Italian Selection - Case of 6

Vintage: 2012

Soft, almondy, unpretentious white, with delicate grass and sweet blossom aromas, and light grapefruit notes on the palate. It continues with smooth, creamy fruit and crisp acidity, then finishes with a quirky peach-kernal note and a subtle black pepper tang.

About this bottle: Winemaker Guido Rizzotto was born in 1951 and has been making wine all his life. He is proud of this award-winning Soave, which is by its very nature a simple creation – grapes fermented in stainless steel and totally unembellished by oak. Guido’s long winemaking experience ensures that this wine is a true reflection of the black, mineral, volcanic soils on which it grows.

Vintage: 2011

A ripe and rich Chianti with a red cherry palate and smooth texture. This is a lovely modern style with subtle oak notes, flavour intensity and a long-length finish.

About this bottle: This Chianti Classico was made by winemaker Miria Bracali and the Cecchi winery's winemaking team, in the heart of Tuscany between Siena and Florence, from Sangiovese grapes along with a small portion of Canaiolo. The wine has been aged for about 10 months in oak barriques.

Vintage: 2012

Wild herbs on the hillsides, sun-dried grasses and hints of lemons – aromas that conjour up summer fill this glass. Then almond fruit on the palate with a grip of grapefruit at the edge, getting evermore citrussy to the finish. Full of summer warmth and enough complexity to wake up a winter palate.

About this bottle: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is the flagship white wine of Italy’s Marche region, and the Verdicchio grape (documented in local history since the 14th century) is thought to be the main ancestor of all the country’s white grape varieties. Verdicchio means ‘green’, and refers to the gentle green tinge born by the wines of this variety. Winemaker Pierluigi Lorenzetti uses 100% Verdicchio grapes for this wine.

Vintage: 2011

Delicately perfumed white with gentle notes of white peach and almond. A lovely, easy-going white, with a refreshing zing of lime and grapefruit, and smooth ripe melon-fruit to the finish.

About this bottle: Gavi is Italy's much loved, classic white, based on the Cortese grape known, grown and documented here in Piedmont’s ancient vineyards since as early as 1659. The gentle acidity and light flavour of this white make it a restaurant favourite not just here, but all over the world. For this wine, 20-year-old vines have been selected; their grapes given a simple, traditional fermentation, at cool temperatures with the emphasis always on delicacy and finesse.

Vintage: 2009

Complex yet fresh aromas of cherry, strawberry, mushroom, star anise, chocolate and dried rose petals on the nose. Crisp, firm acidity and a twist of bitter tannin really take hold of the palate and let it run and run... This wine is poised and firm, fruity and full-bodied. It never fades, but grips and entices all the way through.

About this bottle: Barolo is one of the world's most prestigious wines. It is always made from 100% Nebbiolo grapes, grown exclusively in the 11 communes around the village of Barolo. Those who know and love it – winemaker Bruno Cordero being among them – call it ‘the king of wines and the wine of kings’. Bruno has grown up with Barolo, and was born in a small village near the local town of Alba. He sources his grapes from 35–45 year old Nebbiolo vines, and ferments them traditionally, maturing them for at least two years in large French oaks.

Vintage: 2011

Sour cherry, cloves and spice, rhubarb, raspberries and red fruits. A fanfare of aromas followed by fabulous 'ripasso' flavours: coffee, chocolate, bitter cherries, toffee and wood-smoke, and wonderful raisiny intensity. Wonderfully intense red wine - rich and luxuriously complex enough for any special occasion.

About this bottle: Chief Winemaker Matteo Mattei creates this red by combining newly fermented Corvina (80%) and Rondinella (20%) grapes with the pulp and skins of Amarone after it has fermented. Amarone is the finest red in the Valpolicella hierarchy, made from slowly air-dried Corvina grapes. The Amarone pulp mixture adds tannin, richness and structure to this wine, and gives it its distinctive 'kick'.

Vintage: 2012

Delicate, light white wine with subtle grassy aromas and lively bright pear and apple on the palate. There's a real flintiness to this wine, which gives it grip and presence.

About this bottle: Although it's pretty much unknown in the rest of the wine world, the Cortese grape really thrives in this northern part of Italy. The clay-limestone soils, high altitude, cold winters and warm summers combine with early harvesting to bring flavours of great freshness and vigour in the fruit. Winemaker Claudio Manera calls this white wine the Italian version of 'Chablis'.