Italy

Juicy, zesty, fine-boned, and moreish: this is a brilliant food wine. What more could you want from Barbera? This comes from a plot in the Ravera vineyard.

A small single plot, entirely made from the Lampia clone of nebbiolo, Valter has managed the heat of 2015 beautifully: this is still a cool, savoury, impeccably balanced Barolo. Notes of wild strawberry and rose, and silky acidity. Bravo.

Cogno was the first estate to label a wine 'Ravera', and this shows why their examples are so highly regarded. It's perfumed and elegant, yet with astonishing intensity and concentration. The finish is saline and fine, and lasts an age. Complimenti!

A delicious Barolo, that punches above its price point, the Cascina Nuova in 2016 balances pure red fruit, a floral character, hints of spearmint and very fine tannins. It's a top choice in 2016.

Perhaps the ultimate expression of Barbera, this is a remarkable wine. It comes from a quarter of a hectare of 120 year-old vines, still on their own rootstocks. It is incredibly complex, with notes of cumin and other exotic spices, alongside a dark core of mulberry and dark chocolate. Intense, long, and spectacularly mineral, it will age brilliantly.

This vineyard was planted in 1991: it’s the same age as Valter’s daughter, Elena. And Elena drew the picture that adorns the label at the age of three. Made from the Rosé clone. 2014 was a huge success for Valter: this is simply stunning. Has to be tried.