Italian Red Wines
The complexity of Italy is remarkable: so many different grapes, most autochthonous (i.e. native to Italy) and many only grown regionally.
The two key quality red grapes are: Sangiovese, grown all over Tuscany and beyond, and best known for Chianti, and reds made at Montepulciano and Montalcino; and Nebbiolo, the top red of Piedmont, best known for the wines of Barolo and Barbaresco.
Beyond that there are splendid red grapes which can thrive in southern Italy’s heat, from Nero d’Avola and Negroamaro to Aglianico and Primitivo; and the lighter reds of Italy’s north, from Dolcetto to the west; and east of Milan Corvina and Rondinella, the grapes for Valpolicella and Amarone.
The success in the 1970s of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grown on the Tuscan coast at Bolgheri persuaded many in Tuscany and further afield to plant these varieties, plus Syrah; but more recently growers seem to be pulling back from producing these so-called "Super Tuscans".
Italian wine production is marked by two strong and mutually supportive initiatives: the Slow Food movement, which started in Italy, and which celebrates small-scale, artisanal cellars; and a widespread adoption of organic cultivation. Several of our growers, including Di Filippo, Il Palagione and Fiorano farm organically.
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Azienda Agricola Boasso, Langhe Nebbiolo, 2021
Medium-Full Bodied
Given one year in barrel. Youthful tone. Scent of red berries with vanilla. Juicy strawberry...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeBOA721
GrapeNebbiolo
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Taliano, Blagheur, Nebbiolo d'Alba, 2021
Medium Bodied
A Blagheur, in the local half-French dialect, is one who exaggerates. But this is no bluffer...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAN321
GrapeNebbiolo
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Rocca, Negroamaro, Salento, 2021
Medium Bodied
Well-made example of this masculine southern grape, hearty with some structure but also ready...
OriginItaly
RegionPuglia
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeROD221
GrapeNegroamaro
A bright, sappy red with a vibrant purple hue; fresh cherry scent; and a supple, redfruited...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAN421
GrapeDolcetto
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80% Montepulciano and 20% Sangiovese, aged in old French oak barrels. By far the best vintage...
OriginItaly
RegionMarche
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeFIO318
GrapeMontepulciano & Sangiovese
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Il Traliccio, Sangiove Rubicone IGT, 2022
Light-bodied
Simple, juicy and cherry-accented. Certainly easy to drink on its own. Now-early 2025
OriginItaly
RegionAbruzzo
ColourRed
ABV11%
Bottle75cl
CodeILT422
GrapeSangiovese
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Bellamico, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, 2022
Light to Mid Bodied
A crowd pleaser: red cherry and strawberry flavours backed by just a little tannin. Easy going...
OriginItaly
RegionAbruzzo
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEM622
GrapeMontepulciano
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“Superiore” may be added if the wine is aged for a year prior to release, of which at least...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBOA622
GrapeBarbera
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Loosely translated as “the soul of black”. 100% Nero di Troia, given a year in very large...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeBIA418
GrapeNero di Troia
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Taliano, Roche dra Bossora, Roero Riserva, 2018
Medium Bodied
Named after large ravines which score the Roero hills (Roero lying just across the river Tanaro...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAN218
GrapeNebbiolo
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I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Lamole, 2021
Medium Bodied
Lamole. 100% Sangiovese. Certified organic. "Mid ruby. Complex nose of almost ethereal...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeIFA121
GrapeSangiovese
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"Mid ruby with orange tinges. Peppery, concentrated and a little brooding on the nose....
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeIFA319
GrapeSangiovese
