"CEREQUIO" BAROLO D.O.C.G.

Single vineyard, 100% Nebbiolo from one of the finest and most exclusive Barolo's sub-zones. Nearby Cerequio producers include Angelo Gaja, Michele Chiarlo and Roberto Voerzio
The Nebbiolo vines are 25 to 45 years old
Winner of two Three Glass awards from the Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia, the most coveted guide in the Italian wine world
The vineyard lies at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level and is rich in lime and clay
After harvesting the grapes are fermented using the "floating hat" maceration technique for 10 - 15 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place and the wine is aged in small barrique barrels for a period of 18 months. Refining in the bottle for another 12 months
A rich texture, creamy and smooth, plenty of unobtrusive tannins, and a deep ruby red color
Accompaniment: Roasted and braised meats; aged cheeses
Ratings by vintage:
- 1990: Parker 90
- 1993: Wine Enthusiast 90
- 1995: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 1997: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Three Glasses; Wine Spectator 92
- 1998: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses; Wine Spectator 91
- 1999: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Three Glasses
- 2000: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2001: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses; Wine Enthusiast 93
- 2003: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses
- 2004: Parker 89; Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses; Wine Spectator 89
- 2005: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses

"TENUTA SECOLO" BAROLO D.O.C.G.

Single vineyard, 100% Nebbiolo from one of the finest and most exclusive Barolo's sub-zones. Nearby Cerequio producers include Angelo Gaja, Michele Chiarlo and Roberto Voerzio
The Nebbiolo vines are 15 to 25 years old
The vineyard lies at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level and is rich in lime and clay
After harvesting the grapes are fermented using the "floating hat" maceration technique for 10 - 15 days. Malolactic fermentation takes place and the wine is aged in small barrique barrels for a period of 18 months. Refining in the bottle for another 12 months
A rich texture, creamy and smooth, plenty of unobtrusive tannins, and a deep ruby red color
Accompaniment: Roasted and braised meats; aged cheeses
Ratings by vintage:
- 2000: Wine Enthusiast 91

"TENUTA ALBERTA" BARBARESCO D.O.C.G.

Single vineyard, 100% Nebbiolo
Altitude of about 350 meters above sea level, with soil composition of lime-clay marl
Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation under controlled temperature. The grape skins contact is limited to about 13 days so as to extract only the soft tannins
Aging in barrique barrels and oak casks for about 12 months. Refined in the bottle for about 12 months before release
Accompaniment: Roasted and braised meats; aged cheeses
Ratings by vintage:
- 2000: Wine Spectator 94; Wine Enthusiast 91

"SOLUS AD" BARBERA D'ASTI D.O.C.

Single vineyard, 100% Barbera D'Asti
Hand-selected grapes from the best bunches from the Agliano area around Canelli
"Solus Ad" derives from a diary maintained by one of Italy's most important poets, Gabriele D'Annunzio, who was in love with the Countess Mancini. He referred to himself as "Solus" as a reference to the fact that he was the "Only One" for her
A masterpiece wine, lovingly created by the "King of Barbera D'Asti", Giancarlo Scaglione
Fermentation by "floating hat" maceration technique for about 10 days
Malolactic fermentation and then aging in barriques for about 12 months
Refined in the bottle for about 12 months before release
Should be shown only to the top on and off premise accounts. Fits in any "reserve" section of a wine list
An allocated wine in most vintages. Winner of the Wine Enthusiast Barbera World Wine Championship
Accompaniment: Roasted and braised meats; aged cheeses
Ratings by vintage:
- 1997: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 1998: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2000: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses; Decanter Highly Recommended
- 2001: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2003: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2004: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2005: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2007: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses

"PANTA REI" BARBERA D'ASTI D.O.C.

100% Barbera D'Asti grapes carefully selected from Contratto's vineyards in the Agliano area
"Panta Rei" means "serendipity" in Italian
Alcoholic and malolactic fermentation, partial aging in Allier and Troncais barriques for over 6-8 months. Refined in bottles for another 6 months
Suitable for wine lists, "by the glass" and any fine wine shop
Distinctive and memorable package
Accompaniment: Grilled meats, risotto and hearty pasta dishes
Ratings by vintage:
- 1996: Wine Enthusiast 92
- 1998: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 1999: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2005: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2006: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2007: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses

"ARNELLE" GAVI DEL COMUNE DI GAVI D.O.C.G.

Single vineyard, 100% Cortese
"Arnelle" means beehives in Italian
Grapes are carefully hand picked and selected
Untraditional but uniquely distinctive bottle
Temperature controlled fermentation in stainless steel vats
Accompaniment: Perfect with fish and risotto dishes
Ratings by vintage:
- 1999: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2000: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses

"SABAUDA" CHARDONNAY PIEMONTE D.O.C.

Single vineyards, 100% Chardonnay grapes
"Sabaudo" is the adjective referred to the properties of the Savoia family, the last monarchs of Italy, who ruled Piedmont, Sardinia and most of the Italian north-west
Barrel fermentation, followed wood aging in new Allier/Troncais oak barrels. Refined in the bottle for 6 months
Smooth, silky texture, well-balanced structure with lingering and pleasant aftertaste
Accompaniment: Fish and risotto dishes
Ratings by vintage:
- 1998: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 1999: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses
- 2000: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Glasses

"DE MIRANDA" METODO CLASSICO ASTI D.O.C.G.

100% Moscato D'Asti from the single vineyard "De Miranda"
Three time winner of the prestigious Three Glass award from the renowned "Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia", the most coveted guide in the Italian wine world
The 2000 vintage was the "Wine of the year" by Gambero Rosso (2003)
The grapes are carefully soft-pressed and then fermented in Allier and Troncais barriques for a period of 4 months in order to reach an alcohol level of 6%
The must is then stabilized and transferred with yeasts into the bottle, where it will age for about 24 months
Each bottle is periodically turned by hand, the famous "remuage" that symbolizes the "Champenoise" method of bottle fermentation
The "Champenoise" method is called "Metodo Classico" in Italy
After 2 years of developing effervescence and complexity, the deposit of yeasts is eliminated by dégorgement ("sboccatura"), each bottle is topped off with a sweetening syrup made of secret ingredients ("liqueur d'expédition") to set the sugar to the desired level ("dosage")
Final alcohol content is 7.5%
This special wine is noted for its intense bouquet and delicate and fruity texture
Accompaniment: Creamy desserts, biscotti and other baked pastry
Ratings by vintage:
- 1996: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Three Glasses
- 1997: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Three Glasses
- 1998: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses
- 2000: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Three Glasses and Wine of the Year
- 2002: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses
- 2003: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses
- 2004: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses
- 2005: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses; Wine Enthusiast 90
- 2006: Gambero Rosso Vini d'Italia Two Red Glasses