Italy

Forget your usual idea of Valpolicella being light and thin...this is a Valpol' on steroids. The Ripasso winemaking method is the equivalent of a month down the weightlifting gym!

Typical aromas of Valpolicella; cherry, red berries, a hint of rose petals, but then the flavour gives so much more generosity and richness. Moving towards black cherry, bramble and rich warming spice. Such an expressive and delicious wine.

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella

A class above 'standard' Valpolicella, this wine is made by the Ripasso (or repassed) method of winemaking. The grape skins that have been used to make Amarone or Recioto wines are taken and added to the Valpolicella. This results in a further period of fermentation giving more alcohol, greater flavour and intensity and richness. 

One of the top 10 most sought after Tuscan wines.

An intense red - floral and dark fruit notes, well-balanced with a ripe and explosive finish. Stunning. 

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

The winemaker from Baron Rothschild-Lafite, Christian Le Somme, visits once a month and, by working closely with Alessandro Cellai (from Castellare di Castellina) they are able to maintain the essential Italian character of Tuscany, through the plantings of Sangiovese combined with the power and mid-palate weight of Cabernet and Merlot.

Situated between Gavorrano and Ribolla in the rossetto province in Maremma, the soils have similar characteristics to those of Chianti and Montalcino, but with slightly higher temperatures, so are able to reach maturation earlier compared to those territories further north. The winery was designed by the Shard's architect, Renzo Piano, one of the most admired architects in the world, and named in Time Magazine’s Top 10 most influential people working in the Arts.

It has the biggest barrel room in the world, with only 20% of the winery above ground. The winery runs completely on environmental principles: electricity powered by solar panels and gravity-led production, and the underground barrel cellar allows natural air conditioning and saves energy.

Intense ruby-red, with a bouquet reminiscent of cherry, dried fruit, chocolate and prune; the palate is full-bodied, soft and round, with a spiciness and lingering finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Corvina, Merlot

ABV: 14.5%

Primary fruit, with appealing cherry and damson flavours. It’s an easy drinking style with soft tannins and light body.

Country: Italy

Region: Emilia Romagna

Grapes: Sangiovese

ABV: 11%

Wonderful, ripe and warming wine, full of sunshine and brightness. Subtle hints of sweet spice, coffee grounds and milk chocolate on the finish. Yummy.

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grapes: Negroamaro

ABV: 13.5%

Food match: great with antipasto cured meats. 

Caiaffa are certified organic, they do not use insecticides or pesticides in order to encourage a balanced ecosystem.

https://www.caiaffavini.it/en/

Bright, ruby red with flecks of violet, the Lagrein grape has delicious berry aromas on the nose with hints of violets and dried rose petals. The palate is silky, medium bodied with soft tannins and a long finish.

Grapes: Lagrein

Region: Gries, Alto Adige

Country: Italy

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Game bird, duck, veal and lamb dishes. Mature hard cheese also works well.

Such an attractive, appealing nose of mixed red fruits, very bright and clean. The palate is soft and mouth-filling. Red fruits follow through with a touch of minerality. Great finesse, with a gentle and seamless finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

Grapes: Nebbiolo: 90%
Cabernet Sauvignon: 5%
Vespolina: 5%

ABV: 13%

Food Match: A wonderfully versatile red that is great just with simple antipasti or with roast lamb with all of the trimmings.

Orbello is a small village very close to the Tenuta Sella vineyard where this wine is produced from. A traditional blend that Tenute Sella has been producing for more than 50 years. Nebbiolo, Vespolina and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, all the grapes are hand-harvested. Once picked a cold maceration is carried out. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations in stainless steel tank. Aging for 1 year in barriques, and 6 months refinement in bottle.

6 bottles of organic wine pleasure in a glass - should be a staple in every household!

This is a big and powerful red wine, very dark red in colour. The nose has plenty of dark fruit aromas, plums, black cherries, chocolate, dried fruit and slight herbaceous notes. The palate is full, dense and rich with intense and sweet, ripe fruit. There are more plum and spice flavours on the palate. The finish is has a touch of residual sugar, giving some natural sweetness, and is full, rich and lingering. 

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 13.5%

Grape: 90% Zinfandel, 10% Merlot

Aromas and flavours of cherries, plums, spices, tobacco and liquorice - everything a Chianti should be.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese, Merlot

Coming from Puglia’s cooler northern shores, Caiaffa's Nero di Troia has notes of red and dark fruits; blackberries, and dark cherry, with a smoky undertone. The palate is medium-bodied and bright with an almost creamy, velvet-like texture. This is a real easy-drinker, ever so moreish!

Grape: Nero di Troia

Counrty: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 13%

Stylish nose with lovely dark cherries and complex tobacco aromas with hints of savoury notes. Velvety textured tannins and lingering finish.

Grape: Nero di Troia

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 14%

Food pairing: red meats, stews, and aged cheeses.

A brilliant ruby red colour, the aromas hinting at currants and cassis with notes of herbs and bitter cherry whilst the palate is elegantly structured, with characters of red currant, and ripe cherries. A long, sophisticated finish. This wine is drinking beautifully now, but will evolve nicely over the next 2-5 years. 

Country: Italy
Region: Marsala, Sicily
Grapes: Perricone
ABV: 13.5%

On the west side of Sicily close to Marsala, Caruso Minini have their 4th generation vineyards and winery. 

A silky and juicy red wine. An aroma of red berries with wild thyme that take you to notes of liquorice, raspberry leaf, cherry and herbs. 

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape Variety: Corvina 30%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 30%

ABV: 12.5%

Food Match: BBQ meats and antipasto

Rich, concentrated and ripe with aromas of black berries with a hint of tobacco, full-bodied with a wonderfully rich finish of ripe red fruits, vanilla and chocolate. A super Super Tuscan made with 100% Malbec.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Malbec

Aromas of plum, bramble leaf, and a hint of black pepper and spice. The palate is complex with ripe black fruits, prune, fig and an orange zest hint balanced by savoury characters of cloves and cedar. A rich wine with supple tannins and a graphite minerality, finishing long and elegant.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape Variety: Corvina 30%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 30%

ABV: 14.5%

Food Match: Sausages and rich stews

This is a vegan wine with a potential to bottle age. A ripe red wine with the notes of dried herbs, plums and cherry. The tannins are ripe with the flavour of liquorice. A long and complex finish that leads to the notes of orange peel and ripe red fruit.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape Variety: Corvina 30%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 30%

ABV: 17%

Food Match: game, roast beef, mature cheeses

Such an attractive, appealing nose of mixed red fruits, very bright and clean with floral hints. The palate is soft, supple and mouth-filling. Red fruits follow through with a touch of minerality. Great finesse, with a gentle and seamless finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmonte

Grapes: Nebbiolo: 90%
Cabernet Sauvignon: 5%
Vespolina: 5%

ABV: 13%

Food Match: A wonderfully versatile red that is great just with simple antipasti or with roast lamb with all of the trimmings.

Orbello is a small village very close to the Tenuta Sella vineyard where this wine is produced from. A traditional blend that Tenute Sella has been producing for more than 50 years. Nebbiolo, Vespolina and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, all the grapes are hand-harvested. Once picked a cold maceration is carried out. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations in stainless steel tank. Aging for 1 year in barriques, and 6 months refinement in bottle.

Rich, concentrated aromas of black, ripe fruit, candied peel, rose petals and sweet spice with a hint of tobacco leaf and menthol. The palate is complex with ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry, fine tannins and notes of black pepper. Elegant and long.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape Variety: Corvina 35%, Corvinone 35%, Rondinella 25% 

ABV: 14.5%

Food Match: Cumberland Sausage and mash or beef casserole

Twenty year old vines from their the Morandina vineyard near the Lessini mountains is at 450 metres altitude. Soils are limestone, calcareous and the site has a south-easterly exposure.It is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, plus a tiny bit of Oseleta, the vine shoots are cut allowing the grapes to dry for a month on the vine before harvesting. After fermentation the wine is aged for 18 months in barrel.

6 bottles of La Bacca Nerello Mascalese 2023