Ten Christmas wines that win you over at first sip

A time for celebrations and sharing, Christmas is the ideal occasion to give gifts and serve wines that enhance the flavours of the festive season and create an atmosphere of joy and conviviality. Each carefully chosen bottle transforms every course into an unforgettable taste experience, as well as being the perfect gift for those who love to raise a glass and toast in company. Here are ten labels selected from our catalogue, including precious sparkling wines and wines of great character, which will surprise you at the first sip and accompany you throughout the festive season.

BUBBLES FOR TOASTING

Cenci - Trentodoc Brut M.C.

A pure Chardonnay produced with grapes grown in Valsugana by Valentino and Silvio Cenci, this Trentodoc Brut, after 30 months of ageing on the lees, offers intense aromas of bread crust enriched with citrus notes, while on the palate it is harmonious and refined, captivating the palate with its balance between freshness and complexity. A Metodo Classico that reflects the tailor-made production of the Castelnuovo winery, with a persistent finish that is perfect for aperitifs and for accompanying the many convivial moments of the festive season, paired with fish dishes such as spaghetti with clams and fried fish, but also risottos and delicate vegetable-based dishes.

Rizzini - Franciacorta Dosaggio Zero Millesimato 72 mesi M.C.

This 100% Chardonnay is produced at the foot of the Monticelli Brusati hills in Franciacorta. It is aged on the lees for at least 72 months, followed by twelve months of rest after disgorging to perfect its maturation. Rizzini's sparkling wine is powerful, shining in the glass with its light yellow colour with green-gold reflections and a fine, persistent perlage. A vertical Chardonnay, vinous and characterised by extraordinary length and sapidity and a refined bouquet with notes of citrus, dried fruit and bread crust. To be enjoyed with raw seafood, fish tartare and carpaccio, and fresh or slightly aged cheeses.

Tonello - Lessini Durello Pas Dosè Riserva IoAura M.C.

A Metodo Classico Riserva created with 100% Durella grapes, a native variety that finds its maximum expression in the heart of the Lessini Mountains, between Vicenza and Verona, and in the dedication and innovative vision of Diletta Tonello. Dedicated to the goddess of wind who brings new life and prosperity, ioAura is aged on the lees in the bottle for 60 months: the result is an elegant and decisive sparkling wine. A pas dosé with a straw yellow colour tending towards golden, with a fine and persistent perlage, it offers aromas of bread crust, vanilla and ripe fruit, while in the mouth the aroma of yeast gives way to a unique sensation of freshness. The ideal pairing for white meat dishes, but also fried or grilled fish, seafood or vegetable risottos.

SURPRISING WHITES

Cenatiempo - Kalimera Biancolella Ischia

A wine that embodies the volcanic, authentic and maritime nature of Ischia. Produced exclusively from Biancolella grapes, heroically cultivated by the Cenatiempo family, who have always belonged to the island, Kalimera Biancolella Ischia stands out for its unique minerality and savouriness, as well as its intense aromatic bouquet, which reveals notes of iodine, yellow fruit and aromatic herbs on the nose, before opening up in the mouth with all its fullness and freshness. A fragrant sip with a long finish that pairs well with fish-based first courses, grilled or smoked fish, stuffed vegetables, savoury pies and white meat main courses.

Tenute Olbios - Vermentino di Gallura Superiore Lupus in Fabula

In the heart of Sardinia, between the sea winds and the granite of Gallura, Tenute Ólbios Lupus in Fabula's Vermentino is born, striking with its full flavour and long persistence on the nose and palate. The prevailing notes are those of white-fleshed fruit, pear, peach and flowers typical of the Mediterranean scrub, hawthorn and wild pear, accompanied by hints of orange and grapefruit zest. It is long on the palate with a persistent, almond finish and mineral echoes. Enjoy it as an aperitif or with seafood appetisers, salads or marinated anchovies, as well as sautéed mussels and vegetarian dishes.

THE GREAT REDS

Antichi Vigneti di Cantalupo - Ghemme Cantalupo Anno Primo

Producing wine since the early 17th century, the Arlunno family is renowned for its Ghemme wines, among which Cantalupo Anno Primo stands out. It was the first wine produced by the winery, founded in 1974, and remains its symbol to this day. Made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, this red wine, after 20 months of ageing in oak barrels and bottles, releases intense, broad and persistent aromas of dried violets and roses, raspberries, liquorice and fine spices, all on a pleasant background of resin. The palate is warm and full-bodied, with an elegant tannic texture and lively acidity that pairs well with roasts, boiled meats, braised meats, beef fillets, donkey stew and game dishes.

Brunnenhof - Pinot Nero Riserva

The Mazzon hills in South Tyrol are one of the most suitable areas for Pinot Noir production in South Tyrol, and it is from here that the grapes used by the Brunnenhof winery, owned by the Rottensteiner family, come from to produce its Pinot Noir Riserva. After malolactic fermentation, the wine rests for a year in 500-litre oak barrels and then for 8-10 months in large barrels: the result is a red wine with intense notes of strawberries, raspberries, plums and cherries on the nose, which are complemented by its full-bodied and velvety palate, with pleasant tannins and a subtle fruity sweetness on the finish. It pairs well with grilled meat, roast venison, veal liver and spicy cheeses.

Brigaldara - Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG Riserva

A red wine born from the desire to interpret Valpolicella without forcing technique or time. Corvina, Molinara and Rondinella grapes are selected from the winery's best vineyards to capture their maximum potential. After ageing for three years in barriques and two years in oak barrels, the result is an elegant wine with a balance between pulp and power, characterised by complex and deep tertiary notes: aromas of fruit jam, spices, cherries, black cherries, hints of drying and nuances of tobacco and cocoa. A red wine with great structure, complex and velvety, perfect to enjoy with braised meats, pappardelle with hare ragù, venison stew and wild boar stew.

LA VRILLE

La Vrille - Chambave Muscat Fletri

La Vrille's Verrayes Chambave Muscat Fletri is born in the heart of the Aosta Valley, in the vineyards of Verrayes: an oenological gem produced with 100% Muscat Petit Grain grapes that encapsulate the essence of this mountainous territory. A passito wine aged for 12 months in steel and 4 months in the bottle, it catches the eye in the glass with its intense, crystal-clear golden colour, while the nose reveals intense, persistent aromas of acacia, thyme, sage, yellow peach, sweet almond and honey. On the palate, it is sweet, warm and smooth, full and round with an almond finish. It pairs well with panettone, desserts and pastries, but also with foie gras, blue cheeses and mature tomme cheeses.

Francesco Poli - Vino Santo Trentino Nobles

This rare Vino Santo by Francesco Poli is produced from Nosiola grapes – the only native white grape variety in Trentino – grown organically in vineyards located on the shores of Lake S. Massenza. As per tradition, the grapes are dried on typical “arele” (racking frames) for over five months, during which time the noble mould “botrytis cinerea” develops inside the berries, accentuating their dehydration and, with the combined action of time and wind, causing a reduction of 80% or more. The grapes are pressed during Holy Week, then the must is transferred to small oak barrels where natural fermentation begins. Due to the very high sugar concentration, fermentation proceeds very slowly and lasts a long time: at least six to eight years. An extraordinary Vin Santo with hints of acacia, plum, dried apricot and sultanas that reveal themselves both on the nose and on the palate, accompanied by hints of almond and honey, in a velvety, creamy, dense but not cloying combination, supported by excellent acidity. The perfect pairing for many types of desserts, from panettone to pandoro, from mille-feuille to fruit tarts. Try it with cheese and foie gras.