Tuscany


One’s made from the traditional Tuscan grape Sangiovese, the other speaks with a distinctly French accent… Castello Banfi Rosso di Montalcino 2018, Tuscany, Italy(£19.99 Majestic, Mr Wheeler, Wine Direct) Grattamacco Bolgheri Rosso 2019, Tuscany, Italy(£24.99 Majestic – Waitrose & Berry Bros & Rudd have the 2018)

Two interesting but rather different Tuscan reds



Young but Yum! Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino 2012, Tuscany, Italy (£30-£35 Fine & Rare Wines, Tannico) Starts off tight, oaky and tannic, intense but almost impenetrable. Then with time the fruit emerges: gorgeous voluptuous, cherry, berry and ripe blackcurrant, with a touch of herbs and even a hint of […]

Silvio Nardi Brunello di Montalcino 2012



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


Grattamacco Bolgheri Vermentino 2014, Tuscany, Italy (£25 Laithwaites) Rich and juicy but always vibrant, with pithy lemon and rounder muskier pear fruit joined by notes of herbs and pine, and a tense finish to hold it all together. Very good. S Cave de Turckheim Gewürztraminer Grand Cru Brand 2011, Alsace, […]

Assorted Aromatic Whites from Italy, France & Argentina


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