A Taste of North-East Italy Mixed Case

The Coffele family have beautiful, historic, organically farmed garganega vineyards which this Soave benefits from. Showing the intensity of lower yields and older vines, it has a weighty palate with orchard fruit and a mineral finish.

Italy's newest Master of Wine, Andrea Lonardi, made this wine exclusively for our anniversary celebration from corvina planted in one of the best single vineyards at higher altitude. There is a vibrancy and crunchy fruit that really represents contemporary Valpolicella in a chillable style. This is very fine and elegant, with bright red-cherry flavours and floral precision from the whole-berry start to fermentation, which has preserved these notes. The bright acidity on the palate is reflective of the harvest date and altitude of the vineyards, which also bring a peppery savoury note the the wine. For a video message from the winemaker, and for more on the story of this wine, please scroll down.

It is a little unusual to find pinot bianco near Lake Garda, but this example has benefited from the cooling lake influence. Crisp and aromatic, with lemon, apple and pear notes, this dry, fresh white would be wonderful with a seafood risotto.

Looking for a special, great-value pinot grigio for this 150th anniversary-celebrating slot was a quite tricky until we spoke to the historic co-operative of Gambellara, where Alberto Marchisio really got behind the challenge. He has made a wine with weight and salinity that is particularly appealing. With additional yeast lees ageing to develop texture, this pear, apricot and lemon-scented wine has a savoury, food-friendly touch to the palate, with a briny lemon-rind note on the finish. Perfect by the glass, or with a wide range of food, though locally it is often enjoyed with rich polenta. For a video message from the winemaker, and for more on the story of this wine, please scroll down.

This medium-bodied lagrein, a grape local to Alto Adige in the north of Italy, has an inky violet and black-fruit nose, bright acidity and well-integrated tannins supporting the blackberry and savoury bresaola flavours that develop on the finish.

Matilde Poggi makes the best Bardolino we know with a light touch. It is fragrant and refreshing with a herbal, black-pepper perfume with floral notes and redberries on the palate. This is a red that could be chilled a little, and is perfect with mixed antipasti or a picnic.