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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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 itemOut of stock -
A warm, rich & characterful Primitivo bursting with aromas of plums, dried fruits and sweet spices. On the palate it is generous with impressive concentration of ripe plum and black cherry fruit and hints of dried figs - all balanced by ... Learn MoreCONVIVIALE PRIMITIVO IGT 2017NZ$24.99 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 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$24.99 Per item -
The epitome of Italian tradition, from the godfather of Prosecco. A dry sparkling from the hillside vineyards located in the Conegliano Valdobbiadene area. A multiple award winning wine that is both refined & well balanced, with delicate notes of green apple & ... Learn MoreCARPENE MALVOLTI PROSECCO BRUT NVNZ$25.99 Per item -
A textbook example of a Southern Primitivo. A complex nose of juicy dark fruits and cool wild mint. Juicy black berries & dark fruit flavours with a refreshing acidity. It's soft tannins makes it a perfect accompaniment for wood fired pizza! ... Learn MoreVANITA PRIMITIVO 2018NZ$26.99 Per itemOut of stock -
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 -
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 -
"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$42.99 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$49.99 Per item -
**THIS ONLINE TASTING IS OVER**
Join our Master of Wine, Alistair Cooper, live from the UK, who will be hosting our series of online, interactive tastings so wine lovers across NZ can be involoved. This ... Learn More
VIRTUAL TASTING PACK - ITALYNZ$67.99Out of stock -
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$74.99 Per item -
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 itemOut of stock -
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 itemOut of stock -
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
INTERNATIONAL REDS - MIXED 6 PACKNZ$114.99Out of stock -
"Bussia" by Pronotto is a powerful and rich expression 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 red. ... Learn MorePrunotto Barolo Bussia 2013NZ$130.00 Per itemOut of stock -
This great selection of red wines will ensure that your wine supply is perfectly sorted for any meal or mood that comes your way. And we are including a FREE bottle of Drappier 1er Cru Champagne to toast to ... Learn More
MIXED RED PACK + BONUS 1ER CRU CHAMPAGNENZ$298.99Out of stock
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