Monte Schiavo

– Marche

The Monte Schiavo winery is one of the more, how shall we put it … ‘functional’ looking wineries of those represented in this list. It was originally a co-operative and as far as we know it’s never won any awards for its architectural qualities. What comes out of the big double doors though... that’s a different matter, that has won quite a lot of awards, seriously a lot.

Verdicchio (aka Trebbiano di Soave and Trebbiano di Lugana) is king here and the combination of several outstanding vineyards of old vines up at altitude in the hills behind the winery, talented resident winemaker Simone Schiaffino and the hugely respected consultant oenologist Carlo Ferrini is an extremely potent one.

Quality is exciting throughout the range and the pricing is keen, tempting and super-logical. We challenge anyone to drink a glass of the ‘entry’ Verdicchio for example and not wonder why the hell anyone would ever drink a glass of ordinary Pinot Grigio ever again. If ever there was a wine for Indies to be crashing through in confident, affirming volume, this is surely it! Pay a little extra though and you’re generously rewarded, the wines step up impressively at every stage and richness, breadth, style and interest grow almost exponentially.