Save the vines and enjoy a gorgeous, rich red! Poggioreale used to be an important wine village in Sicily. It was where Dino Taschetta grew up, like generations of his family before him. After an earthquake reduced Poggioreale to ruins in 1968, a new town was built further down the hill and the vineyards above the village, the highest and oldest in Sicily, were then neglected for decades. Now, with many of the island’s oldest Nero d’Avola vines grubbed up, there’s even more reason to treasure what’s left. Dino recently returned to the family estate and began to restore the vineyard. His first vintage was 2017 and he was in urgent need of a customer. Our Buyer tasted the wine and reserved it all. A year later, we’ve returned for more.

It’s no coincidence Pillastro is one of our bestselling Italian reds – customers love all that richness, warmth and bold, ripe fruit. Pillastro comes from Puglia, in Italy’s deep south, best known for big, smoky wines made from prized local varieties Primitivo and Negroamaro. It is made by Angelo Maci, a leading figure in the quality revolution of the last two decades, whose cellar Cantine Due Palme has twice been named Winery of the Year. Angelo made this wine purely from Primitivo, which produces rich, powerful reds with plenty of ripe fruit. A period of oak ageing has infused the wine’s generous plum and damson character with notes of spice and vanilla. Enjoy with hearty casseroles, pasta with a rich tomato sauce, or garlic roasted lamb.

Tiny bubbles that swell up in your mouth and linger for quite a while are a feature of this sparkling Italian wine. The sweet smell of honey gives way for fruity notes of gala apples and ripe pears on the plate, which were enhanced by the slight boost of sweetness.

Stretching along Italy's Adriatic coast, the Abruzzo boasts pretty coastal coves and dramatic landscapes of soaring mountain peaks, deep valleys and ancient castles. The region also offers a range of attractive wines - the creamy, plum filled Montepulciano based reds, citrusy Trebbianos and, most recently, fruity Pinot Grigios. This Pinot Grigio is a new addition to our Farinelli range. The estate proudly champions a traditional trellising system, 'pergola abruzzese', which ensures the grapes receive excellent exposure to the bright sunshine and so gain full ripeness. The result is a lovely balance of bright pear and apple fruit, teamed with minerally zip. It makes an ideal apéritif and goes well with fish, chicken and creamy pasta.

With flavours that run from finely sliced nectarine to a tickle of mandarin and back to a hint of musk, the Jacob's Creek prosecco is equipped to take on the chill and sweetness of gelato. It has rose petal texture and grapefruit acidity, which makes drinking brilliantly fresh but dangerously easy.

This Prosecco is bursting with notes of citrus fruits, sweet lemon pith and green apple, all carried onto the palate creating a ligh fresh sparkling. The fruit sweeness is balanced out by the crisp acidity that makes for a lingering finish.

De Bortoli Prosecco is sourced from Victoria's King Valley - known as Little Italy given many Italian migrants have become multi-generational winemakers in the area. The sparkling wine tastes of apple and pear with fresh pithy lemon, gentle creaminess, complete with the very fine bubbles. Great on its own or shared with food.

With access to some of the very best vineyard land in the King Valley, Brown Brothers are able to craft an authentic Prosecco with all the hallmarks this style has become famous for. The elevated terroir produces a sparkling that is both crisp and gentle, with delicate lemon-pear flavours. Lively acidity through the palate complemented by a terrific long finish. The Italian influence here is for all to see. (Limited edition bottle**)

Clean, crisp and fruit driven. A sure win at any party, or any night of the week around a good cheese plate.