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.

Le Tende, Bardolino Classico, 2022

Buy 12
Save £16.50

Jancis Robinson
Le Tende, Bardolino Classico, 2022

The principal wine here. It’s a very superior Bardolino, for two reasons: a high - 80% -...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeLET622

GrapeCorvina & Rondinella

Discover More
Le Tende, Bardolino Superiore Classico, 2021

Buy 12
Save £17.40

Le Tende, Bardolino Superiore Classico, 2021

From 70% Corvina, 20% Rondinella and 10% Molinara, given 20 days maceration; 80% in tank and...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeLET821

GrapeCorvina & Rondinella

Discover More
 I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2020

Buy 12
Save £49.50

Jancis Robinson
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2020
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2020

90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, about half in cement and half in French oak. Soft, rose...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeIFA220

Discover More
 I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2018

Buy 6
Save £15.30

Decanter Jancis Robinson
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2018

90% Sangiovese, 10% Canaiolo, part in cement and part in French oak. Crunchy black cherries...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeIFA218

Discover More
Talosa, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Alboreto 2019

Buy 12
Save £28.74

Talosa, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Alboreto 2019

100% Sangiovese grown on sandstone and clay, given two years in oak; 70% in large neutral vats...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeTAK219

GrapeSangiovese & Merlot

Discover More
Ca' di Ponti, Nero d'Avola, DOC Sicilia, 2021

Buy 12
Save £10.74

Ca' di Ponti, Nero d'Avola, DOC Sicilia, 2021

Brambly fruit. Honest, mildly rustic and characterful, better with food. Now-2026

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionSicily

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodePON621

GrapeNero D’Avola

Discover More
Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2021

Buy 12
Save £11.40

Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2021
Conviviale, Primitivo, Salento, 2021

Gutsy grape of Croatian origin (aka Tribidrag), genetically identical to Zinfandel. Bittersweet...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPuglia

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeCNV121

GrapePrimitivo

Discover More
Begali, Valpolicella Classico, 2021

2/3 Corvina and 1/3 Rondinella. Sucha beguiling floral perfume. Tons of fruit, cherries and...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionVeneto

ColourRed

ABV12.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeBEF121

GrapeCorvina & Rondinella

Discover More
Begali, Valpolicella Ripasso, La Cengia, 2019

Buy 12
Save £19.80

Begali, Valpolicella Ripasso, La Cengia, 2019

2/3 Corvina and 1/3 Rondinella, crafted in the Ripasso style by which the wine is left on the...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionVeneto

ColourRed

ABV14.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeBEF219

GrapeCorvina & Rondinella

Discover More
Begali, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 2017

Buy 12
Save £40.20

Begali, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 2017

The Begali family is one of the founding members of Le Famiglie Storiche, the historic families...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionVeneto

ColourRed

ABV16%

Bottle75cl

CodeBEF417

GrapeCorvina, Rondinella & Corvinone

Discover More
Begali, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Monte Ca' Bianca, 2015

Buy 6
Save £31.50

Decanter
Begali, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Monte Ca' Bianca, 2015

From a small winery based in San Pietro in Cariano, this riserva is sourced from the Cengia and...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionVeneto

ColourRed

ABV16.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeBEF515

GrapeCorvina, Corvinone & Rondinella

Discover More
Taliano, Barbera d'Alba, A Bon Rendre, 2021

Buy 12
Save £17.94

Taliano, Barbera d'Alba, A Bon Rendre, 2021

A bon rendre - it delivers you goodness.  This is such a seductive wine. Pretty scent of ripe...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeTAN121

GrapeBarbera

Discover More

We use cookies. By using the website you agree with our use of cookies. For more information, please read our privacy policy.

Okay, got it!