4 BOTTLE RED CASE WINE DESCRIPTION - JUNE 2026
Antonelli San Marco - Contrario Umbria Rosso
Grape: 100% Sagrantino, one of Italy’s most tannic and powerful native grape varieties, indigenous to Umbria and particularly associated with the area of Montefalco.
Region: Umbria, central Italy. The rolling hills around Montefalco feature clay and limestone soils and a continental climate with warm days and cool nights, ideal for achieving full ripeness while maintaining freshness.
Tasting Notes: Deep ruby with garnet reflections. Intense aromas of blackberry, plum, black cherry, cocoa, leather, sweet spice, and dried herbs. Full-bodied and structured, with firm tannins, concentrated dark fruit, and a long, powerful finish.
Vinification & Ageing: Fermented in stainless steel with extended maceration to extract colour, tannin, and complexity. Typically aged in oak barrels followed by additional bottle ageing to soften and integrate the wine’s powerful structure.
Ageing Potential: 10–20+ years.
Food Pairing: Braised meats, wild game, grilled steak, truffle dishes, rich ragùs, and aged pecorino cheeses.
Fun Fact: Sagrantino is considered one of the most tannic grape varieties in the world, traditionally used in sweet passito wines before becoming famous for today’s bold dry style from Montefalco.
Discover more about this producer: Antonelli San Marco
La Sibilla – Piedirosso Campi Flegrei DOC
Grape: Piedirosso, a native Campanian red grape known for its softness and volcanic expression.
Region: Campi Flegrei, Campania. Sandy volcanic soils near the coast produce wines with distinctive savoury minerality and freshness.
Tasting Notes: Light ruby colour. Aromas of red cherry, plum, rose petals, and smoky volcanic earth. The palate is silky, fresh, and medium-bodied, with gentle tannins and a saline finish.
Vinification & Ageing: Fermented in stainless steel with minimal extraction to preserve elegance and fruit character.
Ageing Potential: 3–5 years.
Food Pairing: Pizza, grilled seafood, tomato-based pasta dishes, and light meats.
Fun Fact: The vineyards are often trained using the traditional “pergola” system, adapted to protect vines from coastal humidity.
Learn more about this producer: La Sibilla
Carema Classico DOC
Grape: Nebbiolo (locally called Picotendro), expressing one of its most delicate and alpine interpretations.
Region: Carema, Piedmont. Extreme terraced vineyards supported by stone pillars (“pilun”) create a dramatic, high-altitude landscape.
Tasting Notes: Garnet red with orange reflections. Aromas of rose, dried cherry, orange peel, and earthy spice. The palate is elegant and ethereal, with fine tannins, high acidity, and a long mineral finish.
Vinification & Ageing: Traditional fermentation with extended ageing in large neutral oak to refine structure.
Ageing Potential: 8–15 years.
Food Pairing: Braised meats, game, mushroom risotto, and aged cheeses.
Fun Fact: The iconic stone pillars in the vineyards are hand-built and essential to viticulture on these near-vertical slopes.
Learn more about this producer: Cantina Produttori di Carema
Scala – Cirò Rosso Classico Superiore DOC
Grape: Gaglioppo, Calabria’s most important native red grape.
Region: Cirò, Calabria. Coastal vineyards with clay and sandy soils benefit from Mediterranean sun and sea breezes, producing warmth balanced by freshness.
Tasting Notes: Deep ruby red. Aromas of ripe cherry, plum, Mediterranean herbs, and subtle earthy spice. The palate is structured yet smooth, with firm tannins, warm fruit, and a savoury finish.
Vinification & Ageing: Fermented in stainless steel or concrete, often with moderate oak ageing depending on the style.
Ageing Potential: 5–8 years.
Food Pairing: Grilled meats, lamb, pasta alla norma, and aged cheeses.
Fun Fact: Cirò is often considered one of the most historically significant wine areas in southern Italy, with origins linked to ancient Greek colonisation.
Discover more about this producer: Cantina Scala
