In late February 2025, I attended the Specialist Importers’ Trade Tasting (SITT) in London. With 47 specialist importers showcasing over 700 wines from diverse regions including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Lebanon, Moldova, Spain, Ukraine, the USA, Italy, the United Kingdom, and South Africa, there was an impressive array to explore.
The wines are exclusively available to the independent sector, meaning they won’t be found on supermarket shelves or in wine multiples. The event caters specifically to independent wine merchants, sommeliers, restaurateurs, online retailers and regional wholesalers.
With so many wines on offer, I had to narrow my focus. I decided to concentrate solely on Italy to see what I could discover. Below are the wines that especially caught my attention, listed below with their recommended retail prices (RRP):
Sparkling Wines
- Duca di Dolle BRT NV (Prosecco Superiore DOCG Brut), Veneto, Italy (11.5%) – This premium Prosecco deliberately avoids labelling itself as Prosecco, due to its DOCG status rather than DOC. It offers a slight fragrance of bread with lively floral and citrus notes, alongside green apple, pear and citrus flavours. Distributed by Armit Wines (£20).
- Villa Braida Prosecco DOC NV, Veneto, Italy (11%) – A classic Prosecco with apple and pear aromas and flavours. It reminds me of how Prosecco used to taste before mass production changed its character. Distributed by Marcato Direct (£13).
White Wines
- EM Family Origini Grillo Sicilia DOC 2023, Sicily, Italy (12.5%) – A crisp, medium-dry wine with citrus blossom and peach nuances. It has intense peach, pear, and lemon flavours with a great smooth mouthfeel. Distributed by Marcato Direct (£9.99).
- Brugnano Insolia Terre Siciliane IGT 2023, Sicily, Italy (12.5%) – A ripe melon taste with an intriguing mid-taste element I couldn’t quite identify. Round and smooth in the mouth. Distributed by Marcato Direct (£14).
- Tenuta Casadei Viognier Filare 23 Organic 2022, Tuscany, Italy (13.5%) – A favourite producer of mine, this wine is very oaky with ripe apricot and floral aromas that carry through to the taste. It has a style similar to the producer’s Cabernet Franc Filare (see later). Excellent for those who enjoy oak. New to the UK. Distributed by Richmond Wine Agencies, the agency arm of Ellis Wines (£39.95).
- Fabbrica Pienza Newton Bianco 2022, Tuscany, Italy (12.5%) – A blend of Vermentino and Viognier, with each varietal fermented on lees and aged separately before blending for maximum control. Very aromatic and crisp, with saline Vermentino meeting the fragrance and fullness of Viognier. Flavoursome, creamy in style, with ripe stone fruits and fresh citrus. A long finish that lingers well. New to the UK. Distributed by Milestone Wines (£21).
Red Wines
- Querciabella Chianti Classico 2021, Tuscany, Italy (14%) – Aromas of rose, violets, redcurrant and cherries. Lovely oaky blackcurrant with medium tannins and a persistent, savoury finish. Distributed by Armit Wines (£28).
- Tenuta Casadei Cabernet Franc Filare 18 Organic 2020, Tuscany, Italy (14%) – A wine I discovered last year and was pleased to see the 2020 vintage maintain its excellence. Aromas of red fruit, lots of oak, and spices, alongside notable minerality and velvety tannins. So good, I had to go back for a 2nd taste before leaving the event. Distributed by Richmond Wine Agencies (£48.95).
- Vinchio Vaglio Le Nocche 2023, Piedmont DOC, Grignolino, Italy (12.5%) – From a cooperative of 200 winegrowers, this indigenous and rare Grignolino grape variety offers a very aromatic floral nose. Light red in colour, with a fresh, slightly savoury taste and a coffee and almond finish from the grape seeds. Not yet imported to the UK. Distributed by Vinchio Vaglio.
- Collefrisio Filare Montepulciano d’Abruzzo DOC 2022, Abruzzo, Italy (13.5%) – 100% Montepulciano d’Abruzzo. Aromas of cherry, plum, and cinnamon. I found it pleasantly smoky despite being unoaked, likely due to reductive winemaking techniques, yeast selection, or inherent herbal and earthy characteristics. Spicy notes add depth. Distributed by Buckingham-Schenk (£16).
- Tenuta Gacci 2016, Emilia Romagna, Italy (14.5%) – A blend of 52% Sangiovese, 24% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 3% Ancellotta. Highly aromatic with blackcurrants, plums, liquorice and a leather undertone. The black fruit taste is complemented by oak, blackberries, delicate spice nuances, and tobacco. Complex, balanced and rich, with a long-lasting finish. New to the UK. Distributed by Cachet Wine (£65).
- Bonfanti Amarone Della Valpolicella DOCG Organic 2019, Veneto, Italy (16%) – Deep ruby in colour with aromas of tobacco, black pepper, cherry and dried fruit. Strongly fruity, soft and warm with even more intensity than usual Amarones. Full-bodied and bold at 16% ABV. New to the UK. Distributed by The Wine Hall (£29).
Dessert Wines
- Cupertinum Glykós Salento Passito 2021, Italy (14.5%) – Made from the Negroamaro grape, this was the first Passito from pure Negroamaro in 2012. Deep red in colour, extremely aromatic with ripe red fruits and liquorice. A pleasure just to sniff. Sweet, full, rich, and fruity, with tobacco and leather notes. It sits half to way to Port. Very rare in the UK. I have previously encountered Primitivo-based sweet wines and Recioto della Valpolicella, but not one made from Negroamaro. New to the UK. Distributed by The Wine Hall (50cl bottle, POA).
I have listed the distributors, but as they are wholesalers, if you are an end-consumer reading this you’ll need to search online to find current retail stockists. Some of these wines will also appear on hospitality wine lists.
Overall, I found a fantastic selection of wines that I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend if found in retail or on wine lists. There must have been many great wines at SITT. I just focused on Italy this time. I could have picked a different country or group of countries and been equally successful.
