THE INSIDE TRACK - The Wine Society

ITALYTHE INSIDE TRACKSebastian Payne MW’s best buysfrom the classic regions and beyondFeaturing discoveries from £5.75 per bottle,and a first release of 2009 Flaccianello at an opening priceIBAUG12thewinesociety.com/italy

ITALYTHE INSIDE TRACKBUY WITHCONFIDENCEMembers tell us that they still view Italy assomething of a minefield. We all know thereare delicious wines to be discovered andenjoyed, but where to start?VALLE D’AOSTAPIEDMONTDolcetto d’AlbaBaroloGaviMoscato d’AstiGENOVAMILANOLOMBARDYLIGURIATRENTINO-ALTO ADIGETRENTOUDINE Friuli GraveProseccoValpolicellaFriuli IsonzoLake Garda VENETO TRIESTEBardolino SoaveVENICEEMILIA ROMAGABOLOGNAFRUILI-VENEZIAGIULIAHere we provide answers. The offer comesin five sections, encompassing good value,reliable ‘house wines’ under £10 fromclassic regions as well as a collection ofexciting discoveries that may well be newnames for many members but are wellworth exploring. We also include some ofItaly’s finest wines from established andcherished vineyards of Tuscany and Baroloand a selection of special treats from off thebeaten track, where so often the best valueis to be found. Buy with confidence; theyhave passed a rigorous entry test. The sixmixed cases provide the opportunity to trya good mixture of our best buys.PISAChianti RufinaFIRENZEChianti ClasssicoVerdicchioChiantiBolgheri SIENABrunello di Montalcino UMBRIAOrvietoTUSCANYMARCHEL’AQUILAROMAFrascatiLAZIOANCONAFalerio dei Colli AscolaniRosso PicenoABRUZZOMontepulciano d’AbruzzoPESCARAMOLISEBifernoNAPOLICAMPANIAAglianicodel VulturePUGLIABARIBrindisiSARDINIANORTH WESTPOTENZABASILICATAVermentino di SardegnaNORTH EASTCAGLIARICENTRAL ITALYCALABRIAcontentsSOUTHERN ITALYCATANZAROHouse Wine Under £10Italian classics 3 -4Italian discoveries 5 - 7Fine Wines Over £10Tuscany – class of 2009 8Barolo – seductive 2007 9The inside track 10-11Mixed Cases 8, 11-12PALERMOSICILYEtna2To order thewinesociety.com/champions ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone app

WHAT’SNEWItaly’s winemakers constantly surprise anddelight. There seems to be a new vigourand regard for quality in the famousregions of Tuscany (including Chianti)and Barolo where we celebrate theexcellent vintages of 2009 and 2007with several new releases. But there is alsonew confidence in once lazy Campaniaand the south where hard-workinggrowers are re-discovering local grapevarieties and the reasons why they wereso well suited to their different climates.Here we are finding great-value wineswith a real sense of place and individualityat affordable prices for regular drinking.Italy makes great world-class wines too,fitting the country which has probablythe longest continuous history of wineproduction and districts in every one ofits highly diverse regions. Flaccianello,Ornellaia and Sassicaia compete with theworld’s best and we release their 2009vintages for the first time (at a temptingopening price in the case of Flaccianello).We also have a carefully chosen selectionof voluptuous 2007 Barolos.Sebastian Payne MWSociety BuyerHouse Wines Under £10Italian ClassicsOne of the difficulties of buying Italian wine you tell us is that even once you establisha style you enjoy, the variation in quality is such that you can’t trust that every winebearing the name ‘Chianti’, ‘Valpolicella’ or ‘Prosecco’, on restaurant wine lists orsupermarket shelves for example, will subsequently hit the spot. The coinage has beendebased. Our job is to try hundreds of wines each year to ensure members have accessonly to proper examples of these justly famous regions.Here are wines ideal to have on hand for midweek pasta and pizza suppers, or simplyto provide a delicious glass of wine after a long day.RedsThe Society’s Montepulcianod’AbruzzoThe montepulciano grape produces full,vibrant, gutsy reds and flourishes alongItaly’s eastern seaboard. It is a specialityof Abruzzo where it offers stunning value.Its youthful vigour matches hearty foodand quite strong flavours. The 2011vintage is ripe and ready to go. 13%ref IB-IT2471 £5.75 bottle £69 dozen† Brindisi Rosso Vigna Flaminio,2008 (Vallone)The richly satisfying mellow negroamarogrape flourishes at the admirablytraditional Vallone sisters’ Brindisi estatein Puglia where ancient olive trees andfields of prime vegetables are grown onland not suitable for the vines. Lovelysweet, well-ripened fruit. 13%ref IB-IT15601 £6.50 bottle £78 dozenNEW Torre del Falasco,Valpolicella, Valpantena, 2011Verona’s local cherry-scented, low-tannin,charming red, made from the corvinagrape, makes a delightful aperitif ona summer’s evening. 12.5%ref IB-IT15741 £6.75 bottle £81 dozenVigna Corvino Montepulcianod’Abruzzo, 2011Rocco Pasetti makes this from his ownvines supremely well and Abruzzo remainsa great value source of good wine, so Icould not resist including it. 13%ref IB-IT15861 £7.25 bottle £87 dozenFREE UKname-the-day deliveryFor all orders of at least12 bottles or £75Malenchini Chianti Fiorentini,2009Diletta Malenchini’s delightfully roundand charming Chianti comes from hillsjust south of Florence. Great value. 13.5%ref IB-IT14951 £7.95 bottle £95 dozen† Villa di Vetrice, Chianti RufinaRiserva, 2009The Grati family own a wonderful southeastfacing hillside in the Rufina valleynorth-east of Florence whose slightlycooler climate succeeded very well in2009. 13%ref IB-IT15961 £8.25 bottle £99 dozen† Barbera d’Alba, 2010 (PoderiColla)A classy example of Piedmont’s mostwidely planted and locally consumedgrape, barbera. Both full and fresh withlow tannin but enough fruit freshnessto brighten up a plate of pasta. 13.5%ref IB-IT15371 £8.50 bottle £102 dozenBardolino Le Fraghe, 2011The most delicious example of thismedium-weight summery red frombeside Lake Garda. Matilde Poggi makesit from her carefully tended corvinaand rondinella vines. 12%ref IB-IT15621 £8.95 bottle £107 dozenColognole Chianti Rufina, 2009Another great success from the Rufinavalley from an old family estate that madestunning, fragrant wines in this vintage.A property to watch. For more 2009Tuscans see page8. 13.5%ref IB-IT15481 £9.95 bottle £119 dozenTo order thewinesociety.com/italy ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone app3

House Wines Under £10Italian ClassicsRosé2 Contesa Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo,2011Rocco Pasetti’s delightfully cherry-coloured,fragrant, full and fruity rosato is perfectwith tomato salad or as a cheeringaperitif on a summer’s day. A SocietyWine Champion in 2012. 13.5%ref IB-IT15401 £7.25 bottle £87 dozenWhites2 Fiano Mandrarossa, Sicilia IGT,2011Fiano is one of Italy’s best white grapeswith full, classy flavour and a touch ofhazelnuts. It is native to Campania buthas adapted well to Sicily where is costsrather less. 13.5%ref IB-IT15391 £6.50 bottle £78 dozen2 Iocalia, Vermentino diSardegna, 2011 (Melis)An insider’s tip in Italy for some while,Vermentino has striking perfumed aromaand rich, ripe, full-bodied flavour. It isa Sardinian and Corsican specialty andwe are likely to see more of it becauseit deserves a wider public. A 2012Wine Champion. 13.5%ref IB-IT15631 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen1 The Society’s Pinot GrigioStill Italy’s most popular white for itsfull flavour, easy charm and versatility,pinot grigio succeeds best in Friuliwhere this is made for us by theLorenzon family. 13%ref IB-IT4261 £7.75 bottle £93 dozen2 Gavi La Battistina, 2011Gavi, the best district for the cortesegrape, makes the finest white inPiedmont where it is drunk andtreated like white Burgundy. 12.5%ref IB-IT15281 £7.95 bottle £95 dozenProsecco2Prosecco di Treviso, BrutThe Adami family use their vines in theheart of Valdobbiadene to make this winewhich is fragrant, delicate and wellbalanced.We ship it now at higherpressure under mushroom (Champagne)cork at members’ request. We buy underthe Treviso label because it costs less thanValdobbiadene but it is the same wineand was a top seller at our recent Italiantastings. 11.5%ref IB-IT16001 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen† 2 Poggio Verde, FrascatiSuperiore, 2011 (Pallavicini)The Romans themselves rarely drinkFrascati as distinguished as this. Made fromtwo types of malvasia in a well-balancedblend on a famous estate owned by oneof Rome’s oldest families. Full, dry andlong on the palate. 13.5%ref IB-IT15691 £8.50 bottle £102 dozen4To order thewinesociety.com/italy ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone app

House Wines Under £10Italian DiscoveriesThese are the wines the Italians usually keep for themselves. Here you will find both good-value alternatives to some of the classicItalian styles, as well as a wealth of thoroughly individual flavours from off the beaten track that are well worth exploring.Reds† Corvina Alpha Zeta, 2011 † Poggio del Sasso Sangiovese diA simple but delicious non-DOC wine Toscana, Cantina di Montalcino,from Valpolicella’s best grape variety. 2010Cherry scented and gentle. 12.5%The smoky sangiovese is the Chiantiref IB-IT16071 £5.75 bottle £69 dozen grape and this attractively ripe yet freshexample beats many a Chianti for value.† La Ferla, Nero d’Avola Rosso, An everyday Tuscan red from BrunelloSicilia IGT, 2010country. 12.5%Pure nero d’Avola, a grape that keeps its ref IB-IT16161 £6.50 bottle £78 dozenperfume and freshness in Sicily’s hotsummers. A real taste of summer and ideal † Guardiolo Aglianico, 2010with vegetables such as aubergines, tomatoesand peppers, or on its own. 13%ref IB-IT16151 £5.95 bottle £71 dozen† Bricco Rosso Suagnà LangheRosso, 2008A cracking blend of dolcetto and nebbiolofrom Piedmont which representsremarkable value for money. 13.5%ref IB-IT15681 £6.25 bottle £75 dozenSee back page andpages 8 & 11 for mixedcases from £55 per six(Janare)Aglianico is one of Italy’s noblest redgrapes capable of ageing and can attractfancy prices in Taurasi. This Campanianexample is an admirable alternativeto decent, modest Claret. 13.5%ref IB-IT16181 £6.75 bottle £81 dozenVigna Alta Syrah Basilicata, 2008Syrah from Italy’s instep has bags of fresh,vibrant fruit. It is closer in style to goodAustralian shiraz than Côte-Rôtie and theprice is also attractive. Works surprisinglywell with chocolate as well as roast meat.13.5%ref IB-IT12151 £6.75 bottle £81 dozenTo order thewinesociety.com/italy ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone app5

House Wines Under £10Italian DiscoveriesReds (continued)Biferno Rosso, Riserva, 2007(Camillo de Lellis)We introduced this splendid full-bodiedred from Molise, Italy’s least visitedregion, in 2010, and it has beenenthusiastically followed and re-bought.A five-year-old wine at this price is a raretreat indeed. 13% The 2008 follows.ref IB-IT15161 £6.95 bottle £83 dozenSassotondo Ciliegiolo, 2010(Maremma Toscana)Ciliegiolo is a fragrant, full-bodiedancestor of Chianti’s sangiovesecultivated organically here by CarlaBenini outside the south Tuscanhilltown of Pitigliano. Highly originaland deliciously fruity. 14%ref IB-IT15361 £7.95 bottle £95 dozenArchidamo Primitivo diManduria, 2010 (Pervini)Primitivo is essentially the same aszinfandel and shares the same ripeblackberry characteristics but withoutthe raisined and sugary quality of someCalifornian zins. Manduria in Italy’sheel is its heartland. 14%ref IB-IT15611 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen† Basilicata Rosso, Terre degli †Eventi, 2011 (Alovini)Fresh, juicy and appetising red ofmodest weight but charming fruitfrom a mix of aglianico and sangiovese.Perfect lunchtime red. 12.5%ref IB-IT16041 £6.95 bottle £83 dozenCirò, 2008 (Barone di Bolaro)Time has passed by most of Calabria,but we have found a dynamic newproducer to give flesh to its mostfamous red, Cirò, made from thegaglioppo grape. Full and generous.13.5% The 2010 follows.ref IB-IT15151 £7.25 bottle £87 dozenFrappato Fondo Filara, 2011(Nicosia)Fragrant, fresh red-berry aroma andvelvety refreshingly dry flavour with aslightly bitter twist, a delightful winefor a hot day. Frappato is native to theprovince of Syracuse and Ragusa andkeeps freshness in the Sicilian summerheat. 12.5%ref IB-IT15751 £8.50 bottle £102 dozenLacrima di Morro d’Alba, 2011A ripe, muscat-scented, full and spicyred. Fun to drink slightly cool anddifferent. Moro is a mulberry butMorro d’Alba is a place (in the Marche)and lacrima its grape. 13.5%ref IB-IT16101 £8.95 bottle £107 dozenForesco, 2009 (Barberani)An Umbrian interloper made froma mix of 50% sangiovese and 25%each cabernet sauvignon and merlot.Rich, flavoursome and a seriouscompetitor for good Chianti. 14.5%ref IB-IT14621 £9.95 bottle £119 dozenFREE UKname-the-day deliveryFor all orders of at least12 bottles or £756

House Wines Under £10Italian DiscoveriesWhites2 Palladium Garganega Veneto,2011Garganega (stress the second syllable)is the Soave grape and this charmingand inexpensive white is a tastier glassof wine than many with the betterknownname. 12.5%ref IB-IT15301 £5.75 bottle £69 dozen† Saladini Pilastri Falerio deiColli Ascolani, 2011Fresh, elegant, original white madefrom organically cultivated passerinaand pecorino grapes indigenous tothe southern Marche on the east sideof Italy near Ascoli, Piceno. 13%ref IB-IT15641 £5.95 bottle £71 dozen2 NEW Nosiola Trentino, 2011(Cavit)Attractive uncomplicated aperitif whitewith a touch of hazelnut on the bouquet.Made from nosiola, a Trentino grape thatmost will not have heard of. 12%ref IB-IT16081 £ 6.25 bottle £75 dozen† 2 Basilicata Bianco Terre degli †Eventi, 2011 (Alovini)Another bargain from Italy’s instep, madefrom a cunning mix of malvasia, fiano andchardonnay by Oronzo Alò. Mid weight,fresh and harmonious. 12%ref IB-IT16051 £6.50 bottle £78 dozen† 2 Guardiolo Falanghina, 2011(Janare)Lovely fresh white for enjoying everydayfrom the excellently run Campanianco-op that produces 95% of the world’sproduction of falanghina. 13.5%ref IB-IT15571 £6.75 bottle £81 dozen1 12 Greco Le Ralle, 2011 (Alovini)The Greeks once colonised key spots insouth Italy and the full-flavoured grecogrape, well-suited to the climate, is partof their legacy. This excellent modernversion has the body and depth to matchtasty Mediterranean flavours. 13%ref IB-IT16061 £8.50 bottle £102 dozenPecorino Colline Pescaresi,2011 (Contesa)Pecorino is not the cheese but a fine whitegrape variety from Abruzzo deservedlybecoming very fashionable locally. RoccoPasetti makes a great example, full, dryand crisp on the palate like good Chablis.A standout success at recent tastings. 13%ref IB-IT15461 £8.95 bottle £107 dozen† 2 Grechetto Umbria, 2011(Barberani)Grechetto is a full, nutty, savoury whitethat ages well and is a sturdy match forfish in spicy sauces. It is native to Umbriaand the Barberanis make it best. 13%ref IB-IT15651 £9.95 bottle £119 dozenTo order thewinesociety.com/italy ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone app7

Fine Wine Over £10Tuscany – Class of 20092009 was a highly successful and productive vintage in much of Tuscany which produced wines with ripe fruit and great appeal andcertain similarities with 2007 (see Gianni Brunelli’s example on page 10). The weather was hot but not too hot. Giovanni Manettifound it similar to 2001 at Fontodi with healthy grapes, clearly focused, well-balanced and long-lasting flavour. It was necessary tocontrol yields and we have bought from growers who did just that.Morellino di Scansano, Podere414, 2009Simone Castelli and his agronomist wife,Mara, have created a great organicallycultivated vineyard from scratch in the last15 years. 85% sangiovese but with addedinterest from colorino, ciliegiolo, alicanteand syrah in the mix. Full and satisfying.Now to 2018. 14.5% The 2010 follows.ref IB-IT15121 £11.50 bottle £138 dozen† Fontodi Chianti Classico, 2009This will prove a great year for Fontodito compare with 2001, which is nowabsolutely splendid. Pure sangiovese,organically cultivated from the conca d’oro(meaning ‘golden shell’), a sun trap highup in the hills just below Panzano in theheart of Classico. Now to 2022. 14%ref IB-IT15931 £16 bottle £192 dozen† Isole e Olena Chianti Classico,2009Paolo di Marchi makes the wines hewants to drink himself, almost Burgundianin their fragrance and gentle charm,reflecting the charisma and vitality ofthe man himself. Now to 2018. 13.5%ref IB-IT15531 £17 bottle £204 dozen† Vigna del Sorbo, ChiantiClassico Riserva, Fontodi, 2009Probably the best vintage of Vigna delSorbo we can remember in over 30 yearsof buying from the Fontodi estate. Superbquality old-vine sangiovese with just 5%cabernet sauvignon (normally 10%). Willage beautifully. 2015 to 2025. 14.5%ref IB-IT15951 £29 bottle £348 dozen† Le Serre Nuove dell’OrnellaiaBolgheri Rosso, 200954% merlot, 31% cabernet sauvignon,10% petit verdot and 5% cabernet franc.Warm, rich, full of ripe flavour andretaining freshness because of the petitverdot. Now to 2019. 14.5%ref IB-IT14861 £34 bottle £408 dozen† Flaccianello della Pieve, 2009Indisputably one of Italy’s finest reds,as sought-after now as wines fromBordeaux and elsewhere at twice theprice. Seductive, ripe, full and powerful,this will age beautifully. Pure sangiovesefrom the best grapes on the Fontodiestate. 2015 to 2030. 14.5% First releasesix bottle saving of £30.00.ref IB-IT15941 £44 bottle£234 special introductory price per six£39 equivalent bottle price† Ornellaia Bolgheri Superiore,200952% cabernet sauvignon, 22% merlot,21% cabernet franc and 5% petit verdot.A masterful and seductive challenge to thegreat wines of Bordeaux which will lastas well but with the advantage of seducingus earlier. Now to 2025. 14.5%ref IB-IT15771 £99 bottle £594 per six† Sassicaia, Tenuta San Guido,2009More backward and refined than Ornellaia,in classic mould for long keeping. Will bea great bottle. 2018 to 2035. 14%ref IB-IT16011 £110 bottle £660 per six2009 Chianti Caseref IB-MX125156 at £85A six-bottle case containing twobottles each of the following:Colognole Chianti Rufina, 2009Fontodi Chianti Classico, 2009Isole e Olena Chianti Classico,20098

The Society’s guide toHow to Buy…ItalyBaffled by barbera, nonplussed bynebbiolo and confounded by corvina?The Society’s guide to How to Buy …Italy by Italophile Nicolas Belfrage MWis here to help.Fine Wine Over £10Barolo - Seductive 2007s2007 is a lovely vintage for Barolo, producing seductive, radiant and perfumed wineswith much more immediate appeal than the great classic wines of 2006, which stilldemand keeping. For once the tannin in the nebbiolo grape, which provides structure,was fully rounded.ExplainingItalian wineWhen we think of Italian wine two wordsspring to mind: diversity and confusion.Diversity comes from thousands of yearsof tradition: a vine-land that stretchesfrom the latitude of Burgundy in thenorth to that of Tunisia in the south,from under 10 to more than 1,000 metresabove sea-level; and from a plethora ofgrape varieties the like of which the restof the world together cannot match.The confusion comes from… the diversity.How is it possible to make sense of allthose grapes, places, DOC and IGT names,not to mention vineyards and brands,most of which, to the average non-Italianspeaker,are so difficult to pronounce?The answer, you may be disappointed tolearn, is that it isn’t possible. Not entirely.What this article sets out to do, therefore,is not to reduce all to brilliant claritybut to make as much sense of Italianwine as we can in a limited space byreference to the most important factorof all: the wine in the bottle.Read Nicolas’s full guide atthewinesociety.com/explore† Ciabot Berton Barolo, Roggeri,2007A brother-and-sister team makingsatisfying full-bodied Barolos at a sensibleprice. The single-vineyard Roggeri isparticularly good. 2013 to 2025. 14.5%ref IB-IT15341 £23 bottle £276 dozen† Poderi Colla Barolo, Dardi Le † Mascarello, Barolo Monprivato,Rose, Bussia, 20072007The great Beppe Colla thought that the Mauro Mascarello’s highly sought-afterfirst-growth Bussia vineyard made the first-growth monopoly has exceptionalbest balanced Barolos of all. Younger length of flavour and individuality andbrother Tino certainly knows how to keeping power. Now to 2025. 14.5%bring out the best from it. Fine and Three bottles only per member.long. Now to 2020. 14.5%ref IB-IT15921 £59 bottle £177 per threeref IB-IT15381 £29 bottle £348 dozen† Boglietti, Barolo Fossati, 2007Voluptuous, rich-flavoured Barolo withbags of ripe fruit in the best modernstyle. As welcoming as its charmingwinemaker. Now to 2017. 14.5%ref IB-IT14571 £40 bottle £480 dozenNEW Mascarello, Barolo SantoStefano, 2007Absolutely delicious this year, a wine ofgreat complexity, perfume, body andnatural ‘fat’. A great success. Now to 2020.14.5%ref IB-IT15911 £54 bottle £648 dozenFREE UKname-the-day deliveryFor all orders of at least12 bottles or £75For Tuscans under £10 and good-valuealternatives see pages 3, 5 and 6.To order thewinesociety.com/italy ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone app9

Fine Wine Over £10Fine Wine: The Inside TrackThere are some very special bottles here and also some that are more reasonably priced, including some less-expensiveexamples from the famous regions of Tuscany and Piedmont. What they share in common is that most are not oftenfound in this country so may be new to you. All deserve a wider audience. Buy with confidence; they have passed arigorous entry test.RedsHofstätter Joseph Lagrein, 2011A speciality of Alto Adige and Trento(north of Lake Garda), Lagrein has lovelysoft, bright and refreshing fruit andvery gentle tannin making it an attractivemidday wine with a salad lunch.Now to 2014. 13.5%ref IB-IT15811 £11.50 bottle £138 dozenNEW Rosso di Montalcino,Canalicchio di Sopra, 2010A reminder that a rosso from a skilledproducer is on a level with Brunello diMontalcino – one of Tuscany’s mostfamous styles. Francesco Ripacciolimakes the real thing, full, round andgorgeous. Now to 2017. 14%ref IB-IT16021 £13.50 bottle £162 dozenNEW Foradori TeroldegoRotaliano, 2009Elisabetta Foradori is the star producerof the exciting Trentino grape teroldegocultivating biodynamically a mix of thebest strains chosen for perfume, low yieldsand depth of flavour. Even better in twoyears and will keep. 2014 to 2020. 13%ref IB-IT15881 £14.95 bottle £179 dozenLe Braci Salento IGT, 2004(Masseria Monaci)A sumptuous wine. Perfume of flowersand ripe fresh fruit and delicious roundedspicy flavour. Pure Puglian negroamarofrom 40-year-old bush-trained vines.Le Braci are the embers of the fire roundwhich you enjoy it! Now to 2016. 14.5%ref IB-IT14371 £27.50 bottle £330 dozen† Gianni Brunelli Brunello diMontalcino, 2007An interloper in this section because thisTuscan is not strictly from off the beatentrack but it is too good to miss and alovely example with power and finesse.2013 to 2020. 14%ref IB-IT15331 £29 bottle £348 dozenBarthenau Vigna S. UrbanoPinot Nero, 2009 (Hofstätter)Hofstätter have being growing exquisitepinot noir in Alto Adige on the foothillsof the Italian Alps for nearly a centuryand make the best in Italy. Exquisiteperfumed aroma and silky palate to rankwith fine Burgundy. Seventy-year-oldvines. Now to 2020. 13%ref IB-IT15831 £44 bottle £528 dozenThe Pick of PiedmontGood Barolo is never cheap but Piedmont makes other less well-known rewarding wines at keen prices. The selection actuallystarts with the modestly priced Bricco Rosso Suagnà at £6.25 on page 5.†GB Burlotto PelavergaVerduno, 2011Pelaverga is a Piedmontese rarity almostconfined to the village of Verduno. FabioAlessandria makes a haunting exampleand perfect summer red. Bright cherryredcolour, white-pepper nose, freshappetising flavour. Now to 2015. 14%ref IB-IT16121 £10.95 bottle £131 dozenGhemme, Ioppa, 2004The sub-Alpine climate of northPiedmont produces a different style ofnebbiolo, locally known as spanna, fromBarolo, and these days much less wine.The Ioppa estate makes their Ghemmefrom low yields of 85% nebbiolo and15% vespolina aged two years in oak andneeding eight years to reveal its potential.Now to 2020. 14%ref IB-IT14251 £10.95 bottle £131 dozenGD Vajra Langhe Nebbiolo,2009Aldo Vajra’s nebbiolo is finer than manyproducer’s Barolo and it is particularlybeautiful in this generous full-flavouredvintage. Now to 2016. 14.5%ref IB-IT15431 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen10

Whites† 3 Hofstätter De Vite delle† 2 Barthenau Vigna San MicheleDolomiti Bianco, 2011Pinot Bianco 2010 (Hofstätter)With Alpine freshness and charm thatPinot blanco is a favourite Hofstätter grapewill appeal to nearly everybody, this is aand they make it supremely well. This isshrewd mix of pinot bianco (exceptionalthe top wine of Hofstätter’s Barthenauhere) with a dash of riesling andestate. An alpine equivalent to fine whitesauvignon. Now to 2014. 12.5%Burgundy with depth of flavour andref IB-IT15781 £10.95 bottle £131 dozenrichness. Now to 2016. 13.5%ref IB-IT15791 £14.95 bottle £179 dozen1 NEW Vinoso2, Orvieto2Classico Superiore, 2011La Rocca, 2009 (Pieropan)(Barberani)Strictly speaking this is not from off theThe punning name to indicate that Nicolobeaten track as it will be well known toBarberani and Maurizio Castelli’s new winemany of you as simply the finest whiteis made in a rule-breaking way withoutfrom Soave. Not to worry. Its legendaryusing the preservative sulphur dioxide. It isstaying power and quality means it is90% low-yielding grechetto, fresh, full andwell worth its spot! Now to 2018. 13%absolutely lovely. Now to 2014. 13%ref IB-IT14481 £21 bottle £252 dozenref IB-IT16031 £11.95 bottle £143 dozenItalian Discoveries Taster Caseref IB-MX125157 at £55A six-bottle case containing one bottle eachof the following:RedSassotondo Ciliegiolo, 2010 (Maremma Toscana)Lacrima di Morro d’Alba, 2011Frappato Fondo Filara, 2011 (Nicosia)WhitePecorino Colline Pescaresi, 2011 (Contesa)Vinoso2, Orvieto Classico Superiore, 2011 (Barberani)Hofstätter De Vite delle Dolomiti Bianco, 2011Mixed CasesItalian Fine Reds Caseref IB-MX125155 at £199A six-bottle case containing one bottle eachof the following:Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia Bolgheri Rosso, 2009Poderi Colla Barolo, Dardi Le Rose, Bussia, 2007Boglietti, Barolo Fossati, 2007Le Braci Salento IGT, 2004 (Masseria Monaci)Barthenau Vigna S. Urbano Pinot Nero 2009(Hofstätter)Gianni Brunelli Brunello di Montalcino, 2007To order thewinesociety.com/italy ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone app11

Mixed CasesClassic Italian House Wines Mixed Caseref IB-MX125158 at £95Equivalent to £7.92 per bottleA 12- bottle case containing one bottle eachof the following:RedsGuardiolo Aglianico, 2010 (Janare)Barbera d’Alba, 2010, (Poderi Colla)Villa di Vetrice, Chianti Rufina Riserva, 2009Torre del Falasco Valpolicella, Valpantena, 2011Vigna Corvino Montepulciano d’Abruzzo, 2011Archidamo Primitivo di Manduria, 2010 (Pervini)WhitesIocalia, Vermentino di Sardegna, 2011 (Melis)Grechetto Umbria, 2011 (Barberani)Poggio Verde, Frascati Superiore, 2011, PallaviciniGavi La Battistina, 2011The Society’s Pinot GrigioSparklingProsecco di Treviso, BrutKEYSee page 144 of the July to September List for full detailson alcohol levels1†bone dry, to 9New vintageScrewcap closureintensely sweetSynthetic closureSee pages 8 & 11for fine wine mixed casesfrom £55 per sixItalian House Reds Caseref IB-MX125159 at £75Equivalent to £6.25 per bottleA 12-bottle case containing one bottle eachof the following:The Society’s Montepulciano d’AbruzzoLa Ferla, Nero d’Avola Rosso, Sicilia IGT, 2010Guardiolo Aglianico, 2010 (Janare)Brindisi Rosso Vigna Flaminio, 2008 (Vallone)Bricco Rosso Suagnà Langhe Rosso, 2008Torre del Falasco, Valpolicella, Valpantena, 2011Poggio del Sasso Sangiovese di Toscana, Cantinadi Montalcino, 2010Vigna Alta Syrah Basilicata, 2008Corvina Alpha Zeta, 2011Basilicata Rosso, Terre degli Eventi, 2011 (Alovini)Biferno Rosso, Riserva, 2007 (Camillo de Lellis)Cirò, 2008/2010 (Barone di Bolaro)Italian House Whites Caseref IB-MX125160 at £85Equivalent to £7.08 per bottleA 12-bottle case containing one bottle eachof the following:Palladium Garganega Veneto, 2011Saladini Pilastri Falerio dei Colli Ascolani, 2011Nosiola Trentino, 2011 (Cavit)Fiano Mandrarossa, Sicilia IGT, 2011Guardiolo Falanghina, 2011 (Janare)Gavi La Battistina, 2011The Society’s Pinot GrigioPoggio Verde, Frascati Superiore, 2011 (Pallavicini)Iocalia, Vermentino di Sardegna, 2011 (Melis)Basilicata Bianco Terre degli Eventi, 2011 (Alovini)Greco Le Ralle, 2011 (Alovini)Prosecco di Treviso, BrutFree name-the-day deliveryThe Society is offering FREE name-the-day carrier deliveries for orders of at least 12 bottles, Society pre-mixed cases or where thevalue exceeds £75. These deliveries allow members to nominate the weekday they would like to receive their wines. Normalcharge £3. See thewinesociety.com/nametheday or call 01438 741177 for full details.This offer is open until 2nd September, 2012 while stocks last.To order thewinesociety.com/italy ☎ 01438 740222 smartphone appUncork with confidence: The Society’s promiseAs a mutual organisation, members’ pleasure is paramount. If, for any reason, you haven’t enjoyed a wine we wantto hear about it and will happily offer a credit, a replacement or a refund as appropriate. For conditions please seethewinesociety.com/promiseThe International Exhibition Co-operative Wine Society Limited,Registered office: Gunnels Wood Road, Stevenage, Hertfordshire SG1 2BTRegister Number: 1824R(IP)Website thewinesociety.comEnquiries 01438 741177Orders 01438 740222