Italy

The Kiwis have already taken over the Italian Rugby team, now they're doing the same with wine. Matt Thompson concentrates on vineyard management to produce a pure, clean expression of the classic Veneto variety

Fresh and lively, with lovely pear and citrus flavours, Battistina really is one of the leading Gavi producers

Single vinyard Cortese, with good fruit clarity and that beautiful gingery nuttiness you get with top Gavi

This superb wine won the 'Tre Bicchieri' in italy which gives an indication as to the level of quality we are dealing with.

Confusingly named, yet delightful chardonnay from the Piave DOC in the Veneto. Attention to detail in the vineyard and modern winemaking techniques pay off in this rich, smoky, barrel fermented chardonnay which has caramelised vanilla flavours to compliment the tropical fruit vibrancy

Something a little bit different from Franz Haas, this is perfumed & aromatic with hint of roses, cloves and lychees. It has a beautiful balance & purity...need I say more?
Click here for detailed tasting note

From the shores of Lake Garda, Lugana has a burgeoning reputation for producing quality, medium bodied whites like this ace wine from the guys at Ca dei Frati

Do you think all Pinot Grigion is a little dull? Well try this, it's creamy, rich and mouth-filling. I cannot recommend it strongly enough

The perfect wine for a summer afternoon, this is Moscato at its best. Luscious yet refreshing, the keen acidity and frothy fizz set off the medium palate of grape, honey and wild flowers perfectly.

Easy drinking, light and fruity, this is classic summer fayre - great for a picnic

Straw coloured, this is complex and creamy with hazelnut and almond notes and a rich persistent finish. Good with rice salads

Awarded Italy's Best White Wine on several occasions by the Bambero Rosso Guide, Nino Pieropan is a meticulous winemaker, and this is absolute class. Elegant and beautifully balanced.
Click here for detailed tasting note

With grapes grown in the heartland of Soave, winemaker Leonildo weaves his magic. this stunning wine has so much to say. The nose shows aromas of almond and cherry blossoms, whilst the palate has stone fruit and a zingy acidity.

The 'big two' Italian white grapes blended in this easy-drinking, fruity wine.

A blend of Trebbiano, Passerina, Pecorino (no, not the cheese) ... and Chardonnay! Ripe and rounded with a real richness of flavour - a great match for chicken

Falanghina produces full bodied, spicy wines, remeniscient of Marsanne in the Ginger and Lemongrass, but with greater tropical fruit flavours - even dried banana. It might be my favourite Italian white!

Based in the North Eastern region of Friuli Isonzo, the Gallo family have been producing wine for more than a century. This unusual Pinot Grigio is fermented and aged in oak barrels, giving a luxurious creamy mouth feel, and bringin out ripe pineaplpe and citrus fruit flavours and an intense, toasty finish.

This top class wine is a blend of Malvasia Istriana, Riesling and Tocai Friulano. It sees absolutely no oak, but rests for 10 months on its lees which creates a softer, almost waxy character. This will age superbly.

Made by the youngest oenologist in Italy, this is proper Pinot Grigio with lots of spice to balance the melon and pear fruit. A real shining example of Alto Adige P-G