2019 Triacca Casa La Gatta Valtellina Superiore 750 ml

We’re not sure if there's a wine region that’s more beautiful than the Valtellina.

It’s as Alpine as you can get: A steep sloped valley, following a river mere miles from Italy’s border with Switzerland, it feels like something out of a musical (ok, one particular musical) if you visit in the summer.

And the vineyards are impressive, vertiginous and terraced. Some are so steep that they can only be reached by funicular. If modern highways had existed long ago, it’s likely that no one would have bothered planting grapes in such a challenging environment—but for centuries it’s been a vital supply of red wines for the Swiss and locals in northern Lombardy.

And we’re thankful that’s the case: Valtellina is home to an expression of Nebbiolo (called Chiavennasca, locally) that’s absolutely unique—even if it’s exceptionally rare both in other regions of Italy and here in the States.

Triacca’s Valtellina Superiore is a standout example. Harvested from three of the most coveted districts of the growing region—Sassella, Grumello, and Inferno—it’s an ethereal, beautifully aromatic red that combines bright, juicy acidity with a bundle of red fruit, highlighted by cranberries and red cherries. Overlay that with classic Nebbiolo floral tones, hints of truffle, and orange zest and you get a bottle made to charm, especially if you drink it at the table alongside a crown roast of pork, za’atar-rubbed grilled chic