Maculan is perhaps best known for his dessert wines and the gorgeous 2005 Dindarello (Moscato Fior dÆArancio) is a great introduction to the house style. It also wonÆt break the bank. Medium in body, it reveals jasmine, honey and orange rind notes with superb poise and balance. This is an absolutely irresistible Moscato that is sure to provide much pleasure over the next year or two. Anticipated maturity: 2009-2011.

From top to bottom the most impressive line-up I tasted from Veneto were the wines of Fausto Maculan. Readers will find no shortage of compelling wines at all price points. Maculan remains best known for his sweet wines, but readers will also want to check out some of his table wines from the superb 2004 vintage. Quite honestly I was not prepared for the stunning quality of his Bordeaux-inspired high-end reds.