presented by Joshua Terrell from Sunrise Wines
Borgo Paglianetto Verdicchio di Matelica DOP 2024 Terravignata
Founded in 2008, Borgo Paglianetto is located in the heart of Italy’s Marche region, tucked into the Alta Valle dell’Esino. The organic estate spans roughly 20 hectares of vineyards situated about 60 kilometers from the Adriatic Sea. Here, the unique north-south valley orientation creates a rare macroclimate that shields the vines and preserves brilliant acidity. Matelica’s high-altitude terroir, averaging 350 meters above sea level, is dominated by calcareous clay soils, which define the region’s long-standing winemaking tradition.
Appellation: Verdicchio di Matelica DOP, Marche, Italy
Grapes: 100% Verdicchio – ABV: 12.5%
Tasting notes: Energetic and crisp. It highlights refreshing scents of green apple and almond skin, transitioning into a palate shaped by intense saline minerality and a lively, puckering finish.
Pairing: Best served chilled at 8–10°C. It serves as an exceptional companion to brothy pasta dishes, grilled white fish, fresh seafood, poultry, or seasonal Mediterranean vegetables.
Producer: Borgo Paglianetto
Averoldi Valtenesi Chiaretto Riviera del Garda Classico DOC 2025
The Azienda Agricola Averoldi Francesco estate is deeply rooted in the Valtènesi region on the southwestern shores of Lake Garda in Lombardy, Italy. The family winery focuses on preserving ancient lake-side traditions, leveraging the unique microclimate where the vast body of water moderates winter temperatures and cools summer afternoons. Sourced from the Riviera del Garda Classico zone, the vines sink into morainic soils left behind by ancient glaciers, creating a premium foundation for the region’s signature rose-colored styles.
Appellation: Riviera del Garda Classico DOC, Lombardy, Italy
Grapes: Groppello, Marzemino, Sangiovese, Barbera – ABV: 13%
Tasting notes: Elegant and fresh. It opens with bright aromas of peach blossom and wild pomegranate, moving into a soft yet distinctly savory palate with a lingering, crisp finish and a subtle touch of almond.
Pairing: Serve well-chilled at 8–10°C. It pairs beautifully as a refreshing summer aperitif, alongside tomato-based appetizers, light seafood pastas, raw shellfish, or grilled lake fish.
Producer: Averoldi Azienda Agricola
Terenzuola Vermentino Nero Toscana 2023
The Azienda Agricola Terenzuola estate, managed by Ivan Giuliani, sits on the rugged borderlands between Tuscany and Liguria. The certified organic vineyards are planted on steep grey clay terraces ranging between 70 and 200 meters above sea level in the commune of Fosdinovo. Terenzuola has dedicated decades to saving rare, forgotten native grapes. This specific cuvée highlights Vermentino Nero—a rare, dark-skinned genetic mutation of the famous white Vermentino grape variety—blended with ancient native vines planted in the late 1900s.
Appellation: Toscana IGT, Tuscany, Italy
Grapes: 90% Vermentino Nero, 10% Pollera (and other ancient varieties like Massaretta) – ABV: 13%
Tasting notes: Bright, juicy, and spicy. Bursting with upfront aromas of fresh raspberry and wild strawberry mixed with herbal undertones, it delivers a highly refreshing finish defined by vibrant acidity.
Pairing: Best enjoyed slightly chilled at a cellar temperature of 12–14°C. It serves as a great match for charcuterie boards, herb-roasted poultry, mushroom risottos, or even seared tuna.
Producer: Azienda Agricola Terenzuola
Vegni e Medaglini il Cerro dei Iocchi Montecucco DOC 2023
The Vegni e Medaglini family estate is situated in the heart of Maremma, located in southwestern Tuscany. The estate operates within the Montecucco designation, a region that shares a direct border with the famous vineyards of Brunello di Montalcino. Benefiting from hot, sun-drenched days balanced by cooling nighttime breezes sweeping off Mount Amiata, the estate focuses heavily on the historical potential of clone-specific Sangiovese. They implement traditional farming practices to create bold, structured red blends that capture the wild, untamed rustic nature of the Tuscan coast.
The 2023 “Il Cerro dei Iocchi” is an incredibly food-friendly and lively red blend. Vinified strictly in stainless steel vats with daily pump-overs to extract rich color and fine tannins, the wine is aged for 10 to 12 months before resting further in the bottle.
Appellation: Montecucco Rosso DOC, Tuscany, Italy
Grapes: 80% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot, 10% Syrah – ABV: 13.5%
Tasting notes: Structured and fruit-forward. It features expressive aromas of ripe red cherry and dark plum, supported by a lively, mid-weight palate with supple tannins and an earthy, savory undertone.
Pairing: Best served at 16–18°C. This classic Tuscan blend acts as a wonderful companion to grilled beef, venison stews, wild boar ragù, or rich tomato-based pasta dishes.
Producer: Vegni e Medaglini
