Sip happens! – Issue No. 7
This month, our wine glasses hit the road! Between packed suitcases and flight delays, a proper blind tasting was sadly off the table—but that didn’t stop us from finding two bottles worth writing home about.
True to tradition, we kept the balance: one standout under the CHF 40.- mark, and one that stretches the budget a little for good reason. Both wines come with stories, personality, and that satisfying Sip Happens! twist. If you always want a special bottle ready for the weekend, this issue’s picks have you covered.
We’ve shared a few extra travel stories and behind-the-scenes moments in our exclusive Telegram chat for wine lovers — come join and be part of the conversation!
Castello Banfi - Brunello di Montalcino DOCG
If Brunello di Montalcino were a person, Banfi’s version would be the charming overachiever who knows how to make an entrance - and leave everyone talking. Deeply Tuscan yet irresistibly modern, this Brunello delivers equal parts charisma and class.
Banfi’s story began in 1978, when two adventurous brothers from New York, John and Harry Mariani, fell head over heels for Montalcino’s rolling hills. Instead of just importing wine, they decided to build their own dream estate. Partnering with legendary enologist Ezio Rivella, they didn’t just make wine—they rewrote the playbook.
Fun fact: Banfi was one of the first wineries in Italy to map every vineyard parcel by soil type, years before “terroir” became the buzzword it is today.
In the glass, Banfi’s Brunello perfectly captures what makes Montalcino legendary: the noble Sangiovese grape expressing itself with both intensity and grace. Expect aromas of wild cherry, leather, and herbs fresh from the Tuscan countryside, followed by flavours that feel like an elegant dialogue between sun and soil—structured, vibrant, and endlessly drinkable.
Despite its global reputation, Banfi’s Brunello remains one of the best price-to-pleasure wines in the entire DOCG. It offers pedigree, precision, and pure Italian soul—without needing a royal budget.
Castello Banfi’s Brunello di Montalcino: a timeless reminder that when passion meets innovation, even the most ancient traditions can taste refreshingly new.


Grapes: 100% Sangiovese
Region: Montalcino DOCG
Soil: Mixed soils with galestro (marl and limestone), sandy clay, and stony fragments
Altitude: 150–500 m a.s.l.
Vinification: Hand-harvested, temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel and hybrid wood tanks
Aging: Minimum 2 years in French oak casks and barriques, followed by at least 1 year bottle maturation
Alcohol: 13.5–14.5% vol.
First Vintage: 1978
Price: ~40.– CHF
Massolino - Barolo Margheria DOCG
A Barolo that doesn’t try to impress — it simply does.
There are wines that speak loudly.
And then there are wines like this.
From the historic village of Serralunga d’Alba, where Barolo shows its most structured and age-worthy side, comes a wine that defines what Nebbiolo is truly capable of. Massolino is not about trends or hype. It is about precision, patience, and respect for tradition — and nowhere is that clearer than in their single-vineyard Barolo Margheria.
Made from 100% Nebbiolo, grown on one of the most respected crus of the region, this wine is shaped by limestone-rich soils and decades-old vines. It is aged for around 30 months in large oak casks, allowing time — not technique — to build complexity.
In the glass, it shows a deep garnet color with elegant ruby reflections.
The nose reveals rose petals, red cherry and dried herbs, layered with notes of tobacco, spice and a subtle earthy depth.
On the palate, it is structured, precise and beautifully balanced.
The tannins are firm yet refined, while vibrant acidity gives the wine energy and direction. Everything comes together in a long, mineral-driven finish that lingers quietly.
👉 Serve at 16–18 °C.
Perfect with braised meat, truffle dishes or simply a moment worth slowing down for.
🍇 Why this wine matters
In a world where Barolo prices easily climb above 200 CHF, this bottle proves something important:
True greatness is not always about price — but about precision, origin and restraint.
With consistent scores around 95–97 points, this is a wine that quietly competes with the very best - often at half the price.
✨ Final thought
This is not a Barolo made to impress at first sip.
It’s a Barolo that reveals itself — layer by layer.
And once it does, it stays with you.

Grapes: 100% Nebbiolo
Region: Barolo DOCG
Soil: Calcareous marl with high limestone and sand content
Altitude: 340–360 m a.s.l.
Vinification: Hand-harvested
Aging: 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks, followed by bottle refinement in the estate cellars before release
Alcohol: 14–14.5% vol.
First Vintage: 1964
Price: ~85.– CHF
Check out what glasses we use in our tasting and why Gabriel Glas is the right one for you!
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