presented by Alex Freedman from Millennium Beverage
Caulino Alois Campania Falanghina
At the foothills of the Caiatini Mountains in the province of Caserta, Michele Alois alongside his sons Massimo and Gianfranco established their certified sustainable family estate. Surrounded by an amphitheater of hills not far from the inactive Roccamonfina volcano, the property sits on an 18th-century Bourbon dynasty estate. The winery is globally recognized for championing native and historically overlooked varieties. The vines for this specific cuvée are planted at elevations up to 400 meters above sea level in the Audelino vineyard, sinking their roots into deep volcanic ash, grey tuff, and rich clay topsoils.
This white wine stands as a remarkably bright, crisp, and intensely mineral expression of the native Falanghina grape. Meticulously hand-harvested in late September, the fruit undergoes a gentle cold maceration followed by a controlled 30-day fermentation completely inside stainless steel vats at cool temperatures to protect its raw aromatic frame. The juice is refined for an additional 3 months in steel and bottle, avoiding any oak manipulation to emphasize pure terroir precision.
Appellation: Campania IGT, Italy
Grapes: 100% Falanghina – ABV: 13%
Tasting notes: Minerally, bright, and incredibly crisp. It showcases expressive aromas of fresh apple, pear, and ripe citrus fruits, supported by an energetic mid-palate with a vibrant, clean mineral texture.
Pairing: Best served well-chilled at 8–10°C. It serves as an ultimate companion to fresh Mediterranean seafood, raw oysters, light starters, grilled white fish, or summer salads.
Producer: Cantine Alois
Poderi Vaiot Roero Arneis Franco
The Poderi Vaiot estate is a multi-generational, family-run winery nestled in the commune of Montà within the heart of the prestigious Roero designation in Piedmont, Italy. Sourced entirely from the hillside “Franco” plot, the 15-year-old vines are planted at 300 meters above sea level on steep slopes dominated by sandy clay and marine limestone soils. The family winery places a deep focus on preserving regional winemaking traditions. By utilizing strict hand-harvesting techniques and low-intervention cellar practices, they celebrate the native Arneis grape as a premier white variety capable of deep, structural complexity.
This white wine delivers a beautifully aromatic, fresh, and remarkably elegant presentation. Following a meticulous manual harvest in mid-September, roughly 40% of the grape must undergoes a careful cold cryomaceration before being slowly fermented inside temperature-controlled stainless steel vats with selected native yeasts. The wine rests for 6 months on its fine lees in steel and another 2 months in the bottle, preventing any malolactic fermentation to lock in its natural, energetic bite.
Appellation: Roero Arneis DOCG, Piedmont, Italy
Grapes: 100% Arneis – ABV: 13.5%
Tasting notes: Fresh, soft, and delicate. It opens with fragrant aromas of chamomile, white-fleshed peach, and lemon curd, leading into a mid-weight, balanced palate with vibrant acidity and a clean pear finish.
Pairing: Serve chilled at 8–10°C. It pairs beautifully alongside classic Piedmontese starters, white meats, light vegetable-based pastas, raw shellfish, or brothy seafood dishes.
Producer: Poderi Vaiot Azienda Vitivinicola
Piancornello Rogheto Toscano
The Pieri family purchased the historic Piancornello estate in 1950, growing premium fruit for local cellars until 1991 when they began vinifying under their own family label. Today, operated meticulously by Claudio Monaci and Silvia Batazzi, the 10-hectare organically cultivated property is anchored by a historic 18th-century farmhouse just south of Montalcino, Tuscany. The unique vineyard site sits on moderately sloped hills composed of rocky, volcanic soils. Positioned a short distance from the Mediterranean Sea, the estate catches regular sea breezes moving through the Orcia Valley, establishing a warm, early-ripening microclimate that keeps their signature low-yielding Sangiovese clones free from autumn rains.
The “Rogheto” bottling stands as a serious, savory, and certified organic expression of Tuscan winemaking. Hand-picked from select vines, the juice undergoes a traditional, low-intervention maceration and fermentation to emphasize pure regional typicity.
Appellation: Toscana Rosso IGT, Tuscany, Italy
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese (Sangiovese Grosso) – ABV: 14.5%
Tasting notes: Fragrant, earthy, and classic. It highlights striking aromas of raspberry, cherry, and cocoa powder, resolving into a dry, mid-weight palate with silky tannins and a lively, mineral finish.
Pairing: Best enjoyed at a standard cellar temperature of 16–18°C. This structured red blend serves as an exceptional companion to grilled meats, roasted poultry, wild mushroom risottos, tomato-based pastas, or medium-aged cheeses.
Producer: Piancornello (Claudio Monaci & Silvia Batazzi)
Cantina Tollo Roccaventosa Sangiovese
Established in 1960, Cantina Tollo stands as one of the most historically significant and deeply respected winemaking cooperative associations in the Abruzzo region of Central Italy. The brand’s “Rocca Ventosa” line is focused entirely on delivering authentic regional character in a highly approachable, fresh daily style. The grapes for this selection are gathered exclusively from sun-drenched hillside vineyards spanning the historic sub-zones of Tollo, Giuliano Teatino, and Ortona within the Chieti province. Here, the vines thrive in well-draining soils under a warm Mediterranean climate, producing balanced fruit packed with vibrant red berries.
This Sangiovese represents an easy-drinking, food-friendly expression that focuses heavily on clean fruit purity. Matured and refined completely inside temperature-controlled stainless steel vats, the winemaking team intentionally avoids any oak contact to let the unmasked, bright qualities of the variety take center stage.
Appellation: Terre di Chieti IGP, Abruzzo, Italy
Grapes: 100% Sangiovese – ABV: 13%
Tasting notes: Bright, approachable, and fruit-driven. It delivers inviting aromas of wild cherry, red raspberry, and subtle violet, leading into a balanced, medium-bodied palate with soft, velvety tannins and a smooth finish.
Pairing: Best served at a cellar temperature of 16–18°C. It serves as a perfect everyday Italian red, pairing beautifully with tomato-based pasta dishes, brick-oven pizzas, traditional cured meats, or light roasted poultry.
Producer: Cantine Tollo
