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 Superiore Classico, 2021

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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

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 I Fabbri, Chianti Classico, Terra di Lamole, 2020

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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

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Talosa, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano, Alboreto 2019

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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

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

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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

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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

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Begali, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, 2017

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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

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

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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

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Taliano, Barbera d'Alba, A Bon Rendre, 2022

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Taliano, Barbera d'Alba, A Bon Rendre, 2022

A bon rendre - it delivers you goodness. About 1/3 of the wine is aged in old vats. Lovely...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeTAN122

GrapeBarbera

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Fiorano, I Paoli Sangiovese, Marche IGT, 2022

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Fiorano, I Paoli Sangiovese, Marche IGT, 2022

This is fast becoming one of our best-loved wines: light and fresh, but with plenty of ripe red...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionMarche

ColourRed

ABV13%

Bottle75cl

CodeFIO122

GrapeSangiovese

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Begali, Recioto della Valpolicella, 2016 [50cl]

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Begali, Recioto della Valpolicella, 2016 [50cl]

Red Recioto della Valpolicella is made after careful late picking of ripe bunches (of Corvina...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionVeneto

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle50cl

CodeBEF616

GrapeCorvina

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Azienda Agricola Boasso, Dolcetto D'Alba, 2022

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Azienda Agricola Boasso, Dolcetto D'Alba, 2022

Dolcetto, of Piedmont origin, means "little sweet" but the grape is usually vinified...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionPiedmont

ColourRed

ABV14%

Bottle75cl

CodeBOA122

GrapeDolcetto

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Talosa, Chianti Colli Senesi, 2021

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Talosa, Chianti Colli Senesi, 2021

From the younger vines in Montepulciano vineyards; 85% Sangiovese with 12%  Canaiolo and 3%...

Style

Light > Full

OriginItaly

RegionTuscany

ColourRed

ABV13.5%

Bottle75cl

CodeTAK321

GrapeSangiovese

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