More About Team Italy

Pieropan, Soave Classico 2020

Pieropan's Soave is an Italian classic that's great in every vintage. Mostly Garganega with about 10-15% Trebbiano di Soave, this is wonderfully aromatic - not a common feature of Soave - with floral notes (cherry blossom), citrus, stone fruit and almond. The palate is delicate and focussed, with excellent depth and lovely overall balance.

Fiorini, Chianti Superiore 2018

Fiorini is mostly Sangiovese (90%) with small amounts of Cabernet, Canaiolo and Ciliegiolo, aged in a combination of new and old barriques and tonneaux. Perfumed fruit of classic cherry and violets with berries and spice of cinnamon, cloves and pepper. The palate balances sweet and savoury notes with weight and substance, the fine grained tannins supporting a long finish.

Scala, Cirò Rosso, Classico Superiore 2018

Calabria's best known wine region is Cirò, extending from the Ionian coast to the eastern foothills of La Sila with the classico zone centred around Cirò and Cirò Marina in the province of Crotone. Here, Gaglioppo is king. One of Italy's oldest varieties, recent DNA studies have found that Gaglioppo is a natural crossing of Sangiovese and Mantonico.

The Scala family's Ciro' Rosso is from 'vigneto Franza', land that has been in the Scala family since the 17th century. Planted in 1965 on clay and sandy soils, the climate is hot and dry but the Ionian Sea has a moderating influence, bringing cooler temperatures at night. Aged in concrete tanks for three years, this is brimming with strawberry and cherry fruit with hints of rose, spice and orange.