Veneto

A whistle-stop tour of some of Spar’s new wines for 2018 – more details about them HERE Villa Cerro Garganega Pinot Grigio 2017, Veneto, Italy (£6.50 Spar) Simple fresh glugger with hints of citrus fruit and apple, what I call ‘fair enough’ wine. C Wildflower Pinot Grigio 2017, Romania (£6.50 […]

Spar’s new wines for 2018

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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

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Beginning in Italy with Prosecco. Or not… Rivolto Zanotto Vino Bianco Spumante Extra Dry NV, Veneto, Italy (£10 Vino Beano) Fresh, satisfying fizz, not massively complex but scores for its dry caramel and green apple flavours, dangerously moreish… B+   And another Italian I didn’t film… Il Serraglio Saliceto Buzzalino […]

Sparkling Wine Round-Up

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Not yer average bottles, so are these not yer average wines…? Freixenet Prosecco NV, Veneto, Italy (£12 Ocado) Gentle, friendly style with a toffee-like edge to the ripe green apple and pumice-stone flavours, not massively complex, but slips down easily. B Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Brut Réserve “Floral Sleeve” NV, France […]

Can you, should you judge a wine by its cover?

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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

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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

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