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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.
 
 

Schiopetto Rivarossa 2008 75cl
This wine is very highly regarded by Gambero Rosso, Robert Parker (and me!). As this 08 has only just been released it hasn't been entered for any awards yet, or reviewed by GR, but I'm sure it will do very well.

15% abv. IGT Venezia Giulia. Mario Schiopetto is the 'godfather' of the Friulian wine industry, as he pioneered the transformation from strong, rustic wines to classic, structured wines of quality, reflecting Friuli's unique terroir. Since his death his children, Mario, Carlo and Giorgio have continued running the estate making elegant, complex wines with a dedication to quality over commercialism. They're world famous for their whites but they make two excellent reds as well. The winery was named Winery of the Year 2009 by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

This Rivarossa is superb. I actually remarked on tasting it that 'it was better than Zenato's Ripassa' which is high praise indeed as Zenato Ripassa has consistently been one of my favourite wines every year for the last five years! I was certainly surprised at how good it was. It's a different style, more complex, structured and somehow classical - a purity of fruit rather than power. Medium bodied, somehow elegant, with tremendous length. It's a great wine, perfect with food.

Schiopetto website

Further Information on Schiopetto Rivarossa 2008 75cl

Price: £17.87


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John's Rating

91 Points

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Schiopetto Rivarossa 2008 75cl
 
 

Schiopetto Podere dei Blumeri 2005 75cl
14.5% abv. IGT Venezia Giulia. Mario Schiopetto is the 'godfather' of the Friulian wine industry, as he pioneered the transformation from strong, rustic wines to classic, structured wines of quality, reflecting Friuli's unique terroir. Since his death his children, Mario, Carlo and Giorgio have continued running the estate making elegant, complex wines with a dedication to quality over commercialism. They're world famous for their whites but they make two excellent reds as well. The winery was named Winery of the Year 2009 by Wine & Spirits Magazine.

This Blumeri is a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and the local red grape, Refosco, all aged in barrique for 15 months with subsequent bottle ageing before release. It's a structured wine with balanced fruit flavours and integrated tannins. Smooth with good acidity making it ideal to enjoy with food.

Schiopetto website

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Price: £20.38


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90 Points

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Schiopetto Podere dei Blumeri 2005 75cl
 
 

Sansonina 2004 75cl
IWSC Bronze Medal.

A truly remarkable wine from initial concept right through to the finished article. Sansonina was created by Carla Prospero, and Nadia Zenato - wife and daughter of the late great Sergio Zenato. They bought a 12 hectare estate in the Lugana region, famous for white wine of course, which also had some old Merlot vines. They planted new Merlot and set out to prove that two women could make a powerful, elegant wine to rival any in Italy, and possibly the world.

Naturally everything is done by hand with dedication and passion. The grapes are collected in small boxes and soft pressed to avoid extracting too much tannin. The wine is aged in small oak casks for 18 months then further bottle aged prior to release. It is a stunning wine. Ruby in colour with a rich, complex nose. On the palate it is both powerful and elegant, complex with an array of flavours of red fruits, jam, cocoa and slight mint and vanilla. Full bodied, extremely smooth, supple and elegant with a really long finish. This is a very special wine. Jane absolutely loved it!

Sansonina Website

Further Information on Sansonina 2004 75cl

Price: £40.00


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IWSC
John's Rating

94 Points

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Sansonina 2004 75cl
 
 

Sergio Zenato

International Wine & Spirits Competition - Italian Wine Producer of the Year 2008

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.
 
 

Valpolicella Superiore 'Ripassa' Zenato 2008 75cl
IWSC Silver Medal for 2007. We've just moved onto the 08

Zenato have now sold out of 2006.

Zenato.com

Further Information on Valpolicella Superiore 'Ripassa' Zenato 2008 75cl

Price: £16.49


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IWSC
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90 Points

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Valpolicella Superiore 'Ripassa' Zenato 2008 75cl
 
 

Cormi Zenato 2006 75cl
New wine from Zenato - just launched in the UK. Very limited stocks. Robert Parker - 89 Points

13.5% abv. A blend of Merlot and Corvina. This wine is packed with smooth Merlot fruit. It's soft and smooth with good length, ideal with food due to it's excellent balance and cleansing acidity. Lighter than their Ripassa but possibly more suited to food. I prefer the Ripassa personally, but then I like my big wines.

Zenato.com

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Price: £15.60


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Cormi Zenato 2006 75cl
 
 

Amarone Zenato 2004 3 Litre
We have secured 4 bottles direct from Italy, complete with Zenato wooden box.

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

Further Information on Amarone Zenato 2004 3 Litre

Price: £240.00


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IWC
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93 Points

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Amarone Zenato 2004 3 Litre
 
 

Amarone Zenato 2003 3 Litre
We have secured 4 bottles direct from Italy, complete with Zenato wooden box.

IWC Gold Medal

16% abv.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

Further Information on Amarone Zenato 2003 3 Litre

Price: £276.00


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IWC
John's Rating

92 Points

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Amarone Zenato 2003 3 Litre
 
 

Valpolicella Classico Superiore Zenato 2009 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

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Price: £9.60


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Valpolicella Classico Superiore Zenato 2009 75cl
 
 

Amarone Zenato 2007 75cl
16% abv. 93 Points Winespectator Already drinking superbly. Previous vintages have won Winespectator - 92 points 1997, 90 Points 2000 & 1990, IWC - Gold 2000, Silver 1998.

Zenato.com

Further Information on Amarone Zenato 2007 75cl

Price: £34.80


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IWSC
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93 Points

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Amarone Zenato 2007 75cl
 
 

Amarone Sergio Zenato Riserva 2004 75cl
IWC Silver Medal

Library photo of 2001 - these are likely the last 30 bottles of this vintage available in the UK (or Italy!), excepting the odd bottle tucked away in an independent wine shop.

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

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Price: £65.30


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94 Points

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Amarone Sergio Zenato Riserva 2004 75cl
 
 

Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Santi 2006 75cl
Gambero Rosso - Due Bicchieri

15.5% abv. A superb Amarone at this price. Bags of fruit and wonderfully smooth. This is a big powerful, well balanced wine, suited to food.

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Price: £23.99


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Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Santi 2006 75cl
 
 

Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Santi Proemio 2004 75cl
Gambero Rosso - Due Bicchieri

16% abv. Santi are amongst the top producers in the Veneto region and this Proemio is their flagship Amarone. In my opinion it's superb, as good as Zenato or Campagnola's Caterina Zardini.

Further Information on Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Santi Proemio 2004 75cl

Price: £32.42


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Gambero Rosso
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93 Points

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Amarone della Valpolicella DOC Santi Proemio 2004 75cl
 
 

Amarone Caterina Zardini 2006 75cl
94 Points & Gambero Rosso Due Bicchieri for this 06 (and the 05) - the 04 was awarded Gambero Rosso 'Tre Biccheri' & IWSC Silver Medal 2009 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. It's a beautiful wine. We've now moved onto the 2005 which is equally as good as the 2001, 2003 & 2004 which remarkably won tre bicchieri yet again! We're eagerly awaiting award info on the 05. If you're an Amarone lover I can't recommend this wine strongly enough.

www.campagnola.com

Further Information on Amarone Caterina Zardini 2006 75cl

Price: £38.40


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G ROSSO
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94 Points

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Amarone Caterina Zardini 2006 75cl