Italy

This Negroamaro surprised us enormously when we first tasted it in Italy. As they go this is really rather a pretty example. Perfumed and sweetly spiced. A whiff of baked plum and cloves hits you...(read more)

From just outside Lecce in the heart of Salento comes this cracking example of Primitivo. Bright and perky this has a fine zippy line that makes it not only food friendly but very moreish. Cherry...(read more)

Each vintage this wine seems to improve as Iacopo gets to know the plots better and better. He describes 2014 simply as 'molto molto bene!' This is delicious - like 2013 there is more weight and typical Chianti identity...(read more)

Clay and limestone soils, farmed organically since 2012, 60 Hectares, founded in 1983. Lambrusco Classico; 15g Residual Fresh bright black cherry, blackberry fruit, some ferment notes, mouthfeel...(read more)

Blackberry and black cherry fruit, nice purity, directness. Ripe with lovely bright fruit palate, cherry, blackberry and plum fruit, silky, sleek and immediate.

Piero Lanza's declassified Chianti Classico is designed for drinking young, being all about the super-bright, unoaked cherry fruit which, in this vintage, is in super-succulent shape all the way...(read more)

Damson and blackberry fruit, nice balance and weight, some good grip to the tannins, woodland fruits, earth and then a bright acid balance.

55% Cab Sauv, 20% Merlot, 15% Alicante Bouchet and the rest petit Verdot Lovely aromatics, plums, cherries and cassis, the palate is brightly fruity with bags of rich berry fruit, touch savoury,...(read more)

While this tasting focused on Lea & Sandeman's non-Italian range, there was one nod to Italy in this rare and unusual Piedmontese Brachetto from the excellent Sottimano, a distinctive, elegant re...(read more)

Nice fresh cherry and raspberry fruit nose, lovely juicy richness, decent flesh, with a lively delivery.