Italy
Italy has some of the oldest wine production methods in the world and almost every part of the country is planted under vine. From the Alps in the north to the very southernmost parts of Sicily where Africa is almost in sight, wine is successfully cultivated. In addition to the latitude covered, Italy's many mountains and hills provide a plethora of altitudes for grape growing in various soils and micro-climates. The extensive coastlines along the peninsula that is Italy provide maritime climates for the coastal wine-growing areas. Over 350 grape varieties are 'authorised' in Italy, though up to 550 varieties are thought to be grown.
The classification system of Italian wines has four classes, with the intention of defining a wine's origin a quality. Two of these classes are table wines, whilst DOC and DOCG fall under the EU quality wine produced in a specific region category. Vino da Tavola (VDT) means that the wine comes from Italy. Most of these wines are generally basic table wines that are consumed domestically. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes a more specific region within Italy, and the resultant will be of higher quality than simple table wines, but won't conform to the rules required for higher certification. Both Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) are regionally more specific than IGT, and have stricter rules regarding the grape varieties grown, yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels and so on. The major difference between DOC and DOCG is that the latter has to undergo a blind-tasting session to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Italy has 32 DOCG appelations, 311 DOC appelations and 120 IGT zones.
Key regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto, Sicily and Sardinia. Common white varieties grown are Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Fiano and Moscato. The red varieties grown the most are Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Corvina.
The classification system of Italian wines has four classes, with the intention of defining a wine's origin a quality. Two of these classes are table wines, whilst DOC and DOCG fall under the EU quality wine produced in a specific region category. Vino da Tavola (VDT) means that the wine comes from Italy. Most of these wines are generally basic table wines that are consumed domestically. Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) denotes a more specific region within Italy, and the resultant will be of higher quality than simple table wines, but won't conform to the rules required for higher certification. Both Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG) are regionally more specific than IGT, and have stricter rules regarding the grape varieties grown, yields per hectare, minimum alcohol levels and so on. The major difference between DOC and DOCG is that the latter has to undergo a blind-tasting session to ensure the highest quality is achieved. Italy has 32 DOCG appelations, 311 DOC appelations and 120 IGT zones.
Key regions include Piedmont, Tuscany, Abruzzo, Veneto, Sicily and Sardinia. Common white varieties grown are Pinot Grigio, Arneis, Vermentino, Verdicchio, Fiano and Moscato. The red varieties grown the most are Sangiovese, Barbera, Dolcetto, Nebbiolo, Montepulciano, Primitivo, Nero d'Avola and Corvina.
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A traditional styled sparkling that consistently wins Best Value Prosecco! Off-dry, light, fruity bubbles with a brilliant straw yellow colour and aromas of of ripe apples, pears and wild flowers. Slightly creamy on the palate with a fine mousse. Delicately ... Learn MoreSANTERO VILLA JOLANDA PROSECCO NVNZ$20.99 Per item -
A distinct & refined Grigio unlike anything you've tried before. Estate produced wine from the Italian Alps near Lake Garda & going through partial barrel ferment for a full & vivid mouth-feel. Aromatic notes reminiscent of ripe white peaches, pears, , chamomile & sweet vanilla ... Learn MoreMEZZACORONA PINOT GRIGIO MONOGRAM RISERVA DOC 2016NZ$23.99 Per item -
An organic & sustainable Montepulciano from the north east of Abruzzo. An appealingly fresh and delicate aromatic profile, with elderflower, blueberry, a hint of orange peel and some spices. The palate shows well-developed signs of age, with concentrated orange and red-fruit ... Learn MoreVALORI MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO 2016NZ$24.99 Per item -
Classic Italian Pinot Grigio - our best selling imported white wine. Made by the brilliant Cescon family - 3rd generation winemakers based just outside of Venice. Delicately elegant, full of character & something to fall in love with, displaying intense vanilla & ... Learn MoreCESCON 'VINO DELL'AMICIZIA' FRIULI DOC PINOT GRIGIO 2018NZ$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Extraordinary value from one the most famous producers in Sicily, Alberto Antonini, named in the TOP 5 best winemakers in the world by Decanter Magazine. Nero d'Avola is known as Sicilian Shiraz & works amazingly well with food. Aromas of violet, cherry ... Learn MoreBORGO SELENE NERO D'AVOLA 2017NZ$24.99 Per item -
2x Gold Medal Winner from the classic territory of Puglia. A beautiful blend of ripe berries, vanilla & smokey spice flavours. Distinctive, well-structured & at the same time easy to drink & enjoy. ... Learn MoreCOMERA SALENTO PRIMITIVO 2015NZ$24.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A beautiful, organic & traditional Prosecco from Friuli, Italy. Family owned and operated since being established in 1957. Beautifully balanced, easy drinking & packed with fresh pear, cirus & spring blossom notes. ... Learn MoreCESCON VINO DELLAMICIZIA PROSECCO NV DOCNZ$26.99 Per item -
A superb Sangiovese blend with indigenous grape varieties. Intensely perfumed with bright, lively notes of flowers, red and black fruits. Full and harmonious with mouth-filling primary fruit flavours and seamless tannins. Exclusively imported by United Cellars & great to cellar or ... Learn MoreTENUTA DI LILLIANO CHIANTI CLASSICO DOCG 2015NZ$29.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Rich & mellow, perfectly balanced with characteristic ripe sweetness. Picked from old vineyards, planted in the sun drenched red soils of the Mediterranean. Fruity, spicy and intense bouquet, with notes of plums, cherries, rosemary and vanilla. Full, mellow, well balanced wine ... Learn MoreMATANE PRIMITIVO 2016NZ$29.99 Per itemOut of stock -
Winners of Best Italian Producer in 2016 & 2017. A Beaujolais styled blend of Italian Merlot and Sangiovese, that is fresh & fruity with beautiful mouthfeel. Pretty red & black berry flavours with raspberry & fig are complimented with cinnamon & fruitcake spice. ... Learn MoreFANTINI FARNESE 'NEWS' NOVELLO 2018NZ$30.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A light to medium-bodied Italian blend of 45% Corvina, 40% Corvinone & 15% Rondinella, from carefully selected grapes in Valpolicella, North East Italy. Concentrated aromas of red fruits, ripe blackberry and deep cherry flavours, with floral notes and a hint of spice, supple on ... Learn MoreCa’Rugate Valpolicella 2017NZ$34.99 Per itemOut of stock -
"A beautifully bountiful and exuberant wine that bursts forward with stone and exotic fruit" - 94+/100 Robert Parker. The first single vineyard wine produced in Soave, this wine is still being lovingly produced with organically grown old vines. The palate is ... Learn MorePIEROPAN 'CALVARINO' SOAVE CLASSICO 2016NZ$39.99 Per itemOut of stock -
100% Sangiovese grapes, traditionally & organically produced from 15 year old vines. It greets the palate like velvet, then unleashes a wild side: black cherry, spices, a bloody note, and finally a gutsy finish that leaves something to ponder long after it’s ... Learn MoreSESTI ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2015NZ$41.99 Per item -
Sourced from the acclaimed Nizza sub region of Asti. Matured in 50-hectoliter Slavonian oak barrels for 12 months. Blended in the spring, bottled in the summer. Intense ruby-red colour with purple tinges, a bouquet of cherry, blackberry, small red fruits, pepper ... Learn MoreODDERO BARBERA D’ASTI SUPERIORE NIZZA 2015NZ$44.99 Per item -
A pure & classic expression from the family owned estates in the south-west of Montalcino, Tuscany. Bright, wild cherry & plum aromas burst from the glass with hints of vanilla. Lithe & vibrant on the palate, showing off notes of stewed strawberry, bright ... Learn MoreSESTA DI SOPRA ROSSO DI MONTALCINO 2014NZ$49.99 Per item -
#1 Italian Red Wine of the Year 2017- Luca Maroni. Tenuta Ulisse are focused on making high quality, top class wines with native grape varietals. Grapes are hand picked and aged for 9-12 months in French and American oak. Stylishly velvet ... Learn MoreAMARANTA MONTEPULCIANO D'ABRUZZO DOP 2016NZ$64.99 Per itemOut of stock -
"The Pieropan family make impossibly delicious Soave Classicos"- Wine Advocate. A top tier, single vineyard, organic wine that consistently wins awards & accolades. The result is a rich complex Soave, with hints of exotic fruit and nuts on the nose, ... Learn MorePIEROPAN SOAVE CLASSICO 'LA ROCCA' DOC 2016NZ$70.00 Per item -
Ginarte is the essence of life’s pleasures, an exploration of all things beautiful- A premium gin made with juniper berries picked only in select areas of the Apennines of Tuscany & 13 native botanicals. Calamint, safflower, mignonette, rubia & indigo are rare ... Learn MoreGINARTE DRY GIN 700MLNZ$79.99 Per itemOut of stock -
A beautifully harmonious Barolo from one of Piedmote's greatest vintages, from the world famous Antinori family. Subtle aromas of red berry, new leather, forest floor and a whiff of tobacco lead the nose. Full and velvety in flavour and tannins, ... Learn MorePrunotto Barolo Classico 2013NZ$84.99 Per itemOut of stock -
The wines coming from the different vineyards are aged separately in 40, 60 and 75 –hectolitre Slavonian and Austrian oak barrels for 30 months. The wines are blended in the spring, then bottled at the end of the summer and aged in the bottle ... Learn MoreODDERO BAROLO CLASSICO 2015NZ$94.99 Per item -
A carefully selected Super Tuscan from a small, family owned estate in the heart of Chianti, bearing all the hallmarks of a world class wine. Displays a restrained deep black cherry nose with hints of damson, liquorice, truffles and spice. ... Learn MoreTENUTA DI RISECCOLI SAECULUM SUPER TUSCAN 2011NZ$107.99 Per item -
This is very much a Barolo in the ‘classic’ style. Strawberry and orange peel, a touch of liquorice root, blonde tobacco and roses, perhaps some glacé cherry. Light to medium bodied, with insistent slightly scratchy and chalky black tea tannin, ... Learn MoreCASCINA FONTANA BAROLO 2012NZ$109.99 Per item -
Discover your new favourite red wines with these international wines, exclusively imported by United Cellars. From Argentina & Italy, these wines will suit any occasion of the week, from chilled weekend BBQ to fancy date night. Including a wine ... Learn More
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A lush & vibrant Sangiovese, exclusively imported by United Cellars. An eloquent bouquet of fresh flowers, fennel and sandalwood with great elegance and freshness. Rich & full-bodied, beginning to show deep leathery, savory balsamic notes. ... Learn MoreSESTI BRUNELLO DI MONTALCINO 2009NZ$129.98 Per item -
"Bussia" by Pronotto is a powerful and rich expression from from one of Piedmote's greatest vintages, from the world famous Antinori family. Woodland berry, tilled soil, dried rose, new leather and aromatic herb aromas come together in this fragrant, racy ... Learn MorePrunotto Barolo Bussia 2013NZ$130.00 Per itemOut of stock -
Make every occasion a reason to celebrate with this exquisite pack of bubbles!
These lovingly curated bottles of bubbles from family owned & operated vineyards in France & Italy come with a plethora of international awards. Including ... Learn More
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