Submitted by Lauren Thomas
Perfect for spring and summer sipping, independent online wine and spirit merchant, Wickhams, presents ‘The Garden of Italy Selection’. Bringing a taste of Italy to al fresco lunches, lazy beach picnics and summer garden parties, ‘The Garden of Italy Selection’ showcases six bottles from North Italian vineyard, Montaia including their exquisite semi-sparkling Pignoletto DOC Vino Frizzante, Cabernet Sauvignon IGP Rubicone, Sangiovese IGP Rubicone and Chardonnay IGP Rubicone. ‘The Garden of Italy Selection’ is available from wickhamwine.co.uk, £69.99.
A small independent vineyard still using traditional winemaking techniques, Montaia is located in the Romagna Region of Northern Italy in the Cesena foothills. Just a few miles inland from the Adriatic sea, the constant sea breeze helps create an ideal microclimate for winegrowing. Exclusive to Wickhams, the delightful case includes six 75cl bottles of Montaia, featuring their beautiful unique labels designed by famous poet and painter, Tonino Guerra.
Montaia’s exquisite semi-sparkling dry white Pignoletto DOC Vino Frizzante (ABV 12.5%) is produced using solely pignoletto grapes grown in the Imola hills, a grape variety grown in the region since the Roman Empire. Produced using the cryomaceration technique with a secondary fermentation using the ‘Metodo Martinotti’ or ‘Charmat’ method, Montaia’s Pignoletto is sophisticated with a bright straw colour and delicate initial fragrance of yellow fruits and citrus. With flavours of fresh pears and red apples, this elegant white is delightful served with all white meats, fish, risotto and cheeses.
Wonderfully aromatic and smooth, Cabernet Sauvignon IGP Rubicone (ABV 13.5%), is fermented in inox tanks at controlled temperatures and matured in small oak casks. A classic grape variety, Montaia’s Cabernet Sauvignon has an intense ruby red appearance with a fragrance full of depth. Look out for plenty of juicy cassis and blackberry, soft tannins and savoury notes with a lingering and persistent finish that hints sweet spices such as cinnamon. Best opened and left to stand for 30 minutes before drinking, this Cabernet Sauvignon pairs well with roast meats, casserole dishes and cheeses as well as pasta.
‘The Garden of Italy Selection’ contains two 75cl bottles of this great everyday drinking wine, Sangiovese IGP Rubicone (ABV 12.5%). A DOC wine, Sangiovese is only produced in the provinces of Forli-Cesena, Ravenna and Rimini and in seven municipalities in the province of Bologna. Montaia’s Sangiovese is fermented at a controlled temperature in steel tanks and matured in small oak casks. An elegant ruby red, the fragrance is of dark berry fruits, cherries and freshly picked strawberries. Tangy with a subtle edge of tannin, it’s an extremely versatile wine and magnificent paired with red meats including salamis and prosciutto, hard and soft cheeses as well as light pasta dishes. Why not chill, to bring out its succulent fruitiness and sip during hot summer weather.
A classic, Montaia’s Chardonnay IGP Rubicone (ABV 13%) is produced using purely Chardonnay grapes grown in the Cesena hills. Fermented at controlled temperatures using the cryomaceration technique, during which the crushed grapes are held at a low temperature before fermentation in order to allow the flavours to develop, it is then aged in steel casks. An unoaked but complex Chardonnay, it is straw yellow in appearance with greenish hints while on the nose its fragrance is of citrus and yellow fruit. With a rounded buttery note and creamy texture, the flavours are of ripe orange and baked apple and are long and satisfying. A classic white which demands food, especially chicken, salmon or a rich parmesan risotto.
Wickhams’ ‘The Garden of Italy Selection’ contains one bottle each of Pignoletto DOC Vino Frizzante and Cabernet Sauvignon IGP Rubicone and two bottles each of Sangiovese IGP Rubicone and Chardonnay IGP Rubicone. Alternatively, the wines can be purchased separately; Pignoletto DOC Vino Frizzante, £13.50; Cabernet Sauvignon IGP Rubicone, £12.99; Sangiovese IGP Rubicone, £9.99 and Chardonnay IGP Rubicone, £12.99 all from wickhamwine.co.uk.
Shortlisted in two categories at the Decanter Retailer Awards 2021, Wickhams source the finest Estate bottled wines from around the world and curate collections from the everyday to the classics, so there’s something to suit all tastes. They passionately believe in stocking wines, spirits and gift sets at a range of price points to ensure their products are accessible to all. Delivery is available to mainland UK with all orders packed in 100% recyclable packaging. Orders over £40 are shipped free of charge, orders under £40 incur a delivery charge of £6.
For more information about Wickhams’ products visit www.wickhamwine.co.uk. You can also follow them on facebook and instagram.
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