Italy

From the importer: Bush-trained Cannonau (also known as Grenache) from a vineyard called Sas de Melas, at 600 meters (about 2,000 feet) above sea level, near the village of Mamoiada. This altitude is unusual for red wines, and gives the wine uncommon freshness (cooler night-time temperatures at altitude mean higher acidity in the grapes). The vines were planted in 2004 and 2010 in soil based on decomposed granite.

The grapes are picked in late September or early October, de-stemmed and crushed, and fermentation begins using indigenous yeasts only, encouraged by a a ‘pied de cuve'* (Luca believes that cultured yeasts don’t give a wine that truly is representative of place.) The wine is left in contact with the skins for 10-12 days, then pressed off. The wine is aged for about 6 months in stainless steel tanks, lightly fined, then bottled without filtration.

From the importer: Karneid, the vineyard site, is a high-altitude plot on the other side of the valley from the winery. Very aromatic, a distinctive pear-drop nose, with flower notes reminiscent of Riesling (Kerner is a cross between Riesling and Schiava). Very fresh acidity, bone dry, I would drink this as a dry aperitif or with all sorts of appetizers.