The AOCs Sauternes and Barsac are located south of Bordeaux, specifically in the Graves. Both AOCs date back to 1936. The area known as Sauternais comprises five<br />communes: Barsac, Bommes, Fargues, Preignac and Sauternes; while that of Barsac exclusively comprises the commune from which it takes its name. It is worth noting<br />that these regulations allow Barsac producers to name their wines both Barsac and Sauternes AOC (both are often mentioned on the label), while Sauternes producers can<br />only name their wines Sauternes AOC. The area's soils are of alluvial origin with a good presence of limestone; what gives this area its unique characteristics is the<br />microclimate created by the Garonne and Ciron rivers and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean: these presences are decisive in favouring the development of pourriture noble,<br />noble rot, on the grapes, creating a unique concentration. The varieties used for the AOC Sauternes and Barsac are: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc and Muscadelle. The quality<br />of the wines produced in these areas has a long history, in fact already in 1855 Napoleon III, drawing up the first classification of Crus, recognised Château d'Yquem as the<br />only Premier Cru Supérieur located outside the Medoc, followed by two other categories: Premier Cru (11 Châteaux) and Deuxième Cru (15 Châteaux).<br /><br />Varieties: Sémillon, Sauvignon Blanc, Muscadelle.<br /><br />Vineyards: The Château Piada vineyards are located on the Barsac plateau and, according to some<br />historical documents dating back to 1274, appear to be among the oldest in Barsac and<br />Sauternes. Château Piada wines come from a unique terroir characterised by soils<br />rich in limestone and clay.<br /><br />Vinification: after the grapes have ripened, the harvest is carried out by<br />harvest grain by grain, so as to use only those berries affected by the right degree of botrytis. Vinification takes place in oak barrels: after one year of the wine is blended,<br />filtered and stored in stainless steel vats until bottling.<br />until bottling, all for a period of 18 to 20 months after the harvest.<br /><br />Characteristics: Château Piada has a beautiful golden yellow colour; it presents itself on the nose very fragrant and elegant, clean, on the palate it is sweet and intense.<br />

Weinlaubenhof Kracher is located south-east of Vienna in Burgenland, a region characterised by gravelly soils with varying limestone content transported by the Danube<br />River. The presence of this river together with Lake Neusiedl creates a warm humid climate ideal for the formation of noble rot on the grapes produced in the area. Kracher is<br />based in Illmitz, on the Hungarian border, and has been run since 2007 by Alois' son Gerhard Kracher, with the help of his wife Yvonne: it is Austria's leading winery for<br />sweet wines. The varieties used are Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Traminer, Scheurebe, Muskat-Ottonel, and in some vintages also Zweigelt. Kracher harvests and vinifies<br />small batches, using a number series to distinguish them: a higher number corresponds to a higher sugar concentration in the wine. Two types of wine are produced: Cuvée,<br />sweet wines of medium concentration, Beerenauslese and Eiswein; Kollektion, very concentrated sweet wines produced according to two different methods: Zwischen den<br />Seen (traditional with fermentation in steel or wooden barrels) and Nouvelle Vague (modern with the use of new barriques). WEINLAUBENHOF KRACHER has also started a<br />collaboration with the Liliac Winery in Transylvania, in order to exploit the climatic peculiarities of the Lechinta region that are optimal for the production of Eiswein.<br /><br />Variety: Welschriesling<br /><br />Vineyards: Weinlaubenhof Kracher is located south-east of Vienna in Burgenland, a region characterised by gravelly soils with varying limestone content transported by the<br />River Danube. The presence of this river together with Lake Neusiedl creates a warm humid climate ideal for the formation of noble rot on the grapes produced in the area.<br /><br />Vinification: fermentation and ageing in stainless steel tanks.<br /><br />Characteristic properties: The Eiswein of Weinlaubenhof Kracher is lively and linear, clean on the palate and characterised by a finish in which pineapple and peach notes<br />stand out. The great balance makes it a wine that is hard to resist. Simply delicious.<br />

Weinlaubenhof Kracher is located south-east of Vienna in Burgenland, a region characterised by gravelly soils with varying limestone content transported by the Danube<br />River. The presence of this river together with Lake Neusiedl creates a warm humid climate ideal for the formation of noble rot on the grapes produced in the area. Kracher is<br />based in Illmitz, on the Hungarian border, and has been run since 2007 by Alois' son Gerhard Kracher, with the help of his wife Yvonne: it is Austria's leading winery for<br />sweet wines. The varieties used are Welschriesling, Chardonnay, Traminer, Scheurebe, Muskat-Ottonel, and in some vintages also Zweigelt. Kracher harvests and vinifies<br />small batches, using a number series to distinguish them: a higher number corresponds to a higher sugar concentration in the wine. Two types of wine are produced: Cuvée,<br />sweet wines of medium concentration, Beerenauslese and Eiswein; Kollektion, very concentrated sweet wines produced according to two different methods: Zwischen den<br />Seen (traditional with fermentation in steel or wooden barrels) and Nouvelle Vague (modern with the use of new barriques). WEINLAUBENHOF KRACHER has also entered<br />into a partnership with the Liliac Winery in Transylvania, in order to exploit the climatic peculiarities of the Lechinta region that are optimal for the production of Eiswein.<br /><br />Cuvée Beerenauslese<br /><br />Varieties: Welschriesling (Riesling Italico), Chardonnay.<br />Vineyards: Weinlaubenhof Kracher is located southeast of Vienna in Burgenland,<br />a region characterised by gravelly soils with varying limestone content transported<br />by the Danube River. The presence of this river together with Lake Neusiedl creates<br />an ideal warm and humid climate for the formation of noble rot on the grapes produced<br />in the area.<br /><br />Vinification: The Beerenauslese Cuvée is partly (85%) fermented and matured<br />in stainless steel, the other part (15%) in large barrels; maturing lasts for 12<br />months.<br /><br />Characteristic properties: The Beerenauslese Cuvée has aromas of white peaches and honeydew.<br />honeydew, while the palate reveals notes of citrus fruits, tangerine, ripe yellow peach. It has<br />an elegant structure well balanced by acidity. The finish is long and fresh.<br />

<br /><br />TYPOLOGY Sweet white wine<br /><br />PRODUCTION AREABreganzesi hills<br /><br />VINEYARD 100% Vespaiola<br /><br />SOIL TYPOLOGYVolcanic and tufaceous hills.<br /><br />VINIFICATIONWilting of the carefully selected grapes in the fruit cellar for four months.<br /><br />COLOUR Brilliant golden yellow<br /><br />BOUQUEThe bouquet is intense with notes of honey, flowers, vanilla and noble woods<br /><br />PAIRINGS Excellent with small dry pastries or typical desserts such as the 'fregolota'. For those who like it, we recommend trying Torcolato with medium or long aged<br />cheeses, such as Asiago Stravecchio, or blue cheeses with intense flavours.<br /><br />TASTE Sweet and full-bodied, it has good body and an excellent balance between acidity and sugars<br />

TYPOLOGY: Sauternes AOC ' Carmes De Rieussec '.<br /><br />PRODUCTION AREA: Sauternes<br /><br />VINE: 94% Sémillon, 3% Sauvignon Blanc, 3% Muscadelle<br /><br />SOIL TYPE: clayey-calcareous soil alternating with alluvial pebbles called Grave.<br /><br />VINIFICATION: after the harvest, the grapes arrived in the cellar were immediately pressed by parcel. The must from each parcel was then put into separate barriques after<br />skimming to carry out fermentation.<br /><br />COLOUR: pale gold.<br /><br />BOUQUET: The nose is a triumph of candid fruit and acacia flowers almost reminiscent of sweet fruits roasted in the sun.<br /><br />PAIRINGS: it is soon paired with dry pastries, but also with blue cheeses, to the traditional local pairing with 'pate du foie gras'. It also lends itself to being a great<br />meditation wine.<br /><br />TASTE: Generous and balanced on the palate. Pleasantly sweet finish with a long persistence.<br /><br />AGING: refined in barriques, 50% new, for a period varying between 16 and 26 months.<br />

Tasting notes:<br />Ben Ryé has a golden colour with luminous amber highlights. It has a very intense bouquet in which the notes linked to sultanas stand out: apricot and candied orange peel;<br />it also has delicate hints of Mediterranean scrub. On the palate it offers its proverbial and extraordinary freshness that balances the sweetness. The typical taste of dried<br />Zibibbo is complemented by countless other sensations of fruit, herbs and honey. Its complexity is enriched by mineral notes and a very long persistence.<br /><br />Denomination: Passito di Pantelleria Doc<br />Grape varieties: Zibibbo (Moscato d'Alessandria)<br />Alcohol content: 14.5%.<br />Format: 0.75l<br />Serving temperature: 14/16 °C<br />Best enjoyed: Conversation, After dinner, Special occasions<br />Typology: Sweet<br />Pairings: Perfect with dry pastries, chocolate and tarts with jam or ricotta cheese. Try it also with blue cheeses and foie gras. Extraordinary on its own, as a meditation<br />wine. Serve in medium-sized glasses, slightly flared, and can be uncorked at the moment. Excellent at 14°C.<br />

<br /><br />TYPOLOGY Sweet white wine<br /><br />PRODUCTION AREA 'The best areas of Veneto with a vocation for this variety'.<br /><br />GRAPE VINE 100% Moscato<br /><br />SOIL TYPE Volcanic and tuffaceous hills.<br /><br />WINE-MAKING 'Drying of the grapes for about a month in the fruit cellar, fermentation in steel vats'.<br /><br />COLOUR Straw yellow<br /><br />BOUQUET Extraordinarily intense with hints typical of the variety and of honey and flowers<br /><br />PAIRINGS 'Excellent with pastries, fruit tarts, homemade cakes and also desserts with creams'.<br /><br />FLAVOURIt is sweet and very fresh, balanced and full, with a long and pleasant persistence.<br />

Marchese Antinori Vinsanto Chianti Classico DOC 2016<br /><br />Climate: After an autumn and winter that tended to be mild and not very rainy, spring 2016 began with good weather in Chianti Classico, bringing bud break about 10 days<br />earlier than the historical average. Starting in May and during the first half of June, rainfall and average cool temperatures were recorded, but did not affect the decisive<br />phases of flowering and fruit set. The summer up to the end of August was hot, dry and without heat peaks: optimal conditions for maintaining an excellent vegetative-<br />productive balance and ensuring constant growth of the grapes. Harvesting took place between 7 and 10 September.<br /><br />Vinification: the grapes, sourced exclusively from the vineyards of the Antinori estates in Chianti Classico, were carefully selected and harvested in boxes; they were then<br />placed by hand on the special mats of the appassitoio (drying room) of the Tignanello estate or on the penzane of the Pèppoli estate (mobile frames where the bunches are<br />hung in suspension). The grapes, left to dry until the end of December, were then softly pressed in order to maintain their organoleptic and aromatic characteristics. The<br />must obtained was put into the typical 'caratelli', made from different types of wood and with a capacity varying between 50 and 200 litres, where the long, slow alcoholic<br />fermentation took place. The wine remained in the kegs for about 3 years and was then blended and finally bottled.<br /><br />Historical data: The production of Vinsanto in Tuscany dates back at least to medieval times: it is considered a true regional speciality and the Antinori family has always<br />produced it. The first vintage of Vinsanto Tenute Marchese Antinori (a 'natural' production vinsanto) was, however, 1987.<br /><br />Tasting Notes: The Marchese Antinori Vinsanto has a dark amber colour with golden reflections. On the nose sweet notes of dried fruit, such as hazelnut and date, combine<br />with an intense sensation of candied orange, honey, and a slight hint of cinnamon. On the palate it is full, soft, supported by a pleasant freshness that makes it lively and<br />pleasant. Good persistence on the palate.<br />

Description follows

Description follows

Vinification<br /><br />The grapes are harvested in September and left to dry for 4 months in a well-ventilated room. In December, the dried grapes are selected again. Drying results in a 2/3<br />weight loss, as well as a concentration of sugar, aromas, acidity and tannins. Due to the high sugar content, the yeast cannot carry out the fermentation completely and<br />thus a natural residual sweetness remains. After a fermentation of 6 weeks, a longer bottle fermentation takes place.<br />Tasting<br /><br />The 'Cashmere' Gewürztraminer Passito presents itself with a golden yellow colour with a light amber hue. Its bouquet is exquisite and intensely aromatic: dried apricots,<br />candied fruits, rose petals, a hint of orange and caramel. On the palate, the Passito is very concentrated, with a harmonious interplay between inviting sweetness and<br />refreshing acidity, elegant and of exquisite level.<br />

CHÂTEAU RIEUSSEC 1er Grand Cru Classé - Sauternes<br />Grape variety: Sémillon 90% - Sauvignon 7% - Muscadelle 3%.<br />Type of wine: white raisin wine<br />Vinification and aging: botrytized grapes - 8 weeks of harvest - fermentation in barriques - aging in new barriques 50% for 24 months<br />