Kellerei Tramin, Gewurztraminer Terminum Vendemmia Tardiva, Alto Adige

it was great but now its too old unfortunately: first like liquore, after some time nice but at all what it used to be

Italy's unofficial wine of the year 2009 (the only one - Yes, ONLY ONE - to score the highest rating from all six Italian wine guides) is spectacular. Notes of honey, apricots, pineapple and mango emanate from this liquid gold. After a while in the glass, caramel comes out as well. The wine is perfectly balanced, with a good amount of acidity to support the sweetness. Drink over the next 7-8 years at a special event.

A slightly uninspiring name, but that's the only criticism you can make of this superlative wine. Deep gold colour. Fabulous botrytis complexity on the nose - lifted aromas of tangerine peel, lemon and, with time, rose petal Gewurz coming through. This is grown in a site whose microclimate - unusually, for this area - favours production of noble rot, in a small bowl, sheltered from the breezes that blow up from Lake Garda. Harvested mid-December, it carries its considerable residual …