Grape grower Natale Seghesio is known as 'il Poeta' ('the Poet') to his friends. Not only for his lyrical compositions (featured on the label), but also for the intensely flavoured produce of his vines, growing in the premium Piedmont hills. Talented winemaker Paolo Sartirano snaps up Natale's grapes every year, taking them to his family's cellar. Founded in 1871, this cellar is now 150 years old and today in the hands of the fourth generation. Paolo has crafted Il Poeta to be a truly poetical expression of the finest Nebbiolo. Three years ageing in oak ensures the fruit marries perfectly with silky, toasted spice character. Deeply flavoured and complex, the wine is best opened early and decanted. Serve in large glasses with hearty dishes.

ARPEPE Sassella Stella Retica , Valtellina, Valtellina

Boroli Barolo Classico is the estate’s benchmark Barolo, a traditional blend of their best Nebbiolo vineyards in Castiglione Falletto, capturing the commune’s mix of structure and fragrance in one bottle. East-, west- and south-west-facing clay-limestone parcels with touches of sand are harvested by hand in mid-October, then divided into micro-parcels so each plot is fermented and aged separately before blending. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel with 10–12 days on skins and a further 20–25 days of submerged-cap maceration, followed by at least 18 months in large Slavonian oak and a year in bottle before release, giving a supple but ageworthy frame. In the glass, recent vintages show bright red colour, scents of fresh wild berries, rose, sweet liquorice and gentle spice, with velvety tannins, good line and a harmonious, savoury finish – a classic, “all-round” Barolo that drinks well in its first decade yet has the stuffing to go further in a good cellar.

ANTONIOTTI ODILIO, Bramaterra, Piemonte, Italy Today Odilio and his son Mattia work the vines, yet the Antoniotti family have been making wine in Casa del Bosco (west of Milan) in northern Piemonte for generations. The Antoniotti Bramaterra Nebbiolo blend is a fresh and attractive Piemonte red. With aromas of predominantly red fruits, herbs and spicy notes on the nose, this wine has a moreish mouth-coating quality with delicate tannins and a lengthy finish. An elegant and juicy wine of immense quality, especially at such a great price.

Orlando Abrigo Montersino Barbaresco DOCG Ruby red in colour with a rich, complex bouquet of vanilla and red fruit. At first, this wine is smooth on the palate; then robust tannins take over revealing excellent ageing potential. A true food wine, it will pair wonderfully with beef or hearty pasta dishes. The fruit for this Barbaresco (100% Nebbiolo) is sourced from the Montersino Me. GA (Italian equivalent of a French Cru) lies in the village of Treiso, where the elevations are the highest in the area. This plot of land produces exuberant, easy-drinking Barbarescos which are full-bodied and consistently show fine, silky tannins.

Luciano Sandrone crafts wines of profound integrity, purity and deep expression. The Valmaggiore vineyard in the Roero hills, on the left bank of the Tanaro river, is one of the best historic sources of origin and quality. Already in the nineteenth century, the Nebbiolo grapes grown in this vineyard were so highly regarded that they dictated the price for the entire territory.