Category Archives: Italian wines

Ipsus 2021, rigour and poetry

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Born as a visionary project, Ipsus has swiftly become a distinctive voice within the world of Chianti Classico, the emblem of a Sangiovese cru “noble by nature”. With the 2021 vintage, this Gran Selezione once again confirms its place among the most radiant and authentic expressions of the appellation.

Ipsus is an independent wine that reflects its terroir with unadulterated clarity, the expression of an exceptional place and a clear idea: to let the pure character of Sangiovese speak for itself.

wine, still life, interior photography

“Ipsus requires, in the truest sense of the word, an open dialogue with the land,” says Giovanni Mazzei,custodian of Ipsus. “It is guided not by time but by place”.

At Podere Il Caggio, in Castellina in Chianti, Sangiovese vines take root in clay-schist and calcareous marl soils rich in Alberese stone, facing south-east to south-west at elevations between 310 and 361 metres. This unique habitat lends Ipsus its refined tannic structure, mineral depth and unmistakable sense of place, qualities that, since the inaugural 2015 vintage, have captivated collectors and wine lovers worldwide.

At Il Caggio, Sangiovese is vinified from a small 6.5-hectare vineyard, embraced by a mosaic of woods, olive trees and dry-stone walls.

“Ipsus is a wine of precision and instinct,” continues Giovanni. “Since the very first harvest, I have been fascinated by the natural balance this terroir imparts to its fruit. That is why we practise a respectful, biodiversity-driven viticulture – green manuring, conservative methods – always with the sole purpose of nurturing the vineyard’s own voice.”

The 2021 vintage was characterised by a harsh, dry winter followed by a cool spring with moderate rainfall that nourished the soil without excess. The hot, windy summer brought marked diurnal temperature shifts, enriching the grapes with aromatic complexity and freshness. Ideal conditions in September ensured a brief yet flawless harvest, carried out between the 28th and 29th. “The grapes arrived at the winery in perfect condition, with ripe tannins and thick, deeply coloured skins,” explains Gionata Pulignani, head of the technical team. “We immediately knew that this would be an exceptional harvest, destined to produce an intense, deep and vibrant Ipsus.”

Ipsus bears the symbol of a roe deer, strong and elegant, deliberately preserving a wild spirit and a distinctly contemporary vision. The 2021 edition was limited to 6,450 bottles, 400 magnums and 80 jeroboams.

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Ipsus is a Chianti Classico Gran Selezione created in 2015 by the Mazzei family, Tuscan winemakers for over 600 years, at their Podere Il Caggio estate. Giovanni Mazzei is the face and driving force behind the project. Ipsus is free, precious, and vital, like its symbol: a young roe deer depicted on the silk paper in which each bottle is wrapped. A 100% Sangiovese of remarkable expressiveness, it stands proud in its performance and selective in its distribution.

SICILIA DOC WINE CONSORTIUM – 2025 HARVEST FORECAST

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Slight recovery in production, though still below historical averages; grape quality is reported to be excellent

The 2025 harvest has begun in Sicily, and the first data collected by the Sicilia DOC Wine Consortium indicates a moderate recovery: production is expected to increase by approximately 10% compared to 2024, a year marked by significant declines. Despite this growth, volumes remain significantly below historical averages, with a 40% shortfall still reflecting the structural challenges posed by climate change and its ongoing impact on viticulture.
“The current figures suggest a better harvest than last year, but we must keep in mind that production remains significantly lower than in previous years” notes Camillo Pugliesi, Director of the Sicilia DOC Wine Consortium. “This context calls for cautious optimism; what is certain is the commendable work being done by producers to ensure healthy grapes and high-quality wines.”


Grapes are in good condition, with healthy bunches thanks to a more stable seasonal climate compared to recent years. This bodes well for a vintage which, although not abundant, is expected to offer very satisfactory overall quality. The grapes are showing an excellent balance between sugar and acidity—an essential factor in producing fresh, elegant, and long-lived wines.


The Sicilia DOC Consortium—one of the largest PDO denominations in Italy, covering over 22,500 hectares of vineyards under DOC status—will continue to closely monitor the harvest across Sicily’s diverse wine-growing areas. Inspection and oversight efforts will focus on compliance with production regulations and on enhancing the value of native grape varieties such as Nero d’Avola, Grillo, and Lucido, true ambassadors of Sicilian viticulture around the world.

Masseto presenting the 2022 vintage

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Masseto, first released in 1986, continues its longstanding tradition of unveiling each new vintage as the summer ends and autumn begins. From the Tuscan coastline overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea, the 2022 vintage is now introduced.

The 2022 growing season unfolded beneath the auspices of a quintessential winter, whereby the cool temperatures remained loyal to the expected cadence of the first quarter of the year. This was succeeded by a spring of notable restraint, both cool and dry, bestowing a measured awakening upon the vines. Towards the end of May, the sun asserted its reign, with temperatures peaking at 35°C and an ensuing stretch of several days devoid of rain. Yet nature summoned summer showers to break the dryness, bringing much-needed respite to the terroir. As the calendar turned to September, nocturnal coolness provided textbook conditions for the nuanced maturation of sugars, aromas and tannins, each element weaving complexity into the fruit.

The harvest commenced under propitious skies, affording the technical team with precise timing for each vineyard parcel. On the 6th of September, the first Merlot clusters were gathered by hand, and with deliberate patience, the harvest journey reached its conclusion on the 9th of October. 

“We are satisfied to see how Masseto 2022 carries both the ripe energy of summer and the refined tension of autumn, delivering a vibrant and vertical wine with a lot of purity, a wine with a timeless character. In this very special vineyard that can ripen quickly in hot conditions, we have to be perfect with only one grape variety,” says Marco Balsimelli, Technical Director of Masseto. “That’s the magic of Masseto.” 

Grapes harvested from individual vineyard parcels undergo separate fermentations, each conveying their unique character before being united in a blend that reflects the terroir of the estate. The wine starts its 24-month journey in barriques at controlled temperature. Thereafter, the wine is granted a further 12 months of repose in the bottle, during which time a poised equilibrium is attained, an assured harmony of depth and elegance that has long denoted the distinguished style of this wine.

Forged beneath the radiant clarity of Mediterranean light, caressed by sea breezes and rooted in Pliocene-era blue clay earth once cradled by an ancient seabed, this distinguished vintage emerges with resolute grace. 

Distribution of the 2022 vintage of Masseto will begin internationally in October 2025.

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.

Col Vetoraz presents Coste di Levante, Ponente and Mezzodì

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We are in the Prosecco area with the three new Valdobbiadene DOCG wines Coste di Levante, Ponente and Mezzodì. With evocative names paying homage to the hills from which they originate, these wines are made from a careful selection of 100% glera grapes grown on the “coste”, the more or less steep hillsides facing east, west and south.

‘The Valdobbiadene DOCG Col Vetoraz wines,’ explains CEO and oenologist Loris Dall’Acqua, ‘are siblings from the same Mother Earth, namely the foothill system that winds its way from east to west, parallel to Monte Cesen, ideal for imparting good acidity and a good aromatic profile.’

Coste di Levante Brut

The nose reveals notes of lemon and aniseed. On the palate, it has good volume and body.

This wine has great aromatic consistency, reminiscent of acacia citrus fruits and the fruitiness of white peach, pear and apple. It remains a very elegant wine, thanks above all to its very fine effervescence and good liveliness and persistence. Ideal with aperitifs and dishes based on shellfish, fish and white meats.

Coste di Ponente Extra Dry

This Extra Dry wine is produced from carefully selected grapes grown on the west-facing hillsides of Valdobbiadene.

It is a harmonious, elegant wine with a slight residual sweetness. The nose is fruity with hints of peach, pear, rose and honey. It pairs well with light dishes such as ricotta and spinach ravioli on a cream of Taleggio cheese or pappardelle with honey mushrooms, chestnuts and ricotta.

Millesimato Dry Coste di Mezzodì

We are in the hills facing south, growing citrus fruits, lemons and mandarins.

It is persuasive, elegant and complex on the palate, with a fine perlage, notes of freshness with liquorice and aromatic herbs, and a persistent finish that confirms its typical characteristics. It is an ideal wine to finish a meal, paired with panettone and homemade citrus cakes, or at other times of the day.

New look for Mionetto Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG

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An important milestone in promoting quality: Mionetto’s renowned Luxury Collection is now available in supermarkets with Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry.

This first reference will be followed by other sparkling wines, including Valdobbiadene Superiore di Cartizze DOCG Dry and Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Rive di S. Stefano Brut, which will complement the line to offer an increasingly complete and prestigious range in the retail channel.

Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG Extra Dry, the flagship of the collection, is the result of refined grapes from the hilly areas of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG region, which give it unmistakable aromas and flavours of apple, acacia flowers and wisteria. With a pale straw yellow colour, it stands out for its harmony and elegance and its fine, persistent perlage. Extremely versatile, it is suitable for a wide range of occasions and pairings.

For Mionetto, this sparkling wine represents the highest expression of the Prosecco Superiore DOCG territory, where the winery has been based since 1887, combining excellent quality with a refined and elegant design inspired by the tradition of Venetian master glassmakers. A project that tells the story of the winemaking excellence of its land of origin and the world-renowned art of glassmaking.

The refined texture, 3D embossed logo, orange capsule and foil crest contribute to the prestige, recognisability and consistency with the brand’s visual identity. The packaging is designed to consolidate and elevate Mionetto’s presence on the shelf, conveying the high quality of the product at first glance.

‘With the introduction of Valdobbiadene DOCG into our collection of wines of the highest stylistic expression, we want to offer consumers an even richer drinking experience, one that best expresses the values of authenticity, elegance and quality that have always distinguished Mionetto,’ says Paolo Bogoni, Chief Marketing Officer and Management Board Executive. ‘It is a step that allows us to promote the territory and tradition with a super-premium positioning on the shelf.’

With this new addition, Mionetto once again confirms its ability to convey a message of quality and superior style in the world of sparkling wines.

CLOROFILLA Conegliano Valdobbiadene DOCG Rive di Guia Extra Brut

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The name Clorofilla is an important name that leaves no room for misunderstanding: it is a tribute to the vitality of nature and the freshness that its lands have to offer. We are in the heart of the Conegliano Valdobbiadene hills, where GABE Tenute & Selezioni has its vineyards and skilfully interprets, in a refined, elegant and innovative way, the ancestral link that binds the vine to its land.

The result of meticulous research and innovation, Clorofilla is an extra brut that offers a true sensory experience. Its harmonious balance between freshness and minerality makes every sip a journey into the heart of the Valdobbiadene hills; an experience that celebrates authenticity, an essential element in the creation of wines of extraordinary quality.

The Glera grape vineyards cultivated by GABE Tenute & Selezioni in the wonderful area of Guia are rooted in soils particularly rich in calcareous and clayey marl, which give the wine extraordinary freshness and a distinct minerality. These soils allow for a constant water supply, creating the ideal microclimate for the ripening of the grapes and the development of delicate and complex aromas.

The result is a wine that perfectly embodies the characteristics of the territory: fresh, fragrant, and harmonious, with an elegant body that stands out for its naturalness. Clorofilla offers an olfactory palette that evokes fruity aromas of green apple and pear with a finish that leaves a pleasant sensation of freshness.

With Clorofilla, GABE Tenute & Selezioni confirms its commitment to respecting and promoting its territory, aiming to offer consumers a wine that, in addition to being excellent, is also the result of a sustainable and environmentally friendly process. An interpretation that also invites us to rediscover and appreciate the authenticity of a wine that comes from the land, passion, and skilled care.

Fushà Extra Brut

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Baglio di Pianetto’s Charmat reworked with the sensitivity of Graziana Grassini: from Brut to Extra Brut to embody the winery’s new direction.

The winery’s sparkling wines are in line with the philosophy inaugurated by the new president Grégoire Desforges: focus on the territory, contemporaneity, and care for local historical and cultural values.

The revamped Fushà from Baglio di Pianetto, now a Charmat Extra Brut, fits perfectly with the philosophy of the new president, Grégoire Desforges. Firmly convinced that innovation starts with the product, the third generation at the helm of the winery has, since 2023, embarked on a valuable collaboration with Graziana Grassini—one of Italy’s most authoritative winemakers—who has been entrusted with the task of restoring the expressive capacity of the Baglio terroir’s uniqueness and its unusual altitude to the winery’s sparkling wines.

Alongside the winery’s resident winemakers, Francesco Matesi and Giuseppe Lo Iacono, Graziana Grassini has interpreted Baglio di Pianetto’s new identity by transforming the Fushà sparkling wine into a long Extra Brut charmat, whose longer stay on the lees gives the sparkling wine greater complexity and structure, resulting in a more elegant and versatile wine. The search for freshness, elegance, and drinkability is the basis of the winery’s new direction, which combines a strong connection to the territory and local historical and cultural values with a constant commitment to sustainability and continuous technological research, translating the essence of the mountainous amphitheater directly into the bottle.

The floral bouquet, aromatic hints of rosemary, and balsamic accents enhanced by a fine and persistent perlage describe the organoleptic profile of the new Fushà Extra Brut, a winemaking project that is part of the winery’s wine portfolio revolution. The search for balance, structure, and a long, balanced finish has given rise to an intense and complex sparkling wine made from organic grapes, which is both fresh and salty. The references to the Mediterranean scrub and the freshness of mint reflect the altitude of the Baglio di Pianetto vineyards: an identity-based choice, but also a strategic one that allows the winery to counteract climatic complexities, operate in an uncontaminated environment, and achieve a drinkability that appeals to new wine lovers.

The new version of Fushà completes Baglio di Pianetto’s current portfolio, alongside the revamped In Purezza lines—a collection of single-varietal wines that capture the essence of native and international grape varieties, now even more expressive of the territory’s unique characteristics—and Viafrancia—a blend of increasingly native varieties that embodies the winery’s new spirit.

In line with the new direction, the name of the new Extra Brut: Fushà, in the Arberëschë language, means Piana, and is a tribute to Piana degli Albanesi. The Arbëreshë community, with its strong and long-standing tradition, settled there in 1400 following the Ottoman invasion of the Balkans, and is still an active part of the territory that is home to Baglio di Pianetto (many of the company’s employees – in the vineyard and in the winery – have Arbëreshë origins). References to the local community can be found on the label, decorated with an ornamental design that recalls traditional Arbëreshë motifs, engraved tone on tone as an identifying pattern.

ORNELLAIA STRENGTHENS ITS COMMITMENT TO THE ARTS WITH SUPPORT FOR THE SOLOMON R. GUGGENHEIM FOUNDATION

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Ornellaia’s Vendemmia d’Artista project supports the new “Collection in Focus: Modern European Currents” exhibition at the Guggenheim New York in July.

This year’s Vendemmia d’Artista auction ends with a donation to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation.

By means of the online auction organised by Bonhams, Ornellaia is pledging 300.000 US dollars to support the conservation treatment and in-depth analysis of select collection works included in the upcoming exhibition at the Guggenheim New York titled Collection in Focus: Modern European Currents, which opens on July 15, 2025.

During the auction, which finished on June 24, a number of large formats of Ornellaia Vendemmia d’Artista 2022 “La Determinazione” (Determination) created by the artist Pascale Marthine Tayou were sold to collectors around the world. In interpreting the character of the 2022 vintage, the Cameroonian artist focused on the life cycle of the plant, while remaining true to his practice that is intrinsically linked with the materiality of colour and the joy of living.

“I would like to thank all the collectors who participated in the auction and who, over the years, have shared our dedication to the art world. We are proud to support the upcoming Collection in Focus Modern European Currents exhibition at the Guggenheim in New York. Personally, I look forward with great anticipation to experiencing the remarkable works on display,” remarked Lamberto Frescobaldi, President of the group.

“We are deeply grateful for Ornellaia’s longstanding generosity to the Guggenheim through the Vendemmia d’Artista project. This year‘s noteworthy initiative enables the conservation of important and rarely seen works featured in the exhibition Collection in Focus: Modern European Currents.“ 

says Dr. Mariët Westermann, Director and CEO of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum and Foundation  

By donating the proceeds raised by Vendemmia d’Artista to the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation, Ornellaia reiterates its commitment to preservation of art as a universal heritage and to expanding access to art for audiences worldwide.

Vendemmia d’Artista

Vendemmia d’Artista started with the 2006 vintage. Every year, a contemporary artist is invited to interpret the vintage character by creating a set of artworks that personalize the bottles. The project includes large-format bottles (Double Magnums, Imperials and one Salmanazar), which are signed by the artist and auctioned. The proceeds support art foundations and museums around the globe. Now in its 17th edition, Vendemmia d’Artista is recognized for its commitment to facilitate access to art for everyone. 

Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation

The Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation was established in 1937 and is dedicated to promoting the understanding and appreciation of modern and contemporary art through exhibitions, education programs, research initiatives, and publications. The international constellation of museums includes the Guggenheim New York, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, the Guggenheim Bilbao, and the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi. A “temple of spirit” where radical art and architecture meet, the Guggenheim New York is among a group of eight Frank Lloyd Wright structures in the United States designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. To learn more about the Guggenheim New York and the Guggenheim’s activities around the world, visit guggenheim.org.  

Schiava, the common thread through Cantina Kaltern’s 125 years of history

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A toast with Kalterersee Classico Superiore DOC Quintessenz

Cantina Kaltern is celebrating 125 years of passion, cooperation and dedication to viticulture. On this special occasion, the symbolic toast is with Schiava (Vernatsch), a native grape variety that more than any other has helped write the history of Cantina Kaltern and that today is expressed in a portfolio of Kalterersee Classico Superiore DOC wines of impressive personality.

 When the first cooperative nucleus of Caldaro was founded in 1900, Schiava was the undisputed queen variety, and for decades it occupied a full 90% of the vineyard area, becoming a symbol of the local wine culture and identity. It is with this grape that Cantina Kaltern put down its own solid roots and gradually selected a path increasingly oriented towards quality and the enhancement of the terroir on the shores of Lake Caldaro. Today, in addition to Schiava, which is grown in the areas where it can express itself best (today 13% of the total), white wines such as Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon Blanc are also increasingly important.

“Our Schiava has given us great satisfaction over the years, and this has contributed to the recognition of Lake Caldaro as an area of great winemaking quality, of which Cantina Kaltern is the privileged interpreter” says Cantina President Christian Sinn. “If this has been possible, it is thanks to great teamwork, both of the winemaking team and of our 520 grower-members. My most sincere thanks go to all of them: they are the beating heart of our cooperative and the major players in its growth.”

Among the wines resulting from this journey and best representing Cantina Kaltern, the Kalterersee Classico Superiore DOC of the Quintessenz line stands out today, currently in the 2023 version. An expression of selected vineyards up to 100 years old, located between 230 and 350 metres’ elevation around Lake Caldaro, this wine embodies all the character, versatility and elegance that this grape can offer. A contemporary red, with fruit-rich aromas, the variety’s classic almond note, and a beautiful tanginess, it can convey – sip after sip – the history and the growing area from which it comes.” 

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Cantina Kaltern is the largest winery cooperative in Alto Adige and one of the most important players in the local viticulture. As an historic winery representing the entire community of Kaltern, it is also the most authoritative interpreter of the Schiava variety under the denomination Kalterersee DOC. Leading the portfolio is the Quintessenz line, comprised of 5 monovarietals that encapsulate the essence of Cantina Kaltern’s terroir and spirit. Then, the Selections Line, whose grapes are grown in vineyards of recognised character, and the Classic Line, cuvées that convey the classic essence of their grape varieties. In 2018, Cantina Kaltern became the first winery in Italy to adhere to the strict Fair’n Green protocols, Europe’s authoritative certification system for fully sustainable viticulture.

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