{"title":"Other Italy","description":"\u003cp\u003eA collection of wines to discover Italy the beauty of Italian wines outside of Tuscany and Piedmont.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"2009-palari-faro-sicilian-red-blend","title":"2009 Palari Faro Sicilia Rosso","description":"\u003cp data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eWinemaking in this Northeastern corner of Sicily dates back to antiquity, and extensive vineyards were cultivated here until the late 20\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eth\u003c\/sup\u003e century, when they were wiped out by the pesky phylloxera bug. The remnants of the vineyards fell into such disuse that when Faro received its DOC in 1976, there were only six hectares planted (and no one made it!). Since 1994 when this estate was founded, Gambero Rosso has given Palari's Faro the coveted \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTre Bicchieri \u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003eaward in nearly every vintage. To taste Palari's Faro is to taste all of Sicily's history in a glass. Palari sustains Sicily's viticultural history with the careful cultivation of ancient, gnarled vines from tongue-twisting grapes like Mount Etna's Nerello Mascalese, Nocera, Acitana, Tignolino and Nerello Cappuccio. The wine's perfectly ripe red berries and spices are ethereal and hauntingly aromatic like the great Grand Cru Burgundies of the world. The smoky volcanic undertones perfectly read the terroir of this storied land. This library release won't come again. Don't sleep on it.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39420727099545,"sku":"7729","price":75.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2009PalariFaro.jpg?v=1630981671"},{"product_id":"2015-il-censo-700-terre-siciliane-rosso","title":"2015 Il Censo \"700\" Terre Siciliane Rosso","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39820165087385,"sku":"1224","price":37.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_5679BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1675729280"},{"product_id":"nv-berlucchi-61-franciacorta","title":"NV Berlucchi 61 Franciacorta","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":39821782581401,"sku":"11362","price":44.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_4393.jpg?v=1623209622"},{"product_id":"2016-di-majo-norante-contado-aglianico-riserva","title":"2019 Di Majo Norante Contado Aglianico Riserva","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41063558676633,"sku":"22804","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2015DiMajoNoranteContadoAglianicoRiserva.jpg?v=1631308745"},{"product_id":"2012-terre-del-vescovo-largo-madama-taurasi","title":"2012 Terre del Vescovo \"Largo Madama\" Taurasi","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41294012547225,"sku":"23284","price":38.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2012TerredelVescovoLargoMadamaTaurasi.jpg?v=1633459280"},{"product_id":"2018-paolo-bea-lapideus-umbria-bianco","title":"2018 Paolo Bea \"Lapideus\" Umbria Bianco","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#008080\" style=\"color: #008080;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eGiampiero acquired a parcel of 80-year-old Trebbiano Spoletino in the town of Pigge di Trevi several years back. This is the racier, leaner cousin to the Arboreus for those that are familiar.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#008080\" style=\"color: #008080;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eAOC'S GUIDE TO PAOLO BEA: The Pope of Sagrantino, an Italian National Treasure\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThese are simply some of Italy€™s most thrilling wines and have been for years. They are the true double threat in terms of allocations as they receive tremendous love and adoration from the collector, sommelier, and natural wine communities. They were natural wine before natural wine was even a thing. Despite their low sulfur additions, no new oak, and traditional winemaking, these powerful, tannic, behemoths crafted from the classic varieties of the Central Italian waistline are generously ripe and fleshy at 15.0% ABV. These wines are so big they would make any Napa wine but Harlan Estate pink in the cheeks. From one of the US's greatest importers, Rosenthal Wines, \u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\"Bea€™s wines remain singular€”boisterous, unabashedly wild expressions of their undulating, sun-drenched hills of origin, each new vintage of which is eagerly anticipated by a legion of loyal clients.\" \u003c\/strong\u003eTheir opulence and grippy tannic structure is balanced by a space opera of exotic spices, herbs and aromatics tantrically woven into a velvet fabric. If you're both a lover of funk and an Italian wine lover and have not discovered these yet, welcome to your next dream wine. - BK\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42220165071081,"sku":"28578","price":69.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2018PaoloBeaLapideusUmbriaBianco.png?v=1643852706"},{"product_id":"2017-zyme-from-black-to-white-veneto-bianco","title":"2017 Zyme \"From Black to White\" Veneto Bianco","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42471801848041,"sku":"2121","price":28.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2017Zyme_FromBlacktoWhite_VenetoBianco.png?v=1646084067"},{"product_id":"2017-passopisciaro-franchetti-igt-terre-siciliano-rosso","title":"2017 Franchetti \"Passopisciaro\" Terre Siciliano Rosso","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42471998128361,"sku":"26522","price":149.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2017Passopisciaro_Franchetti_IGTTerreSicilianoRosso.png?v=1646252914"},{"product_id":"2018-ronco-del-gnemiz-buri-belleria-colli-orientali-rosso","title":"2018 Ronco del Gnemiz \"Buri Belleria\" Colli Orientali Rosso","description":"\u003cspan color=\"#008080\" style=\"color: #008080;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRONCO DEL GNEMIZ'S MIANI RELEASE OUT-SUPERS THE SUPER TUSCANS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf you followed us last year, you might remember Ronco del Gnemiz for their Chardonnay. We fell head over heels with their polished, Burgundy-beating effort and found it far and away the best white wine to come out of Italy in 2018. Now we've eagerly grabbed up a case of their new red, Buri Bellaria. This is a coferment of 100 year old Merlot and Refosco vines sourced from land recently purchased from Friulian legend Miani. The blend is 90% Merlot and while the winery does not disclose exact winemaking stats, the oak is well-integrated allowing the bright red fruit character of both varieties to shine. The Merlot is herbal, floral and fresh, evoking the unadulterated Right-Bank character of Chateau Le Puy in it's best years. Refosco contributes a uniquely brawny tannin profile. The fresh red fruit notes might fool you, but for all of it's aromatic elegance there is plenty of structure to rival top Super Tuscan labels. At the price, this is the most true-to-its-roots and ageworthy Merlot we've seen out of Italy. A Super-Friulian for purists that can still wow any Bordeaux drinker. -WP\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42474661118185,"sku":"31067","price":79.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2018RoncodelGnemiz_BuriBelleria_ColliOrientaliRosso.png?v=1644531094"},{"product_id":"2004-marco-de-bartoli-marsala-superiore-oro-riserva","title":"2004 Marco de Bartoli Marsala Superiore Oro Riserva","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#003366\" style=\"color: #003366;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMARCO DI BARTOLI: SICILY'S 8TH WONDER \u0026amp; AMBROSIA IN A BOTTLE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eIf you interviewed a dozen seasoned sommeliers, my intuition tells me that most would tell you that Marsala was a Sicilian wine used for cooking Italian staple recipes. Yet only a century ago, there were more than a hundred wineries shipping quality Marsala out of Sicily's ports, much of it consumed by the same fine-heeled English folk who loved Port. By the 1960s however, most of the wineries had turned to more industrial production, using food coloring and cooked grape must to give the illusion of slow natural oxidation in barrel. You've likely enjoyed this staple at your local Olive Garden. There's one last twist in this story. The late Marco De Bartoli, one of Italy's most heralded vintners, emerged as a stalwart guardian of Italy's storied Marsala wine-making traditions, single-handedly preserving its artisanal essence. He has revived old vineyards, refusing to plant anything but native grape varieties. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe nectars crafted by the De Bartoli family, many which are solera-aged like those in Sherry and Madeira styles, are benchmark wines for those who possess a profound appreciation for the intricacies and extraordinary endurance exhibited by the world's most exceptional fortified wines. - \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42559160385769,"sku":"32074","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2004MarcodeBartoliMarsalaSUperioreOroRiserva.png?v=1647405788"},{"product_id":"2019-paolo-bea-lapideus-umbria-bianco","title":"2019 Paolo Bea \"Lapideus\" Umbria Bianco","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsk any experienced sommelier for list of iconic Italian producers, and Paolo Bea is sure to be on it. Bea is most known for his incredible and age worthy expressions of Sagrantino, and he has been an icon and champion for native Italian wines for years. For those unfamiliar, Sagrantino is Umbria's signature indigenous grape and by far their most prized. It's a burly, powerful variety known for roaring tannins and crunchy, ripe black fruits with notes of smokey cedar and tons of herbs and spices like anise and rosemary. If high tannins are your thing then Sagrantino is your perfect match. These wines are intense and fiery in their youth but also bursting with charm and powerful fruit that stands up to and even harmonizes with the muscular structure. Paolo Bea is an icon for a reason as he somehow manages to tame this wild beast of a grape and turn it into some of the most seductive and pleasurable wines of Italy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Paolo Bea's style is sometimes put in the natural wine camp, the family's winemaking experience dates back over 500 years, and the wines are just incredibly traditional and without any modern, flashy winemaking techniques. In essence, Paolo was making \"natural wine\" before natural wine was even a thing. Despite their low sulfur additions, zero new oak, and more rustic traditional winemaking, these powerful, tannic, behemoths crafted from the classic varieties of the Central Italian waistline are generously ripe and fleshy and often clock in around 14.5 to 15% ABV. These wines are often so big in youth they would make any Napa wine but Harlan Estate pink in the cheeks. As high-end Italian importer Neal Rosenthal puts it \"Bea’s wines remain singular—boisterous, unabashedly wild expressions of their undulating, sun-drenched hills of origin, each new vintage of which is eagerly anticipated by a legion of loyal clients.\" Their opulence and grippy tannic structure is balanced by a space opera of exotic spices, herbs and aromatics tantrically woven into a velvet fabric. These are a must try for vinous explorers and all those passionate about Italian wine. If you love rustic, traditionally made wines or native Italian grapes and have not discovered these yet, welcome to your next dream wines. - BRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cu\u003ePer Rosenthal Wine Merchant (Paolo Bea's US Importer):\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan\u003e “\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cem\u003eLapideus” Umbria Bianco: Giampiero acquired a parcel of 80-year-old Trebbiano Spoletino in the town of Pigge di Trevi several years back, and thus with this 2014 we have an exciting new addition to the Bea lineup. Arising from a cooler microclimate than the “Arboreus” above, “Lapideus” spent a lengthy 35 days on it skins after pressing, followed by 210 additional days on the gross lees—a similar vinification to “Arboreus,” yet one that yielded entirely different results. Though no less deeply amber in its appearance, “Lapideus” has a leaner, racier carriage than the broad-shouldered “Arboreus,” with more filigree, a less overwhelmingly intense nose of apricots, cloves, and candied ginger. If “Arboreus” is a sea to swim in, “Lapideus” is a rocket to ride, emphasizing drive and lift over layered density. It is still a wine of impressive power, especially given its modest 12% alcohol, but the fruit is more direct, pure, and foregrounded. So often the so-called “orange wines” seem to stand alone, iconoclastic creations that defy fine-tuned peer-group comparisons and revel in their singular personalities. Even the discourse that surrounds them tends to treat them more as wines of technique than wines of terroir. Thus, it is fascinating to experience the same grape variety given roughly the same treatment by the same grower, whereby the differences in the wines are largely driven by the differences in their underlying places of origin.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cu\u003e92 Points from Eric Guido of Vinous:\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \"\u003c\/span\u003eThe 2019 Lapideus is honeyed with dried peaches and apricots, complemented by spiced blood orange. This is lively and softly textured, soothing the senses with mineral-tinged pit fruits and sweet spices. It finishes with tension, puckering the cheeks as hints of nectarine and liquid stone slowly fade.\"\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43697144037609,"sku":"50906","price":76.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/2019PaoloBea_Lapideus_UmbriaBianco.png?v=1663892418"},{"product_id":"2017-feudo-montoni-vrucara-nero-davola-sicilia","title":"2017 Feudo Montoni \"Vrucara\" Nero d'Avola Sicilia","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43729056891113,"sku":"51202","price":56.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_5625BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1675891189"},{"product_id":"nv-tenute-dettori-renosu-romangia-bianco","title":"NV Tenute Dettori \"Renosu\" Romangia Bianco","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#003366\" style=\"color: #003366;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDETTORI: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSARDINIA'S REBEL LEADER, AND YOUR NEXT SPAGHETTI WESTERN PAIRING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor little more than a few fistfuls of dollars you can try one   Italy has a colorful range of cult wines from an immense variety of grapes, but Dettori is one of its most idiosyncratic estates. The wines are rarely seen in the US, where the robust, unsulfured styles show poorly if not perfectly stored (like we do!). It's purely a passion project for us to carry these antique artifacts, which seek to recreate the style of wine produced in Sardinia for the last 3000 years. When Alessandro Dettori joined his father at the winery in 1990, it was a time of modernization. International grapes and new barrels were the predominant style. They vinify and release some of Sardinia's most quixotic wines, wines that defy categorization with their marriage of alcoholic solar power, textural profundity, and wild and untampered complexities. You'll find Cannonau (Sardinia's genetic sibling to Grenache), Vermentino, and dry Muscat in the releases below, but not in any form you have ever seen. The Dettori estate has renounced the insignificant local DOC's for each grape, choosing to release under the regional IGT for their northern corner of the island, the Romangia IGT. Wines are fermented spontaneously in concrete without temperature control, and are matured for between six months and five years. The sulfur usage here is minimal, so please keep care to store the wines at cellar temperature. When storage is correct, the magic can transcend the distance between us and Sardinia. The two \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRenosu \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ewines are fruity quaffers for the summer picnics and cookouts, while the slightly orange \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDettori Bianco\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e is one of Italy's great examples of Dry Muscat. For a scarcely seen combo of hedonism and meditative sophistication, check out the reds from Sardinia's top red grapes. These were some of my favorites to present at Pappas Bros when I first arrived to Houston in 2015, and we are excited to have them back in market.   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e-BRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43930882506985,"sku":"54807","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_5179BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1673995681"},{"product_id":"2020-tenute-dettori-ottomarzo-romangia-rosso","title":"2020 Tenute Dettori \"Ottomarzo\" Romangia Rosso","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan color=\"#003366\" style=\"color: #003366;\" data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDETTORI: \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSARDINIA'S REBEL LEADER, AND YOUR NEXT SPAGHETTI WESTERN PAIRING\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eFor little more than a few fistfuls of dollars you can try one   Italy has a colorful range of cult wines from an immense variety of grapes, but Dettori is one of its most idiosyncratic estates. The wines are rarely seen in the US, where the robust, unsulfured styles show poorly if not perfectly stored (like we do!). It's purely a passion project for us to carry these antique artifacts, which seek to recreate the style of wine produced in Sardinia for the last 3000 years. When Alessandro Dettori joined his father at the winery in 1990, it was a time of modernization. International grapes and new barrels were the predominant style. They vinify and release some of Sardinia's most quixotic wines, wines that defy categorization with their marriage of alcoholic solar power, textural profundity, and wild and untampered complexities. You'll find Cannonau (Sardinia's genetic sibling to Grenache), Vermentino, and dry Muscat in the releases below, but not in any form you have ever seen. The Dettori estate has renounced the insignificant local DOC's for each grape, choosing to release under the regional IGT for their northern corner of the island, the Romangia IGT. Wines are fermented spontaneously in concrete without temperature control, and are matured for between six months and five years. The sulfur usage here is minimal, so please keep care to store the wines at cellar temperature. When storage is correct, the magic can transcend the distance between us and Sardinia. The two \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRenosu \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003ewines are fruity quaffers for the summer picnics and cookouts, while the slightly orange \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eDettori Bianco\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e is one of Italy's great examples of Dry Muscat. For a scarcely seen combo of hedonism and meditative sophistication, check out the reds from Sardinia's top red grapes. These were some of my favorites to present at Pappas Bros when I first arrived to Houston in 2015, and we are excited to have them back in market.   \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e-BRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43930882769129,"sku":"54810","price":44.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_5176BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1673995639"},{"product_id":"tenuta-di-fessina-apuddara-etna-bianco","title":"2016 Tenuta di Fessina \"A'Puddara\" Etna Bianco","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cb data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOLD VINE MOUNT ETNA SINGS THE SONG OF GRAND CRU CHABLIS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe deep volcanic soils of Mount Etna in Sicily have delivered savory, smoky, and mineral-tinged liquid poetry for Italian wine lovers, but mostly for their red wines. However, the whites from Mount Etna have improved by leaps and bounds over the last twenty years. When at their best, they deliver 4K definition minerality with a smoldering fringe of volcanic nuance. The wine on offer here is one of Sicily's best whites, and features some of the oldest vines of native grape Carricante in existence. Fessina's \"A' Puddara\" is from a two hectare plot of south€“facing vines planted in 1950 in Biancavilla on Mount Etna at 900m. Barrel fermentation and lees aging lends a Burgundian patina to the style with a faint toasty reduction that I find exotic and thrilling. The quality here flirts with the weight and timbre that I adore in Grand Cru Chablis. The team that has been put together here also commands immediate respect with winemakers Federico Curtaz (ex Gaja) and Giandomenico Negro (ex Benanti) running the show. Try the 2019 for a more zippy and fresh look at Etna's whites, or try the 2016 for a more mature release drinking at its peak. \u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44090813219049,"sku":"56508","price":63.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_4990BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1673541416"},{"product_id":"2015-feudi-di-san-gregorio-patrimo-irpinia-merlot","title":"2015 Feudi di San Gregorio \"Patrimo\" Irpinia Merlot","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44222180557033,"sku":"61319","price":159.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_5719BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1673541256"},{"product_id":"nv-bisol-jeio-prosecco-superiore","title":"NV Bisol \"Jeio\"  Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44312649236713,"sku":"63129","price":19.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/NV_Jeio_Valdobbiadene_Prosecco_Superiore_Docg_Brut.jpeg?v=1775673253"},{"product_id":"2019-buglioni-il-bugiardo-valpolicella-ripasso-classico-superiore","title":"2019 Buglioni \"Il Bugiardo\" Valpolicella Ripasso Classico Superiore","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44312649335017,"sku":"63130","price":30.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/D07DAD26-2795-44C4-8829-19DA0BAF597B.jpg?v=1735597338"},{"product_id":"2019-feudo-montoni-catarratto-del-masso-sicilia","title":"2019 Feudo Montoni Catarratto del Masso Sicilia","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44312649892073,"sku":"63135","price":18.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_5624BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1675891173"},{"product_id":"2018-ferghettina-milledi-brut-franciacorta","title":"2017 Ferghettina \"Milledi\" Brut Franciacorta","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44349630939369,"sku":"63756","price":66.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/products\/IMG_6080BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1676322982"},{"product_id":"2020-radikon-slatnik-venezia-giulia-chardonnay","title":"2020 Radikon \"Slatnik\" Venezia Giulia Chardonnay","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRADIKON: THE OG OF THE NATURAL WINE MOVEMENT IN ITALY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrange wine has definitely been enjoying a moment over the last few years, with more and more producers dipping their toes into the proverbial orange waters. Few producers, however, hold the clout in the orange and natural wine communities the way that Friulian producer Radikon does. Although most casual consumers are unfamiliar with these wines, they epitomize a level of truth, beauty, and transparency that is constantly sought after by wine lovers every time they open a bottle. Radikon€™s wines are interesting and complex, and heavily influenced by their proximity to Slovenia, utilizing techniques such as hand harvesting, extended skin maceration, no added yeast or enzymes, and most notably, all wines are fermented in large, old barrels without any temperature control. One can easily understand why many a natural wine geek has fallen prey to the siren song of Radikon, but while these are very much technically €œnatural€ wine (as if that was a clearly definable term) be not afraid! These wines have ageability, tension, and nuance, and there is a reason that these wines still are heavily sought after even by those who wouldn€™t consider themselves natural wine aficionados. If the New York Times writes a glowing article about a wine, you can gamble that they are probably at least worth knowing about and probably not *too* weird. They are however, very much in the €œnerdy€ category and if you consider yourself an orange wine fan and have never had this OG orange wine? Well, today is the day. As a bonus, they also produce a Merlot\/Pignolo blend that is absolutely worth trying if you feel like playing with a little bit of red wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOne of the more curious things about Radikon is that early on the estate focused on producing more conventional wines. Practices such as fermenting in stainless steel and aging in French oak were commonplace. In an interesting (and dare we say, fortuitous) twist of fate, Stanko Radikon found he didn€™t particularly like them, and thus began his journey back to making wine the way his grandfather used to. This fit€™s in line with the history of the state, many of whose wines were planted in the 1940s and 1950s. While unfortunately many of the vines were wiped out in a mudslide in 1997, some of the older vines survived. This in combination with the old school winemaking results in something truly magical. Radikon explains from their website, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e€œIn the cellar, the grapes are destemmed and then macerated on the skins for 30 days more, with experimentation of 6\/7 months for the whites, and 35 days for the reds. The pressing is done softly using a pneumatic press. All phases of the vinifications are in Slavonian oak barrels, first in wood vats and then in large barrels in which the wines are aged for about three years before bottling. The vinifications are done using only the natural yeasts present on the grapes. There is no sulfur added at vinification or bottling.€\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSince Stanko passed away in 2016, operations have passed into the hands of his son SaÅ¡a, who is now the driving force behind the family estate. He continues on in the tradition of his father, following the same philosophy in his winemaking and farming. One new development, however,  involved the introduction of the \"S\" or \"SaÅ¡a\" wines. This concept emerged in the 2010s, and was an avenue that allowed SaÅ¡a to explore his individual path and try something new while still staying true to the spirit of the estate. These wines undergo a notably briefer period of maceration, ranging from 8 to 14 days as opposed to the previous three months. They undergo fermentation in smaller containers and are aged for a mere 18 months prior to being bottled. Additionally, they are packaged in the traditional 750ml bottles and receive a slight infusion of sulfur during the bottling phase, whereas Radikon€™s traditional wines are bottled in 500 ml and Liter bottles, as Stanko Radikon believed these were more appropriate sizes. Two people may, he reasoned, want to drink both a white and a red with dinner, and with a 500 ml bottle it is far easier to justify opening a white and a red than if you are working with the traditional 750 ml bottle. Presently, this new project's wines constitute approximately 55% of the estate's overall production, and are designed for more youthful consumption. Whether you are looking to try one of the OG Radikon bottlings or one of SaÅ¡a€™s newer wines, these wines are sure to shock, delight, and please in equal measure.  - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMEG VAN TIL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44458687627497,"sku":"66332","price":41.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_8955BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1682534485"},{"product_id":"2020-radikon-rs20-venezia-giulia-merlot","title":"2020 Radikon \"RS20\" Venezia Giulia Merlot","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eRADIKON: THE OG OF THE NATURAL WINE MOVEMENT IN ITALY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOrange wine has definitely been enjoying a moment over the last few years, with more and more producers dipping their toes into the proverbial orange waters. Few producers, however, hold the clout in the orange and natural wine communities the way that Friulian producer Radikon does. Although most casual consumers are unfamiliar with these wines, they epitomize a level of truth, beauty, and transparency that is constantly sought after by wine lovers every time they open a bottle. Radikon€™s wines are interesting and complex, and heavily influenced by their proximity to Slovenia, utilizing techniques such as hand harvesting, extended skin maceration, no added yeast or enzymes, and most notably, all wines are fermented in large, old barrels without any temperature control. One can easily understand why many a natural wine geek has fallen prey to the siren song of Radikon, but while these are very much technically €œnatural€ wine (as if that was a clearly definable term) be not afraid! These wines have ageability, tension, and nuance, and there is a reason that these wines still are heavily sought after even by those who wouldn€™t consider themselves natural wine aficionados. If the New York Times writes a glowing article about a wine, you can gamble that they are probably at least worth knowing about and probably not *too* weird. They are however, very much in the €œnerdy€ category and if you consider yourself an orange wine fan and have never had this OG orange wine? Well, today is the day. As a bonus, they also produce a Merlot\/Pignolo blend that is absolutely worth trying if you feel like playing with a little bit of red wine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eOne of the more curious things about Radikon is that early on the estate focused on producing more conventional wines. Practices such as fermenting in stainless steel and aging in French oak were commonplace. In an interesting (and dare we say, fortuitous) twist of fate, Stanko Radikon found he didn€™t particularly like them, and thus began his journey back to making wine the way his grandfather used to. This fit€™s in line with the history of the state, many of whose wines were planted in the 1940s and 1950s. While unfortunately many of the vines were wiped out in a mudslide in 1997, some of the older vines survived. This in combination with the old school winemaking results in something truly magical. Radikon explains from their website, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cem data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e€œIn the cellar, the grapes are destemmed and then macerated on the skins for 30 days more, with experimentation of 6\/7 months for the whites, and 35 days for the reds. The pressing is done softly using a pneumatic press. All phases of the vinifications are in Slavonian oak barrels, first in wood vats and then in large barrels in which the wines are aged for about three years before bottling. The vinifications are done using only the natural yeasts present on the grapes. There is no sulfur added at vinification or bottling.€\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eSince Stanko passed away in 2016, operations have passed into the hands of his son SaÅ¡a, who is now the driving force behind the family estate. He continues on in the tradition of his father, following the same philosophy in his winemaking and farming. One new development, however,  involved the introduction of the \"S\" or \"SaÅ¡a\" wines. This concept emerged in the 2010s, and was an avenue that allowed SaÅ¡a to explore his individual path and try something new while still staying true to the spirit of the estate. These wines undergo a notably briefer period of maceration, ranging from 8 to 14 days as opposed to the previous three months. They undergo fermentation in smaller containers and are aged for a mere 18 months prior to being bottled. Additionally, they are packaged in the traditional 750ml bottles and receive a slight infusion of sulfur during the bottling phase, whereas Radikon€™s traditional wines are bottled in 500 ml and Liter bottles, as Stanko Radikon believed these were more appropriate sizes. Two people may, he reasoned, want to drink both a white and a red with dinner, and with a 500 ml bottle it is far easier to justify opening a white and a red than if you are working with the traditional 750 ml bottle. Presently, this new project's wines constitute approximately 55% of the estate's overall production, and are designed for more youthful consumption. Whether you are looking to try one of the OG Radikon bottlings or one of SaÅ¡a€™s newer wines, these wines are sure to shock, delight, and please in equal measure.  - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eMEG VAN TIL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44458687856873,"sku":"66338","price":41.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_4303copy_103352ea-a413-4cc2-b3cf-19a26727811e.jpg?v=1695169520"},{"product_id":"2015-attanasio-primitivo-di-manduria","title":"2015 Attanasio Primitivo di Manduria","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default 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Title","offer_id":44495236202729,"sku":"71546","price":45.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_0900BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1684337774"},{"product_id":"2019-vignai-da-duline-morus-nigra-friuli-colli-orientale-refosco-dal-penduncolo-rosso","title":"2019 Vignai da Duline \"Morus Nigra\" Friuli Colli Orientale Refosco dal Penduncolo Rosso","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44495236235497,"sku":"71547","price":50.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_0901BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1684337787"},{"product_id":"2020-borgo-del-tiglio-ronco-della-chiesa-collio-friulano","title":"2020 Borgo del Tiglio \"Ronco della Chiesa\" Collio Friulano","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44566803874025,"sku":"78843","price":99.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_0875BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1684182673"},{"product_id":"2016-castello-bonomi-brut-rose-franciacorta","title":"2016 Castello Bonomi Brut Rose Franciacorta","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44566804136169,"sku":"78847","price":46.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_0874BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1684182619"},{"product_id":"2018-franchetti-contrada-r-terre-siciliane","title":"2018 Franchetti \"Passopisciaro Contrada R Rampante\" Terre Siciliane","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44602810204393,"sku":"84141","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_8797BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1682533471"},{"product_id":"2016-milziade-antano-colleallodole-sagrantino-di-montefalco","title":"2016 Milziade Antano \"Colleallodole\" Sagrantino di Montefalco","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44698258145513,"sku":"95349","price":115.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_0500BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1683303391"},{"product_id":"nv-moretto-pignoletto-frizzante-delle-emilia","title":"NV Fattoria Moretto Pignoletto Frizzante delle Emilia","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44745151250665,"sku":"100037","price":21.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_0804BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1684169192"},{"product_id":"2016-paolo-bea-arboreus-umbria-bianco","title":"2016 Paolo Bea \"Arboreus\" Umbria Bianco","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eAsk any experienced sommelier for list of iconic Italian producers, and Paolo Bea is sure to be on it. Bea is most known for his incredible and age worthy expressions of Sagrantino, and he has been an icon and champion for native Italian wines for years. For those unfamiliar, Sagrantino is Umbria's signature indigenous grape and by far their most prized. It's a burly, powerful variety known for roaring tannins and crunchy, ripe black fruits with notes of smokey cedar and tons of herbs and spices like anise and rosemary. If high tannins are your thing then Sagrantino is your perfect match. These wines are intense and fiery in their youth but also bursting with charm and powerful fruit that stands up to and even harmonizes with the muscular structure. Paolo Bea is an icon for a reason as he somehow manages to tame this wild beast of a grape and turn it into some of the most seductive and pleasurable wines of Italy. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWhile Paolo Bea's style is sometimes put in the natural wine camp, the family's winemaking experience dates back over 500 years, and the wines are just incredibly traditional and without any modern, flashy winemaking techniques. In essence, Paolo was making \"natural wine\" before natural wine was even a thing. Despite their low sulfur additions, zero new oak, and more rustic traditional winemaking, these powerful, tannic, behemoths crafted from the classic varieties of the Central Italian waistline are generously ripe and fleshy and often clock in around 14.5 to 15% ABV. These wines are often so big in youth they would make any Napa wine but Harlan Estate pink in the cheeks. As high-end Italian importer Neal Rosenthal puts it \"Bea’s wines remain singular—boisterous, unabashedly wild expressions of their undulating, sun-drenched hills of origin, each new vintage of which is eagerly anticipated by a legion of loyal clients.\" Their opulence and grippy tannic structure is balanced by a space opera of exotic spices, herbs and aromatics tantrically woven into a velvet fabric. These are a must try for vinous explorers and all those passionate about Italian wine. If you love rustic, traditionally made wines or native Italian grapes and have not discovered these yet, welcome to your next dream wines. - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cu\u003ePer Rosenthal Wine Merchant (Paolo Bea's US Importer):\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cem\u003e “Arboreus” is made from a Trebbiano clone known as Trebbiano Spoletino which is trained so that the fruit hangs high above the ground. The vineyards are planted in the low hills between Trevi and Montefalco at an elevation of 650 to 700 feet with a range of parcels facing both to the east and to the southwest. The soil is essentially clay and gravel. Harvest generally occurs during the first two weeks of October. The wine is left in contact with the skins for up to three weeks or more and is then aged in stainless steel tanks for at least two years prior to bottling. Sulfur is never added. Annual production is in the range of 3000 bottles.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cu\u003e95 Points from Eric Guido of Vinous:\u003c\/u\u003e \"The 2016 Bianco Arboreus has gained volume and depth since I lasted tasted it, wafting up unexpectedly rich and tropical in the glass, with a burst of exotic florals, ginger and spices giving way to freshly sliced nectarine. It's round and supple on the palate, with a flourish of saline minerality, lime-tinged pit fruits and hints of sour kiwi that cascade throughout. This tapers off with a honeyed inner sweetness contrasted by a salty twang, lasting incredibly long yet still remarkably fresh. The 2016 is flat-out gorgeous.'\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44810381852905,"sku":"108741","price":80.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_1082BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1686159129"},{"product_id":"2020-occhipinto-passo-nero-nero-davola-passito-500ml","title":"2020 Occhipinti \"Passo Nero\" Nero d'Avola Passito 500ML","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44882600132841,"sku":"117749","price":71.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_2050BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1689704168"},{"product_id":"2020-occhipinti-siccagno-sicily-nero-davola","title":"2020 Occhipinti \"Siccagno\" Sicily Nero d'Avola","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44882600198377,"sku":"117750","price":51.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_2049BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1689704109"},{"product_id":"cantine-argiolas-costamolino-vermentino-di-sardegna","title":"2024 Argiolas \"Costamolino\" Vermentino di Sardegna","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45202068504809,"sku":"143747","price":16.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG-1268.jpg?v=1779404417"},{"product_id":"2021-occhipinti-sicily-frappatto","title":"2021 Occhipinti \"Il Frappato\" Sicilia Frappato","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45227124850921,"sku":"145752","price":51.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_6383BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1691510296"},{"product_id":"2022-occhipinti-sp68-sicily-red-blend","title":"2022 Occhipinti \"SP68\" Sicilia Rosso","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45227124916457,"sku":"145754","price":31.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_6385BackgroundRemoved_c21a131c-782d-4c3d-ae9f-9c531f014884.png?v=1691510312"},{"product_id":"2020-tenuta-musone-colognola-ghiffa-verdicchio-dei-castelli-di-jesi","title":"2020 Tenuta Musone Colognola 'Ghiffa' Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45248908460265,"sku":"148148","price":26.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/47BA9F3D-BFBD-422A-8E95-6E6AA5901286.jpg?v=1741815966"},{"product_id":"2019-tenuta-di-fessina-apuddara-etna-bianco","title":"2019 Tenuta di Fessina \"A Puddara\" Etna Bianco","description":"\u003cmeta charset=\"UTF-8\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eTENUTA DI FESSINA: OLD VINE MOUNT ETNA SINGS THE SONG OF GRAND CRU CHABLIS \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cbr data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eThe deep volcanic soils of Mount Etna in Sicily have delivered savory, smoky, and mineral-tinged liquid poetry for Italian wine lovers, but mostly for their red wines. However, the whites from Mount Etna have improved by leaps and bounds over the last twenty years. When at their best, they deliver 4K definition minerality with a smoldering fringe of volcanic nuance. The wine on offer here is one of Sicily's best whites, and features some of the oldest vines of native grape Carricante in existence. Fessina's \"A' Puddara\" is from a two hectare plot of south€“facing vines planted in 1950 in Biancavilla on Mount Etna at 900m. Barrel fermentation and lees aging lends a Burgundian patina to the style with a faint toasty reduction that I find exotic and thrilling. The quality here flirts with the weight and timbre that I adore in Grand Cru Chablis. The team that has been put together here also commands immediate respect with winemakers Federico Curtaz (ex Gaja) and Giandomenico Negro (ex Benanti) running the show. Try the 2019 for a more zippy and fresh look at Etna's whites, or try the 2016 for a more mature release drinking at its peak.  - \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003eBRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45514361897193,"sku":"169863","price":63.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_4990BackgroundRemoved_51fe4965-08be-4a21-89aa-465493471f09.png?v=1694134310"},{"product_id":"2021-graci-arcuria-etna-bianco","title":"2021 Graci \"Arcuria\" Etna Bianco","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45571408560361,"sku":"174675","price":70.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_0371BackgroundRemoved_ca6037ec-1c79-4ac8-88b9-db9a57059f70.png?v=1699314164"},{"product_id":"2021-graci-muganazzi-etna-bianco","title":"2021 Graci \"Muganazzi\" Etna Bianco","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45571408625897,"sku":"174676","price":61.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_0372BackgroundRemoved_9eae594b-6dd5-4f59-a892-423dd7e74079.png?v=1699314149"},{"product_id":"2018-paolo-bea-pagliaro-sagrantino-di-montefalco","title":"2018 Paolo Bea \"Pagliaro\" Sagrantino di Montefalco","description":"\u003cp\u003eAsk any experienced sommelier for list of iconic Italian producers, and Paolo Bea is sure to be on it. Bea is most known for his incredible and age worthy expressions of Sagrantino, and he has been an icon and champion for native Italian wines for years. For those unfamiliar, Sagrantino is Umbria's signature indigenous grape and by far their most prized. It's a burly, powerful variety known for roaring tannins and crunchy, ripe black fruits with notes of smokey cedar and tons of herbs and spices like anise and rosemary. If high tannins are your thing then Sagrantino is your perfect match. These wines are intense and fiery in their youth but also bursting with charm and powerful fruit that stands up to and even harmonizes with the muscular structure. Paolo Bea is an icon for a reason as he somehow manages to tame this wild beast of a grape and turn it into some of the most seductive and pleasurable wines of Italy. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Paolo Bea's style is sometimes put in the natural wine camp, the family's winemaking experience dates back over 500 years, and the wines are just incredibly traditional and without any modern, flashy winemaking techniques. In essence, Paolo was making \"natural wine\" before natural wine was even a thing. Despite their low sulfur additions, zero new oak, and more rustic traditional winemaking, these powerful, tannic, behemoths crafted from the classic varieties of the Central Italian waistline are generously ripe and fleshy and often clock in around 14.5 to 15% ABV. These wines are often so big in youth they would make any Napa wine but Harlan Estate pink in the cheeks. As high-end Italian importer Neal Rosenthal puts it \"Bea’s wines remain singular—boisterous, unabashedly wild expressions of their undulating, sun-drenched hills of origin, each new vintage of which is eagerly anticipated by a legion of loyal clients.\" Their opulence and grippy tannic structure is balanced by a space opera of exotic spices, herbs and aromatics tantrically woven into a velvet fabric. These are a must try for vinous explorers and all those passionate about Italian wine. If you love rustic, traditionally made wines or native Italian grapes and have not discovered these yet, welcome to your next dream wines. - BRANDON KERNE, MASTER SOMMELIER \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis wine is the most renowned wine from pure Sagrantino grown on the prized hilltop site of Pagliaro, situated at 1300 feet above sea level. Full of dark fruit aromas like black cherries, blackberries and currants. Dry, full-bodied and structured with exquisitely ripened character. Paolo's wines speak for themselves: honest and made to live through the ages.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe cuvaison extends for forty to fifty days. The wines is then aged for one year in stainless steel, another two years in large Slavonian oak barrels and, finally, spends one more year in bottle (the wine, like all Bea wines, is unfiltered) before release.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cu\u003ePer Rosenthal Wine Merchant (Paolo Bea's US Importer):\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cspan\u003e \"The fabled local grape of Montefalco is the Sagrantino and the Pagliaro vineyard, situated at 1,300 feet in altitude, is dedicated in large part to this grape variety. The harvest of Sagrantino normally occurs during the second half of October. The cuvaison extends for forty to fifty days. The wines is then aged for one year in stainless steel, another two years in large Slavonian oak barrels and, finally, spends one more year in bottle (the wine, like all Bea wines, is unfiltered) before release. Annual production from the Pagliaro vineyard is 15,000 to 20,000 bottles.\"\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cu\u003e95 Points from Eric Guido of Vinous:\u003c\/u\u003e\u003cem\u003e \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003e \"The 2018 Montefalco Sagrantino Pagliaro is coy in the glass, slowly awakening with a mentholated blend of crushed blackberries, sage and flowery underbrush. It flows across the palate with ease, silky and round with bright red and black fruits underscored by salty mineral tones and exotic spice. This leaves a balsamic flourish through the finale, along with crunchy tannins that create a push and pull of youthful tension as hints of dried cherries slowly taper off. While stepping lightly, the 2018 is nearly sultry in style, tempting the imagination with what further maturity will bring.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45613957415145,"sku":"178170","price":126.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_8106BackgroundRemoved_52f84436-b8cb-4b10-b25a-d819d10cdcce.png?v=1695752146"},{"product_id":"2020-salvatore-martusciello-ottouve-gragnano-rosso-frizzante","title":"2020 Salvatore Martusciello \"OttoUve\" Gragnano della Sorrentina Rosso Frizzante","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45737683386601,"sku":"188484","price":27.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_3606BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1698986428"},{"product_id":"2016-ronchi-di-cialla-schioppettino-di-ciallaa","title":"2016 Ronchi di Cialla Schioppettino Colli Orientali del Friuli Cialla","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45798283215081,"sku":"193085","price":61.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_3879BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1699308454"},{"product_id":"2007-colle-di-cantone-colle-gaio-lazio-white-blend","title":"2007 Colle di Cantone \"Colle Gaio\" Lazio White Blend","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45915547009257,"sku":"198690","price":107.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/IMG_4272BackgroundRemoved.png?v=1700188071"},{"product_id":"2021-cusumano-cubio-sicily-inzoliaa","title":"2021 Cusumano \"Cubio\" Sicily Inzolia","description":"","brand":"AOC Selections","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46011481555177,"sku":"199694","price":17.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0533\/9729\/1161\/files\/White_Wine_Bottle_Blank_Background_removed_2048_x_2048_5f761970-8a36-4e06-951d-91c368f7e8a2.png?v=1703047911"}],"url":"https:\/\/www.aocselections.com\/collections\/other-italy.oembed?page=4","provider":"AOC Selections","version":"1.0","type":"link"}