Montevetrano Colli di Salerno IGT is the wine that Silvia Imperatore’s rise to almost cult status in the wine world, came about by chance, when the trained photographer went to a wine tasting event in Rome in the early 1980’s. The wine event kindled inside her a desire to produce her own wines. In 1985 she founded the Montevetrano Winery in Montevetrano, a district in the municipality of San Cipriano Picentino, Salerno.

Located within a 26-hectare estate (in which 5 hectares is dedicated to vines), is a former Bourbon estate which is surrounded by oaks, chestnut, hazelnut trees, citrus and olive groves, with an elevation of 100 metres above sea level. The vineyard is on a south facing slope, with gravelly soil and only 2km from the sea, which helps cool the vineyard in the hot summers.

In 1991 she made her first wine, a mere 1000 bottles. Encouraged by the results, she hired Riccardo Cotarella to help with the 1992 vintage.

A few years later, and with a few vintages under her belt, Imparato sent several vintages to Robert Parker, who gave each vintage a high score and named the wines, Sassacaia of the south. From then on, her wines have propelled themselves on the international market, winning multiple awards.

The grape varieties are manually harvested separately due to different ripening times, and because of this, the final blend may vary after fermentation. Following a soft crushing-destemming, the long maceration of the skin takes place which lasts 20 days, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks. Finally malolactic fermentation takes place. The wine is aged for 12 months in new 225L French oak barriques from Nevers, Allier and Tronçais and in the bottle for 6 months before being released on the market.

Grape Variety: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 30% Aglianico

Tasting Notes: In the glass, the wine is bright ruby red. On the nose it is concentrated and complex, aromas of berries, violet, tobacco, aromatic herbs and sweet spices slowly unfold. On the palate it is savoury and velvety characterized by persistent tannins.

Serve at: 18-20C

Alcohol: 14.5%

Awards: James Suckling 97 points, Wine Spectator 95 points, Wine Advocate 93 points, Gambero Rosso 3 Glasses

Ideal With: First or second dishes based on meat or game.

Spezzatino con i piselli-Beef stew with peas & rosemary