South West

The South West (or ‘Sud-Ouest’) is a relatively large territorial zone of France, incorporating the administrative regions of Aquitaine, Limousin and Midi-Pyrenees but excluding Bordeaux.
South West France is a rather heterogeneous region in terms of its wines and how they are marketed. It is rare to see wines being sold as Vins du Sud-Ouest. With Bordeaux brightly highlighted wines, the south-western wine regions have been struggling for centuries to get recognition for their diverse & unique appellations.
The region’s wine portfolio, meanwhile, includes sweet wines from Jurancon; tannic, full-blooded reds from Cahors and Madiran; sparkling wines from Gaillac; and dry whites produced from a wide range of different grape varieties.

Château Bouscassé

Bouscassé is one of the big names of Madiran. The property includes 50 hectares of superb clay-limestone terroir along the cliff in the commune of Maumusson-Laguian.
In the same family for many generations, the château is owned by Alain Brumont, who is also at the head of Château Montus.

Veneto

The Veneto, located in the north-east of Italy, is about five million population, ranking fifth in Italy.

It is a very touristic area, mainly to Venice but also Verona.

It is also a region that contributes a significant percentage of the country’s total wine industry.

Soave, Valpolicella or Amarone, are produced there. The super trendy sparkling wine Prosecco has its origins and its best expression in the Veneto.

Much of Italy’s Pinot grigio hails from the Veneto, where the crisp and refreshing style is easy to maintain.

Dal Forno Romano

The Dal Forno family has been making wine since 1983.

Located in Val D’Illasi, the estate consists of 26 hectares of vines planted to traditional indigenous varieties of Corvina, Corvinone, Rodinella, Oseleta, and Croatina.

The estate vineyards and farm are located where the slopes begin to rise toward the mountains and sit 300 meters above sea level.

The loose, alluvial soils, meticulous pruning and scrupulous viticultural techniques ensure remarkable-quality grapes.

The Dal Fornos use traditional methods to grow the finest fruit, and then employ modern techniques to produce the best wines – classic in expression and modern in purity.

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.

Marchesi di Gresy

Tenute Cisa Asinari dei Marchesi di Grésy has been owned by the di Grésy family since 1797.
In the early 1970s Alberto di Grésy realized the potential of his vineyard and decided that he had to vinify his own grapes. In 1973 he produced his first vintage with the objective of transferring the class and character of the terroir, vineyards and varietal into the bottle.
Marchesi di Grésy only vinifies grapes coming from its properties, 45 hectares of vineyards divided among the Martinenga, Monte Aribaldo, La Serra and Monte Colombo estates.
Located between Asili and Rabaja, the Martinenga cru is 100% owned by di Gresy family. The vineyard is the only Langhe single owned “monopole”.

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 46 DOC and 4 DOCG, Piedmont has more wine appellations than any other Italian region.

Massolino

The history of the Massolinos. became entwined with the history of Serralunga d’Alba in 1896, when Giovanni founded the estate.

Giovanni was the very first person to bring electricity to the village.

The first wine cellar was built by Giuseppe, son of the founder Giovanni, who, together with his sister Angela, extended his estate into the best soils.

At that time, Giuseppe had six children. Three of them followed in their father’s footsteps, expanding the estate.

They purchased Margheria, Parafada and Vigna Rionda, cru vineyards which are authentic jewels.

In the 1990’s Franco and Roberto, both oenologists, joined the family estate and put Massolino as one of the best Barolo producers.