Italy

Italy has it's own grape varieties and it's own way of doing things and it seems to be doing them better and better. Famous names like Soave, Valpolicella and Chianti are coming back, whilst Southern Italy is re-establishing itself with inexpensive wines with plenty or character that every wine shop wants on it's shevles.

Italy doesn't really make the sorts of wines that other countries do. Even when Italian producers use international grapes like Cabernet or Chardonnay or modern techniques like aging the wine in new oak, they give the wines a distinctive Italian twist.


So when is it best to opt for a bit of Italian style? When you are eating that is when. The reds are full of sweet-sour cherryish fruit that sets your mouth watering and the bone-dry neutral whites are so well behaved they'll accompany even the most delicate dish. The whites make terriifc aperitifs, but the reds need food.