Vinitaly 2018: here are our trendy wines.

How can we define a trendy wine? In other words, we could call it fashionable, a wine that knows how to scratch the market and the desires of those who buy it for a variety of added values that often do not necessarily correspond to the intrinsic quality of the product.

This has all happened since wine has transformed from a pure food to a hedonistic product, one of pleasure and, in many cases, even luxury. This metamorphosis of wine over the past thirty years has significantly increased the value of the product and, above all, has fueled the quest for quality. In some cases, certain unknown wines have become true cornerstones of Italian enology: from Supertuscans to Amarone della Valpolicella, a wine considered second-rate until the end of the Eighties.

On the occasion of the Vinitaly 2018 edition, which will be held in Verona from the 15th to the 18th of this month, let’s see together which wines continue to determine the Italian and international market. We will also point out some wines from our portal.

First of all, let us consider that the purchasing habits of Italians have changed tremendously in recent years and, now, the dominating force in the world of wine sales is increasingly the large-scale retail sector. The year 2017 saw a 40% increase in sales in the organic sector. Large distribution sold about 2 billion euros worth of wine in 2017. Among the most sold wines in large distribution are Lambrusco, Chianti, and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo among reds, and Vermentino and Muller Thurgau among whites. As we can see, there are many high-quality wines that we know are still unreachable for many. However, this is large distribution, targeting a very popular access. This gives us insight into the choices of Italians. There are also emerging wines such as Grillo from Sicily, Ribolla, and Valpolicella Ripasso.

In the world of HoReCa, the Prosecco, the Valpolicella galaxy, and in particular, Ripasso and Amarone, Sicilian wines from Etna, and the great Tuscan wines continue to be at the top, with an increase in labels like Morellino and Chianti Classico. Producers from Piedmont are recovering after years of uncertainties and are regaining ground in Italian wine shops and restaurants.

Our "fashionable" wine list

Based on this data, Spaghetti & Mandolino can also have its say: we indeed have in our portfolio wines of great contemporaneity and researched quality. The logic of online sales is not that of large-scale retail, nor is it that of HoReCa. We try to win over customers with the story of the territory, the people, the production techniques, the versatility at the table, the quality and pleasantness of the wine, and its emotional expressive strength. That’s why sometimes you find unknown wineries, but of great value. Many times they are companies that do not sell to large-scale retail and target niche markets in Italy because they produce limited quantities due to constrained availability. But when it comes to quality, there is no compromise!

Our Lambrusco comes from the lands of Castelvetro and, in particular, from the Tenuta Pederzana. A property that has made the research of ancient clones of this grape variety its mission. Its wines are dense, pleasant, of great quality, finesse, and elegance. The Lambruscos are exciting even in their simpler versions. From Puntamora, to Gibe dei Giovani, up to Cantolibero, without sulfites: you can capture all the qualities of an extraordinary land and a wine that is unfortunately often undervalued due to massive production techniques that diminish its value.

Our Valpolicella galaxy has wanted from the very beginning to rely on high-quality products with a particular search for companies and territories that are strongly characteristic. One winery in particular represents this concept of research and rarity well: NeposVillae, a small reality nestled among the most beautiful vineyards of Valpolicella Classica in Negrar, a vineyard in contrada Villa, from which one of the most interesting crus of the entire valley emerges. The products are all identity-driven, elegant without enological force, fully respecting the ancient production techniques of this area. A Amarone Campo di Villa that, although young, has very interesting longevity prospects and great taste balance.

Another product is from the winery Le Bertarole in the Fumane valley, still in Valpolicella Classica. An organic product with an excellent quality-price ratio, cherry-like and refined. Finally, to reach the Valpolicella Orientale DOC, here’s the unmistakable touch of a young talent like Marco Mosconi and his quality wines.

When we talk about Muller Thurgau, we have included a great representative of the type from Alto Adige. The winery of Klaus Lentsch is located in the Valle d’Isarco and offers wines of great taste power and excellent drinkability. A balance achieved only thanks to vineyards situated in heroic positions in a well-ventilated valley on marl and porphyritic rocks.

Choosing a Chianti that is not already strongly positioned in large-scale retail is not easy, especially with a focus on research and rarity, as we have set up our cellar. But we focused on the territory of Rufina, perhaps a bit unknown to most, yet so significant and precious. A territory that extends northeast of the city of Florence and continues along the road leading to the Arezzo lands of Poppi. A vineyard located in a charming valley where vines, olive trees, and cypress trees are the leitmotif of a breathtaking landscape. Here stands Villa di Vetrice with a vast estate of 560 hectares, of which 160 are cultivated with vines. In its Chianti, you can find all the authenticity of this land and the strong identity of the Tuscan Sangiovese.

Our Piedmont is located in Morro d’Alba, an extraordinary village clinging to the summit of a hill, stretching its full length between vineyards and hazelnut trees. Here, great vintners have made history in Italian and Langhe winemaking. We have focused on Rocche Costamagna, a prestigious reality where Alessandro Locatelli develops and nurtures the idea of wine initiated 170 years ago by the founders. Their Dolcetto d’Alba and the great Barolo Rocche Annunziata are extraordinary, a name that has made history as the king of the Langhe.

Bernardo Pasquali