Farinelli Rosso NV

While many of Italy’s famed red grapes (such as Sangiovese or Nebbiolo) are noted for acidity, which helps ageing, Montepulciano gives a soft, juicy and approachable wine, even when young. The Beaujolais of Italy, perhaps, and exactly the style enjoyed by the locals. Farinelli is made from hand picked, richly concentrated grapes grown on 30 to 40 year old vines high in the Abruzzo hills. What’s more, it’s declassified (without official DOC status), which means that although it cannnot be labelled as fancy DOC, it does come at a particularly pleasing low price. But it’s the flavour in the glass that matters, and we’re impressed by that too. This is a fine match with pesto pasta, a roasted vegetable lasagne or chicken – from roast to pie.