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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50% Sangiovese, 35% Merlot, 15% Lacrima, all only in stainless steel – just the type of fresh...
OriginItaly
RegionMarche
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodePAG623
GrapeSangiovese, Merlot & Lacrima
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From the lowest, warmest vineyards at 630-700m; some of the vines 30 years old. Aged part in...
OriginItaly
RegionAlto Adige
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeJUV621
GrapePinot Nero
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.......................................................................... The principal wine...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeLET624
GrapeCorvina & Rondinella
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80% of Corvina, the best local grape, is blended with 20% Merlot – the addition of the latter...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeLET722
GrapeCorvina & Merlot
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I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2021
Medium bodied
90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, about half in cement and half in French oak. Light and soft hue....
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeIFA221
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100% Sangiovese grown on sandstone and clay, given two years in oak; the first in small French...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAK220
GrapeSangiovese & Merlot
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Brambly fruit. Honest, mildly rustic and characterful, better with food. Now-2026
OriginItaly
RegionSicily
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodePON622
GrapeNero D’Avola
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Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2023
Medium bodied
Gutsy grape of Croatian origin (aka Tribidrag), genetically identical to Zinfandel. Bittersweet...
OriginItaly
RegionPuglia
ColourRed
ABV14%
Bottle75cl
CodeCNV123
GrapePrimitivo
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Begali, Valpolicella Ripasso, La Cengia, 2022
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
CodeBEF222
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
ABV16.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEF420
GrapeCorvina, Rondinella & Corvinone
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"From a small winery based in San Pietro in Cariano, this riserva is sourced from the...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV16.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEF515
GrapeCorvina, Corvinone & Rondinella
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From a blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, all grown in the single Monte Ca’ Bianca...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV16.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEF518
GrapeCorvina, Corvinone & Rondinella
