Italian Savings Case

Rocco Pasetti makes the most attractive example we know of this Italian classic. Full to bursting with gutsy ripe cherry and redcurrant with plenty of spice on the finish. A juicy and fulfilling example of this great grape.

This wine is a union between the most important red grape varieties of Trentino. Teroldego (50%) and lagrein (50%). Teroldego is best grown in the Piana Rotaliana which gives all the elements for rich, well-structured wine. Lagrein is grown along the hills above the Adige river, where rocky well-drained soil gives a fragrant and juicy wine with a delicate structure which balances the Teroldego tannins.After fermentation half the wine is aged for six months in three-year-old, lightly toasted French oak barrels which allow the wine to develop without dominating oak flavours

Produced for us from nero d'Avola grapes grown in the Ragusa and Agrigento regions of Sicily. Here the Mediterranean climate, tempered by a cooling coastal breeze, produces full-bodied red wines. Partly aged in French-oak barrels, this juicy raspberry and cherry-scented wine has a rounded mocha finish.

Falanghina is one of Italy's many native grape varieties that we feel shouldn't be left under the radar! With tangy nectarine and tangerine flavours, this is a lovely crisp, dry and expressive wine to add to your selection. Falanghina (pronounced fa-lang-GEE-na) is Campania's oldest grape, named after 'phalanx', a Roman troop formation, and offers delicious tangy freshness and citrus fruit. This one is made for The Wine Society by La Guardiense, an important co-operative located in the mountainous Benevento region. The broom and cauldron on the label are inspired in part by the Witches of Benevento, who, ancient legend has it, gathered under a walnut tree in the town, while the name of the producer, Janare, means witch in the local dialect.

One of Italy's best buys, verdicchio makes vibrant, crisp and refreshing wines. This is from a beautiful and organic single vineyard and has a full, dry style, with grapefruit, lemon and mineral notes that slip down easily with or without food.

A very classy expression of Soave with a rich array of peach and melon aromas that develop in the glass, and full, dry but rounded and mouthfilling flavour. Made from the estate's best grapes, 75% garganega and 25% trebbiano di Soave.

Ribolla gialla from north-west Italy offers a characterful, tangy wine with aromas of almonds and peach skin, and flavours of grapefruit. Perfect with all manner of dishes from salads to roast pork.

Rocco Pasetti was one of the very first to champion the excellent Abruzzo white grape pecorino, and he's become a bit of an expert. With green-apple scent and lemon-rind and mineral notes on the linear, refreshing palate, this pairs well with fresh salads, seafood or herb-roasted chicken.

Susumaniello is an ancient southern Italian variety which had almost disappeared, but has been reintroduced very successfully on Vallone's estate, part of the nature reserve of Torre Guaceto. There is juicy red-cherry fruit with black-tea-like note on the palate and spice on the finish that would suit pasta in a smoky game ragù.

This charming grapefruit and lemon-scented pinot grigio from north-east Italy has crisp pear and apple notes on the palate.

Niccolò Barberani puts heart and soul into this brilliant blend, which has deservedly become the most popular of a very high-grade range of wines he makes, with its appealing citrus aroma and fresh, appetising, mineral-edged palate.

Made in Le Marche in the east of Italy, this blend of mainly sangiovese with a dash of montepulciano is bursting with juicy cherry and red-berry scents, with soft tannins and a moreish, refreshing finish. This wine pairs easily with a wide range of foods, but is perfect with hearty Italian fare.