Sordo Gioso Nebbiolo d Alba 2020

Treads the line of virile layered dark fruit wrapped around threads of savoury herbs and tilled earth. Compelling in its complexity and immediate impact. Without doubt a decater is your best friend to get the out of your investment in this wine!

Barale Barolo Castellero Nebbiolo 2020

These are the kind of wines that’ll have detouring on your next trip to Sicily so you can walk through vines/lava fields and see where and how it all happens. Wines from Etna are extraordinary, especially when they’re silky with red/blue fruits, black pepper and a salty, savoury chewy finish like this one. Deserves some cellaring.

Passopisciaro Passorosso 2022

Plump thanks to a nice fleshy nose and some subtle stone fruit skins. The palate is zippy and alive with minerally citrus juices. It does feel a little tight so enjoy swirling it, or give it some time in a decanter. Grown in the north-eastern part of Sicily, looking across the Strait of Messina, where it’s beautiful all year round.

Alessandro Viola Note di Bianco Grillo 2023

From western Sicily, this is very traditional Nero d’Avola. Complete with a juicy base of raspberry compote and just a touch of tannins. Easy-drinking yes, but bold like any good Sicilian - Ciao Nonna. Perfect for BBQs.

Sibliana Sensale Nero d'Avola 2023

Like wearing a finely knitted Italian cardigan–they're back ‘on trend’ right? One dyed a dark and classy red and oozes cherry and red currant comforts plus some crumbly tannins and cool leafiness. Perfect while cooking and eating with friends.

Produttori di Govone Langhe Nebbiolo 2023

No-brainer Nero flowing with value-laden layers of blueberry compote, raspberry ripple and a defining edge of balsamic. Great couch wine that'll go well with chocolate - dark or milk, room temp or chilled.

Piantaferro Intrigo Nero d Avola  2023

A brilliant wine for the money. Think deep, sweet red fruits and some liquorice root that gives all the comforting weight and richness. There’s also enough savoury tannic bite and bright acidity for it to be perfect for salami.

Piantaferro Montepulciano d Abruzzo 2022

Sangiovese that comes perfectly dressed for winter with warming plush cherries and brambly forest fruits. This drinks with some sweet tobacco too, and a plenty of value. Before you ask. Perfetto with your ragu.

Piantaferro Chianti 2022

Texture and floral richness with a bouquet of meadowy flowers to make all the pear and grapefruit flavours even prettier. Similar to Chardonnay and Greco, Piantaferro have made a Falanghina true to style, but don't fall too madly in love, it’s rare, and delicious.

Piantaferro Falanghina 2023

Soft and fleshy, a compote of plummy rich fruit and little warming, clove spices. From the Province of Pescara which is by the Adriatic, and has that typical ancient beauty – picture a hillside covered in centuries-old homes, surround by forest.

La Valentina Montepulciano 2022

Who’d have thought… Sangiovese plus Merlot and Sagrantino can equal a Gamay-like wine. When it’s light and delicate thanks to a favourable growing season and the vines being at altitude. Unique and lovely.

Beulah Violetta Stesso Stesso Rosso 2023

Alla Costiera Bianco Costiera 2023

Grown on limestone and clay before 3 months on lees for a pillowy expression that’s full of florals and kept fresh with some nectarine notes and a little spice. Any excuse to drink Soave is a good one. Enjoy with one and a half bowls of pasta broccoli.

Mainente Pigno Soave Classico 2023

We hit the coast after eight days walking and swam all afternoon. Renato showed me a cave where there was a crate of Solfare Bianco Magnums! Every sip was vibrant and fresh with citrus, plus a gentle oxidative note. The beach was empty so we stayed overnight. I've never slept so well or found that place again, lucky Blackhearts sell the wine though.

Passofonduto Solfare Bianco 2023 Magnum

Salted white peach, pumice stone minerality and some drenching acidity. Consider this a love letter from Sicily wrapped in a pretty label. Embrace the Moscatella, it’s dry, minerally and delicious.

Mortellito Viaria Bianco 2022

Deliciously fresh Italian Bianco. Like every Abruzzese, there’s a savoury amount of bitterness here, plus some chamomile and a lemon pith for approachability and charm. Perfect with salty beef skewers and radicchio.

La Valentina Trebbiano 2023

Lunaria Charisma Trebbiano 2022

Fleshy strawberries and cherries with some dusky, chalky depth. Fruit was held in concrete and there was no fining or filtering, this is perfect for a LoFi devotee or a red-lover who’s a bit adventurous.

Antonio Camillo Mediterraneo Rosso 2023

Steep cliffs, sparkling waters and colourful reefs, it’s Isola d'Elba – Tuscany. The blend makes for fleshy white stone fruits a little sea spray and a line of herby acidity. Everything lines up perfectly, like the sun loungers on the beach.