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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Wine Type
Style
Grape Variety
Country
Region
Grower
Dietary Requirement
Organic / Biodynamic
Vintage
Feudo Maccari, Nero d'Avola, Nere, 2021
Full-Bodied
Left-over from a special purchase for a wedding - so not previously oofered by us. Juicy,...
OriginItaly
RegionSicily
ColourRed
ABV14.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeFEU121
GrapeNero d'Avola
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Save £21.53
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 £49.50
I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2020
Medium bodied
"Delicious, all-the-boxes-ticked Chianti Classico. New leather, sour cherries, liquorice...
OriginItaly
RegionTuscany
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeIFA220
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Save £28.74
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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Save £10.74
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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Save £11.40
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
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Begali, Valpolicella Ripasso, La Cengia, 2021
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
CodeBEF221
GrapeCorvina & Rondinella
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Save £40.20
The Begali family is one of the founding members of Le Famiglie Storiche, the historic families...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV16.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeBEF4120
GrapeCorvina, Rondinella & Corvinone
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Save £63.00
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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Save £18.60
Taliano, Barbera d'Alba, A Bon Rendre, 2022
Medium Bodied
A bon rendre - it delivers you goodness. About 1/3 of the wine is aged in old vats. Lovely...
OriginItaly
RegionPiedmont
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle75cl
CodeTAN122
GrapeBarbera
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Save £18.30
Fiorano, I Paoli Sangiovese, Marche IGT, 2023
Light to mid Bodied
This is fast becoming one of our best-loved reds: light and fresh, but with plenty of ripe red...
OriginItaly
RegionMarche
ColourRed
ABV13%
Bottle75cl
CodeFIO123
GrapeSangiovese
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Save £34.20
Begali, Recioto della Valpolicella, 2021 [50cl.]
Sweet, Rich
Red Recioto della Valpolicella is made after careful late picking of ripe bunches (of Corvina...
OriginItaly
RegionVeneto
ColourRed
ABV13.5%
Bottle50cl
CodeBEF621
GrapeCorvina
