Bat and Bottle Christmas Wine List

BAT AND BOTTLE Specialist importers of Italian wines Original since 1994

Winter 2016

01572 759735 batwine.uk

There are, as ever, far too many lovely wines to fit within these pages but this years’ selection is a little weightier than usual and we have used an extra stamp or two.

Happily, 2016 has been as busy as ever and we have extended our list to include: Palmento Costanza, a rising star on Etna; Alessandro Tofanari a superb producer of biodynamic Vernaccia di San Gimignano and the Vicentini family who make excellent Soave. All three are small, family owned and run estates making excellent, individual, artisan wines.

The Wine Club enters its second year and the response has been excellent, to the point that we feel quite jealous of each quarterly case! We have been able to import some staggeringly rare bottles, in fact the only down side is that quantities are often so miniscule that they never make it onto our shelves. For the eternal adventurer, it is well worth having a look at pages 37 and 38 and do also bear in mind that membership to our Wine Club makes an excellent gift, preferably to someone who is close and enjoys sharing.

The Christmas pre-mixed cases have some wonderful new wines, with notes enclosed you can also have your own card and message inserted at no extra charge. There are more mixed cases to be found online and, as usual, we are happy to tailor private and corporate gifts to suit your requirements exactly, using only the finest of components.

We hope to see you in person at one of our winter tastings, but if you can’t make it we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Salute,

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Placing an Order There is no minimum order.

Please order your wines by contacting us using any of the ways listed below.    

01572 759735 post@batwine.uk batwine.uk Bat and Bottle 18d Oakham Enterprise Park Oakham Rutland LE15 7TU

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Delivery Charges  FREE delivery to a single address for orders of £150 or more.*  £5.50 per twelve bottle case.*  £8.50 per address for one to eleven bottles.* Exceptions *  Should you live in the Highlands or Islands, you are most fortunate.

However please contact us and we will confirm whether or not there will be a surcharge for us to deliver to you.  If you would like an am or Saturday delivery, please contact us for a quote.

Buying from the Warehouse Whilst usually open, our warehouse hours are not fixed, so, before setting off we recommend that you either check the Diary page at batwine.uk, call us on 01572 759735 or text/call Ben on 07809828662.

Terms All our prices include duty and VAT (20%) We guarantee the quality of every wine on the list. If you think there is a quality problem with any of the wines that you receive, please contact us to arrange collection and a full refund.

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The Bat and Bottle Christmas Case

CHRISTMAS TWELVE BOTTLE CASE (CODE CC12) 12X75CL CHRISTMAS SIX BOTTLE CASE (CODE CC6) 6X75CL

£105.00 £55.00



Sampietrana. Primitivo 2014 (r)

3 bottles

1 bottle



Broccatelli e Galli. Bianco 2015 (w)

3 bottles

1 bottle



Case Bianche. Extra Dry Spumante (f)

2 bottles

1 bottle



Villa Giada. Surí Barbera 2014 (r)

2 bottles

1 bottle



Villa Giada. Surí Moscato (f+s)

1 bottle

1 bottle



Bulfon. Blanc de Sanzuan Cividín 2013 (w)

1 bottle

1 bottle

Each box includes tasting notes and we would be happy to add a Christmas card with your message (we do this free of charge).

This covers every base, the new Extra Dry is sheer, irrepressible fun, the Broccatelli crisp and refreshing and Sampietrana’s Primitivo rich and warm.

Bulfon’s Cividìn is unique and has character to partner a decadent Christmas feast, likewise the purity and berry fruit of the Barbera will complement meats and cheeses. Finally, the Moscato, an alarmingly drinkable sweetie that we love with a slice of Christmas cake and whisky butter.

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The Directors Cut

DIRECTORS CUT TWELVE BOTTLE CASE (CODE DC12) 11X75CL, 1X37.5CL £185.00 DIRECTORS CUT SIX BOTTLE CASE (CODE DC6) 5X75CL, 1X37.5CL £90.00 

Vicentini. Soave 2015 (w)

3 bottles

1 bottle



Necotium. Cabernet Franc 2013 (r)

3 bottles

1 bottle



Majolini. Franciacorta Brut 2010 (f)

3 bottles

1 bottle



Castell’in Villa. Chianti Classico 2012 (r)

1 bottles

1 bottle



Picéch. Pinot Bianco 2014 (w)

1 bottle

1 bottle



Santa Vittoria. Vandicchiana Vin Santo 2010 (s) 1 bottle

1 bottle

Each box includes tasting notes and we would be happy to add a Christmas card with your message (we do this free of charge).

There is less restraint than ever this year, the Franciacorta is epic so let’s drink to that. Vicentini’s Soave is a benchmark and Necotium’s Cabernet Franc has the minty, cassis-laced fruit that makes a third bottle essential. Real treats from Castell’in Villa, Picéch and Santa Vittoria will enrich any occasion.

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Dry Sparkling White Wines - Fizz Britain is Champagne’s greatest benefactor and magnanimously we Brits have welcomed Prosecco into the fold, in fact we are drinking more sparkling wine than ever and why not? Perhaps we have shown restraint in not picking up the habit of offering Prosecco with breakfast (though it is a good way to shake out the cobwebs), but it does actually taste good before ten. I recommend the Undici with pastries, the perfect start to a special day.

The Vigna del Cuc is drier, a stylish party wine also ideal for two. We welcome a new wine from Case Bianche: the Cuvée Extra Dry, whose Ruinart’esque livery is very fine and the fruit is round and lush, there is no Prosecco at the price to touch it. The Ribolla Gialla is a vine that is a minor player on the Friulian plains where Glera (Prosecco) has taken over and more’s the pity as this grape traps the sunshine and freshness of the land.

Unsurprisingly, we believe there are less and less reasons than ever to choose Champagne when Franciacorta is giving it, not just a run for the money, but a pretty sound thrashing. Irritatingly, despite some excellent press that we have eked out over the year, Franciacorta remains resolutely underrated, an exceptional ‘insider wine.’

Majolini have dropped ‘NV’ from the label of their Brut, letting the cat out of the bag - this is, and always has been a single vintage wine. The Brut 2010 is the kind of single estate vintage fizz that Champagne houses place at the top of the list whereas this is merely Majolini’s opening gambit, and priced accordingly. Moving up through their list is the ‘Aligi Sassu’, an Extra Brut made from Chardonnay alone, the pas dosé technique (no added sugar) is highly unusual and it is a style used increasingly for the finest and ripest Crus of Champagne and certainly good enough for the second rung on Majolini’s ladder. The Satén ‘Ante Omnia’ is in a classic crémant style, fine small bubbles, a perfect aperitivo. Now for the headlining Vintage cru ‘Electo’ from the legendary 2005 vintage: with its deep buttered toast, grapefruit and tarragon flavours, it is a brilliant wine. Ultimately the Valentino: this release is also from the 2005 vintage (the last one was a 1999/2000), it has spent ten years on the lees and the development is truly remarkable. It was a Gold medal winning at the Decanter World Wine Awards.

Di Marzo’s sparkling Greco di Tufo is totally unique with ripe lime and apricot fruit. A brilliant wine for a special occasion, like Ferrante’s own wedding!

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Prosecco e amici CASE BIANCHE. CUVÉE EXTRA DRY 2015

£10.75

ISV036 | Veneto | Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco

6x75cl

RAUSCEDO. RIBOLLA GIALLA EXTRA DRY

£61.20

£12.75

ISF006 | Friuli | Ribolla Gialla

6x75cl

CASE BIANCHE. PROSECCO BRUT ‘CUC’ 2015 ISV031 | Veneto | Glera

£13.50 6x75cl

COL SANDAGO. PROSECCO DRY ‘UNDICI’ 2014 ISV029 | Veneto | Glera

£72.60

£76.80

£15.75 6x75cl

£89.40

Classic method MAJOLINI. FRANCIACORTA BRUT 2010

£22.00

ISB001 | Lombardia | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

6x75cl

DI MARZO. ANNI VENTI BRUT

£24.00

ISC001 | Campania | Greco

6x75cl

MAJOLINI. FRANCIACORTA PAS DOSÉ 'ALIGI SASSU' 2006 ISB022 | Lombardia | Chardonnay

ISB016 | Lombardia | Chardonnay

£136.80

£25.00 6x75cl

MAJOLINI. FRANCIACORTA SATÉN 'ANTE OMNIA' 2009

£142.50

£25.00 6x75cl

MAJOLINI. FRANCIACORTA ‘ELECTO’ 2005

£142.50

£27.50

ISB017 | Lombardia | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

6x75cl

MAJOLINI. FRANCIACORTA VALENTINO 2005 ISB018 | Lombardia | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

£156.90

£40.00 6x75cl

ROBERTO ZENI. MASO NERO DOSAGGIO ZERO 2011 ISO005 | Trentino | Pinot Bianco

£123.00

£228.00

£45.00 6x75cl

£256.50

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To wrap up we offer the indulged ‘Dosaggio Zero’ from Zeni, a pure high altitude Pinot Bianco that hit the optimum ripeness required to wear barrique-fermentation and ageing with such finesse. Full, rich and bone dry, tight and mineral, a world class sparkling wine.

Dry Sparkling Rosé Wines The Wildbacher is the odd one out here, then again there is only one producer of sparkling rosé Wildbacher, this is it and perhaps unique is a better word. It is made using the Charmat (Prosecco) method and given the lightest touch on the skins which paints palest of pinks, the fruit is delicate with gentle wild strawberry fruit. The other spumanti (fizz) use the traditional method (Champagne) and also take the colour from their skins.

The darkest and fullest is Majolini’s ‘Altera’, an impressive wine which could be enjoyed through the Christmas feast; the Gusbourne is lean and refreshing, classic Champagne style and regarded (rightly) as one of UKs best.

Lastly, Zeni’s Brut Rosé which combines fine strawberry and sour cherry nuances with a taut minerality, all in perfect balance.

COL SANDAGO. WILDBACHER BRUT ROSÉ 2013 ISV003 | Veneto | Wildbacher

£16.50 6x75cl

ROBERTO ZENI. MASO NERO BRUT ROSÉ 2008 ISO003 | Trento | Pinot Noir, Chardonnay

£28.50 6x75cl

MAJOLINI. FRANCIACORTA BRUT ROSÉ ‘ALTERA’ ISB020 | Lombardia |Pinot Noir

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£159.60

£30.00 6x75cl

GUSBOURNE ESTATE. SPARKLING ROSE 2012 ESK004 | Kent Sussex | Pinot Noir

£93.90

£171.00

£31.00 6x75cl

£176.70

Sparkling Wine of the Year

MAJOLINI FRANCIACORTA BRUT DOCG 2010 (CODE ISB001) £123.00 case (6x75cl)

£22.00 eqv. £20.50

£224.40 case (12x75cl) eqv. £18.70 £51.50 magnum (150cl) code ISB120 The Majolini family are one of the oldest and smallest producers in Franciacorta. They are at the extreme end of the spectrum, amongst the highest and oldest vineyards in the region, most of which are precariously terraced into the hillside (their vineyard workers are very fit). We have imported wine from the Majolini family since 2003 and seen a succession of small changes that have lifted the wines to their current status. Originally, invaluable help came from Jean Pierre Valade (of Jacquesson et fils), whose attention to detail is legendary. To accquire this quality in a bottle of Champagne is a wallet-liberating experience, it is safe to say Franciacorta has arrived – a world class, sparkling wine.

Ninety percent Chardonnay and ten percent Pinot Noir; a part of the Chardonnay is fermentated and aged in barrique, the majority in steel. The second fermention is an extremely generous thirty months spent on the lees before disgorgement.

This is a lovely vintage, the 2010 is the finished article, it has shed its puppyish charms to reveal delicate brioche and candied lemon, a fresh and complex wine with the finest moose. Divine.

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Dry Fresh White Wines I can’t deny some trepidation when first presented with the class of 2015, it was a balmy summer, perfect for lazing on a beach, not the recommended temperatures for crafting perfect light white wine. Happily, our winemakers defied expectations and their wines are universally excellent, even brilliant.

There is no wrong choice in this selection, it is one of pure, simple joy.

So, my tip as the season gets up a head of steam, is to clear at least three spaces in the fridge for fresh whites. These are the refreshing pick-me-ups, perfect when a cup of tea just doesn’t cut it, when friends appear unexpectedly or simply to take the edge off reality; they have the added benefit of being incredibly food friendly.

Frentano’s Trebbiano has been spectacularly popular, easy and fresh, oft overlooked and consequently fantastic value - the perfect recovery tonic for a wretched Wednesday. We have a divine Custoza from Recchia, unpretentious and undemanding in a very good way. Rauscedo has stepped into Plozner’s size tens and Franscesco (ex-Plozner winemaker) is making better wines than ever: his Pinot Grigio is ambitious and finely poised, the Sauvignon is exciting and immaculate and the Friulano is an absolute classic.

Travel a little North to find perfectly cut wines from the Zeni family. Their Sauvignon has a force and focus more usually encountered in the Southern hemisphere, it is a truly remarkable wine; their Pinot Bianco manages to be both refreshing and light while complex and concentrated, it is hard to beat with haddock or salmon in a luxuriantly creamy sauce.

One of my highlights of the year (apart from listening to Ranieri’s comments on Leicester FC) was a tasting of Soave’s finest resulting in us importing from the Vicentini family. Their interpretation of Soave has such classical purity; their ‘Casale’, taken from a single (volcanic) vineyard of Garganega may have been the best Soave from the 2014 vintage. No reason to drop Filippi’s though, which has a more leesy style with biscuit and almond flavours, very much in tune with the natural wine trend.

Matteo Ascheri has honed his Cortese into a benchmark Gavi that is disturbingly easy to drink. Turn the lime flavours up a notch or two and you will find the Cococciola, lean, pure and very unusual. We have also imported Gianni’s Trebbiano Spoletino, not to be confused with Trebbiano, Spoletino is potentially Umbria’s best white wine, it has real depth, no need for oak and is equally at ease in good conversation or with a rich pea risotto. The Verdicchio wines are all superb, they share a tautness that opens to reveal a generosity of flavours; choosing between them is impossible, as a pointer Jesi wines are a touch riper, Metalica more mineral.

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Dry fresh white wines BROCCATELLI GALLI. BIANCO 2015

£7.25

IWU029 | Umbria | Grechetto, Trebbiano, Chardonnay 6x75cl

£41.10

BROCCATELLI GALLI. GRECHETTO SELEZIONE 2015

£8.20

IWU030 | Umbria | Grechetto

6x75cl

FRENTANA. FRENTANO TREBBIANO 2015

£8.00

IWA001 | Abruzzo | Trebbiano d’Abruzzo

6x75cl

RECCHIA. CUSTOZA 2015 6x75cl

RAUSCEDO. FRIULANO 2015

£48.60

£10.00

IWF203 | Friuli | Friulano

6x75cl

RAUSCEDO. SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015

£57.00

£10.00

IWF204 | Friuli | Sauvignon

6x75cl

RAUSCEDO. PINOT GRIGIO 2015

£57.00

£10.00

IWF207 | Friuli | Pinot Grigio

6x75cl

MANCINELLI. VERDICCHIO DI JESI CLASSICO 2014 IWM001 | Marche | Verdicchio

£57.00

£10.75 6x75cl

VICENTINI. SOAVE 'TERRELUNGHE' 2015

£60.00

£11.00

IWV088 | Veneto | Garganega, Trebbiano di Soave

6x75cl

FRENTANA. COCOCCIOLA 2015

£62.70

£11.00

IWA002 | Abruzzo | Cococciola

6x75cl

FILIPPI. SOAVE ‘CASTELCERINO’ 2013

£62.70

£12.50

IWV077 | Veneto | Garganega, Trebbiano di Soave

6x75cl

SANTA VITTORIA. GRECHETTO 2015

£71.10

£12.50 6x75cl

MANCINELLI. VERDICCHIO ‘FIORE’ 2014 IWM002 | Marche | Verdicchio

£45.60

£8.50

IWV087 | Veneto | Garganega, Trebbiano

IWT013 | Toscana | Grechetto

£46.80

£71.40

£12.50 6x75cl

£71.40

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Then we have Alessandro’s wines from San Gimignano. He is a great man and, for my palate, he makes the most unique and individual Vernaccia, feisty and brilliant.

Lastly our stalwarts: we are so proud of Broccatelli’s Bianco and Grechetto, so versatile and both so very delicious, you may find old friends pop around more often and your neighbour might never leave… Wednesdays will be better though.

BROCCATELLI GALLI. TREBBIANO SPOLETINO 2015 IWU031 | Umbria | Trebbiano Spoletino

£12.85 6x75cl

ASCHERI. GAVI DI GAVI 2015 IWP009 | Piemonte | Cortese

£13.25 6x75cl

PAGLIANETTO. VERDICCHIO MATELICA 'PETRARA' 2014 IWM038 | Marche | Verdicchio

£73.26

£75.30

£14.00 6x75cl

£79.80

TOFANARI. VERNACCIA DI SAN GIMIGNANO 'CIPREA' 2013

£14.00

IWT009 | Toscana | Vernaccia

£79.80

6x75cl

ZENI. PINOT BIANCO 2015 IWO041 | Trento | Pinot Bianco

£15.00 6x75cl

ZENI. SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 IWO032 | Trento | Sauvignon Blanc

£15.90 6x75cl

VICENTINI. SOAVE ‘IL CASALE’ 2014 IWV089 | Veneto | Garganega

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£85.50

£90.00

£17.00 6x75cl

£96.60

Dry Aromatic White Wines There is a perfect moment in the day when a dry, aromatic white wine hits the spot, something I call lunchtime. The exuberant, tropical-style fruit and honeyed notes greet you from the glass and are a positive tonic to the end of the morning, soothing and uplifting. Of course with all of these wines, the lush floral nose is always followed by a fresh dry palette, the kind of thing that is just the ticket with cold luncheon of left-over chicken or turkey, maybe a little piece of pork or even game pie and pickle.

These are also wines that accompany a curry rather well, complimenting spice and not fighting heat. The Traminer and Gewürztraminer are at the more extreme rose-petal end, they work really well with blue cheeses. The Piùchebello has the lightest touch, orange blossom and grape, a genuinely delightful aperitivo. The Arneis and Fiano are both lifted by exotic easternfruit and faint spice, delicate and rounded. 2014 was kind to Bulfon’s Cividìn, the fruit is as ripe and alluring as ever and the alcohol a little lower, there is nothing not to love. Zeni has tweaked the Nosiola, a fraction more body and markedly better for it.

RAUSCEDO. TRAMINER 2013

£11.00

IWF205 | Friuli | Traminer

6x75cl

LA MONTECCHIA. PIUCHEBELLO 2014

£11.50

IWV083 | Veneto | Muscat

6x75cl

ASCHERI. LANGHE ARNEIS 2015 6x75cl

EMILIO BULFON. CIVIDÌN 2014 6x75cl

DI MARZO. FIANO DI AVELLINO 'PALAZZO' 2015

£77.70

£13.75 6x75cl

Zeni. NOSIOLA ‘PALUSTELLA’ 2013

£78.60

£15.00 6x75cl

SCHWARZHOF. GEWURZTRAMINER 2014 IWO042 | Trento | Gewurztraminer

£74.10

£13.60

IWF001 | Friuli | Cividìn

IWO040 | Trento | Nosiola

£65.10

£13.00

IWP008 | Piemonte | Arneis

IWC005 | Campania | Fiano

£62.70

£85.50

£16.75 6x75cl

£95.40

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Medium to Full Bodied Dry White Wines Naturally, there is some overlap with the ‘light whites’, it is just personal taste after all. In this selection oak starts to make an appearance and when it does, we like it to not be intrusive. The one constant in this selection is an intensity rather than weight to the wines, these are never left on the table after a tasting, they get taken home to dinner.

At the lighter end we have Frentana’s Pecorino: floral with jasmine, green peppers and dried lemon peel. Picéch’s wines are altogether broader in the shoulder: his Friulano offers baked apples with hazelnuts; the Pinot Bianco proves the greatness of both the grape and winemaker with its crusty freshbread nose and rich mouthfeel, all achieved without the use of oak. The Jelka (named after Roberto’s mother) is very special, fermented in oak with layer upon layer of rich spiced fruit. Then we have Paolo’s unicorn, the L’Étrange, just one small vat of Vermentino that has rested on the lees, with some skins too, for twelve months. The result is so harmonious, mineral, fleshy with a subtle grip of tannin.

The last vintage of Ferrante’s Greco di Tufo ‘Scipionis’ was chosen by Decanter as the best white from Southern Italy. It was allocated to our Wine Club but I secured a little more this year, and it remains exceptional.

Another year has unlocked the fragrant, lime blossom and orange flavours that are inherent in the wine. His Franciscus shares the DNA: lime, mineral, taught and intense, wonderful with seafood. Like the Greco, Costanzo’s Etna Bianco ‘Di Sei’ is grown on volcanic rock. It has an intensity and freshness combined with a richness (again no oak) that has stunned me; complex, lime, white peach, flint and herb flavours.

From the other end of Italy heralds a Chardonnay of beguiling purity from Lis Fadis. Broilo’s Ribolla was ‘natural wine’ before the term was coined, and tastes exactly that with roasted yellow peppers and peppery nasturtium.

Also from the Friuli, Bulfon’s ‘Rugel’ simply has to be experienced, undoubtedly the greatest dry Ucelùt in living memory. From the entrance into the Dolomites comes Zeni’s Sortí, a Pinot Bianco fermented and aged in oak, it is my exception, has totally unapologetic ripe buttery fruit, tropical and delicious. Last, and certainly not least, Ascheri’s Viognier has the spice and depth we love when this enigmatic grape is perfectly presented: wild honey, nutmeg, clove and vanilla combined with the classic apricot, white peach and rose petal inflections that make it a genuine treat.

TORRE VINARIA BIANCO 2014 IWA003 | Abruzzo | Pecorino/Chardonnay

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£10.00 6x75cl

£57.00

Medium to full bodied dry white wines FRENTANA. BIO PECORINO 2015

£12.50

IWA004 | Abruzzo | Pecorino

6x75cl

EMILIO BULFON. BLANC DE RUGEL 2013

£15.00

IWF117 | Friuli | Ucelùt

6x75cl

DI MARZO. GRECO DI TUFO ‘FRANCISCUS’ 2015 IWC004 | Campania | Greco

6x75cl

£85.50

£18.50

IWF112 | Friuli | Friulano

6x75cl

PICÉCH. PINOT BIANCO 2014

£105.60

£18.75

IWF120 | Friuli | Pinot Bianco

6x75cl

BROILO. RIBOLLA GIALLA 2013

£105.00

£20.00

IWF208 | Friuli | Ribolla Gialla

6x75cl

SANT'AGNESE. L’ETRANGER 2015

£114.00

£22.00

IWT015 | Toscana | Vermentino

6x75cl

ZENI. SORTI 2011

£125.40

£22.50

IWO038 | Trentino | Pinot Bianco

6x75cl

PICÉCH. JELKA 2013

£128.10

£22.50

IWF116 | Friuli | Ribolla Gialla, Friulano, Malvasia

6x75cl

ASCHERI. VIOGNIER 2013

£128.1

£23.00

IWP010 | Piemonte | Viognier

6x75cl

COSTANZO. BIANCO 'DI SEI' 2014

£131.10

£25.00

IWS011 | Sicily | Carricante

6x75cl

DI MARZO. GRECO DI TUFO 'SCIPIONIS' 2012

£142.50

£25.00 6x75cl

LIS FADIS. GURIUT 2011 IWF119 | Friuli | Chardonnay

£85.50

£15.00

PICÉCH. FRIULANO 2012

IWC002 | Campania | Greco

£71.10

£142.50

£27.50 6x75cl

£156.90

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White Wines of the Year

ASCHERI. GAVI DI GAVI 2015 IWU031 | Piemonte | Cortese

£13.25 6x75cl 12x75cl

£75.30 £142.80

eqv. £12.55 eqv. £11.90

Gavi has long enjoyed an excellent reputation and is regarded as the best white wine made in Piemonte. In 2015 the fruit was lovely and Matteo Ascheri was able to make a wine worthy of the legend; this has a crystal-like clarity, beautiful citrus, apricot and lime flavours, excellent depth which makes it a perfect accompaniment to lighter dishes or as an aperitivo.

ALESSANDRO TOFANARI. VERNACCHIA ‘CIPREA’ 2013 IWT009 | Toscana | Vernaccia

£14.00

6x75cl

£79.80

eqv. £13.30

12x75cl

£151.20

eqv. £12.60

Alessandro and Simona’s farm hides in the hills south of San Gimignano, Tuscany’s answer to New York. The vineyards are farmed biodynamically, this is as natural as wine can be. There are only 4000 bottles made each year. Lemon, fig, quince and honey entice and wrap around a taut, mineral core. With a firm grip of tannin, this is the antithesis of the modern ‘fruitbomb’, a supreme ‘grown-up’ food wine or a more challenging aperitivo. A wine packed with character, exactly how Vernaccia should be.

ZENI. SAUVIGNON BLANC 2015 IWO032 | Trento | Sauvignon

£15.90 6x75cl 12x75cl

£90.00 £168.00

eqv. £15.00 eqv. £14.00

The Zeni family make wine high above Lake Garda, the air is clean with warm summer days and cool mountain nights, in short it is the perfect spot for the eternally aromatic Sauvignon Blanc. Zeni have created a unique style by picking half the grapes as they ripen and half when super-ripe; this makes for a concentrated, yet refreshing wine which marries fresh herb and asparagus flavours to ripe kiwi and grapefruit. Delicious.

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White Wine of the Year

PALMENTO COSTANZO. BIANCO DI SEI 2014 (CODE IWS011) Etna DOC

£25.00

£142.50 case (6x75cl) eqv. £23.75 £270.00 case (12x75cl) eqv. £22.50 Palmento Costanzo sits on Etna at an altitude of 700-750m in the Santo Spirito area (between Franchetti's Passopisciaro and Marc De Grazia's Tenuta delle Terre Nere). There are few places on earth that the wine world is more excited about.

The winery is new, fortunately their vines are very old and, even better, they are bush trained (alberello) on volcanic soils. The farm is in the magnificent Etna national park so the smallest modifications must have official approval and renovating the original Palmento (a fermentation cellar, similar to the "lagares" in Porto and Madeira) and restoring the vineyards’s ancient terraces has been a true labour of love.

Grape varieties: •

Carricante 70%

• •

Catarratto 20% Minnella and Trebbiano 2%

Devine pale lemon to gold hue with fresh lime, peach and white flower aromas. There is a glorious richness and torsion of fresh herb and white peach woven into elements of flint and mineral. A wine that combines freshness with rich complexity. No oak just absolute purity, a truly remarkable white wine.

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Red Wines of the Year SAMPIETRANA. SQUINZANO RISERVA ‘GELSO’ 2012 IRG080 | Puglia | Negroamaro 6x75cl 12x75cl

£68.40 £129.60

£12.00 eqv. £11.40 eqv. £10.80

Squinzano lies between Lecce and Brindisi, it may not have the most famous name, but it does sound fabulous and is both geographically and stylistically very close to Salice Salentino.

Sampietrana are properly old fashioned and make full, dark, spicy red wine from ancient bush trained vines. A perfect warming tipple and excellent with spicy stew.

EMILIO BULFON. PICULÌT NERI 2014 IRF004 | Friuli | Piculìt Neri

6x75cl 12x75cl

£15.00 £85.50 £162.00

eqv. £14.25 eqv. £13.50

For those unfamiliar with Bulfon, be aware that we are dealing with one of Italy’s most idiosyncratic winemakers who back in the 60’s shunned the movement towards globally recognised grape varieties, deciding instead to journey into the past and unearth the ancient vines of his lands. Piculìt Neri takes its name from the small dark bunches, it is the signature wine of the cantina and consistently the best. The tannins have a silky texture, reminiscent of a Burgundy, the fruit is rich raspberry and blackcurrant with delicate cedar.

CASTELL’IN VILLA. CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 IRT142 | Toscana | Sangiovese 6x75cl 12x75cl

£18.50 £105.30 £199.80

eqv. £17.55 eqv. £16.65

Principessa Coralia Pignatelli della Leonessa makes what is regarded now as a ‘classic traditional Chianti’; the vineyards are farmed organically, the Sangiovese fermented in steel using a wild yeast fermentation and the wines aged for two years in large Slavonian oak casks. It has served Castell’in Villa well, the wines are highly sought after. Darkly concentrated black cherry fruit mingles with spice and porcini, the tannins are ripe and give structure, Brunello lovers will not be disappointed.

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Dry Rosé Wines Old favourites and one new one. It is easy to underestimate rosé but when it is made from Barbera and Nebbiolo you really ought to take notice, Villa Giada’s is also one of the brightest pinks we’ve ever seen. Conversely the new favourite from Frentana is the palest coppery pink, but drinks in the style of a red rather than a white: plum fruit with gentle acidity. With a similar Provence-pale hue, Zeni’s Pinot Grigio Ramato is poised and highbrow, a pure expression of Pinot Grigio that is fine and elegant in the unique way that only mountain wines can be. Both Recchia’s Bardolino Chiaretto and Broccatelli’s Rosato ‘Due Rose’ continue to delight us in these shortening days and can even remind us of those long warm ones to come.

FRENTANA. COSTA DEI TRABOCCHI' 2015

£8.00

IPA001 | Abruzzo | Montepulciano

6x75cl

RECCHIA. BARDOLINO CHIARETTO 2015

£8.50

IPV001 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella

6x75cl

BROCATELLI GALLI. ROSATO 'DUE ROSÉ' 2014 IPU007 | Umbria | Sangiovese, Pinot Grigio

£49.80

£10.75 6x75cl

ZENI. PINOT GRIGIO RAMATO 2015 IPO037 | Trento | Pinot Grigio

£48.00

£8.75 6x75cl

VILLA GIADA. MONFERRATO CHIARETTO 2014 IPP201 | Piemonte | Barbera, Nebbiolo

£45.60

£61.20

£15.90 6x75cl

£89.10

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Light Red Wines These red wines are potentially the most versatile and the most overlooked.

They have light tannins and no oak pretty much by definition, but they have depth of fruit and finely balanced acidity that makes them great to drink with friends, with antipasti, leftovers, mid-week suppers or even a box set.

If you are in the right sort of mood these can also be terrific fun slightly chilled.

Recchia’s Bardolino continues to delight, this vintage has a little more power and spice. The ever youthful, lower alcohol (10.5%) Dosset shows how ultra-fresh Dolcetto can be when it is picked early. Our other Dolcetto, from Ascheri, is an altogether denser wine, but shares the characteristic, generous berry fruit. This vintage is Also from Ascheri is the Pelaverga, a very rare grape variety that is light and spicy with just a twist of black pepper.

Bionda’s Valpolicella is now established as a classic, so poised and elegant yet forgiving and adaptable, a glorious combo with a simply grilled steak. Zeni’s unique Rossara is lighter but similarly pleasurable with exuberant cherry fruit and soft tannins. Bulfon’s Cianorôs has more pronounced raspberry fruit and similarly light tannins while Mancinelli’s’ Lacrima enjoys much denser fruit and overtly violet aromas with a very softly-tannic palate.

The hit of the season is the Nec-Otium Cabernet Franc, which has really benefited from the extra year’s bottle ageing, its brambly hedgerow fruit is just perfect; it is a huge shame that so little is produced.

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Light red wines RECCHIA. BARDOLINO 2015

£8.50

IRV136 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella

6x75cl

PRINCIPIANO. DOSSET VDT

£11.50

IRP301 | Piemonte | Dolcetto

6x75cl

ASCHERI. DOLCETTO D’ALBA ‘NIRANE’ 2015 IRP110 | Piemonte | Dolcetto

6x75cl

BIONDA. VALPOLICELLA CLASSICO 2014 6x75cl

6x75cl

£79.80

£14.00 6x75cl

ZENI. ROSSARA 'LEGIARE' 2014

£79.80

£15.00 6x75cl

ASCHERI. DO UT DES 2010 IRP004 | Piemonte | Pelaverga

£77.40

£14.00 6x75cl

MANCINELLI. LACRIMA 2014

IRO012 | Trento | Rossara

£71.10

£13.60

NEC-OTIUM. CABERNET FRANC 2013

IRM002 | Marche | Lacrima

£69.00

£13.50

BULFON. CIANORÔS 2014

IRF087 | Friuli | Cabernet Franc

£68.40

£12.00

IRM026 | Marche | Sangiovese, Merlot, Lacrima

IRF003 | Friuli | Cjanorie

£65.40

£12.00 6x75cl

PAGLIANETTO. ‘TERRAVIGNATA’ 2014

IRV006 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone

£48.00

£85.50

£15.50 6x75cl

£88.20

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Medium to Full Bodied Red Wines My one overriding rule when making this selection is that the wines must be ready to drink. That done, I attempt to lead you through the soft, rich fruity bass-filled reds, the earthy old-skool gents loved by ‘traditionalists’ (like me) and the slightly extreme fundamental tastes that unleash the high notes usually caused by altitude, Volcanic soils and/or Nebbiolo. I am fortunate enough to love all of these styles and this years’ selection is a nicely balanced line-up.

Opening with our finest range of ‘essentials’ yet: - sub ten-pound wines with clout: Broccatelli’s Sangiovese is juicy and fresh, a gutsy Chianti style that is oh so easy, a brilliant pasta wine; Frentana’s Montepulciano is more generously cut, soft ripe fruit, open and generous, a classic party wine (and available in magnums); Sampietrana took advantage of a relatively cool vintage and made an authentic and correct Primitivo that is wonderfully drinkable. The newest selection is Ferrante’s ‘Vesuvio’, which I couldn’t leave behind, the Aglianico is raucous and just about under control, a puppy of a wine.

We can rely on the South to provide some winter sunshine and Paolo’s ‘Fortuita’ has aged with grace and does just that. His new wine ‘Motta del Lupo’ is more immediate and offers spectacular value. The di Marzo Aglianico combines the warmth and ripeness of the south with the trademark restraint of the north and, somehow, Montecchia does the same thing the other way around with the Ca’ Emo, northern elegance with a dash of southern flair, both great wines. Merlot grown on the Tuscan coast has received international acclaim and the Agnese Rubido provides the experience without shredding your wallet, there is structure and ripe fruit with age overlaying a porcini patina. Picéch’s Rosso has brighter, minty berry fruit, a wine I look forward to planning a meal around. Righetti’s ripasso ‘Campolieti’ stands out as exceptional, fresh and complex with telltale date and raison flavours giving away its Amarone parentage. The Teroldego from Zeni can just about be described as medium bodied, it is a wine I adore for its immediate pleasure, it makes no demands and flatters almost every dish and, should you pause for a second, there is an immense, nuanced wine to be discovered.

The next wines have a weight of fruit that gives them an effortless power: Bulfon is less concerned with the weight that tannins provide; the ancient varieties that he cultivates are best when unforced and left to follow the path laid by the vintage. His Cordenossa is super-fruity, damson and raspberry flavours bursting from the glass; the Piculìt is more cassis-flavoured Page 21 | 01572 759735 | batwine.uk

Medium to full bodied red wines BROCCATELLI GALLI. SANGIOVESE 2015

£7.25

IRU030 | Umbria | Sangiovese

6x75cl

DI MARZO. VESUVIA ROSSO

£41.10

£8.00

IRC005 | Campania | Aglianico

6x75cl

FRENTANA. FRENTANO 2014

£45.60

£8.00

IRA101 | Abruzzo | Montepulciano

6x75cl

SAMPIETRANA. PRIMITIVO 2014

£45.60

£8.40

IRG079 | Puglia | Primitivo

6x75cl

PAOLO PETRILLI. MOTTA DEL LUPO 2015

£47.70

£10.00

IRG086 | Puglia | Troia, Sangiovese, Montepulciano

6x75cl

SANTA VITTORIA. POGGIO AL TEMPIO 2013 IRT002 | Toscana | Sangiovese, Pugnitello, F. Tonda

£57.00

£10.50 6x75cl

VILLA GIADA. BARBERA SURÍ 2014

£59.70

£10.75

IRP133 | Piemonte | Barbera

6x75cl

£61.50

LA MONTECCHIA. CA’ EMO 2014

£12.00

IRV137 | Veneto | Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Raboso 6x75cl

£68.40

PAOLO PETRILLI. FORTUITA 2011

£12.00

IRG072 | Puglia | Aglianico, Troia, Montepulciano

6x75cl

LUIGI RIGHETTI. CAMPOLIETI 2012

£12.00

IRV102 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella

6x75cl

DI MARZO. AGLIANICO IRPINIA 2013 IRC001 | Campania | Aglianico

6x75cl

£72.60

£15.00 6x75cl

EMILIO BULFON. PICULÌT NERI 2014 IRF004 | Friuli | Piculìt Neri

£68.40

£12.75

SANT'AGNESE. 'RUBIDO' 2011 IRT141 | Toscana | Merlot

£68.40

£85.50

£15.00 6x75cl

£85.50

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with a fine, ripe tannic structure, a tad more serious. The Pecòl Ros is growing into a handsome wine with its peppery Refosco fruit. The Friuli’s indigenous Schioppettino and Refosco are used with remarkable skill by Lis Fadis whose Bergul is a step up in concentration, balance and sheer brilliance, a wine that is very hard not to love.

The unreformed Raboso of the Forzatè veers toward truffle and earthy flavours, it is epic with stewed meats. Also very classic and typical of its region is Le Miccine’s Chianti where Paola works with great vision, her wines are sure-footed and immaculate; Santa Vittoria lies just outside of Chianti in the unfashionable Arezzo region, which is good for us as their Poggio al Tempio is far better than the price suggests. Mauros’s Leopoldo is my favourite Pugnitello, an ancient Tuscan vine with spice and ripe forest fruit.

Andrea’s Barbera Surí deserves a special mention, it is so poised, a trip down memory lane to when Barbera had earthy notes and savoury brambly fruit.

Conversely, his Tre Ponti, tastes very contemporary and could be his best yet with ripe, concentrated, powerful fruit laced with cocoa and mocha.

Now it is the turn of the ethereal, intense and somehow romantic wines shaped by altitude shared with volcanic slopes. From the Alto-Piemonte we have Coste della Sesia, Bramaterra and Lessona from Colombera e Garella, these are all wines based on Nebbiolo with the historic inclusion of Vespolina and Croatina (not in the Lessona). Quite unlike Barolo, they are tighter, more intense with floral and mineral notes. A few miles east in the hills of Gattinara, Mauro Fanchino practises his art, something unchanged for generations simply because improving on this format is impossible. His Nebbiolo has presence, it whispers and a stadium listens.

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Medium to full bodied red wines EMILIO BULFON. PECÒL ROS 'LA SANTISSIMA' 2013 IRF005 | Friuli | Refosco, Cjanorìe, Piculìt Neri

£15.50 6x75cl

COSTANZO. ‘MOFETE’ ETNA ROSSO 2012

£88.20

£15.50

IRS016 | Sicilia | Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio

6x75cl

LE MICCINE. CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012

£88.50

£15.75

IRT136 | Toscana | Sangiovese

6x75cl

£89.70

ASCHERI. NEBBIOLO D’ALBA ‘BRICCO SAN GIACOMO’ 2014

£15.75

IRP051 | Piemonte | Nebbiolo

£89.70

6x75cl

COLOMBERA E GARELLA. COSTE DELLA SESIA 2013 IRP210 | Piemonte | Nebbiolo, Croatina, Vespolina

£16.00 6x75cl

EMILIO BULFON. CORDENOSSA 'ROS DI SANZUAN' 2013 IRF002 | Friuli | Cordenossa

£16.50 6x75cl

VILLA GIADA. TRE PONTI 2012

£93.90

£16.50

IRP132 | Piemonte | Nebbiolo

6x75cl

SANTA VITTORIA. LEOPOLDO 2011

£93.90

£16.50

IRT001 | Toscana | Pugnitello

6x75cl

ZENI. TEROLDEGO DI ROTALIANO ‘LEALBERE’ 2013 IRO017 | Trento | Teroldego

£91.20

£93.60

£17.75 6x75cl

£101.10

PICÉCH. COLLIO ROSSO 2013

£18.75

IRF086 | Friuli | Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Cab Sauvignon 6x75cl

£105.00

CA’ LA BIONDA. VALPOLICELLA SUPERIORE ‘CASAL VEGRI’ 2012

£20.00

IRV119 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone

£114.00

6x75cl

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From the Sicilian slopes of Etna, where Costanzo’s miserly crop from ancient bush vines of Nerello Mascalese and Nerello Cappuccino produces significant, world class wines we celebrate ‘Nero di Sei’ and Mofete.

Returning to Piemonte, we have Barolo from Ascheri and Brezza: Matteo’s Pisapola is from the borders of La Morra and Verduno, where the sandier soils encourage an early drinking style and the 2012 is very forward and all the better for it. Enzo Brezza’s vineyards are around the village of Barolo, the silky elegance of the 2011 is already lovely. Ascheri’s 2014 Nebbiolo is a touch lighter than usual, better than ever though with gossamer layers of berry fruit, lavender and dried rose, perfect with white meats or risottos. It may come as a surprise that I include Bionda’s Valpolicella Casal Vegri into this group, the fruit is so fine and tannins so perfect, it is a masterpiece. To think that there was a time when I was tempted to broaden the geographical net to include Burgundy, fortunately for me, learning French can return to being a distant nightmare.

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Medium to full bodied red wines COLOMBERA E GARELLA. BRAMATERRA 'CASCINA COTTIGNANO' 2013 £25.00 IRP204 | Nebbiolo, Croatina, Vespolina

6x75cl

MAURO FRANCHINO. GATTINARA 2011

£25.00

IRP206 | Piemonte | Nebbiolo

6.x75cl

COSTANZO. ETNA ROSSO ‘NERO DI SEI’ 2012 IRS017 | Sicilia | Nerello Mascalese, Nerello Cappuccio

6x75cl

£142.50

£27.00

IRF084 | Friuli | Schioppetino, Refosco, Merlot

6x75cl

£153.90

6x75cl

£28.00 £159.60

BREZZA. BAROLO 2011 IRP164 | Piemonte | Nebbiolo

£142.50

£25.00

LIS FADIS. 'BERGUL' 2010

ASCHERI. BAROLO ‘PISAPOLA’ 2012 IRP151 | Piemonte | Nebbiolo

£142.50

£30.00 6x75cl

£171.00

Matteo Ascheri in the Pisapola vineyard

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Full Bodied Red Wines Brace yourself, I hope you are thirsty! This is a seriously impressive line up from bush-vine Primitivo to naturally air-dried, single-vineyard Amarone, and everything in-between. There are some properly aged wines in this section and everything listed is, for my taste, ready to drink.

We open with Frentana’s Torre Vinaria, it is shamelessly modern with supple sweet blueberry and cassis fruit; full, round and great with a steak sandwich.

From our burgeoning Pugliese selection emerge Sampietrana’s Salice Salentino and Squinzano, where some extended ageing has tamed the anarchic super-ripe Negro Amaro, making for rather well-mannered, if robust wines. Also from the heel hark Savese’s unhitched Petrose and Terrarossa: these wines represent an epoch of Sava Primitivo from a producer who cares little for world tastes, his wines are of timeless brilliance. Last and certainly not least are Petrilli’s wines from Lucera, here Uva di Troia is the dominant grape variety and it is no pushover; enormous efforts have been made by Paolo and his team to uncover the vine’s remarkable potential.

Paolo’s estate wine, the Agramante will feature regularly at our table this year, irresistible with its sloe and blueberry fruit and ripe tannins, such elegance, no oak, quite supreme. The Guerro is a step-up in power, huge in fact, it has thrown an impressive crust, unavoidable when no filtration is employed, so truly it is best to decant this masterpiece.

From the hills around Taurasi come di Marzo’s ‘Storiche’ and ‘Taurasi’, these are wines at the vanguard of the resurgence of Aglianico, beautifully judged tannins, full-bodied, fresh and fine.

Moving north we have tiny reserves left of Brunello 2005 from Poggiolo, it is a staggering wine with deep plum and berry fruit, porcini and spice, a wine to contemplate life over. Travel thirty miles due north to find Castell’in Villa, a magnificent estate on the southern edge of Chianti Classico. Coralia’s Chianti Classico is a magnificent wine, camomile, clove and tarragon, black cherry and strawberry, a classic insider wine. Her Riserva is quite epic, Coralia criticised it for being too Brunello-like, I am not sure that is such a bad thing. One hundred miles west on the Tuscan coast, Sant’ Agnese is located in Val di Cornia, just south of the uber-fashionable Bolgheri.

Without a ‘name' to sell his wines Paolo is forced to work extremely hard which is very good for us: his Libatio is bold and precise with a serious attack of black cherry fruit; the Spirto has a remarkable intensity and brightness, firm cassis, strawberry and balsamic-laced fruit, a genuinely profound example of coastal Merlot.

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Full bodied red wines FRENTANA. TORRE VINARIA 2013

£10.00

IRA031 | Abruzzo | Montepulciano, Cabernet

6x75cl

SAMPIETRANA. SQUINZANO RISERVA ‘GELSO’ 2012 IRG080 | Puglia | Negro Amaro, Malvasia Nera

£12.00 6x75cl

SAMPIETRANA. SALICE SALENTINO RISERVA ‘CUPA’ 2011 IRG083 | Puglia | Negro Amaro, Malvasia Nera

6x75cl

6x75cl

DI MARZO. AGLIANICO IRPINIA ‘STORICHE’ 2012 IRC002 | Campania | Aglianico

£72.60

£15.25 6x75cl

SAVESE. PRIMITIVO 'TERRAROSSA' 2010

£87.00

£15.50

IRG077 | Puglia | Primitivo

6x75cl

PAOLO PETRILLI. AGRAMANTE 2012

£88.50

£16.75

IRG071 | Puglia | Troia, Montepulciano, Sangiovese

6x75cl

CASTELL’IN VILLA. CHIANTI CLASSICO 2012 IRT142 | Toscana | Sangiovese

6x75cl

IRV007 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone

£95.40

£18.50

CA’ LA BIONDA. RIPASSO 'MALAVOGLIA' 2013

£105.30

£20.00 6x75cl

ANTICA BROILO. SCHIOPPETTINO 2012

£114.00

£20.00

IRF083 | Friuli | Schioppettino

6x75cl

ROBERTO ZENI. TEROLDEGO ‘SCHWARZHOF’ 2013

£114.00

£20.00 6x75cl

PAOLO PETRILLI. GUERRO 2010

£114.00

£21.00 6x75cl

VILLA GIADA. BRICCO DANI 2011 IRP002 | Piemonte | Barbera

£71.10

£12.75

IRG078 | Puglia | Primitivo

IRG002 | Puglia | Nero di Troia

£68.40

£12.50

SAVESE. PRIMITIVO 'LE PETROSE' 2011

IRO019 | Trento | Teroldego

£57.00

£119.70

£21.50 6x75cl

£120.00

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Continuing north to the Venetian classics of Amarone and Ripasso: the Righetti family have long been masters of traditional Amarone, always releasing genuine, mouth-filling wines with fruit cake and berry flavours. Ca’ la Bionda hosts a fascinating combination of youth and experience, the family is sincere and ambitious, determined to make the best Ripasso and Amarone possible, their wines are immaculate.

From Zeni, we have a brace of Teroldegos, the Schwarzhof is from a high vineyard on granitic rock, the Pini from the Rotaliano plain, both fermented in open barrels and both extraordinary. The Schwarzhof is more severe, the Pini softer with sweeter fruit, easy to tell apart, impossible to split. Before leaving the North East, I must mention Broilo’s Schioppettino with its hallmark peppery fruit, one of those wines that must be experienced.

Finally, we move to the North West where Villa Giada quietly produces one of the greatest Barbera wines of them all in the ‘Dedicato’. Roberto Conterno thought so too and that’s enough for me. Andrea’s Bricco Dani runs close, the differences are so marginal at this level.

To finish we have Brovia’s Barolo Villero 2004, so sensuous and ethereal with white truffle, spice and soft forest fruit. Ascheri’s Sorano is Barolo from the dark clays of Serralunga, the fruit is inevitably dark and muscular, with leather, smoke and cherry flavours, the wine is youthful but if you open it a few hours early it will not disappoint this year.

Alessandra Castellani, Ca La Bionda

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Full bodied dry red wines LUIGI RIGHETTI. AMARONE ‘ROARI’ 2012

£22.50

IRV130 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone, Rondinella

6x75cl

SANT'AGNESE. 'LIBATIO' 2007

£23.00

IRT139 | Toscana | Sangiovese

6x75cl

DI MARZO. TAURASI ‘ALBERTUS’ 2009 6x75cl

VILLA GIADA. NIZZA ‘DEDICATO’ 2010 6x75cl

ASCHERI. BAROLO 'SORANO' 2010 6x75cl

CASTELL’IN VILLA. CHIANTI CLASSICO RISERVA 2009 IRT143 | Toscana | Sangiovese

6x75cl

£199.50

£35.00 6x75cl

SANT’AGNESE. SPIRTO 2007

£199.50

£35.00 6x75cl

CA’ LA BIONDA. AMARONE 2010

£199.50

£37.00 6x75cl

POGGIOLO. BRUNELLO 'BEATO' 2005

£210.90

£49.00 3x75cl

BROVIA. BAROLO ‘VILLERO’ 2004 IRP113 | Piemonte | Nebbiolo

£171.00

£35.00

ROBERTO ZENI. TEROLDEGO DI ROTALIANO ‘PINI’ 2010

IRT134 | Toscana | Sangiovese

£171.00

£30.00

IRP151 | Piemonte | Nebbiolo

IRV008 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone

£145.50

£30.00

IRP139 | Piemonte | Barbera

IRT148 | Toscana | Merlot

£131.30

£25.50

IRC003 | Campania | Aglianico

IRO016 | Trento | Teroldego

£128.10

£139.65

£50.00 3x75cl

£142.50

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Sweet wines Our love of sweet wines is contrary to market trends, something which concerns me little and I have taken the opportunity to extend the list. We are not the only ‘fools in love’ with these lush beauties, the romantic folk who make them are equally spellbound and ignore how notoriously difficult and unprofitable the process is.

The best can encapsulate the essence of a vineyard, revealing a lush density of exaggerated fruit, a nervous vein of acidity and a gloriously fragrant nose.

It is a style that marvellously complements both cheese and puddings.

However, unfashionable as it may be, try these before a meal with a bit of pâté or some deliciously silly finger foods.

The range is broad, starting with Villa Giada’s perfectly frivolous interpretation of Moscato and Giordano’s immensely popular Venetian version the ‘Fior d’Arancio’. Both share a lowish alcohol, lively fizz and pure, irresistible fresh grapey flavours that will leave your mouth refreshed and ready for the next onslaught. I recommend these with fruit, millefeuille or sorbets - quite fun with a drop of Limoncello too, we call it that a ‘Lemon Sherbet’ at home. Very lovely.

Rauscedo’s Verduzzo is light and elegant, infused with quince and nutmeg aromas, Col Sandago’s Prosecco Passito is a little weightier, more honeyed with a touch of marmalade and vanilla. Santa Vittoria’s Vin Santo is a caramelised, nutty and toffee delight as opposed to Vicentini’s Soave Recioto that is honeyed with ripe herb and almond flavours lifting its pink grapefruit flavours. The Donna Daria is magnificent, the first ever Fior d’Arancio passito to be awarded the hallowed ‘three red glasses’ by the Gambero Rosso. Through the depths of caramel and orange flow hints of Turkish delight and hazelnut latte, really no food is needed, this is an experience in itself. In case you thought it couldn’t get any better, having fallen back in love with Chianti, and discovering the charms of Castell’in Villa in particular, I have been unable to resist importing their absurdly rare Vin Santo, it spends ten years in tiny casks before being bottled; considering the waiting period, this is the cheapest wine experience on our list.

Bulfon’s Moscato Rosa defies every norm, being sweet, pink and still with beautiful rose and lychee fruit, strawberries in sloe gin (not too strong) it works well with a prosecco sorbet.

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Sweet sparkling wines VILLA GIADA. SURÍ MOSCATO 2015

£8.50

ISP004 | Piemonte | Muscat

6x75cl

LA MONTECCHIA. FIOR D’ARANCIO 2015

£48.30

£12.00

ISV030 | Veneto | Muscat

6x75cl

£68.40

Sweet white wines RAUSCEDO. VERDUZZO 2013

£11.00

IWF206 | Friuli | Verduzzo

6x75cl

COL SANDAGO. PROSECCO PASSITO NV

£17.00

IYV001 | Veneto | Glera

6x50cl

SANTA VITTORIA. VALDICHIANA VIN SANTO 2010 IYT001 | Toscana | Trebbiano, Malvasia, Grechetto

IYV032 | Veneto | Garganega, Trebbiano di Soave

6x37.5cl

£111.00

£24.00 6x50cl

CONTE EMO CAPODILISTA. DONNA DARIA 2008

£136.80

£25.50 6x37.5cl

CASTELL’IN VILLA. VIN SANTO 1998 IRT143 | Toscana | Sangiovese

£96.90

£19.50

VICENTINI. SOAVE ‘RECIOTO DI SOAVE’ 2013

IYV029 | Veneto | Muscat

£62.70

£145.20

£66.00 6x50cl

£313.50

Sweet rosé wines EMILIO BULFON. MOSCATO ROSA 2014 IYF015 | Friuli | Moscato Rosa

£16.50 6x50cl

£93.90

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Sweet red wines Finally, our Ports, well not exactly Ports, no fortification here! These have naturally aspirated genius. The passito (drying) releases the exuberant side of these wines, the Recioto is pure liquid velvet, huge depths of kirsch laced fruit, too perfect. Mancinelli’s Lacrima is a smidge lighter and shoots the fruit through with lavender, rose and violet. Both wines can induce a ‘Harry met Sally’ moment when paired with dark chocolate.

MANCINELLI. LACRIMA PASSITO ‘RE SOLE’ 2007 IYM004 | Marche | Lacrima

£22.00 6x50cl

£125.40

CA’ LA BIONDA. RECIOTO DELLA VALPOLICELLA ‘TORDARE’ 2011

£33.00

IYV026 | Veneto | Corvina, Corvinone

£187.50

6x50cl

Grappa Emma and I genuinely love grappa so we import only the best; after all there is nothing better with a late game of backgammon. I have enjoyed some first class entertainment from some fantastically talented mixologists in Italy, they very nearly convinced me that Grappa is an essential cocktail element, however, they are wrong.

Zeni’s artisan distillery is racking up the awards for their grappa, the Teroldego being the most celebrated, the Nosiola feels lighter and fresher with finest flavours of hazelnut. Stefano Mancinelli is an extremely rare example of a winemaker with a legal sill in the Marche, his Lacrima and Verdicchio grappas both mimic the essential elements found in the wines and are very beautiful indeed.

STEFANO MANCINELLI. GRAPPA ‘GOCCE DI VERDICCHIO’ IDM002 | Marche | Verdicchio

£26.75 70cl

STEFANO MANCINELLI. GRAPPA ‘GOCCE DI LACRIMA’ IDM001 | Marche | Lacrima

£28.75 70cl

ZENI (ROBERTO). GRAPPA TRENTINA DI TEROLDEGO IDO010 | Trento | Teroldego

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42%

£33.00 70cl

ZENI (ROBERTO). GRAPPA TRENTINA DI NOSIOLA IDO001 | Trento | Nosiola

42%

45%

£33.00 70cl

42%

Send a Gift of Wine If we have it, we can send it! … anywhere in the UK. You tell us the date that you would prefer the delivery to be made; we will include your personal message on our Christmas card or our ‘Ape’ card.

The bottle will be hand wrapped in tissue before being tucked into its courier resistant packaging.

Our packaging is for one, two, three, four, six or twelve bottles and is included in the distribution pricing.* *For delivery costs / free delivery, see page 2

Magnums I find magnums irresistible so we always have an eclectic range, contact us for a full list of what we have in stock.

CASE BIANCHE. PROSECCO BRUT ‘CUC’ 2015 MAGNUM 150CL

£31.50

ISV027 | Veneto | Glera

MAJOLINI. FRANCIACORTA BRUT NV MAGNUM 150CL

£51.50

ISB120 | Lombardia | Chardonnay, Pinot Noir

FRENTANA. FRENTANO 2013 MAGNUM 150CL

£21.50

IRA103 | Abruzzo | Montepulciano

COLLI DI SERRAPETRONA. ROBBIONE 2007 MAGNUM 150CL

£55.50

IRM022 | Marche | Vernaccia Nera di Serrapetrona

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Gin e Amici For the last two years we have been enormously proud to represent Sacred.

Ian Hart is the most precise and brilliant distiller who sets the standard by which other micro-distilleries are judged. In truth, we saw little point in joining the gin frenzy, then in 2014 we started experimenting and our resulting pop-up bar became a legend for its uncompromising cocktails.

Naturally our stock has followed this interest even if where to keep the various glasses has become a problem at home.

The sharpener of choice, after Grappa or a Corretto perhaps, if life’s challenges are scaling the walls, is the Negroni: equal parts of Gin, Bitters and Vermouth Rosso poured over ice with the oil from orange peel run around the inside of the glass. Sacred’s Rosehip and Spiced Vermouth are the staples, then the difficult decision; for me, it is between Sacred’s Dry London Gin (classic) or their Christmas Pudding Gin (dried fruit) or for a more elemental, earthy experience Burgleigh’s Export or Distillers Cut. A perfect martini is hard to improve on, Gin with a splash of Dry Vermouth shaken over ice is my choice. Fortunately we now stock Sacred’s Dry Vermouth, which was jointly developed by Alessandro Palazzi of Duke’s, (Mayfair) and Ian of Sacred, and it is absurdly good. As a guide: for an immaculate fragrant martini the Dyfi is best; for delicate citrus and spice, use Sacred and for full, powerful flavours the Burgleighs. These guides are the same when selecting your base for a gin and tonic, though Warner Edwards pink Victoria’s Rhubarb gin must be tried for something completely different.

We have taken the same approach to gin as we do to wine: taste, visit and talk to the producers, understand what is authentic and worthy and avoid gimmickry at all costs. So, we don’t think there is a better gin selection anywhere!

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THE DYFI DISTILLERY. POLLINATION GIN

£34.95

EDG011 | Dyfi, Wales

50cl

BURLEIGHS. LONDON DRY GIN ‘EXPORT STRENGTH’ EDG010 | Leicestershire

£33.95 70cl

BURLEIGHS. LONDON DRY GIN 'DISTILLERS CUT' EDG009 | Leicestershire

70cl

70cl

18%

£31.50 70cl

SACRED. ROSEHIP CUP EDG006 | Highgate, London

40%

£31.00 70cl

SACRED. EXTRA DRY VERMOUTH EDG008 | Highgate, London

40%

£33.50

SACRED. SPICED ENGLISH VERMOUTH EDG005 | Highgate, London

40%

£31.00 70cl

SACRED. CHRISTMAS PUDDING GIN EDG007 | Highgate, London

47%

£33.00 70cl

SACRED. DRY LONDON GIN EDG004 | Highgate, London

47%

£33.95

WARNER EDWARDS. VICTORIA’S RHUBARB GIN EDG011 | Northamptonshire

45%

23.8%

£29.50 70cl

18%

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Bat and Bottle Wine Club

Great wine is not just for Christmas, so why not give yourself a proper gift: membership to our Wine Club. There is no charge for the subscription, your payment is for the wines which are delivered every quarter.

The Club came about to overcome the most frustrating part of my job: leaving fantastic wines at the vineyard because the quantities available are just too small to put them on our wine list.

Our solution was that, rather than leaving these curios in the producer’s cellar, to offer them through two Wine Clubs, allowing members to taste unusual and idiosyncratic wines normally only available to vineyard visitors.

Your Wine Club wines will enable you to experience the surprises and delights associated with Christmas all year round.

Choose between Conspirators and Vini Curiosity (or don’t choose between them and go for the double). Email or ring us with your details, and your Club preference.

Your just need to confirm your Direct Debit and you are a member! Your account will be set so that you automatically receive 10% off bottle prices, first dibs at the bin end list and of course, when your first Wine Club case arrives, it will include your folder, hand-made by the Stamford Notebook Company to collect your notes in. You can also secure membership as a gift for somebody else - simply let us know their details when you contact us.

Membership must to be limited to ensure there is sufficient wine. Naturally, we advise you to secure your place now.

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Conspirators “Everyday eccentricities for the adventurous” Conspirator wines give instant drinking pleasure, can be served on any occasion and are wines that you are unlikely to have tasted outside their home country, simply because the production quantities are so small. I have chosen them for their uniqueness and interest, their quality and their character. They will be enjoyed by those who want to travel a bit further off the beaten wine path.

A quarterly option on a 12-bottle case of quirky, interesting and limitedproduction wines. The selection is made up of four different wines (three bottles of each). Each 12 bottle case costs £150 and you can pay by Direct Debit monthly (£50) or quarterly (£150)

Vini Curiosity “Rare and exotic vinous experiences” Vini Curiosity wines are extremely unusual, absurdly rare and have a real sense of terroir. I have chosen them for their one-ofa-kind character and their ability to surprise.

If you are vi-curious, relish wines that are far from run-of-the-mill and are happy to venture into the unknown in your wine selections then join Vini Curiosity.

A quarterly option on a mixed 6-bottles of extreme, rare and limitedproduction wines. Each 6 bottle case costs £159 and you can pay by Direct Debit monthly (£53) or quarterly (£159) Page 38 | 01572 759735 | batwine.uk

PLACING AN ORDER

PAGE 2

MIXED CASES

PAGE 3 (MORE CASES ONLINE)

SPARKLING WINES

PAGE 5

ROSÉ SPARKLING WINES

PAGE 7

SPARKLING WINE OF THE YEAR

PAGE 8

DRY FRESH WHITE WINES

PAGE 9

DRY AROMATIC WHITE WINES

PAGE 12

MEDIUM TO FULL BODIED WHITE WINES

PAGE 13

WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR

PAGE 15

WHITE WINE OF THE YEAR

PAGE 16

REDS OF THE YEAR

PAGE 17

DRY ROSÉ WINES

PAGE 18

LIGHT RED WINES

PAGE 19

MEDIUM TO FULL BODIED RED WINES

PAGE 21

FULL BODIED RED WINES

PAGE 27

SWEET | DESSERT WINES

PAGE 32

GRAPPA

PAGE 33

GIN E AMICI

PAGE 34

THE WINE CLUB

PAGE 37

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