Alpha Zeta was started in 1999 when leading New Zealand winemaker Matt Thomson, set out to produce a range of modern, fruit driven wines from the hills outside Verona. The aim was to work with growers (rather than buy bulk wine, which is standard among most wines from Verona at this price) to obtain ripe grapes (by reducing yields and picking later) and then, using Matt’s expertise, preserve these flavours in the finished wines. The result is a realization of the potential inherent in Veronese viticulture.

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Matt Thomson

White Wine Maker of the Year
International Wine Challenge 2008, London

“What most people don’t know is that I’ve been going to Italy four times a year for the last 17 years,” says Matt.  “Italy is a huge part of my life.”  He has been working with Liberty founder and friend David Gleave on the Alpha Zeta brand, which requires Matt to produce a high quality A to Z of Italian wines, where the first letter of the variety or style takes centre stage on the label.”
Yvonne Lorkin, Dish Magazine (NZ), April-May 2010

JHL Wine distribute Ca’ Morlin’s delightful NV Prosecco Frizzante and NV Prosecco Spumante.  Prosecco is an indigenous variety that has been grown on the hills around Conegliano and Valdobbiadene since the beginning of the 1800’s. It was only in 1969, however, that the Conegliano and Valdobbiadene zone was acknowledged as the only area where Prosecco DOC could be produced. Because of the quality of the fruit, both wines have a lower level of residual sugar than is usual with Prosecco, so are drier and more drinkable as a result.

The co-operative of Cantina di Monteforte, situated in the village of Monteforte d’Alpone in the eastern part of Soave Classico, has long been regarded by the Veronese merchants as the best source of Soave and Soave Classico.  When Gaetano Tobin, winemaker for the past 18 years, recently took over as director, he decided he’d like to see some of the fruit from the best of his 1,200 hectares of vineyard through to bottle. Matt Thomson, one of the owners of  New Zealand’s leading consultancy companies, Kiwieno, and Alpha Zeta winemaker (amongst others), has assisted Tano with the past two vintages.

“Cantina di Soave, and the denomination’s seven other co-ops, including the outstanding Cantina di Monteforte, have long been a defining element in the denomination…”
Kerin O’Keefe, Decanter, July 2009

2006 Cantina di Monteforte Soave Classico

“…has been declassified from Soave Classico Superiore DOCG, as this has allowed the makers to use the screwcaps they believe are best for this kind of wine.  Its fresh and floral aromas burst from the bottle…”
Waitrose Drinks, UK, Dec 2008

“For those who like the glossy mouthfeel of chablis but whose budget requires a cheaper alternative, try Cantina di Monteforte Soave 2006, Italy, which tastes of pears and peach stones and is squashy, like a cushion.”
Victoria Moore, The Guardian, UK, May 2009

Poggiotondo covers 70 hectares on the Western hills of the Chianti region which provides a perfect microclimate for growing grapes. The soil conditions and the ideal exposure of the vineyards to sunlight together with the climate and low yielding vineyard management practice ensure perfect ripening of well balanced and flavour ripe grapes. Alberto Antonini the owner and winemaker at Poggiotondo makes his Poggiotondo wines in a modern style, whilst adhering to the true regional characteristics of the Chianti region in which the grapes are grown.  Balance and harmony is the philosophy of all Poggiotondo wines.

Poggiotondo Chianti Superiore DOCG

Made from low yielding vineyards, hand harvested at 7.5  tonnes per hectare.  The wine has supple tannins supported by ripe black fruit, with some underlying acidity.  The extended time on skins and ageing in oak barrels delivers a wine that exhibits beautiful black fruit flavours and elegant spices.

“sleek, racy” (2007 vintage)
“The 2007 Chianti Superiore (90% Sangiovese, 10% Merlot) is a sleek, racy wine with impeccable balance in its ripe fruit. The wine reveals a long, harmonious finish, with pretty floral notes that add a sense of lift on the close. This is a terrific effort from Poggiotondo. Anticipated maturity 2009-2013.  With the 2007 vintage, proprietor Alberto Antonini has decided to pursue a more ambitious approach with the wines from his family’s estate. Yields are down, the use of French oak is up, and the resulting wine is quite striking for this appellation, which traditionally has not been considered one of Tuscany’s finest.”
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate, Aug 2009

“Modern” (2007 vintage)
“A modern wine that still shows plenty classic Chianti traits; nicely perfumed, with succulent dark cherry fruits, a touch of oak, and a dry but fresh finish.”
John Wilson, The Irish Times, June 2009

Poggiotondo Chianti DOCG (formerly known as Cerro del Masso)

Formerly known as Cerro del Masso after the original name for the Poggiotondo estate, this Chianti DOCG wine is traditional in style, whilst being fresh and bright.  The wine delivers classic flavours of fresh black cherry fruit, and the palate is long, fresh with well balanced tannins and minerality.

“Really captured my imagination” (2008 vintage)
“The wine which really captured my imagination was the ‘08 Poggiotondo Chianti Cerro del Masso, a blend of 80% sangiovese, 10% merlot, 5% syrah and 5% colorino. Matured in used French oak, it is perfectly balanced, with warm spices woven through dark cherry fruits, the tannins fine-grained, the finish fresh. I drank the remaining wine that evening with great relish. Retails for $22-23.”
James Halliday, www.winecompanion.com

“Wine of the Week” (2008 vintage)
“Our wine of the week is the delicious drink now and very well priced Poggiotondo Cerro del Masso Chianti 2008. Made by Alberto Antonini (Poggiotondo is the family estate where he lives) who is a regular visitor to Australia where he is a partner in the Greenstone Vineyard project in Heathcote, this is just the wine to drink with pasta and other Italian red meat dishes.”
The Prince Wine Store, 22 April 2010

Poggiotondo IGT Toscana Bianco  Vermentino, Trebbiano and Malvasia

This IGT wine is a blend of Vermentino, Trebbiano and Malvasia.  The Vermentino for freshness and elegance, Trebbiano for structure and Malvasia for intense aromatics.  The style is unoaked to maximise the freshness and varietal aroma.

Poggiotondo IGT Toscana Rosso Sangiovese, Merlot and Shiraz

The idea of this ‘mini super tuscan’ wine is to offer a young wine, that is international in style, but at the same time inspired by its origin: Tuscan in identity represented by Sangiovese, with smoothness and roundness from Merlot and juiciness contributed from Syrah.