Vinonista is a Swedish wine importer that has specialised in Italian wines from small producers.
Vinonista primarily sells its wines through the so-called “on order range” (or assortment, as the Swedes like to say, “ordersortimentet” or “beställningssortimentet”). This is a special set of wines that can only be bought on-order from the monopoly shops. It is, in fact, a way to circumvent the regular monopoly range that is subject to tenders (for bigger volumes) or the sometimes stochastic choices of the purchasing staff for the “temporary” range. The “on order range” completely by-passes the monopoly (Systembolaget) purchasing organisation. The wines are selected purely by the importers without any involvement by Systembolaget. The importers then sell them through the monopoly shops, with, of course, a fee paid to Systembolaget.
Vinonista, owned and managed by Martin Wall, makes extensive use of this method. We recently had the opportunity to taste a handful of the wines that he offers in the on-order range through the Systembolaget shops. One can find all the wines he sells by searching on “Vinonista”.
We have previously written about Vinonista and some of Martin Wall’s wines here.
White wines
Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Cantina Valle Isarco, Alto Adige DOC
Distinctly aromatic nose but without exaggeration, intense and good taste of gooseberry and a slight crispness at the end. A rather unusual sauvignon blanc. SEK 191
NOTE: 10 SEK is around 0.9 EUR, so this would be around 17 euro. Do your own conversions below.
Kerner Aristos 2021, Valle Isarco, Alto Adige DOC
Slightly muted but fine aroma, full flavor with good acidity and mouthfeel. A wine with vitality and energy. SEK 291
Janare Senete La Guardiense 2021, Falanghina del Sannio DOP, Campania
There is a little residual sweetness here, but it is barely noticeable, the acidity is high, the aromas are floral and herbal. Good and interesting on one of Campania’s great grapes, falanghina. Has the “bee friendly” sustainability label. SEK 181
Red wines
Grignolino del Monferrato Casales 2021, Gaudio Bricco Mondalino, Piedmont
Very light in colour with a rather soft character for grignolino. Refreshing, easy to drink and easy-going. SEK 191
Tre Passi Avanti 2018, Cascina Gentile, Ovada DOC, Piemonte
From the dolcetto grape, but a rather unusual version, with a powerful nose, slightly smoked character, tough (but good) acidity, some tannin. SEK 221
Lagrein 2021, Cantina Valle Isarco, Alto Adige
Pleasant nose and taste of dark berries. Feels “Italian” with its slight bitterness. The finish is quite soft and the wine has a certain fullness but is at the same time light and nicely refreshing. SEK 221
Barbera d’Asti 2019, Il Botolo, Piedmont
A refreshing Barbera – and typical too – only aged in steel tanks. Cherry pits, dark fruit, acidity and good body and length. SEK 181
Piemonte Albarossa 2016, Viotti
Dark fruit, intense and concentrated taste, good length and balance, some astringency. Exciting wine from the unusual albarossa grape (a cross with barbera as a parent) that the producer planted in 2000. Aged for 12 months in large 25 hl vats (botti). SEK 201
Cerasuolo di Vittoria DOCG 2019, Rosario Catalano, Sicily
Lots of fruits and berries, light and aromatic wine with some structure. Typical wine for this DOCG, currently the only one in Sicily. To be drunk cold in the summer. SEK 261
Chianti Classico DOCG 2020, Ruspoli, Tenuta di Lilliano, Tuscany
Tight and with a high acidity, as a serious Chianti Classico should be and with plenty of dark berries. The property’s vineyards are surrounded by forest and greenery. SEK 201
Vinonista Not another fake label 2019, Brancatelli, Costa Toscana IGT
A half-joking reference, says Martin, to all wines with invented history… Here we have equal parts cabernet sauvignon, sangiovese, syrah and petit verdot. Organically certified. Some astringency in the fruit but easy to drink and charming with a nice little bitterness at the end. SEK 181
Brunello di Montalcino 2011, Col di Lamo, Tuscany
Nice, ripe fruit and developed on the palate, smooth, full flavour but with some astringency and tannin. SEK 652
Valle del Sogna 2016, Azienda Agri Brancatelli, Toscana IGT
A savoury and refreshing fruit but also tannin and good structure. 14 months in barriques and the grapes are 80% cabernet sauvignon and the rest cabernet franc. SEK 291
Sceg, Aglianico del Vulture 2020, Elena Fucci, Basilicata
Close-knit with clear tannins and good acidity, dark fruit, plum and cherry pits. Feels really Italian and down in Basilicata you would probably drink this with a grilled wild boar.
Vinonista also has a good selection of sparkling wines. Here you can find, among other things, exciting petnat and Franciacorta.
