Italian Red Dozen

The vineyards of Italy’s north east have long been renowned for whites but in the Colli Orientali around a third of the wines are red. Pico Atila is a mix of Merlot with local grape Refosco. Head to beautiful Tuscany, home to a 95pt Sangiovese blend, Saracosa, and on to d’Abruzzi for a classic 90pt, smooth, plummy Montepulciano. Down south, in Puglia, which offers “undreamed-of character and potential” (Hugh Johnson), you’ll enjoy the delights of Corsiero Nero’s Nero di Troia grape, with a massive 97pts from the Luca Maroni Guide, bestselling Pillastro Primitivo on Gold-winning form again and the massive Negroamaro Primitivo double whammy of La Font d’Oro!