Allegrini, Valpolicella 2013, Italy
Valpolicella, in the northeast of Italy close to Venice, is a familar name with every supermarket offering relatively cheap and cheerful red wines from the area. But some producers make much higher quality versions of Valpolicella that elevate themselves above mid-week pasta bashers, including this from one of the areas best producers, Allegrini.
It is mostly made from Corvina, unoaked, and blended with some Rondinella and other local varieties. It has a wonderfully soaring nose, like walking through a field of summer flowers, with hugely ripe red cherry and a buoyant, crunchy freshness. On the palate nothing changes: the abundance and generosity of the fruit fills the mouth, though there is enough tannin and a fine line of acidity, to keep it sharply focused and beautifully balanced. A fabulous summer wine this. Watch the video for much more information, including food matching suggestions. £9.99, The Wine Society, and see all stockists on wine-searcher.
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