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Super Italians

Frescobaldi leads Hallgarten

Hallgarten and its specialist sales team, Porta Italica Vini, will be showing more than 30 Italian wines from 19 suppliers. Three tables will be commandeered and Frescobaldi will lead the way with a selection of wines, including Pomino Bianco and Nipozzano Chianti Rufina Reserva. John Matta, IWSC's Italian Producer of the Year, will be represented by two wines: Ripa delle Mandorle IGT Toscana and the new Rosso Pesce, a blend of Sangiovese and fruit-driven Canaiolo. Other new additions include: Michele Chiarlo's red and white Monferrato Le Monache and Umberto Cesari's Villa Giulia, made from Sangiovese Rubicone. Hallgarten will also showcase its more traditional selection, such as Garofoli's Podium and Tedeschi's Capital san Rocco.

Tables 43 and 44

Missing the malo

H S Fine Wines will be showing wines from some new producers this year, including 2005 Verdicchio di Matelica from Azienda Agricola Collestefano, which has been made without the use of malolactic fermentation. 2005 Soave Classico from Guido Rizzotto of Balestri Valda will also be on display, alongside wines from Kellerai Bozen in Alto Adige, Felline in Puglia and the newer agency of Col di Bacche, which is situated to the south of Grosseto.

Table 10

Biodynamic, Bolgheri and Barrow

Corney & Barrow will be presenting three of its Tuscan agencies. Enrico Santini is a biodynamic producer based in the Bolgheri region of coastal Tuscany and makes small quantities of a Vermentino and Sauvignon Blanc blend, and two reds from international varieties blended with Sangiovese. Moris Farms is an estate in the Maremma region of southern Tuscany producing wines under the Morellino di Scansano DOC in addition to the IGT Avvoltore, made from a blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. The wines of Tenuta di Trinoro, owned by Andrea Franchetti and made from indigenous varieties, will also be available.

Table 26

Bat & Bottle debut

Bat & Bottle, founded in 1994, will make its first appearance at the Definitive Italian Tasting this year. It will be joined by four of its principal producers. Ezio Majolini, owner of Majolini and head of the Franciacorta Consorzio, will show four styles of Franciacorta (traditional method sparkling wines made in Ome, Lombardy). Lionello Lot from Le Case Bianchi will bring a single-vineyard Prosecco and a Passito of the same wine, plus a rare wine made from the Wildbacher grape. Sabina Maffei from Plozner will present three new wines, including a Sauvignon Blanc and Viognier blend. Christian Oberdoerfer from Girlan in the Alto Adige will introduce the cantina's Lagrein and Gewrztraminer wines, as well as a new dry Muscat (Moscato). All wines are available for sale to the on- and off-trades.

Tables 13 and 14

Freshly crushed Gorilla

Crush Wines will bring its portfolio to this tasting for the first time and show wines from three new agencies: Picco d'Umbria, Uggiano in Chianti and Terre del Galeso in Puglia. Picco d'Umbria is one of the largest co-operatives in Umbria and the English winemaker, Tim Manning, will be at this year's event to take visitors through the wines, which will include the brands of Ombrio (4.99 to 5.99) and Gorilla (4.99 to 6.99). Crush Wines will also be presenting Gaetane Carron's wines, Materia Prima, a 2003 Barbera d'Asti Superiore DOC and 2003 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo (both retail at 8.99).

Table 60

Chianti all round

The newly unified Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico will be participating in the tasting for the first time this year. It will have three tables of wines from 18 Chianti Classico producers who are looking for UK agents and/or direct deals. The wines shown will be a range of Chianti Classicos, Chianti Classico Riservas and a few SuperTuscans. Consorzio Vino Chianti Classico represents 95% of all Chianti Classico producers and, according to AC Nielsen (MAT to 25 March 2006), Sangiovese blends (including Chianti Classico) are up 96%. The producers represented will include Villa Calcinaia, Fattoria di Corsignano and Pian del Gallo.

Tables 28, 29 and 30

Exclusively Astrum

Astrum wine cellars imports wine exclusively from Italy and is especially strongly represented by the northeast of Italy (Friuli, Veneto and the Trentino Alto Adige). Exhibiting at the tasting will be wines from Cantina Terlano, Borgo del Tiglio and di Lenardo. The portfolio extends throughout the peninsular with new wines coming from the south, including the wines of Feudi di San Marzano, La Corte (whose winemaker is Australian Chris Ringland, of Three Rivers Shiraz fame) and Cottanera from Sicily, whose wines are made from indigenous grapes Nerello Mascalese and Inzolia as well as international varieties such as Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet. New wines include Morellino di Scansano from La Doga, and classic wines will include examples of Barolo, Amarone and Brunello. In total, Astrum represents 41 Italian wineries.

Table 55

The start of a bella Alliance

In addition to showcasing wines from established suppliers, Alliance Wine will be launching the first two wines from its Bella Modella range. These are a Nero d'Avola from Sicily and a Pinot Grigio from Venezia, retailing from 4.99 to 5.49. The southern wines of Vinicola di Apollonio will also be presented alongside samples from Chianti, Piedmont, Lazio, Marche and Veneto.

Table 81

First timer

A first-time exhibitor at the Definitive Italian Wine Tasting, TryWines Expertise is a small wine company under the management of Edoardo Amadi, ex-director of wine at the Vineyard at Stockcross. He will be showing a couple of new Sicilian wines from Baglio di Pianetto - 2004 Ficiligno Insolia Viognier and 2002 Ramione Nero d'Avola/Merlot - as well as other new wines on the list such as 2004 Piana del Ginolfo Viognier and 2004 Shymer Syrah/Merlot. Wines from Veneto will be on display, including three sweet wines. Two wineries in Piedmont will be represented, joined by Enzio Rivella's winery Fertuna, in Tuscany. Visitors can also try 2001 Brunello di Montalcino from Claudia Ferrero and the sparkling Chardonnay, Novalia, from Fratelli Muratori. TryWines consultancy services include wine list compilation, wine tasting and

wine training.

Table 17

Super serving for the on-trade

Paolo Rossi and Luigi Pellagi, co-owners of the Poggio Cennina Estate in Tuscany, have collaborated with Sergio Zingarelli, president of Rocca delle Macie, to produce SuperTuscan Borgo Cennina IGT; the 2003 vintage will be available to taste. The Poggio Cennina vineyards are organic and the wines make up part of Ciborio's Wine Portfolio, which is directed at the on-trade.

Tables 18 and 19

Zooming in on Trentino

Trentino producer Cavit will be showing new vintages of its Bottega Vinai (7 to 8.99) and Mastri Vernacoli Trentino DOC Pinot Grigio (4.99 to 6.99). Aimed predominantly at the UK on-trade, the 13-strong Bottega Vinai collection is designed to provide a complete overview of the wines Trentino has to offer. Export director Claudio Gambarotto will be at the stand.

Tables 41 and 42

Cavendish's Italian connection

Edward Cavendish will show the D'Istinto range from Calatrasi in Sicily alongside new single-vineyard wines from the same company. Noceto Michelotti will also be represented by the 2003 vintages of DOC wines Montecanta Chardonnay (14.99) and Barbera d'Asti (16.99). Noceto Michelotti winery has been producing wine for over 100 years in Castel Boglione (Asti) in the Monferrato region of Piedmont and Edward Cavendish introduced its new range to the UK for the first time at the 2006 LIWSF.

Tables 47 and 48

Blushing Banfi

Tuscan producer Castello Banfi will be showing two new additions to its Banfi Toscana range in the UK for the first time at this year's tasting. 2005 CollePino is a Sangiovese/Merlot blend which joins the Baby SuperTuscan' collection and is aimed at the UK on-trade. Banfi's first-ever rosato still wine, 2005 Centine Rose, will also be making its UK dbut. In addition to the Toscana IGT series, Banfi will show its Brunello di Montalcino and Sant'Antimo DOC single-vineyard ranges, as well a selection from its sister winery, Vigne Regali in Piedmont. Banfi wines are represented by Vinum in the UK.

Tables 49 and 50

Ethical considerations

Ethica will be presenting its wide-reaching portfolio of wines for the first time at this year's tasting. Ethica is a collection of small to medium-sized wineries, with independent production but collective sales and marketing. Hailing from various regions around Italy, the wines cover a range of styles, grape varieties and price points. Trentino features very strongly in the portfolio, with four of the wineries based there: Casa Girelli, Cantina La-Vis, Cesarini Sforza and Cantina Valle di Cembra. Moving to southern Tuscany, the Poggio Morino estate produces Morellino di Scansano, made predominantly from Sangiovese grapes. New vintages of Canaletto, Virtuoso, Villa Cafaggio and Feudo di Santa Tresa will also be on show.

Tables 35 and 36

Iconic and otherwise

PLB will be showcasing products from its full range of Italian agencies. As well as PLB's Italian Icons' wines, there will an opportunity to taste organic additions to the Sicilano brand made from indigenous varieties and a new Chianti from Piccini. There will also be a preview of a new Tosti sparkling wine to be launched later this year.

Tables 4 and 5

Clubbing with Enopoli

Enopoli started its business only a few months ago and its philosophy is to offer opportunities for traders to get closer to the wineries through a club' concept. Traders can access wines at cost price by paying a monthly fee to become a member rather than a client. Several of the winemakers represented by Enopoli will attend the tasting.

Tables 75 and 76

Eurowines illuminated

Eurowines will show a selection of 24 wines from it's portfolio, including wines from new agencies: Ca' del Bosco and Illuminati. Other highlights will be 2001 Tenuta Nuova Brunello di Montalcino from Casanova de Neri, 2000 Amarone Riserva from Sergio Zenato and the flagship wine from fashion house Salvatore Ferragamo's Tuscan Estate, Il Borro.

Tables 11 and 12

Counting on Canti

D&D Wines International (DDWI) will be showing new Canti lines from Piedmont-based Fratelli Martini at this year's tasting. The extensions to the Italian wine brand consist of two entry-level (3.99) and two premium-level (5.99) wines to sit alongside the Merlot/Sangiovese and Chardonnay/Pinot Grigio blends. Also at the tasting will be wines from Veneto producer La Gioiosa, which will be showing a range of its sparkling Prosecco and still wines.

Tables 51 and 52

Two at a time

Armit will introduce two new additions to its Italian portfolio: Tiefenbrunner from the Alto Adige and Cantele from Puglia. Wine has been produced at Tiefenbrunner for more than 300 years and five wines have been selected for this event. The objective at Cantele is to develop the potential of local varieties such as Negroamaro and Primitivo, as well as working Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon. Seven wines from Cantele will be available for tasting.

Table 32

Big names at Berkmann

Starring on the list from Berkmann Wine Cellars are Antinori, Masi, Mezzacorona, Falesco, Mastroberardino and Tasca d'Almerita. Mezzacorona will be showing off new packaging for its 2005 Castel Firmian Pinot Grigio. Masi Agricola will be unveiling new vintages of its Super Venetians, while Antinori will be presenting a fresh look for its 2001 Badia a Passignano Chianti Classico Riserva as well as the 2004 vintage of Il Bruciato. There will be new vintages from Falesco, and the famed Italian consultant winemaker Riccardo Cotarella will be holding a seminar.

Tables 37, 38 and 39

Over thirty and loves Pinot Grigio

Enotria is now in its 35th year as Italian wine specialist and will be bringing new launches from Sicily, Veneto, Tuscany and Campania to the tasting, along with stalwarts from the portfolio such as Fontanafredda, Fonterutoli, Santadi and Planeta. The focal areas this year are southern Italy and the Veneto. Indigenous grape varieties will be highlighted and wines from the company's new boutique wineries, Manincor and Sant'Antonio, will also be available to taste. The most important new addition to be introduced will be Feudi di San Gregorio from Campania, Southern Italy and a new Sparkling Pinot Grigio brings the total number of wines from that grape on Enotria's list up to 14.

Tables 1, 2 and 3

Bolla goes cross-country

Bolla Wines, from the Veneto in northeast Italy, continues to focus on the on-trade sector, with UK distribution by Matthew Clark. It will be showing a cross-section of wines from its entry-level DOC wines from Soave, Valpolicella and Bardolino, through to its top-of-the-range Alta Gamma wines of Amarone and an IGT Cabernet Sauvignon, Creso. Of particular interest is the range of Valpolicella wines on show. Bolla Wines has been wholly owned by Brown-Forman Wines since 1999.

Table 33

Making the most of Moletto

Azienda Agricola Moletto will be highlighting four wines from its portfolio: 2004 Franconia, 2000 Colmello Rosso, 2004 Tocai Italico Lison Pramaggiore DOC and the sparkling Moletto Rosa, made from red Tocai grapes.

Table 86

Journeying with Bibendum

Starting in the north, Bibendum will show Alois Lageder's wines from the Alto Adige, alongside the Friuli whites and reds of Villa Russiz. The Proseccos of Bisol continue to have a home at Bibendum, and Jeio, Crede and Cartizze will all be on show. Up in Piedmont, the Ceretto family will present some affordable reds, while the south of Italy will be represented by Sicilian winery Tenuta Rapitala, Castello Monaci from Puglia and the boutique Maffini wines from Campagnia. Nick Bielak, Bibendum's Italian specialist, will be on hand to talk through the range.

Tables 87, 88 and 89

For the love of Italy

Ian and Robert of For the Love of Wine have been busy over past year looking for new wines and at this year's tasting they will be introducing a barrique Chardonnay made in the Veneto by the Barollo brothers and a Pinot Grigio from the Alto Adige made by Ivan Givonett, who they claim is one of the youngest oenologists in Italy. They will also be presenting the Squinzano a Negro Amaro-based wine from Puglia alongside established members of the portfolio such as Cantine Farro's Falangina and Casa Emma's 2003 Chianti Classico.

Table 7

All about Alto Adige

The Wines of Alto Adige will be presented on their own tasting table for the second time at this annual event. Twelve wines from various producers will be available for tasting, with the emphasis on white wines. Two wines each from the grape varieties Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Gewrztraminer, as well as white blends, will be on the table, while red wines will concentrate on Pinot Noir and Alto Adige's native variety, Lagrein. Two ros wines produced from the Lagrein grape will also be included in the theme' tasting.

Table 65

Fiandaca doubles up

Fiandaca will have two tables at this year's tasting and the selected wines will include a range of Tuscan reds, classic Amarones and a collection from the Veneto. The Theme' tasting will allow for two more offerings from Fiandaca: Il Mimo Nebbiolo ros from Piedmont producer Cantalupo, and Sicilian Inzolia/Chardonnay blend from Frazzitta.

Tables 56 and 57

Supporting the classics

Winetraders sells only Italian wines and part of its goal at the tasting is to help revive interest in Soave, Valpolicella and Chianti through showcasing the wines of a new generation of producers, including Stefano Inama, Marinella Camerani and Marco Bacci. Recent developments are not forgotten and the newer side of Italy will be represented by Morellino di Scansano, Vermentino and a Sangiovese ros from the Terre di Talamo range. Lambrusco from Vittorio Graziano will also be in the limelight, next to wines from Silvano and Elena Boroli in the Barolo region. Max Ticli from Boroli, Elena Nicodemi from Nicodemi, and Lucio Mastroberardino from Terredora will be at tasting to explain their wines.

Tables 23 and 24

Sampling with Boutinot

This year sees two new additions to Boutinot's Italian portfolio. Visitors will be able to sample the wines from Monte Schiavo, a Marche estate with 115ha in Verdicchio dei Casteli di Jesi, and Cantine Baroncini, a family-owned company based in San Gimignano, Tuscany, with further estates in Montalcino, Montepulciano and the Maremma. The Monte Schiavo range includes four single-vineyard Verdicchios, while Baroncini will offer up a Sangiovese/Ciliegiolo blend, 2005 Giuncaia Maremma Rosso and the single estate 2005 Chianti Colli Senesi Sovestro. Wines from the Adria Vini range, Boutinot's joint winemaking venture with Piedmont co-operative, Araldica, will also be on display.

Tables 41 and 42

An Italian mouthful

Consorzio di Tutela Barolo, Barbaresco, Alba Langhe and Roero will be presenting Roero Arneis DOC, Barbera d'Alba DOC, Barolo DOCG, Dolcetto d'Alba DOC and Nebbiolo d'Alba DOC

Table 90

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