Domaine Dorrance - South Africa

 

Christophe Durand, originally from Calvados, settled in South Africa in the mid-1990s. Through his encounters with many winegrowers, he developed a passion for wine and began tomake it himself, entirely self-taught.

“With only my palate and a little intuition to guide me, I had the chance to farm a beautiful vineyard of Syrah in the Stellenbosch region. I then dug deeper in my search for exceptional terroirs. I am constantly looking for minerality and fine expressions of fruit, always with elegance. Over the past ten years or so, more and more producers have been showing that this country has a perfect terroir for making great wines. There is a momentum that is now recognised around the world. South Africa is an old wine-producing country with a young, forward-looking wine scene!”

 

Castellucci Miano - Catarrato - Sicily

 

 

The vineyards are farmed  organically  and in a way that allows maximum biodiversity: the small plots, of around one hectare each, are scattered among mulberry, cherry and olive trees. The vineyards are planted like an amphitheatre on the  steep hills  between 700 and 900 metres above sea level around Valledolmo, home to Catarratto, a native grape variety.

Its nose is intense, with exotic and grapefruit notes – very seductive! On the palate, we are immediately struck by its liveliness, which gives it a lovely length, with a hint of bitterness that adds relief – astonishing! The fruit is generous and expressive, the ripeness is there, and the wine is deliciously moreish! 

Try it as an aperitif, with ceviche or with arancini. Buon appetito, cheers!

 

 

Renzo Masi - Chianti Riserva - Italy

 

The estate lies in the very heart of the Chianti Rufina area, on the top of a hill overlooking the Argomenna valley on one side and the right bank of the river Sieve on the other.

The Masi family has been making wine for three generations. From the very beginning until today, the core philosophy that has set their work apart has always been the same: to produce wines offering excellent value for money. 
 

On the left, Renzo the father, and on the right, his son Paolo Masi.