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Contrada

Italian for single vineyard. Each Contrada will have its own name.

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Italian for single vineyard. Each Contrada will have its own name. Plural = Contrade. Etna’s Contrade have certainly raised knowledge of the term. Each year a tasting, the Contrade dell’Etna, is held to taste the current releases from Etna. The term is used throughout Italy.

Contrade names you might have heard of from Etna: Rampante, Guardiola, Feudo di Mezzo, Acuria, Sciaronuova, Calderara, and Rivaggi. Moving north to Veneto, Gini’s top Soave is from the Contrada “Salverenza”.

 

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Straight from the cellars from one of Barolo's great years! Although not a Cru in its own right, Rocche Rivera is recognised as a position within the Scarrone Cru of great importance. Rocche Rivera has dizzying slopes to say the least, in the same vein as the adjacent Rocche di Castiglione, and generally shows an extra touch of perfumed elegance. I haven't had the chance to try one of these yet, looking at the only vintage chart I have ever seen worth consideration, by Giuseppe Vajra, 2010 is
$395
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Barale Barbaresco ‘Serraboella’ 2016

Nebbiolo | Neive, Barbaresco

They understand the rule book so have thrown it away only to be used when they know they need to. I guess that's what 150 years of making wine can give you! There's a big difference between old school, never changed a thing, and, old school true to style, yet, with deep consideration of modern science. Looking at the film below you'd think Barale may be the former. Reading their website it is clear that they are the later. They understand the rule book so have thrown it away only to be used when
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Ansitz Waldgries Südtiroler Weissburgunder Riserva ‘ITOS’ 2020

Weissburgunder | Trentino-Alto Adige, Italy

What he achieves by a combo of half vinified in stainless steel and half the ferments in barrel, is the ideal melding of the racy with the complex and textured. A pretty flash Weissburgunder AKA Pinot Bianco! Excellent drinking. A layer of that shroomy, wet wool earthy funk I often see, and enjoy in high acid whites. White flowers perfume. Ripe white grapefruit. Counterpointed with a little stonefruit, fresh and zippy. Chalky acid with a dusting of phenolics adds cleansing grip. Superb long
$107
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A.J.Adam Dhroner Hofberg Kabinett Riesling 2017

Riesling | Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany

The guys from Mosel Fine Wines have nailed it! This is superb. When you listen to Andreas speak of the unique cooler climate of the site this all makes sense. Andreas and Barbara have achieved outstanding balance here. The vinosity with 8.5% alcohol is there, not always the case with young Rizza from this neck of the woods. The clean, refreshing acidity plays beautifully with the moderate residual sugar. Lythe with a divine set of flavours it's fantastic to see this a couple of years on and it w
$66
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