Wine: San Leonardo 2016
Based on Cabernet Sauvignon, Carménère and Merlot, this is an aristocratic red. With game and polenta. 77 euros
![]()
Browse the gallery
Bertani, Grezzana (VR)
A lover of Burgundy, Gaetano Bertani learned to make wine in France, from Professor Guyot (the one who gave his name to a wine-growing system), before returning to his native country and revolutionizing Valpolicella viticulture: the company's wines in In 1923 they obtained the Real Casa patent, while in 1958 the winery put the first vintage of Amarone on sale. During the visit, you also pass by the "library" that houses more than 200.000 bottles of Amarone, including the first vintage, worth more than 20 million euros, and a museum with oenological tools of yesteryear.
The wine: Amarone della Valpolicella Classic
Elegant icon of the territory, smells of cherries and spices. With red meat. 99 euros
Count Vistarino, Rocca De 'Giorgi (PV)
The 1904 winery has just been renovated. In addition to the winemaking rooms, you can visit the space dedicated to the historical bottles and the museum with agricultural relics, photos and documents of the Counts Vistarino, who still live in neighboring Villa Fornace, open by appointment to admire the architecture of the XNUMXth century, the original furniture and the park designed by the architect of King Umberto I. Do not miss the new bicycle-aperitif, a route to discover the immense domain aboard electric bicycles equipped with a box of Oltrepò delicacies to accompany a bottle of Pinot Noir Contevistarino. that
The wine: Classic method 1865 2014
In 1865, Vistarino produced the first classic Italian Pinot Noir method, with a herb risotto. 30 euros
Rocca Bernarda, Premariacco (UD)
It is a fortified manor house dating from 1567, which revolves around an Italian garden and is surrounded by a park with centuries-old trees, with a cypress listed as a historical monument. Around the vineyards, with the native varieties typical of the region, including the precious picolito, which Count Gaetano Perusini, former owner of Rocca Bernarda, saved from oblivion. Today the structure belongs to the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and guided tours allow you to discover its history, the splendid rooms of the villa and the historic wine cellar. Tastings may also include tasting local meats and cheeses. sagrivit.it
The wine: It boils Yellow
The company has been producing it since the beginning of the 17,50th century. It gives a fragrant and sweet white that goes very well with the seafood salad. XNUMX euros
Possession Serego Alighieri, Sant'Ambrogio di Valpolicella (VR)
On April 23, 1353, Pietro Alighieri, Dante's son, bought a piece of land in the heart of Valpolicella Classica. After 668 years, his descendants cultivate the same places and live in the splendid villa adjoining the guest house, overlooking the courtyard where the wheat once dried (you can spend the night in the beautiful apartments). The visit includes a walk through the garden and vineyards and a visit to the historic aging cellar; if you wish, continue to the nearby Masi company to see the grape drying rooms and underground cellars, some of the largest in Italy. seregoalighieri.it masi.it
The wine: Valpolicella Superior Classic Monte Piazzo 2017
Aged in cherry barrels, it smells of cherries and spices. With the roast. 22 euros
Lamole di Lamole, Greve in Chianti (FI)
The Romans had already understood that wine was special here, when they built the terraces where vineyards and olive trees are still grown today. In the center of the visit, the XNUMXth century winery with vinsantaia and modern, the vineyard planted at the end of the war and the experimental one. The tasting routes are varied and include options both for first-time visitors to Chianti Classico and for those who wish to deepen their knowledge of Lamole, with walks through the village or off-road tours. At the Vitique restaurant, the experience also turns gastronomic. lamole.com
The wine: Chianti Classico Reserve 2017
Austere. To better understand the greatness of the Lamole region. With pork roast. 28 euros
Florio, Marsala (PT)
The success of Stefania Auci's novels dedicated to the Florio saga is a good excuse to visit the suggestive winery, built in 1833, where the gigantic late XNUMXth-century vats for aging wine still stand. There are many tasting possibilities, one of which also includes the tasting of Marsala taken directly from the barrels. duca.it
The wine: Marsala Superior Demi-sec Targa Reserve
Served at 10 ° C it is an aperitif, at 18 ° C it is good at the end of a meal, with blue cheese and nuts. 16 euros
Venturini Baldini, Quattro Castella (RE)
Although the XNUMXth century villa is being restored (from some windows you can see the restorers at work), the Italian garden with XNUMXth century statues and the terrace are open. You can also visit the vinegar cellar, one of the oldest in the province, with the possibility of tasting the vinegars, and the vines, aboard an all-terrain vehicle. For those who prefer to walk
there are about twenty CAI courses. In addition to the wine tastings, Wednesday Rosé offers a musical aperitif, on Friday there is Apericena and Sunday Pizza & bubbles. venturinibaldini.it
The wine: Spergola TERS
Son of the old local strain of the same name, it is a macerated, spicy and lemony white. With vitello tonnato. 20 euros
Monaci Castle, Salice Salentino (LE)
In the heart of Salento, Castello Monaci dates from the first half of the XNUMXth century and was built by French monks as a fortification. Surrounded by vineyards and olive groves, which can be explored by bicycle or in small electric cars, it also includes a wine museum, a coach museum and an underground oil mill, which can be visited at the same time as some rooms in the mansion. There are many organized wine tours, including Artas, which also includes lunch or dinner based on typical local recipes. gruppoitalianovini.it
The wine: Kreos
Rosé Negroamaro from Salento, gourmet and fresh. With orecchiette with meatballs, tomato cream and cacioricotta. 9,50 euros
Hidden treasures
In Canelli, in Piedmont, the wine rests safely in kilometers of tunnels dug between the XNUMXth and XNUMXth centuries. These are the underground cathedrals where Asti wines and sparkling wines are refined. They are a sight not to be missed, so much so that they have earned their inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They belong to four historical wineries: Bosca, Contratto, Coppo and Gancia. They all organize guided tours in this underground world and tastings. Stop at the tasting of the main wines of the territory, Asti Spumante and Moscato d'Asti, aromatic, low in alcohol and very versatile at the table: serve them fresh and do not limit yourself to the traditional combination with desserts, but also try as an aperitif With cold cuts, cheeses and savory patties, dare with oysters and seared sage: a revelation. bosca.it contract.it coppo.it gancia.it
