With guidance from some of Australia's best-known Italian wine importers, Essteele nominates a stellar selection of Italy's finest wines to start 2017 with style.
Poderi Colla | 2013 Barbaresco Roncaglie
Aged in neutral oak casks for 12 months, this red is fruity with notes of blackberry, wild rose and violet. The palate is long and velvety with round tannins and great ageing potential.
Rich, deep and beautifully layered, 2013 possesses striking depth and nuance throughout. This is one of the more powerful, structured 2013 Barbarescos on the market, so patience is key. Sweet tobacco, exotic spices, dried flowers and menthol give the wine an attractive upper register, but there is no shortage of structure or depth. 2013 should be terrific with another few years in the bottle.
Benanti | Etna Bianco Superiore DOC ‘Pietramarina 2010
Benanti is a reference-point producer for beautiful wines from one of Sicily’s most privileged spots, Mt Etna. This wine offers a great introduction to one of the important indigenous grapes of Etna - Carricante. This variety is typical of the volcano area, where it thrives at higher altitudes and yields wine with a distinct mineral and lemon profile. This Pietramarina Cru derives from a particularly prized location of the Etna D.O.C and truly showcases Carricante as one of Italy’s greatest native varieties.
Colour: Pale yellow with bright greenish tints
Nose: Intense, rich and fruity with notes of orange, lemon flowers and ripe apple
Palate: Dry, with pleasant lemony acidity, a hint of mandarin peel, nice aromatic persistence and an aftertaste of anise and almond
Renzo Rebuli | Prosecco Tradizionale 2014
Renzo Rebuli Prosecco Tradizione is made with 100% Glera grapes. The grapes have been hand-picked and fermented spontaneously with wild yeasts. Best paired with fish dishes or simply served as an aperitivo.
Le Coste | Le Primeur 2015
According to wine importer Giorgio di Maria, the wines of Le Coste have a depth and energy that is matchless. The Le Coste Le Primeur is a slightly different offering from the region with an unmistakable aromatic nose from the 3-4 weeks of carbonic fermentation. Light and delicate, this wine is best served slightly chilled.
Want to try your hand at making a Venetian cocktail? Check out the recipes here