Picking out some of Italy’s finest wines
Italy is one of the most difficult wine producing countries to get a handle on, even for experienced wine drinkers. There are just too many unfamiliar grape varieties, wine regions and styles of wine, particularly to anyone who began their wine journey in Chile or Australia.
In famous regions such as Tuscany or Piedmont, the grape variety is often not on the label (just as in France), and in regions where the grape is mentioned, it is rarely one that is familiar.
The main grape in Valpolicella and Amarone, for example, is Corvina, a grape few people have heard of or seen on a bottle. The great Nebbiolo grape of Piedmont is also rarely seen on a label despite many (including myself) proclaiming it to be Italy’s best red grape.
As our tax increased in recent years, Southern Italy became a good hunting ground for inexpensive red wine, but you can also find good value throughout Italy if you keep an eye out and are willing to try the unfamiliar.
SuperValu have an Italian wine sale which is running until April 29 which will give you a chance to explore inexpensive regional wines but also a few classics.
One extra recommendation that I didn’t have room for below is the excellent Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo for €15 — this wine is better known by its nickname “Twiggy” due to the piece of vine that is tied to each bottle.
The first Dublin Wine Festival runs from April 20–25 with more than 30 participating wine bars and restaurants and is worth checking out if you are planning a trip to Dublin next week.
There are discounts, competitions, wine tastings and food and wine pairing deals. The Whitefriar Grill on Aungier Street for example is offering guests a chance to win 10% off your bill (up to 100%) for every wine trivia question you get correct.
Stockist: SuperValu
Negroamaro is found mainly in Puglia (it is the main grape in Salice Salentino) and is almost always worth a look. Despite being under €10, this packs quite a fruity punch with sweet blackberry and touches of coffee on the nose and lots of juicy fruit on the palate.
Stockists: Ardkeen Stores Waterford, Kellers Carry Out Roscrea and Nenagh, Vintry Rathgar, Independents
Smoky cherries and red fruit aromas with a light red currant and plum influenced palate and a bitter cherry tang on the finish. Very clean and fresh and tastes more than its low price. Serve with rustic Italian food that needs a lift.
Stockist: SuperValu
Ripasso Valpolicella is left on the lees (spent yeast cells and other particles) of Amarone for a time to pick up extra flavour and complexity. This has ripe bitter-sweet cherry aromas and flavours and is made in a relatively luscious style given the price.
Stockist: SuperValu
This blend of Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from North West Sicily is new to the SuperValu range and a bit of a find. Made from partially dried grapes, this has aromas of blackcurrant and liquorice and is jam-packed with rich sweet black fruit.
Stockist: SuperValu
Barolo is arguably Italy’s greatest red wine region and can produce wines of extraordinary power and finesse. Don’t expect anything extraordinary for €15 but this is nevertheless a lovely glass of wine, with perfumed red fruit aromas and flavours, fine structure and balance and good length. Try with some spring lamb.
Stockist: SuperValu
Amarone is a Valpolicella made with dried grapes and at their best are exotic, opulent wines with prices to match. This is new to the SuperValu range and is almost as rich as some of the high-end versions, providing solid aromas and flavours of raisins and figs and good balance and complexity.
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