Azienda Agricola Andrea Picchioni,

Canneto Pavese, Lombardia

The Picchioni winery is a small plot of land, approximately seven hectares, located in the Solinga valley. The vineyards grow on a south-exposed steep sloping hillside, on sandy and pebbled soil. The endless summer days bless the grapes with all the energy they need for a full ripening: the vine struggles in the light and the heat for every single drop of water.  Andrea tells the cantina's story:

"Our adventure began in 1988 with the singling out of some old vineyards, which we thought were best fit for the production of high quality wines. The recovery of these vineyards has been difficult, but an exciting challenge for us. The cornerstones of our philosophy are the greatest respect for the grapes and the extreme care through all the phases of the winemaking process. But it is our unbounded passion which marks the handcraft of our wines, from the vineyards, which we grow using traditional, environment-friendly techniques, to the cellar. Our wines, obtained from small crops of selected grapes, are rich in body, natural colour components, glycerine and noble tannins, which become smoother and rounder with aging. All these characteristics are markedly different from those of the mainstream local production.

These results would have never been achieved without the help of Giuseppe Zatti, who began working with us in 1995, and whose expertise in winemaking and friendship are immensely precious for us. We really hope that you will feel in each one of our bottles the passion which constantly guides us through our work."

Picchioni Pinot Nero Brut Metodo Classico Profilo 1998, Oltrepò Pavese  $60.00

Many times on our buying trips in Italy we are served wines made in such small batches that they are reserved for hospitality at the cantina or gifts for loyal clients. Translation: way too little for most importers to bother with. But we’ve gotten pretty good at talking our friends out of tiny allocations (typically 36-60 BOTTLES and usually after we have consumed a few with them) just for YOU. Case in point: With NINE and a HALF YEARS on the lees, this is crazy good: lush up front fruit, incredibly tiny bead, good acids, the whole package. Absolutely one of the best Italian Sparklers we have ever offered. Just 60 bottles for the USA...

Fongaro Lessini Durello Spumante Riserva 1996, Veneto  $25.99 ORGANIC

What the HELL is Lessini Durello? A newish DOC dedicated to method champenoise sparklers made from Durella (which means "the hard woman”, perfect for you if your dream girl is the type played by Amanda Peet in Saving Silverman!) growing at high altitudes in extremely mineral rich soils resulting in one of the most intriguing sparklers in the store: Fabulously refreshing and aromatic, so minerally you can taste the Dolomites in every sip, this is a great apertivo or a new and interesting sushi solution. Seven years on the lees, ORGANICALLY grown and under $30? Deal!