Champagne

Champagne, lying to the east of the Paris region, is one of the historic provinces of France.

Thanks to a sparkling wine to which the region has given its name, the word Champagne is known worldwide – even if many of those who know the drink do not know exactly where it comes from.

Champagne wine was first produced within its three main towns – Reims, its largest and home to the Montagne de Reims, famed for its Pinot Noir; Epernay, the capital of the Côte des Blancs, the area most renowned for its Chardonnay; and Ay, the town situated on the border of both the Montagne de Reims and the Côte des Blancs.

Founded in 1837 by Henri-Marc de Venoge, located in Epernay, Champagne de Venoge has been keeping its leadership:

• 1st House to release illustrated labels in 1838,
• Special Cuvée des Princes launched in honour of the Princes of Orange in 1858,
• One of the founders of the “Syndicat des Grandes Marques” in 1872,
• 1st “Maison de Champagne” to produce a Blanc de Noirs in 1988.

Bordeaux

Bordeaux, in the southwest of France, is home to some of the most famous châteaux in the world of wine. Their exceptional terroir and superlative wines have long reigned as some of the most sought after and investment-worthy.

The majority of Bordeaux wines are dry, red blends from Merlot, Cabernet-Sauvignon or Cabernet-Franc.

The finest (and most expensive) of these come from the great châteaux of the Left Bank (higher in tannins, alcohol and acidity, more on Cabernet) like Pauillac, Margaux, St Estephe or St Julien and the Right Bank (softer, less tannic and lower in alcohol and acidity. Merlot is the dominant grape), appellations of Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. They are complemented by high-quality white wines (particularly from Pessac-Leognan) and the sweet, botrytized nectars of Sauternes.

Marche

Located in central Italy between the Apennines and the Adriatic, the region enjoys a very varied landscape going from mountains through hills to beautiful beaches, towering cliffs and clear blue waters.
Marche is best known as a white wine region, although it is also home to some reds of very high quality.
It has been the territory of the Verdicchio grape for more than 600 years. The wines are characterized by lively acidity and subtle herbaceous undertones, and are an excellent food match for Brodetto di Pesce, a rich seafood stew.
Among the red wines of Marche, the finest are generally made from the Montepulciano grape and/or Sangiovese. The best DOCG is the intensely fragrant Rosso Conero Riserva.

Umani Ronchi

Umani Ronchi is a wine estate owned by the Bianchi-Bernetti family, who since 1957 has been producing Verdicchio, Montepulciano and others that find their finest expression in Marche and Abruzzo.
Umani Ronchi has a total surface area under vine of 210 hectares nestling between the hills and the sea along the Adriatic coast.
All the vineyards are farmed organically. For the winery, this was a technical decision rather than an ideological one. Organic farming requires balance in nature and a range of crops, trees and herbs that make up a biodiverse environment.
In Europe, Umani Ronchi has been recognized for the “Best red wine in the world” awarded by IWC to Pelago in 1997. In Asia, Jorio made the break thanks to the manga “The drops of God”!

Marche

Located in central Italy between the Apennines and the Adriatic, the region enjoys a very varied landscape going from mountains through hills to beautiful beaches, towering cliffs and clear blue waters.
Marche is best known as a white wine region, although it is also home to some reds of very high quality.
It has been the territory of the Verdicchio grape for more than 600 years. The wines are characterized by lively acidity and subtle herbaceous undertones, and are an excellent food match for Brodetto di Pesce, a rich seafood stew.
Among the red wines of Marche, the finest are generally made from the Montepulciano grape and/or Sangiovese. The best DOCG is the intensely fragrant Rosso Conero Riserva.

Umani Ronchi

Umani Ronchi is a wine estate owned by the Bianchi-Bernetti family, who since 1957 has been producing Verdicchio, Montepulciano and others that find their finest expression in Marche and Abruzzo.
Umani Ronchi has a total surface area under vine of 210 hectares nestling between the hills and the sea along the Adriatic coast.
All the vineyards are farmed organically. For the winery, this was a technical decision rather than an ideological one. Organic farming requires balance in nature and a range of crops, trees and herbs that make up a biodiverse environment.
In Europe, Umani Ronchi has been recognized for the “Best red wine in the world” awarded by IWC to Pelago in 1997. In Asia, Jorio made the break thanks to the manga “The drops of God”!

Trentino

Trentino is renowned for its mountains, such as the Dolomites, which are part of the Alps.

The region is not so industrialized, and agriculture remains important. The most important produce comprises apples (50% of national production, together with South Tyrol) and other fruits, vegetables and grape.

At the opposite of South Tyrol, Trentino counts on a large number of growers who joined into large wine cooperatives.

In addition to a few native grapes only, Trentino is producing well known international grape varieties.

San Leonardo

Founded in 1724, San Leonardo has since remained in the same family. The estate is in Vallagarina in the extreme south of Trentino and extends over 300 hectares, 25 of which are planted with vine.
The rows, some dating from the late 19th century, are lined with cabernet sauvignon, carmenere and merlot, varieties the Guerrieri Gonzaga’s have always relied on to make wines that stand out with balance and elegance.
Today, it is owned by a direct descendant, Marchesi Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, previously wine-maker in Sassicaia. His knowledge and collaboration since 1984 with Giacomo Tachis, creator of the “Super Tuscans”, have given these wines a unique style that has gained the attention of the world.

Trentino

Trentino is renowned for its mountains, such as the Dolomites, which are part of the Alps.

The region is not so industrialized, and agriculture remains important. The most important produce comprises apples (50% of national production, together with South Tyrol) and other fruits, vegetables and grape.

At the opposite of South Tyrol, Trentino counts on a large number of growers who joined into large wine cooperatives.

In addition to a few native grapes only, Trentino is producing well known international grape varieties.

San Leonardo

Founded in 1724, San Leonardo has since remained in the same family. The estate is in Vallagarina in the extreme south of Trentino and extends over 300 hectares, 25 of which are planted with vine.
The rows, some dating from the late 19th century, are lined with cabernet sauvignon, carmenere and merlot, varieties the Guerrieri Gonzaga’s have always relied on to make wines that stand out with balance and elegance.
Today, it is owned by a direct descendant, Marchesi Carlo Guerrieri Gonzaga, previously wine-maker in Sassicaia. His knowledge and collaboration since 1984 with Giacomo Tachis, creator of the “Super Tuscans”, have given these wines a unique style that has gained the attention of the world.

Piedmont

Located, as its name suggests, at the foot of the Alps bordering France and Switzerland, Piedmont is the second largest of Italy’s 20 regions, after Sicily.

Recognized for its industry like Fiat in Turin, Piedmont is also one of the greatest regions in the world in terms of cuisine (don’t forget the white truffles from Alba!) and wine!

With 42 DOC and 17 DOCG, Piedmont has more wine appellations than any other Italian region.

The most recognized grape variety is Nebbiolo named exactly for the arrival of this pre-harvest fog (called “nebbia” in Italian), which prolongs cluster hang time and allows full phenolic balance and ripeness. This grape is responsible for the exalted Piedmont wines of Barbaresco and Barolo, known for their ageability, firm tannins and hallmark aromas of tar and roses. Nebbiolo wines, despite their pale hue, pack a pleasing punch of flavor and structure. Barbaresco tends to be more elegant in style while Barolo is more powerful. Across the Tanaro River, the Roero region, and farther north, the regions of Gattinara and Ghemme, also produce excellent quality Nebbiolo.

Barbera is the most planted grape in Piedmont, beloved for its trademark high acidity, low tannin and juicy red fruit. Dolcetto, Piedmont’s other important red grape, is usually ready within a couple of years of release.

Giuseppe Cortese

From its 4 hectares of vineyards located in the middle of “Rabajà”, an historical cru in the Barbaresco area, Giuseppe Cortese vinifies and produces high quality wines since 1971. The Rabaja’ cru enjoys southwesterly exposure and the very best in terms of microclimate, soil and ripening.
Wines are produced according to winemaking tradition using the latest technology: wines aged in Slavonian oak, wines stored in underground cellars at perfectly suitable temperatures in order to maintain the aroma and taste that characterise top quality products.
Their Chardonnay, Dolcetto and Barbera are grown on vineyards on the opposite hillside of Trifolera, producing wines of great elegance and typical style.