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.

Big Red El Bombero has been a top choice with customers for many years. And in seriously good vintages, like 2012, winemaker Javier Domeque crafts a sophisticated Gran Reserva version using the pick of the crop from his oldest vines. To qualify for Gran Reserva status, the wine was aged in oak for three years with further time in bottle prior to release. It's made entirely from Garnacha, an important component of many full bodied Spanish reds, and also of Châteauneuf du Pape from neighbouring France. At 14% vol, it's a touch less powerful than El Bombero itself but full of rich berry flavour and with delicious spicy complexity from American oak. The 2011 is perfect right now. Just decant for an hour and serve with roast shoulder of lamb.

A frequent Gold medal winner, Stones & Bones is so-called because it’s grown in a landscape littered with ancient boulders and dinosaur fossils. In the modern Portuguese tradition, the wine is a blend of local and international grapes. Touriga Nacional, the backbone of vintage port, joins forces with Syrah, Tinta Roriz and Alicante to produce truly mammoth, rich fruit flavours. Equally impressive is the winemaker, Diogo Sepúlveda, who relaxes after work by cycling or playing football, or, more unusually, bull wrestling! Having worked in Pomerol, then in the Barossa with heirloom Shiraz vines, his credentials for making this rich, old vine Portuguese red are second to none. For maximum enjoyment, decant and serve with a rich beef casserole.

As famed Spanish wine expert John Radford wrote in Decanter, the tiny enclave of Campo de Borja is “the source of some of the best value wines from Spain, if not the world”. It’s true. Where else could you find such a mellow, complex, oak aged red at this price? It’s made by our old friend Pamela Geddes (who also makes our bestselling Monasterio de Santa Cruz) at the 500 year old Bodegas Ruberte. 60% of the wine is Garnacha from vines planted in 1958. They’re not as prolific these days but the intensity of flavour in the grapes is impressive. The balance is Cabernet Sauvignon, which adds classic cassis character and structure to the spicy raspberry Garnacha. A rich and fragrant Spanish red best enjoyed with rustic lamb dishes.

Maschio's Prosecco is produced in the area of Treviso, north of Venice. The wine is light straw yellow with a lively froth followed by a nose full of strong candid fruit and sweet flower hints. The taste is very pleasant with an aromatic aftertaste. Excellent as an aperitif and also is ideal throughout the entire meal.

Cielo e Terra is a joint venture between the Cielo family, who have been making wine in the Veneto for over a century, and the Cantine dei Colli Berici. Drawing on the Colli Berici’s enormous vineyard resources, combined with the Cielo family’s winemaking skills and commercial acumen, Cielo e Terra consistently produces wines which are fantastic value for money from both indigenous and international varietals.

Isole e Olena owner and winemaker Paolo de Marchi, is a legend in Tuscany and in the wider world of wine. His obsession with Sangiovese has led him to study the grape at a genetic level in pursuit of greater knowledge and striving for perfection in winemaking. Paolos wine are appreciated around the world be discerning collectors as well as those who appreciate the complexity of the wine and the pains taken in their production. The Cepparello IGT is the flagship Super Tuscan from Isole e Olena. Paolo de Marchi was at the vanguard of the revolutionary Super Tuscan movement and these wines are the product of his vision. An extraordinary wine still brimming with revolutionary energy after all these years.

Its colour is a bright ruby red. On the nose, it is clean and precise, with hints or morello cherries, wild berries and a moderate spiciness. The palate reveals a full and firm flavour, expressing all its intensity and elegance.

The Aperol Spritz pack makes it easy to make this popular Aperitivo at home. The pack includes a 700mL bottle of Aperol and a 750mL bottle of Riccadonna Prosecco. Aperol Spritz is a refreshing drink that is perfect for summer. It is a bitter sweet tasting drink with notes of candied orange. It also easy to make with 90mL Prosecco, 60mL Aperol, 30mL Soda Water.