing that has its roots in history and its sights set on the future. Within the Botanical Garden of the University of Palermo lies the ‘Diego Planeta’ Vigna del Gallo, a small but invaluable area of urban biodiversity that reflects the richness, tenacity and vision of contemporary Sicilian wine production.
In 2025, seven years after its inauguration, Vigna del Gallo is increasingly asserting itself as an international tourist destination, attracting travellers, wine tourists, and scholars from all over the world. Nestled among the rarest botanical collections and historic avenues of the Garden, this small vineyard, covering an area of 200 square metres, is a bridge between nature, culture and science, between the past and the future.


“La Vigna del Gallo embodies the essence of contemporary Sicilian wine growing: a place where roots meet innovation, where the land interacts with knowledge. It is much more than an urban vineyard: it is a shared project that unites institutions, communities and research to express Sicilian identity in an authentic, contemporary way that is open to everyone,‘ says Camillo Pugliesi, Director of the Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian DOC Wines. ’It is unimaginable to consider the future of Sicilian wine without preserving its memory. Each biotype present in the vineyard is a story that we risked losing: an authentic expression of our history and our territory. In this sense, La Vigna del Gallo is a living, breathing guardian of our identity, a natural archive that reveals what binds us profoundly to the land.”

Antonio Rallo


The vineyard covers approximately 200 square metres and is home to 95 biotypes of native and traditional grape varieties, including Grillo, Nero d’Avola, Frappato, Perricone, Catarratto, Inzolia, Prunella, Muscaredda, Corinto bianco, Cutrera, Zuccaratu and Visparola. This is a genetic and cultural heritage of inestimable value, assembled thanks to the synergy among the Consorzio di Tutela Vini Sicilia DOC (Consortium for the Protection of Sicilian DOC Wines), which has always been committed to protecting the island’s vines and promoting sustainable and responsible wine growing, the Museum System of the University of Palermo, and the Department of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Sciences (SAAF).


Besides its scientific and conservation role, over the years the Vigna del Gallo has taken on an increasingly important role from a cultural and tourist point of view, becoming part of the tours of the Botanical Garden of Palermo, one of Italy’s most important academic institutions, founded in 1789 and now home to over five thousand plant species from every continent. Therefore, La Vigna del Gallo is not just a scientific experiment or a botanical garden: it is an experience to be savoured. With guided tours, tasting sessions, workshops for schools and tourists, and storytelling sessions nestled in green surroundings, this place has transformed itself into a model of slow and conscious hospitality, perfectly in line with contemporary cultural tourism.
Its international value has also been acknowledged by the Urban Vineyard Association (U.V.A.), an international network that connects urban wine-growing experiences in various cities, including Paris, Milan, Vienna, Turin and Adelaide, promoting projects aimed at enhancing the urban agricultural landscape, protecting biodiversity and raising environmental awareness.
From the heart of Palermo, La Vigna del Gallo is sending out a powerful message: Sicily is a genuine wine-producing continent, extraordinarily rich in biodiversity, knowledge, and visions to share with the world. This message is taking shape through a project that brings together nature, research, and community in a collective, contemporary tale.

New record set for Masseto

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A sale of wines released directly from the Masseto Caveau surpasses the high estimate to bring a grand total of €376,625

Nebuchadnezzar of the 2010 vintage sells for a record €56,250

Sotheby’s sale of wines released from the Masseto Caveau concluded yesterday, having achieved an outstanding total of €376,625 with all 46 lots finding buyers and selling for prices above their high estimates. The announcement of the auction in March created much excitement and anticipation among wine collectors, and by the time the first day of bidding on 12 April drew to a close, the sale was already 100% sold. As the lots began to close yesterday, a flurry of bids resulted in a final total far beyond a pre-sale estimate in the region of €200,000, with collectors across Europe, the Americas and Asia competing to purchase one or more of the extremely limited number of 132 bottles on offer in varying formats. The sale was led by a nebuchadnezzar of the 2010 vintage, which sold for €56,250, tripling its estimate and establishing a new record for any bottle of Masseto at auction.

Amayès Aouli, Sotheby’s Head of Wine, Europe, said: “These standout results, not least the record price for the nebuchadnezzar, are testament to the quality of the wine produced by Masseto and the unprecedented opportunity to acquire bottles directly from the Masseto Caveau. We saw bids coming in from all over the world, with competition among both established collectors and buyers new to Sotheby’s. It has been a pleasure to partner with this iconic estate for such a special occasion and to bring their wines to as wide an audience as possible.”

Giovanni Geddes, CEO Masseto says: “We are truly proud of the results that went beyond our expectations. We would like to thank all wine collectors and buyers for their enthusiasm showed towards our wines. This is the best recognition Masseto can receive. We would like to thank Sotheby’s as well for their professionalism and passion during this collaboration.”

 

Axel Heinz, Estate Director concludes: “It is an honor to know that the work of our team is highly esteemed internationally. We are very pleased that these wines will be kept and also enjoyed by collectors who appreciate their identity, history and uniqueness.”

For this special sale, Sotheby’s joined forces with Masseto earlier this year to select vintages directly from the most secret space in the winery’s cellar carved deep beneath the vineyard above – a stunningly designed location where bottles of every Masseto vintage rest in perfect conditions, each protected in its very own steel cradle. The contents of the auction spanned three decades, including 35 cases containing the 2006, 2010 and 2011 vintages, as well as magnums, double magnums, imperials and a single nebuchadnezzar. Among the top lots were two imperials of the 2001 and 2016 vintages, which sold for €15,000 each.

All the bottles from the Masseto Caveau were presented for sale in numbered cases handcrafted in oak and containing a certificate of origin signed by Axel Heinz, Estate Director. Furthermore, every bottle came to auction with a Prooftag®, attesting to the wine’s authenticity, including the date when the bottle left the Caveau stated on the front label: April 2023. In addition, Caveau features on every capsule as well as on the seals of guarantee that close the wooden cases, a singular confirmation of watertight provenance.

Masseto has gained a unique place in the pantheon of collectible wines, to become one of the most valuable, coveted wines in all of Italy and beyond. The estate is located on a magical hillside on the Tuscan Coast where unique, individual, complex, compelling yet elegant wines are being produced, with each vintage having the specific personality of Masseto, but always showing a different facet.

Full results available here.

Vinchio Vaglio: the Nest of Barbera

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The story of the Vinchio and Vaglio winery is a love story where the inhabitants of these two villages transformed a difficult and poor, inarable land with slopes so steep that some local sayings proved true: “S’ot dròca la colassion, it la treuvi pì!” (if you drop your breakfast, you won’t find it again!) or “S’ot dròca ël bertin, ot toca curije drera fin ant la val” (if your hat blows off in the wind, you’ll need to run down to the end of the valley to get it”). The name results from both Vinchio and Vaglio Serra villages where 19 vine growers used to live and founded the cooperative in 1959. The winery is located in Piedmont, Monferrato, core zone of UNESCO World Heritage Patrimony, right at the foot of the Alps. This area with its steep slopes and overhanging vineyards at the edge of the woods has been tended and “tamed” to dramatic effort, where every single drop of the “Ruby of Vinchio” (Barbera wine) equates to thousands of drops (and certainly not an exaggeration!) of farmers’ sweat. However, the vineyards have never failed to reward their hard work. These vine rows, in fact, repay the industrious farmers with grapes of rare and exceptional quality. Nowadays the cooperative represents 192 family vine growers who take daily care of 450 hectares mostly planted in Barbera grapes (60% of our production) and all other indigenous grapes from Piedmont such as Nebbiolo, Dolcetto, Ruché, Albarossa, Grignolino, Arneis, Cortese, Moscato and Brachetto. The territory is characterized by a distinctive terroir of calcareous soils and sandy soils in Vinchio and mostly clay soils in Vaglio Serra what makes the Barbera of Vinchio Vaglio unique for the structure (white soils), elegance (sandy soils) and aromas (clay soils). The sun usually shines all day on these hills, there is seldom hoarfrost or fog and no shadow. Great wines grow on these hills.

2020 Harvest in Trecciano

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The year 2020 will always be connected to the COVID-19 virus appearance all over the world and, in particular for us, in Italy. Our lives – daily and family activities – either stopped altogether or slowed to a trickle. Mother Nature’s activity in the countryside did not stop and indeed showed us all its beautiful vigorous energy!

After a dry winter season characterized by a low rainfall, vines began to sprout in late March, during very cold days. These low and freezing temperatures, even below zero, caused moderate damage in our vineyards located at the bottom of the valley, and consequently a 15-20 per cent reduction in grape production.
Spring season gave us warm and sunny days, with temperatures above the seasonal average. We worked our vineyards following the vine’s vegetative cycle. We tied the shoots to the support wires, we removed secondary buds formed on the vine stock, and as needed, we made phytosanitary organic treatments to support the growth phase and ensure our vineyards’ good health.
The blooming period was delayed to the second half of May. This brought an excellent result favored by a good climatic trend, with warm, dry and slightly windy days. Th fruit set was excellent and produced optimum new young clusters.

vendemmia 2020 a Trecciano

 

vendemmia 2020

 

Despite a fresh and rainy June, the Summer season started, bringing very high temperatures, especially in August, when we had extremely limited excursions between night and day temperatures.
This climatic trend caused water stress in the grapes, which we promptly solved by practicing drip irrigation during the hottest days and nights, according to the rules laid down by the production regulation.
Fortunately, such a dry season led an excellent ripening of our grapes: perfectly healthy, sound and very concentrated in fruity aromas.
Traditionally September would symbolize the beginning of Fall, but instead, as has happened in the past few years, this 2020 vintage has seen an extension of the Summer.

The first two weeks were very balanced, with sunny weather and mild daily temperatures, and our 2020 Harvesting Season began on September 14th with the Merlot grapes in our small vineyards; followed, in the third week, by the harvesting of Sangiovese. Late September brought fresh temperatures and some rainfalls, that allowed our Cabernet Sauvignon, Cab. Franc and Syrah grapes to reach an optimum ripening to be harvested in first ten days of October.
Thanks to the optimal climate trend that improved week by week, we can say that we had a quality 2020 Harvest: delivering very promising grapes, especially for medium to long aging red wines.

With great optimism, we welcome the gifts of nature and, contrary to the negative world economic situation, we have a renewed enthusiasm as we now are patiently working the musts, which begin to take shape, telling us a new stimulating story: the story of our new wine.

Cantina Tollo: organic and vegan certified wines made with native grapes of Abruzzo

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Cantina Tollo, the well-known proactive brand from Abruzzo, has released on the market its latest project. The new line, which is made from indigenous grapes and with a sustainable packaging, features five wines certified both organic and vegan. The wines pay homage to the surrounding natural environment which stretches from the Adriatic Sea to the towering Maiella mountain reaching above 2.790 metres asl and boosts an incredible flora and fauna biodiversity. The five wines include Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Dop, Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Dop, Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo Dop, Terre di Chieti Pecorino Igp and Terre di Chieti Passerina Igp.

Each wine is identified by a handmade pencil drawing featuring five bioindicators. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo dop, made from the eponymous juicy and tannic red grape, Montepulciano, is identified with the ladybug, which is an indicator of unpolluted environments. The dragonfly, which inhabits clean water spaces, stands on the label of Trebbiano d’Abruzzo Dop from refreshing white Trebbiano variety. Butterflies which reveals huge information about climate change have been chosed to represent a traditional product such as Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, the local dry rosé with a deep salmon hue, cherries aromas and a mineral palate. The stag beetle, living in the fierce old woods of Maiella mountain, stands out on the label of white Terre di Chieti Pecorino Igp whereas the bee is the symbol of the light Terre di Chieti Passerina Igp exuding aromas of citrus and wild flowers.

The whole packaging aims at respecting nature. The capsule is PVC-free, the label is made from recycled paper and cotton fibers, and the box too is made of recycled cardoboard.

The line is aimed at consumers looking for wines with a sense of place, speaking of the land they come from and playing an active role in preserving the environment, from a social and a natural point of view. “Cantina Tollo has always been safeguarding and preserving nature” states Tonino Verna, chairman at Cantina Tollo. “With this new line we want to cast a light on insects which are the daily companions of our grape growers and are the minuscule keepers of our vineyards, helping preserving the natural balance. Today, more than ever before, we have to carefully observe the signals of the environment, understand it, respect the Earth and produce in a sustainable and conscious way”.

 

A new Contrada emerges on Mount Etna: Passochianche

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Passopisciaro again a pioneer, with a new Chardonnay

 

Passochianche, the name of the latest Contrada, or distinctive growing district, recognised by Passopisciaro and dedicated to Chardonnay, is an ancient terraced piece of land on the slopes of Mount Etna, lying between 870 and 950 metres’ elevation. 

Andrea Franchetti had already intuited, back in 2000, that this tiny plot of ultra-fine black sand would be an intriguing habitat for Chardonnay, so he planted a high-density vineyard to that grape. From vintage 2018 the winery has decided to bottle it as Contrada PC, shorthand for Passochianche. 

 

“This wine embodies the experience and knowledge that we have gained over the years with our parcels of Chardonnay,” explained Andrea Franchetti, who was a winegrowing pioneer on Etna and creator of the whole concept of Etna wine contrade. “Over the years, during the growing season and, in particular, with the ageing of the vines, many individual terroirs began to impose their own distinctive personality and quality on the fruit. So, year after year, as we applied precision viticultural practices to the various soils, experimenting with different ripeness regimes, we started separating out the various lots of grapes during harvest and vinification. The result is Contrada PC, which is a superb demonstration of how Etna, with the same grape variety, can yield expressions and wine personalities that are so distinct and different from spot to spot.”   

 

The first vintage of Contrada PC, produced in an extremely limited edition, will be shortly released to the market.

Poema Reserva 2015

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Inspired by history and the incomparable beauty of the landscape born the brand Poema to take the family legacy further, respecting the past and always looking into the future.

Every year a limited and numbered edition of Poema in Albariño cradle in Portugal is produced. We are in a magical place on the bank of Minho River, where the family lived peacefully in communion with nature since the seventeenth century.

Like their ancestors, the family work the land with the Alvarinho grape variety.
In 2000 was made a restructuring of vineyards undertaken by their predecessors Hermínio and Maria de Fátima – awarded by the French Ministry of Agriculture in 2003, with the medal of Chevalier de l’Ordre du Mérite Agricole and invaluable source of strength and knowledge.

Located in the northern most part of Portugal, the beauty of the countryside scenery.

Quinta do Louridal is located in Monção-Melgaço region considered the birthplace of the Alvarinho grape variety in Portugal.  Vineyards in amphitheatre shape are protected by the mountains, sheltered by the granite soils and spoilt by long sun exposure topped by a soft breeze from the Minho River.
This region, in the Minho River Valley, has a microclimate marked by the transition from an Atlantic to a Continental climate. Hot, dry summers with cool nights and cold humid winters.

We tasted: Poema Reserva 2015

This wine produced from Alvarinho grape variety, is very fresh with a stray yellow color and delicaate sparkling. In the mouth is very mineral wih orange and pineapple aromas. The taste is persistent and balanced, result of the prolonged stage in fine lees.

Pairing food

Ideal with fish, seafood, white meats, ham and soft cheeses.

This wine can be stored for several years to drink with pleasure in good company.

ORNELLAIA TOUR & TASTING: a Journey through Emotion

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Travelling along the Viale dei Cipressi, one first catches sight of Bolgheri’s roofline and the Tyrrhenian Sea behind it. Then, just a few more minutes and the gates of Ornellaia greet its visitors on their adventure to discover the famous Bolgheri Superiore DOC. Now that the weather has warmed up a bit, it is in fact the ideal time to plan a trip along the Tuscan coast, exploring its villages, and above all to understand where and how one of the Italy’s true treasures emerge: Ornellaia, a wine that has succeeded in positioning itself at the top of international wine charts in only 30 years.

The wine experience starts in the vineyards, on a discovery tour of the different micro-zones, the soil composition of the vineyards, and how the vines are trained. Following the path of the grapes, the journey continues into the cellar, where visitors can see where the wines “take shape” and also admire the art installations that from 2009 to today, one each year, have enriched the Ornellaia collection, thanks to the Vendemmia d’Artista art project.

Even before entering the cellar, visitors can gaze upon some artworks out in the open air: “Happily Ever After” by Ghada Amer and Reza Farkhondeh, “Splash” by John Armleder, and Yutaka Sone’s interpretation of L’Eleganza. Once visitors enter the cellar they are struck by the explosion of colours of Luigi Ontani’s installation, followed by those of Zhang Huan, Rebecca Horn, Michelangelo Pistoletto and others along the way. Descending into the heart of the cellar is increasingly exciting: the oak barrels are imposing, and in the air – in a perfect silence –  you can almost smell the wine.

At the end of the tour, finally, a tasting of the entire range of the current vintage. Wines include Le Volte dell’Ornellaia, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia, and Ornellaia. But there’s more. Ornellaia has saved a truly exclusive surprise for its guests: a tasting of “Variazioni in Rosso dell’Ornellaia”, a cuvée that can only be tasted and bought at the estate. With this limited-production Tuscan IGT, Ornellaia expresses the individuality of each vintage through a particularly distinctive grape variety that the winemaker highlights in the blend. An inimitable tasting experience.

The “Tour & Tasting by Ornellaia” is available with advance booking. For info and prices: hospitality@ornellaia.it

Sauvignon Blanc „Mathias“ by Pfitscher

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Pinot Nero and Sauvignon Blanc are the main grape varieties that in recent years have allowed Pfitscher to be so appreciated in the wine scene. In autumn a new wine will be presented, unique and in limited quantities: the Sauvignon Blanc “Mathias” 2016.

Named after the founder of the Pfitscher Estate, Mathias reflects a grand cru according to the Burgundian model: an authentic “terroir wine”. Land rich in life and minerality, optimal microclimate, old vines and a work in the meticulous vineyard, carried out with strictly natural techniques: all fundamental factors that, in synergy, give life to Mathias.

We find these ideal conditions in the Cru “Katrhreinerfelder” in Fiè allo Sciliar, at 900 m of altitude. In good years this vineyard produces between 1,500 and 2,000 bottles of an excellent wine. Sauvignon Blanc “Mathias” made its debut during the most important trade fairs in Europe and was premiered to a small circle of journalists, thus confirming its extraordinary characteristics of quality and exclusivity.

The Pfitscher family has worked hard to create a great wine, able to seduce by structure, minerality and elegance, like the most famous wines in the world. The “Mathias” 2016 Sauvignon Blanc wine is available in a limited edition of only 1,850 bottles at specialized dealers starting in October.

Masseto takes a leading role in the Christie’s Auction in Hong Kong

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Masseto takes a leading role in the Christie’s Auction in Hong Kong with Rare Library Releases and an exceptional ‘preview’ of Masseto 2015 in Hong Kong

The ‘Premier Preview Masseto 2015’ lots achieve an equivalent price of € 1,036 per 750ml bottle  

Masseto, Italy’s most collectable estate, is proud to announce the results of the unique lots made available directly from the winery which were auctioned during Christie’s Fine and Rare Wine auction held in Hong Kong on May 26, 2018.

Considered one of the world’s greatest investment wines as rated by the Liv-Ex auction index, nineteen rare Masseto library release lots were offered to collectors directly from the Estate and achieved a grand total of €109,791 in sales, marking yet another crowning achievement for the storied wine.

Featuring rare bottlings (6 x 750ml) of Masseto from vintages 1995-2009, and large formats (Magnum, never-before-released Double Magnums, and extremely limited release Imperial bottles dating back to 1995), bidding was very animated, with collectors eager to secure these exceptional wines of provenance.

In addition, a notable highlight of the Christie’s auction was the world-exclusive ‘Premier Preview Masseto 2015’ section, offering collectors and ‘afficionados’ the opportunity to purchase the highly anticipated release of the 2015 vintage Masseto prior to its official release in Fall 2018. This vintage, considered to be among the most coveted wines ever produced by the Estate since its inaugural vintage in 1987, was offered in eight separate lots which included all bottle sizes produced (750ml, magnum, double magnum, and the extremely rare numbered Imperial bottle (5/80) and Nebuchadnezzar bottle (1/10).  These lots achieved a grand total of €63,177, which translates into €1,036 per bottle equivalent.

Each lot of Masseto 2015 was offered in original wooden cases with metal plates bearing the text ‘Premier Preview Masseto 2015 – Christie’s Hong Kong – May 2018’ and included a special certificate of origin unique to the lot.

Axel Heinz, Masseto Estate Director and Winemaker remembers, “Vintage 2015 will go down in Masseto’s history as one of the great vintages. The almost textbook-like growing conditions produced a wine with a perfect balance between a mature, yet complex, aromatic expression of great freshness and a rare quality of ample, silky and smooth tannins. The dark and intense color is followed by a rich aroma with hints of fully ripe red fruit and spicy, balsamic and cocoa notes. In the mouth, it becomes sensual and rich, with great density and an ample and perfectly smooth tannin. The fruity notes are balanced by the spicy flavour of wood; its fresh and vivid final taste comes to a close with a hint of cocoa. Given the greatness of the vintage this is a wine which will go on developing over decades to come.”

As with regular bottlings of Masseto, each library release wine sold at the Christie’s Fine & Rare Wine auction on May 26, came equipped with the innovative Prooftag™ technology on the neck of each bottle, guaranteeing authenticity and provenance.

‘‘Christie’s are delighted with the strong results for the lots direct from Masseto with 100% of the lots offered selling and particularly the “Premier Preview Masseto 2015” allowing the lucky buyers to secure this fantastic vintage before general release for sale in the autumn. 6 bottles of Masseto 2015 were sold for HK$ 49,000 and a rare Nebuchadnezzar for HK$ 196,000. We sincerely thank the team at Masseto for the partnership for this special auction”.

Tim Triptree, Director and Senior Specialist, Christie’s 

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