This advertising content was produced in collaboration with our partner, Santa Margherita, USA.
Consumers often seek the variety and versatility of Italian red wines to fill their holiday tables—and demand just keeps growing. Wine lovers know that Italy is an excellent source for wines that over-deliver for the price and are made for the table, with delicious acidity and complex flavors.
And as consumers begin to think about dipping a toe back into international travel, they are turning to their favorite, trusted Italian wine regions and styles, which express their unique local character so well. With quality wines from regions spanning the country—from the Veneto to Sardinia—retailers and restaurant buyers can achieve successful holiday sales as cravings for Italian red wines like those in Santa Margherita USA’s portfolio increase.
Tuscan Sangiovese is both renowned and diverse, and Santa Margherita USA—Wine Enthusiast’s Importer of the Year 2021—includes a range of wines to intrigue even Sangiovese experts. In Chianti Classico, Lamole di Lamole harnesses the character of this historic, quality-driven region with its classic, age-worthy red wines. While the normale Lamole di Lamole melds spice with vanilla influence from one year in oak barriques, the Chianti Classico Riserva offers a more traditional style, blending the local Canaiolo with Sangiovese and spending two years in oak barrels. The structural backbone of both wines will bring out the best in holiday meals like herb-crusted roasted lamb.
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In Maremma’s rugged hills closer to Tuscany’s coast, Tenuta Sassoregale produces a bold style of Sangiovese. The region has a long history of winemaking, with deep, clay-heavy coastal soils distinguishing it from the galestro and sandstone marl of Chianti Classico. Stronger fruit and gentler spice make it suitable for younger drinking; pour it with meats off the grill, casual or elevated.
Moving to Veneto, the multigenerational Masi winery produces two classic takes on Valpolicella and one “Super-Venetian” adventure. The Bonacosta Valpolicella Classico is an effortless pour; the Corvina blend is aged for four months—20 percent in new, small French and Slavonian barrels, and the remainder in large Slavonian barrels. It’s juicy and welcoming alongside creamy risotto. The Costasera Amarone della Valpolicella Classico is powerful and complex, moving from rich entrees to after-dinner drinks with ease.
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Made from indigenous grapes that are double fermented with 25 percent semi-dried fruit in the second fermentation, the Masi Campofiorin “Super-Venetian” is as powerful as it is unique, with lovely aromas of ripe cherries and spice. Despite its intensity, the Campofiorin’s velvety texture makes it supremely approachable and contrasts with the earthy richness of beef bourguignon. First produced in 1964, the wine is less known, but it is a lavish discovery for all who try it.
Cantina Mesa works with varieties that thrive in its sunny, Mediterranean climate with sandy loam soils. The winery’s Buio Carignano is grown in the southwest corner of the island, creating a wine that is lush with bright acidity, and is an easy but inventive pairing with roasted turkey.
From the first toast to the final after-dinner sip, Santa Margherita’s portfolio provides the range and recognition to satisfy consumer interest in Italian red wines while also offering new discoveries.
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