Corvina

A variety of Italian wines, mostly red, beginning in the North West Renato Ratti Langhe Nebbiolo “Ochetti” 2015, Piedmont, Italy (£20.49 Hailsham Cellars, Hoults, CMT Wines, Larner Bros, Mumbles Fine Wines, Liquorice, Framlingham Wines, Banstead Vintners) Promising young wine, starts off with (reduced) aromas of blackcurrant pastilles but then open […]

An Italian Assortment

December 20, 2017 by Simon

It’s from the Veneto and it’s made from dried grapes – the same varieties used for Valpolicella. However, for reasons of geography (I think), it can’t be labelled Amarone… Amicone Veneto Rosso 2013, Italy (£9.99 Amazon) Full, hearty wine with an almondy perfume alongside the soft, warm cherry and kirsch […]

Amicone Veneto Rosso 2013, Italy

June 21, 2017 by Simon

Romaeus Rosso 2014, Lazio, Italy (£10.99 Laithwaites) There’s a light floral perfume and gentle dark fruit, but there’s also an OTT vanilla character which gives an impression of sweetness and overall it’s just too simple for class. C Renato Ratti Ochetti Nebbiolo d’Alba 2014, Piedmont, Italy (£18.49 Italian Continental Stores, […]

Three Italian Reds

February 6, 2017 by Simon

Tedeschi Lucchine Valpolicella 2013, Veneto, Italy (£11.99 Italian Continental Stores, R Campbell & Sons, BJR Hanby, Polygon Wines, The Square Wine Company, Grape Sense) Gentle, squishy ripe red cherry (fresh and cooked) with a tinge of bitterness to add freshness, a touch of volatility but it’s in balance, and the […]

A couple of friendly Italian reds

December 13, 2016 by Simon

Due in Lidl stores Nov 24th 2016 Sassi del Mare Beneventano Falanghina 2015, Campania, Italy (£7.99 Lidl) Lovely floral-tinged nectarine, ripe orange and fennel flavours, and a light almondy note, but just as impressive are the lightly gritty texture – gritty as in the texture of a just-ripe pear – […]

Lidl’s New Italian Wine Collection

November 14, 2016 by Simon

Yali Wetland Cabernet Sauvignon Rosé 2011, Colchagua, Chile (£6.99 Morrisons) Not much to start with but then opens up to show fresh but gentle red berry, blackcurrant and redcurrant fruit freshened up by notes of citrus and baked apple. B(-) Guerrieri Rizzardi Bardolino DOC Chiaretto 2011, Veneto, Italy (£12.99 Harrods, […]