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Veneto Veneto is probably Italy's most reliable area for consistency. Everyone has heard of Soave and Valpolicella, although in the 1980s and 90s this did more to harm the reputation of Italian wines than enhance it, due to the large quantities of poor quality wine imported into the UK. They do however make excellent examples of these wines in the Classico areas in the hills. Avoid the standard wines from the plains, which tend to be weak and thin. Again a good producer is essential. There are plenty of cooperatives and a few unreliable producers churning out DOC wines which are not value for money. Zenato, Campagnola and Cesari are amongst the regions very best producers and are widely recognised in the Italian wine guides, where they consistently win awards.

Sergio Zenato We were very sad to hear that Sergio passed away a few days ago. He was an iconic winemaker, and our sympathies go out to his family and all at the Zenato estate. The Zenato family are one of the Veneto region's best producers. Their wines are some of the very best I have ever tasted. Their reds are all beautifully smooth and full of flavour. I drink the Valpolicella Classico Superiore with food and the Ripassa for a long lingering wine on it's own. The Amarone is stunning, one of the biggest Amarones I've ever had the pleasure to try. Then there's Sergio's Riserva 2001! Extremely rare to still find this sought after vintage. I have a few bottles in my personal collection which I may be persuaded to sell to a true enthusiast! Visit Zenato.com or check out their fantastic review in the 2007 'Gambero Rosso' Italian wine guide.

Amarone Sergio Zenato Riserva 2001 3 Litre Gambero Rosso 'Due Biccheri' Winespectator - 92 points We were very fortunate to secure 2 bottles of this exceptionally rare wine direct from Italy this week, complete with Zenato wooden box. We will not be able to get any more. This would be a sensational gift for an Amarone lover. Library photo. Please phone if you want to buy this wine. 15.5% abv. This is Sergio's personal Riserva. An immensely powerful wine. Previous vintages have won many awards including 'Italian red wine of the year' at the International Wine Challenge, Tre Biccheri 1998, 2000, IWC - Gold 1993, 2000 Zenato.com Price: £352.50 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: G ROSSO John's Rating 94 Points Click for the full picture

Amarone Zenato 2004 3 Litre We have secured 4 bottles direct from Italy, complete with Zenato wooden box. Library photo. Please phone if you want to buy this wine. 16% abv. IWC Silver Medal. The grapes are dried in the sun prior to fermentation to concentrate the juice. This produces a wonderfully strongly flavoured wine, high in alcohol and seriously smooth. Amarone is a must for any red wine lover. Italy has many big reds, Barolo, Super Tuscans, but in my opinion Amarone is one of the best, and this is one of the best Amarones available. Previous vintages have won Winespectator - 92 points 1997, 90 Points 2000 & 1990, IWC - Gold 2000, Silver 1998. Zenato.com Price: £235.00 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: IWC John's Rating 90 Points Click for the full picture

Amarone Zenato 2003 3 Litre We have secured 4 bottles direct from Italy, complete with Zenato wooden box. Library photo. Please phone if you want to buy this wine. 16% abv. IWC Silver Medal. The grapes are dried in the sun prior to fermentation to concentrate the juice. This produces a wonderfully strongly flavoured wine, high in alcohol and seriously smooth. Amarone is a must for any red wine lover. Italy has many big reds, Barolo, Super Tuscans, but in my opinion Amarone is one of the best, and this is one of the best Amarones available. Previous vintages have won Winespectator - 92 points 1997, 90 Points 2000 & 1990, IWC - Gold 2000, Silver 1998. Zenato.com Price: £270.25 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: IWC John's Rating 91 Points Click for the full picture

Valpolicella Classico Superiore Zenato 2006 75cl 13.5% abv. This wine is delicious. It's wonderfully smooth with great fruit and a long finish. I personally drink quite a bit of this one. Very highly praised in the 'Gambero Rosso' yet again. The 2002 vintage was 'commended' in the Decanter world wine awards. Zenato.com Price: £6.99 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Valpolicella Superiore 'Ripassa' Zenato 2005 75cl 13.5% abv. Most producers from Veneto make a Ripassa., but this one from Zenato is widely regarded as the best. The Valpolicella is passed over the Amarone pomace, which creates a secondary reaction resulting in an increase in colour, flavour and alcohol. The result is a full flavoured, beautifully smooth, lingering wine, better than many co operative produced Amarones. I personally love this wine, as do the wine magazines in both Italy and the UK. I've kept the price as low as possible as I believe everyone should try this fantastic wine! Previous vintages have been awarded 'Due Biccheri' 2001, Winespectator 89 points 1999, 88 points 2000/1, Decanter panel tasting 4/5 2003. Zenato.com Price: £14.10 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating 90 Points Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Amarone Zenato 2004 75cl 16% abv. IWC Silver Medal. The grapes are dried in the sun prior to fermentation to concentrate the juice. This produces a wonderfully strongly flavoured wine, high in alcohol and seriously smooth. Amarone is a must for any red wine lover. Italy has many big reds, Barolo, Super Tuscans, but in my opinion Amarone is one of the best, and this is one of the best Amarones available. Previous vintages have won Winespectator - 92 points 1997, 90 Points 2000 & 1990, IWC - Gold 2000, Silver 1998. Zenato.com Price: £31.43 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: IWC John's Rating 90 Points Quantity:     Bottle(s) OUT OF STOCK Click for the full picture

Amarone Zenato 2003 75cl 16% abv. The last of our superb 2003. Only 28 bottles left. Please email for availability. Previous vintages have won Winespectator - 92 points 1997, 90 Points 2000 & 1990, IWC - Gold 2000, Silver 1998. Zenato.com Price: £32.90 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: IWC John's Rating 91 Points Quantity:     Bottle(s) OUT OF STOCK Click for the full picture

Amarone Zenato 2001 75cl Gambero Rosso 'Due Biccheri', IWC - Bronze. 16% abv. The same wine as above but the last of the covetted 2001 vintage. Truly superb! Very limited, only a few bottles left. Previous vintages have won Winespectator - 92 points 1997, 90 Points 2000 & 1990, IWC - Gold 2000, Silver 1998. Zenato.com Price: £32.90 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) OUT OF STOCK Click for the full picture

Amarone Sergio Zenato Riserva 2000 75cl Library photo of 2001. Winespectator - 93 points, Gambero Rosso Tre Biccheri, IWC Gold Medal 15.5% abv. Severely limited. Zenato.com Price: £79.90 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: IWC John's Rating 94 Points Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Amarone Sergio Zenato Riserva 2001 75cl Gambero Rosso 'Due Biccheri' Winespectator - 92 points 15.5% abv. This is Sergio's personal Riserva. An immensely powerful wine. Previous vintages have won many awards including 'Italian red wine of the year' at the International Wine Challenge, Tre Biccheri 1998, 2000, IWC - Gold 1993, 2000 This is the very last of the superb 2001. The 2003 is already sold out and we have only 12 bottles in stock. Zenato are now releasing the 2005, but this is by special order only from Italy and it will be very difficult to acquire. Zenato.com Price: £68.15 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: G ROSSO John's Rating 91 Points Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Amarone Sergio Zenato Riserva 2003 75cl Library photo of 2001 15.5% abv. Winespectator 91 points. This is Sergio's personal Riserva. An immensely powerful wine. Previous vintages have won many awards including 'Italian red wine of the year' at the International Wine Challenge, Tre Biccheri 1998, 2000, IWC - Gold 1993, 2000 and Gambero Rosso 'Due Biccheri' Winespectator - 92 points Zenato.com Price: £64.63 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating 90 Points Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Amarone Cesari 'Il Bosco' 2001 75cl 16% abv. Gerardo Cesari was IWSC Italian Wine Maker of the Year in 2004 & 2006. Yet another fabulous Amarone. 'Il Bosco' comes from a single vineyard of old established vines and is only made in exceptional years. The best quality grapes are individually selected to be dried before pressing. The wine is then aged in large barrels then smaller barriques for three years, with further bottle ageing prior to release. Delicious and one of my personal favourites! Cesari Website Price: £25.84 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating 88 Points Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Bosan Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC Cesari 2004 75cl 14% abv. Gerardo Cesari was IWSC Italian Wine Maker of the Year in 2004 & 2006. Bosan Ripasso won Gold Medal IWSC 2006 This is a fantastic Ripasso, very highly regarded. I personally prefer the Zenato but they're both superb wines. Cesari Website Price: £14.10 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: IWSC John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Mara Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC Cesari 2005 75cl IWSC Silver Medal. 13.5% abv. A good Ripasso from Franco Cesari, made by repassing the Valpolicella over the Amarone pommace to induce a secondary fermentation increasing colour, flavour, texture and alcohol. Subsequently aged in oak for six to twelve months then six months in bottle prior to release. Plenty of fruit, smooth and mellow. This is a lovely wine. Not as big a wine as the Zenato Ripassa above, but possibly better suited to food, and of course considerably cheaper for everyday drinking. Cesari Website Price: £11.28 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: IWSC John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Merlot Mitico IGT delle Venezie Cesari 2005 75cl 13% abv. Gerardo Cesari was IWSC Italian Wine Maker of the Year in 2004 & 2006.Bosan A beautiful fruit driven Merlot. Soft tannins but more body and structure than traditional Merlots making it ideal to have with food. Medium bodied with good mouth feel, and a lingering finish. Delicious. Cesari Website Price: £10.34 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Cadis 2005 75cl 14.5% abv. A good entry level Amarone for the newcomer to Veneto wines. My advice is to splash out a bit more and get one of our superb ones like Zenato, Il Bosco or Caterina Zardini. There's an enormous difference in quality. Price: £19.39 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Solane Valpolicella Superiore Ripasso DOC Santi 2005 75cl Decanter Bronze Medal. 13.5%abv. I love this wine. A great Ripasso, plenty of fruit supremely balanced with the tannins and alcohol. Very smooth and very drinkable. Ideal with food or delicious just to savour on it's own. Not as big as the Zenato but equally delicious in a slightly lighter style. With Italian wines increasing in price this wine is excellent value for money. Recommended. Price: £9.99 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: DECANTER John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Amarone Caterina Zardini 2001 75cl Gambero Rosso 'Tre Biccheri' Duemilavini - 4 Grappolis, Vino de Veronelli - 3 stars, Verona Top Wine - Gold. 15.5% abv. 'An Amarone of immense character and depth' from Guiseppe Campagnola in Verona, named after his late grandmother. It has won many awards and this is the last of the 2001 vintage, It's a beautiful wine. www.campagnola.com Price: £34.33 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: Awards: G ROSSO John's Rating 94 Points Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Cabernet Sauvignon IGT Veneto Santa Margherita 2006 75cl 13%abv. Delicious smooth fruit. Good length. A great Cab Sauv for happily quaffing either with food or on it's own. Price: £6.35 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Malbec IGT Veneto Santa Margherita 2005 75cl 13%abv. A pleasant easy drinking wine. Suited to food or equally good on it's own. Bigger and heavier than the majority of Loire Malbecs, although not as big as the Argentinians which are highly recommended. Price: £6.35 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Merlot IGT Veneto Santa Margherita 2006 75cl 13%abv. Deep purple in colour. There's plenty of ripe fruit on the palate, very smooth with good acid balance making this a great Merlot for every day drinking. Price: £6.35 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Refosco IGT Veneto Santa Margherita 2005 75cl 2004 was Decanter Commended. 13%abv. Pleasant and easy drinking. The Refosco Grape produces a wine similar in style to a Pinot Noir. Plenty of fruit, light in body with reasonable length. A good wine to have with food for every day drinking. Price: £6.35 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Sulphites: John's Rating Quantity:     Bottle(s) Click for the full picture

Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Pasqua DOC 2001 75cl Price: £16.44 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Quantity:   Sulphite Level: Low Rating: 2/5

Valpolicella Classico Domiziano DOC 2005 75cl Price: £5.71 (Including VAT at 17.5% ) Quantity:   Sulphite Level: Medium Rating: 1/5