These are the kind of wines that’ll have detouring on your next trip to Sicily so you can walk through vines/lava fields and see where and how it all happens. Wines from Etna are extraordinary, especially when they’re silky with red/blue fruits, black pepper and a salty, savoury chewy finish like this one. Deserves some cellaring.

Passopisciaro Passorosso 2022

Plump thanks to a nice fleshy nose and some subtle stone fruit skins. The palate is zippy and alive with minerally citrus juices. It does feel a little tight so enjoy swirling it, or give it some time in a decanter. Grown in the north-eastern part of Sicily, looking across the Strait of Messina, where it’s beautiful all year round.

Alessandro Viola Note di Bianco Grillo 2023

Delicious. Fermented entirely in steel, and packing wild, clean cherries and berries. This is energetic and fun, but it’s refined – like dancing at a gala. A blend of Corvina, Rondinella, Corvinone and a couple of other varietals.

La Ragose Valpolicella Classico 2022

Like wearing a finely knitted Italian cardigan–they're back ‘on trend’ right? One dyed a dark and classy red and oozes cherry and red currant comforts plus some crumbly tannins and cool leafiness. Perfect while cooking and eating with friends.

Produttori di Govone Langhe Nebbiolo 2023

If you’ve never had Brunello before, 2019 was an amazing year, so this will be one to hold onto for a very special occasion. Palate is all silky but bold fruits that'll change your life and have you travelling to Italy ASAP. Decant for perfection.

San Giorgio Brunello di Montalcino 2019

Who’d have thought… Sangiovese plus Merlot and Sagrantino can equal a Gamay-like wine. When it’s light and delicate thanks to a favourable growing season and the vines being at altitude. Unique and lovely.

Beulah Violetta Stesso Stesso Rosso 2023

Alla Costiera Bianco Costiera 2023

We hit the coast after eight days walking and swam all afternoon. Renato showed me a cave where there was a crate of Solfare Bianco Magnums! Every sip was vibrant and fresh with citrus, plus a gentle oxidative note. The beach was empty so we stayed overnight. I've never slept so well or found that place again, lucky Blackhearts sell the wine though.

Passofonduto Solfare Bianco 2023 Magnum

We hit the coast after eight days walking and swam all afternoon. Renato showed me a cave where there was a crate of Solfare Bianco. Every sip was vibrant and fresh with citrus, plus a gentle oxidative note. The beach was empty so we stayed overnight. I've never slept so well or found that place again, lucky Blackhearts sell the wine though.

Passofonduto Solfare Bianco Grillo Cataratto 2023

Salted white peach, pumice stone minerality and some drenching acidity. Consider this a love letter from Sicily wrapped in a pretty label. Embrace the Moscatella, it’s dry, minerally and delicious.

Mortellito Viara Bianco 2022

Lunaria Charisma Trebbiano 2022

Sooty tannins with dark cherry and bitter amaro plus some bergamot and liquorice. Mayhem and innocence all at once delivered with a silky palette that embodies Sicily. Beauty in abundance.

Caruso & Minini Frappello Frappato Blend 2022

Snap of red apple and blackcurrant with a firm, twiggy tannin grip that does that great drying thing, a bit like a traditional Nebbiolo. Drink slightly chilled out of a latte glass for the full Italian experience, and chill it to increase the approachability.

Poderi Cellario Libertà Nebbiolo 2022

Felsina Chianti Classico 2021

Fleshy strawberries and cherries with some dusky, chalky depth. Fruit was held in concrete and there was no fining or filtering, this is perfect for a LoFi devotee or a red-lover who’s a bit adventurous.

Antonio Camillo Mediterraneo Rosso 2023

Steep cliffs, sparkling waters and colourful reefs, it’s Isola d'Elba – Tuscany. The blend makes for fleshy white stone fruits a little sea spray and a line of herby acidity. Everything lines up perfectly, like the sun loungers on the beach.

La Chiusa Bianco 2023

A great mountain Neb for everyone. Cradling tannins, textural appeal, and a very classy-looking bottle. The expression here is pure and smooth with cherry, herb and the kind of aromatics indicative of the vineyard being in one family for over 350 years.

Tenute Sella Orbello Coste Della Sesia Nebbiolo 2022

Crispy apple crunch wrapped in liquid gold that drips down with bitter almond skins. It’s a side-step for a Rhône Valley white wine lover that holds onto some savouriness and goes very well with creaminess.

Cavalier Pepe Lila Irpinia Falanghina 2022

Dusty cherries and an earthy, savoury finish that are good and robust thanks to some big tannin. The palate is all liquored and glacé cherries that wash deliciousness straight over your soul.

Valpantena Torre del Falasco Corvina 2022

Nectarine and some peach with a little almond meal. Soave’s so good with smoked salmon bagels. All the vibrant acidity and lemon pith will cut straight through those capers. Grab a bottle and your ingredients, this will make for the best winey lunch you’ve had in a while.