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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The principal wine here. It’s a very superior Bardolino, for two reasons: a high - 80% -...
OriginItaly
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLET622
GrapeCorvina & Rondinella
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Save £17.40
From 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% Molinara, given 20 days maceration; 80% in tank and...
OriginItaly
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLET821
GrapeCorvina & Rondinella
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I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2020
Medium bodied
90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, about half in cement and half in French oak. Soft, rose...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeIFA220
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Save £15.30
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2018
Medium bodied
90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, part in cement and part in French oak. Crunchy black cherries...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeIFA218
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100% Sangiovese grown on sandstone and clay, given two years in oak; 70% in large neutral vats...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAK219
GrapeSangiovese & Merlot
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Brambly fruit. Honest, mildly rustic and characterful, better with food. Now-2026
OriginItaly
RegionSicily
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodePON621
GrapeNero D’Avola
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Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2021
Medium bodied
Gutsy grape of Croatian origin (aka Tribidrag), genetically identical to Zinfandel. Bittersweet...
OriginItaly
RegionPuglia
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCNV121
GrapePrimitivo
Begali, Valpolicella Classico, 2021
Light Bodied
2/3 Corvina and 1/3 Rondinella. Sucha beguiling floral perfume. Tons of fruit, cherries and...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV12.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEF121
GrapeCorvina & Rondinella
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Begali, Valpolicella Ripasso, La Cengia, 2019
Medium Bodied
2/3 Corvina and 1/3 Rondinella, crafted in the Ripasso style by which the wine is left on the...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEF219
GrapeCorvina & Rondinella
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The Begali family is one of the founding members of Le Famiglie Storiche, the historic families...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV16%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEF417
GrapeCorvina, Rondinella & Corvinone
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From a small winery based in San Pietro in Cariano, this riserva is sourced from the Cengia and...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV16.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEF515
GrapeCorvina, Corvinone & Rondinella
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Taliano, Barbera d'Alba, A Bon Rendre, 2021
Medium Bodied
A bon rendre - it delivers you goodness. This is such a seductive wine. Pretty scent of ripe...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAN121
GrapeBarbera
