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Italian wine-making royalty were in London last Thursday to present their wines at our much anticipated Italian Portfolio Tasting.
Alongside iconic producers such as Sassicaia, Ornellaia, Gaja and Querciabella, we had newcomers on show from the length of the peninsula and from its islands. Capoverso, Il Marroneto, Le Pupille and Luca Roagna demonstrated the options that are available within the glorious Tuscan landscape as well as interpretations of some of the best Piedmontese vineyards of Barolo, Barbaresco and the Langhe hills. Italian white wine is thriving on the back of renewed appreciation for indigenous varietals and the wines of Castello di Buttrio, Tiberio, Li Veli and Pietradolce electrified and invigorated palates.
Our annual tasting offered the chance to experience the wealth of variety which led the Ancient Greeks to call Italy "Oenotria", The Land of Vines. We asked five of our Armit team their highlights of the night and here's what they chose.
2014 ASKOS VERDECA, MASSERIA LI VELI
“What a fab contrast to the fruity Fiano. This is a perfect aperitif wine – a dry, fresh and bright style from the Valle d’Itria region. Showing a nice delicate level of stone-fruit and pear with a beautiful texture and a lovely long mineral length.
Quite simply...pass me another glass! ” Lisa Mcbain - Off Trade Sales
2014 VERMENTINO COLLI DI LUNI, ETICHETTA NERA, CANTINE LUNAE
“This is Vermentino at its best from the stunning Ligurian Coast. A definite highlight of our Italian tasting for its perfect balance of freshness and richness. The flavours are pure, fresh and clean with peach, wild flowers and sage in the mix whilst the generous texture is both silky and creamy. Zesty citrus flavours linger with a palate cleansing acidity which pulls you back for another sip. Right at home with the Ligurian dish of pasta al pesto Genovese. ” Kerri O'Sullivan - Marketing
2011 BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO, GAJA PIEVE SANTA RESTITUTA
“At our Italian tasting I was lucky enough to sample the 2011 Gaja Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello Di Montalcino. You quickly realise why this wine is so popular. The 2011 has pronounced black cherries and balsamic notes on the nose. On the palate a bright and crunchy acidity is carrying the lovely red plums and cherries aromas. It is yet another great wine from Gaja which, judging by the silky finish will give pleasure for many years to come ” Jacques-Etienne le Clerc - Buying
2013 LE SERRE NUOVE, TENUTA DELL'ORNELLAIA
“Le Serre Nuove 2013 announces its sense of place with distinctive aromas of eucalyptus and olive balanced by mocha and cassis. The palate is really seductive with plush, textured fruit and silky tannins. So much of its appeal is found in the texture which makes the wine so easy to like. This a certainly one of the more sensual vintages and is hard to resist now, though a few years on the cellar will add another dimension. ” William Gossip - Trading
2010 VALPOLLICELLA SUPERIORE, DAL FORNO 
“Romano Dal Forno’s wines are statuesque yet structured. Powerful but polished. They represent the pinnacle of winemaking in Veneto. In the glass this shows. The Valpollicella Supierore 2010 embodies this style with its abundance of dark, plummy dried fruit intermingled with sweet spice and a subtle nuttiness. The balance of this rich fruit combined with a fresh acidity lends a lovely tension to the wine. It finishes dry with a hint or herbal notes just whispering on the finish. Great complexity combined with waves of flavour and intensity mean this wine is delicious now but has a long time ahead of it. ” Oli Smith - Private Client Sales
