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%

This delicious wine has aromas and flavours of jammy red fruits, juicy red cherries, pomegranate juice, summer herbs, and a touch of violet. On the palate it is rich and refreshing.

Country: Italy

Region: Sicily

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Nerello Mascalese

Straw yellow in colour, the nose shows aromatic white flowers mixed with citrus notes as well as pear and pineapple. Dry on the palate this is fresh and mineral like.

Country:  Italy

Region: Puglia

Grapes: Verdeca 100%

ABV: 13 %

Food Matching: Incredible with baked pastries, croissant, but anything with acidity/ lemon flavours.

Very intense and incredibly complex, this beautifully crafted wine has an aroma reminiscent of ripe cherry, plum, and blackberry, yet retains a delicate freshness and softness on the palate.

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grapes:  Primitivo 100%

ABV:  13.5%

Food Matching

Hearty and meaty pasta dishes with rich red sauces.

An intense ruby red wine. Very fresh and full bodied, lovely finish. Perfect with game or aged cheeses.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Malbec

ABV: 12.5%

Borga Wine

Forget Prosecco...the best sparkling from Italy comes from Franciacorta. Traditional method sparkling wine from Champagne grapes as well!

An exuberant, confident and bright style  with lovely notes of toasted brioche– lively and very approachable with citrus fruits – a golden apple character which is, at the same time, both incisive yet quite gentle.

Country: Italy

Region: Lombardia

ABV: 11.5%

Grapes: 95% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir

One of the emerging estates in Italy's booming sparkling wine sector. Roberto Gatti spent 20 years as cellarmaster and viticulturalist at Bellavista, one of the early pioneers of the Franciacorta region, before creating Ferghettina in 1990. A new winery and cellars, started in 2002, were completed in 2005 and sit in a magnificent location overlooking the beautiful Lake Iseo. Roberto is assisted by his daughter Laura, also an oenologist, shortly to be joined by his son Matteo. The Gatti's control production of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, using only half of the grapes available for their production of 300,000 bottles. Meticulous attention to detail, skillful blending and long bottle maturation give wines of great finesse and individuality. The 'Italy's answer to Champagne' tag is unavoidable but these wines are much more than that.

A beautifully concentrated wine with layers of flavour and character. Classico in every sense of the word.

So many flavours - along side the deep black fruits, plums and floral notes there is a spicy backbone with spices, herbs and chocolate.

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella

ABV: 15%

Grapes: Corvina, Rondinella

Amarone is one of Italy's most famous and respected of wines. This cracker shows why it is held in such high regard. 

Lifted and perfumed aromas and flavours of black cherries, chocolate, coffee, and raisins, along with a note of almonds. Despite a formidable structure, the palate is velvety, spicy and elegant, with an extremely long and lingering finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella 

ABV: 15%

Grapes: Corvina

Dry, fresh and appealing style of bubbly from our favourite family producer in Chiarano.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Glera

ABV: 11.5%

A bright and characterful, fruit-forward, Chianti Riserva from the Uggiano estate south of Florence. Six months ageing in large oak casks gives a nicely mature wine with impressive depth of flavour for this price level.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Grapes: Sangiovese 90%, Canaiolo 10%

ABV: 13.5%

Food matches: This wine is super versatile with a range of starters and main courses. Try it with a charcuterie board with creamy Stracciatella and fresh ciabatta or a classic spaghetti Bolognese. 

Fresh, crisp, zesty and full of life! We love this wine for its' elegance and versatility.

Country: Italy

Region: Marche

Grapes: Biancello

ABV: 12%

Lusciously rich and decadent red made from selected grapes from three top class vineyards. 

Aromatic with ripe dark berried fruit alongside sweet spice, a ripe, rich style. The texture is rich and round with abundant, ripe, dark berried fruit supported by fine oak.

Country: Italy

Region: Valpolicella

ABV: 15%

Grapes: 80% Corvina & Corvinone, 10% Rondinella and 10% Molinara

The grapes come from the 5 hectare, steep, rocky, terraced hillside vineyard of Calcarole as well as the gently sloping clay vineyards of Rovereti and Pojega in the heart of Negrar, the most celebrated of the communes in Valpolicella. 

An intense ruby red wine. Very fresh and full bodied, lovely finish. Perfect with game or aged cheeses.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 12.5%

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.

Wonderfully well balanced, pure, juicy and ripe Montepulciano.

Ruby red in colour with a strong fruity scent, containing hints of spices, cherry plum and jam. Well balanced and plenty of length. This is a rich, deeply savoury, complex version of that old Italian classic.

Country: Italy

Region: Abruzzo

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Montepulciano

Certified Organic

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.

A great value, clean, crisp Trebbiano.  Light green apple fruit characters with bright, fresh acidity.

Country: Italy

Region: Emilia Romagna

Grapes: Trebbiano

ABV: 11%

A rich and textured white wine with great depth and complexity given from being made in clay amphora. Matches beautifully with antipasto and meat dishes, but equally very friendly drunk without food.

Country: Italy

Region: Marche

Grapes: Incrocio Bruni 54

ABV: 13%

Incrocio Bruni 54 is a crossing by pollenation of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdicchio which was done in 1936 by Professor Bruno Bruni while working for the Italian Ministry of Agriculture. It is only found in the Marche region and Tenuta Santi Giacomo e Filippo are championing it as Marche's flagship grape. Rightly so!

Ruby red in colour with concentrated red berry and fruit aromas, with hints of sweet spice, cherry, plum and blackcurrant jam on the palate. Juicy and moreish...

Grapes:  Montepulciano

Region: Abruzzo

Country: Italy

ABV: 12.5%

Organic

Amoterra means to ‘love the land’, this is the vineyards ethos. 

The nose is abundant with fruit and has complex notes of citrus fruit, tomato leaves with a hint of tropical lychee fruit.  The palate is fresh and vibrant with a near perfect balance of fruit and acidity. Stunning wine.

Country: Italy

Region: Marche

Grapes: Incrocio Bruni 54

ABV: 13.5%

Incrocio Bruni 54 is a crossing by pollenation of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdicchio which was done in 1936 by Professor Bruno Bruni while working for the Italian Ministry of Agriculture. It is only found in the Marche region and Tenuta Santi Giacomo e Filippo are championing it as Marche's flagship grape. Rightly so!

Light, delicately perfumed and sweet with soft bubbles.

 Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont, Asti

Grapes: Moscato

ABV: 6%

Sangiovese grapes from Tuscany, this wine is colourful yet elegant - just like the art on the label. Notes of ripe cherry, raspberries and earthiness, all accompanied by delicious juicy acidity making the wine super easy drinking.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

Grapes: Sangiovese

ABV: 13% 

A stunning bouquet of floral notes and soft citrus fruits.

A fresh and dry white wine, crisp floral notes with hints of underlying minerality, leading through to a piercingly pure finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes:  100% Cortese

Food Match:  Light cheeses, shellfish

Vegan/Vegetarian

Tenuta Olim Bauda is one of Piedmont's top producers, run by the Bertolino Family since the 1960's. After Sr. Bertolino died in 1985, the winery shut for 15 years. But in 2000, his 3 children bought back what was sold off and have successfully revived the estate and the Tenute Olim Bauda name.