Wine Paris 2025
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Cantina di Santadi: a new label for Villa Solais
Cantina di Santadi: a new label for Villa Solais.
NEW LOOK, SAME SOUL!
“Villa Solais is getting a makeover!
Since 1982, our Vermentino di Sardegna has been synonymous with tradition and quality, a wine that tells the unique perfumes and flavors of our land. Santadi presents the new bottle of Villa Solais: a restyling that unites past and future to offer you an even more special experience.
Renewed form with an elegant and modern design and a label that pays homage to our origins, with a reminder of the historical image that made Villa Solais iconic, now reinterpreted in a colourful, fresh and cheerful style.”
– Cantina Santadi-
NEW
OLD
VERMENTINO DI SARDEGNA VILLA SOLAIS DOC
PLACE OF ORIGIN: From vineyards located in 5 municipalities of the lower Sulcis district, with counter-espalier training, on different types of soils.
SOIL COMPOSITION: Medium mixture, tending to sandy or clayey.
GRAPE VARIETIES: Vermentino 85%, Nuragus 15%.
CLIMATE: Hot and dry summers, mild winters.
VINICATION AND DEVELOPMENT: The hand-picked grapes are soft-pressed, and the must obtained is fermented in stainless steel tanks under controlled temperature, so as to preserve its fragrance and aromas. The wine is then left in contact with its lees for several months before being bottled.
TASTING NOTES: Brilliant straw yellow, with green and golden tinges. Fresh and pleasant on the nose. On the palate delivers a nice fresh finish together with an attractive mineral note.
MATCHINGS: Its favourite matches are seafood first courses and white meat. Especially pleasant when served very cool, also as an aperitif.
Cantina di Santadi is located in the Sulcis area, in South-western Sardinia, just a few miles as the crow flies from the dazzling beaches and white sand dunes of Porto Pino. It was established in 1960, and after some start-up difficulties, a new management gave it a decisive boost, driven by strong determination which fanned enthusiasm and passion.
The winery embarked on an ambitious programme, adopting new strategies and clear targets, streamlining its operations and issuing coherent guidelines to its member grape growers.
Happy Pizza Day
Happy Pizza Day
World pizza day is quite a new observance.
It was established in 2017 when Pizza received the title of Unesco World Heritage.
In many countries they celebrate Pizza Day on February 9th (U.S. National Pizza Day) but in Italy it is celebrated on January 17th.
Cascina Garitina: the name of the company is due to the great-grandmother Margherita, whose diminutive “Margheritina” in dialect is precisely Garitina.
NIZZA DOCG
MARGHERITA
This Nizza MARGHERITA comes from the first vineyard that great-grandmother Margherita started working in the distant 1900s.
Grape variety: Barbera 100%.
Harvest: by hand into small crates.
Vineyards: Margherita vineyard was planted in 2002.
Exposure: mainly south-west. Altitude: 310 m above sea level.
Training System: low Guyot with 5,500 vines per hectare.
Soil: medium consistency with a tendency towards lime with plenty of organic substance.
Climate: Mediterranean with the occasional continental current, especially in winter; from spring to autumn, the habitual presence of the south wind, known as the “Marin”, is important as it cools the hottest days.
VINIFICATION
Stemming and crushing, cold maceration prior to fermentation (12- 13°C) for 4 days. This is followed by heating to 27°C for one day and alcoholic fermentation at 24°C for one week. Alcoholic fermentation is completed in steel where the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation too. Then the wine is racked into wood in March.
Filtration: no.
Blending of the cuvée: 6 months before bottling.
Minimum bottle maturing: 24 months.
Follow Cascina Garitina on social media
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New Logo for Cabert
New Logo for Cabert:
A new symbol, the same heart.
Paying homage to tradition with a contemporary vision: the updated design reflects Cabert‘s brand’s evolution, combining respect for tradition and a look to the future.
The horse, now in motion, represents progress and innovation, while the more geometric and minimal lines convey elegance and dynamism. This change symbolizes their commitment to grow and adapt to a constantly changing market, without ever losing their identity.
The new logo, even on the cork.
Cabert has chosen cork for our bottles—a timeless symbol of tradition, quality and sustainability.
Cabert….where each bottle tells a story of evolution and deep-rooted heritage.
source: cabert
Vitae 2025: awards for Borgo Maragliano
Vitae 2025: awards for Borgo Maragliano: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded the Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Dogma 2019 with 4 Viti.
Blanc de Noirs Brut Nature Dogma 2019
Grapes: 100% Pinot Noir
Training System: Low Guyo
TASTING NOTES:
A fine and intense perlage and persistent foam generate a flurry of colours ranging from greenish yellow to the copper nuance typical of a sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir grapes. The olfactory panorama is elegant and precious with notes of musk, humus and citrus fruits mixed with hints of brushwood, tobacco, leather and notes of eucalyptus. An elegantly balanced, rich, full palate with a foam that envelops despite the fact that this is a pas-dosé sparkling wine. An explosive finish with a vinous vein elevates it without question to the status of Auteur Wine.
DETERMINATION AND VISIONARY SPIRIT
Five generations of farmers who have learned to watch the sky and cope with the unpredictability of the climate and natural events.
The first written records of the family date back to an entry in the church registers in 1790, recording the birth of Giovanni, progenitor of the Galliano family, an enterprising, determined and brilliant man who was very proud of his home.
It was 1850 when he decided to purchase the first plot of land in the municipality of Loazzolo. Giovanni had travelled widely, giving him an opportunity to broaden his horizons, and his entrepreneurial mind was filled with the belief that cultivating vines was the way forward
It was the beginning of the twentieth century; a time described as very bitter in the works of Cesare Pavese, which left its mark on the history of the little village of Loazzolo and the Galliano family.
Giovanni’s grandson Carlo died, leaving his wife Teresa to bring up her two young children alone, Giuseppe and Anna Maria. Teresa, obstinate and hard-working, coped with every adversity and never once gave in to the temptation to “run away” from this unfortunate area.
Giuseppe encouraged his son Carlo to study Oenology in Alba and, spurred on by his father, he immediately set to work on the vinification of one of the Langa’s greatest grapes, Moscato.
His passion and dedication knew no ends.
The experience of the generations that had gone before him was reflected in his work, along with the desire for innovation in both the vineyard and the cellar: he challenged his land and himself, attempting something that had never been tried before in these soils dedicated to the cultivation of Moscato and becoming the first producer of a Traditional Method Sparkling Wine using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The unique pedoclimate proved him right.
Today, Borgo Maragliano is a cellar that is looking to the future once again, through the eyes of the new generation, represented by Carlo and Silvia’s sons: Giovanni, Francesco and Federico.
THE VINEYARDS
The sea wind and millions of years of erosion and geological evolution have given these places an extraordinary microclimate and ideal conditions for the cultivation of vines in the high hills.
Thanks to the mixture of flora and fauna, the woods represent an important basin of oxygen and balance necessary for eco-friendly viticulture.
Every vineyard has its own particular characteristics in terms of exposure, altitude and soil composition. Each one occupies an optimal position, and is between 35 and 65 years old
More info?
Take a look at the website and follow the producer on the socials
Guida Bio 2025: a lot of “leaves” for Masseria Cuturi
Guida Bio 2024: a lot of “leaves” for Cantina LaSelva
Continue readingVitae 2025: awards for Podere il Castellaccio
Vtae 2025: awards for Podere Il Castellaccio: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded the Rosso Toscana Valente 2020 with 4 Viti.
Rosso Toscana Valente 2020 IGT
Grapes: 70% Sangiovese 30% mix of foglia tonda & pugnitello.
Training System: Spurred cordon.
Harvest: Late September/early October.
Vinification: Fermented and macerated in oak barrels at controlled temperature.
Ageing: 12 months in 20 hl barrels and 12 months in the bottle.
TASTING NOTES:
Dark, luminous ruby red colour predominant aromas include refined spices, sour cherry and blackcurrants, balsamic notes, vanilla and resinated aromas of mediterranean pine; a highly classical expression of a native tuscan wine.
On the palate the tannin is dense and elegant, and heading towards a soft, velvety feel. to bring out the best in the wine, match with local products, such as cheeses, cured meats, pasta with meat sauce or grilled meats.
The passion of one man marks the beginning of the history of Podere Il Castellaccio. In the 1960s, Luigi Corradini, the maternal grandfather of current owner Alessandro Scappini, found an estate of 18 hectares on the hills of Castagneto Carducci. The area is Bolgheri, a place that was not yet world famous and had nothing to recommend it other than the essence of the land and the potential it had to produce great wine.
To plant his first vineyards Luigi was only able to use grapes that were native to the Chianti and Scansano area. Thus were Pugnitello, Foglia Tonda, Sangiovese planted – just a few hectares, native wine varieties and a small wine cellar. Over the years, the management of the estate gradually transitioned into the hands of his son Roberto.
However, it was only in 2009 that the winery Podere Il Castellaccio was founded by Alessandro Scappini, the third generation in charge of the estate.
Alessandro Scappini, born and raised in Bolgheri, decided indeed to work with a 60 years old family vineyard planted with ancient varieties.
In the meantime he also starts growing the signature grapes of the DOC and makes his debut on the market with its first Bolgheri wine with the vintage 2015.
His path inside the DOC is completed in the vintage 2018 when his Bolgheri Superiore Il Castellaccio is born and it was released for the first time on the market at the begin of 2021.
Podere Il Castellaccio is situated in Castagneto Carducci, across the seaward side of Segalari Hills, at an altitude of 194 meters a.s.l.
Due to its geographic position, the vineyards enjoy a Mediterranean climate, with more solar radiations, a better thermal excursion and a higher ventilation.
Not only Bolgheri
“A sip from the past, while looking to the future” is the catchphrase used by this highly-manicured Bolgheri winery.
The family passion and the expertise added by the winemaker Attilio Pagli have the aim to tell the story of the region through the salvaging of ancient varieties that are inextricably linked to the tradition of Tuscan wine, specifically in the area of Bolgheri.
The older vineyards, occupying more than 2 hectares, are planted with Tuscan natives Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Foglia Tonda and Pugnitello.
More info?
Take a look at the website and follow the producer on the socials
Falstaff’s ratings for Monzio Compagnoni
The WineHunter: new ratings for Monzio Compagnoni
Continue readingVitae 2025: awards for Palazzone
Vtae 2025: awards for Palazzone: Associazione Italiana Sommelier awarded the Orvieto Classico Superiore Campo del Guardiano 202 with 4 Viti.
Campo del Guardiano 2021
This wine comes from the most beautiful piece of land on our estate, renown to generations of local farmers as Campo del Guardiano. Following bottling this Orvieto Classico Superiore is aged in Palazzone’s cellar for many months. The complexity, the aromas and the freshness of the fruit remain intact for years proving the wine’s astonishing capacity to age beautifully.
GRAPES: Procanico 50% Grechetto 30% Verdello, Malvasia 20%
TASTING NOTES: intense straw color with sharp green reflections. The nose is protound, retineds and prolonged; on the palate silky and well structured, vibrant and persistent.
SERVING SUGGESTIONS: with dishes that are not only powerful but also restrained and delicately balanced, recipes of veal, fowl, and pork, in the finest Umbrian tradition.
In 1969 the Dubini family bought the property “Palazzone”, constructed by Cardinal Teodorico at the bidding of Pope Boniface VIII as a hostel for pilgrims on their way to Rome to celebrate the Jubilee of 1300 A.D. Today after a restoration with respect for the noble architecture, “Palazzone” is a boutique hotel with elegant suites. The hilly portion of the land adjacent to Rocca Ripesena, with its superb view of Orvieto on its majestic crag, consisted of sedimentary soil and clay.
Angelo Dubini decided to plant 25 hectares to vines of varieties that he expected would make wine of great complexity and character. In 1982 his two sons, Giovanni and Lodovico, made the first small vintage from these grapes. In1988 their vintage was sufficient to justify the construction of a winery to process all their own grapes and also to organise and begin the commercial marketing of what is now “Palazzone” wine regarded as one of the most significant labels in Umbria.
PALAZZONE IS UNIQUE
Unique in the land: Unique for the combination of clays and the rocks that constitute the soil of the 24 hectares of our vineyards; a stratification of ancient seabeds, rivers and centuries of Etruscan history.
Unique in the grapes: Unique in the particular union of our traditional varieties. each with its distinctive character.
Unique in the craftsmanship: Unique in the creative and productive methods, in the pursuit of quality and with margin for personal interpretation.
Unique in the longevity: Unique because we are “Wine Artisans.” Years of experience and commitment have taught us to further the powers of our land to bring forth age worthy wines.
More info?
Take a look at the website and follow the producer on the socials
New awards for Cantina di Santadi
New awards for Cantina di Santadi: Kerin O’Keefe rated the Terre Brune, Noras and Antigua with respectively 93, 92 and 91 Points.
Since 1960, vini fatti con arte.
The Cantina di Santadi Winery is located in the Sulcis area, in South-western Sardinia, just a few miles as the crow flies from the dazzling beaches and white sand dunes of Porto Pino. It was established in 1960, and after some start-up difficulties, a new management gave it a decisive boost, driven by strong determination which fanned enthusiasm and passion.
Thus the Winery embarked on an ambitious programme, adopting new strategies and clear targets, streamlining its operations and issuing coherent guidelines to its member grape growers.
Carignano Vine: Prince of the territory of Sulcis
Wise use of French barriques gives a perfect, harmonious finishing touch to the development of these superb wines. The great reds: Terre Brune, Rocca Rubia, Noras, Araja, Grotta Rossa and Antigua, are accompanied by stylish whites: Villa di Chiesa, Cala Silente, Pedraia, Villa Solais, Latinia, all offsprings of an ancient winemaking tradition coupled with the use of state-of-the-art technology in the sectors of vinification, stabilization and bottling.
The wines: Sulcis’ Excellences
Good wine is born in the vineyard – our job is to enhance grape quality through skilful cultivation, and then, in the winery, to make the best use of this gift of nature. The Santadi Winery processes mainly black grapes, about 75% of total production. The most important varieties are Carignano, Monica, Sangiovese, Syrah, Merlot and Bovaleddu as regards the reds, and Vermentino, Nuragus, Chardonnay and Nasco for the whites.
Vineyard cultivation methods are carefully designed to maintain low production per plant and so maximise grape quality.
…discover more…take a look at their website