4 BOTTLE RED CASE WINE DESCRIPTION - JULY 2026

Carvinea – Otto IGT Salento Rosso

Grape: Ottavianello, a rare native red grape of southern Italy (Puglia), most closely associated with the Brindisi area, where it is traditionally used for light, elegant reds. Known internationally as Cinsault, it produces wines that are delicate in colour and body, with soft tannins, bright red fruit notes, and subtle floral and spicy nuances, often valued for their freshness and easy-drinking character.

Region: Salento, Puglia. Warm coastal conditions and limestone-rich soils contribute concentration, ripeness, and depth.

Tasting Notes: Deep ruby red. Intense aromas of blackberries, plum, sweet spice, tobacco, and Mediterranean herbs. Full-bodied and velvety, with ripe tannins and a long, polished finish.

Vinification & Ageing: Maceration with the skins for 15 days. Aged in French barrique for 12 months.

Ageing Potential: 2-4 years.

Food Pairing: Charcuterie as well as traditional Apulian dishes like orecchiette with tomato-based sauces or eggplant preparations. It also pairs well with roasted white meats, grilled chicken, rabbit, and simple tomato-based pasta dishes.

Fun Fact: This wine is produced by Carvinea, the Terroni family winery, which also owns Masseria Pezze d'Arena, a beautiful historic estate in Puglia. The property is not only dedicated to viticulture but is also an exceptional place to visit and an atmospheric destination to stay, offering an authentic experience of Apulian countryside, hospitality, and wine culture.

Learn more on our blog: A GUIDE TO PUGLIA: WINE, FOOD, AND FAMILY

Discover more about this producer: Carvinea

 

Le Monde – Refosco DOC Friuli

Grape: Refosco, one of Friuli’s most historic red varieties, appreciated for its dark fruit character and distinctive spice.

Region: Friuli Venezia Giulia. The region’s cool climate and mineral-rich soils promote freshness and aromatic definition.

Tasting Notes: Deep ruby red with violet reflections. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, plum, and black pepper. Structured and vibrant on the palate, supported by fresh acidity and firm yet refined tannins.

Vinification & Ageing: Fermented in stainless steel, followed by a period of maturation that softens tannins while preserving varietal freshness.

Ageing Potential: 5–7 years.

Food Pairing: Roasted meats, game, mushroom dishes, and aged hard cheeses.

Fun Fact: The grape’s name means “red stem,” referring to the distinctive reddish colour of the grape stalks at full ripeness.

Discover more about this producer: Le Monde

 

Planeta – Mamertino DOC

Grape: Nero d’Avola and Nocera, a traditional Sicilian blend that combines power, freshness, and regional identity.

Region: North-Eastern Sicily, near Messina. Vineyards benefit from Mediterranean sunshine moderated by coastal breezes, producing wines of balance and character.

Tasting Notes: Ruby red with garnet highlights. Aromas of red berries, plum, Mediterranean herbs, and sweet spices. Medium to full-bodied, with supple tannins, vibrant acidity, and a savoury finish.

Vinification & Ageing: Fermented in stainless steel, followed by ageing in oak to enhance complexity while maintaining freshness.

Ageing Potential: 6–10 years.

Food Pairing: Grilled lamb, pasta with meat sauces, roasted vegetables, and aged Sicilian cheeses.

Fun Fact: Mamertino is one of Sicily’s oldest documented wines and was reportedly praised by the Roman statesman and writer Julius Caesar over 2,000 years ago.

Discover more about this producer: Planeta

 

Cigliuti – Langhe Nebbiolo DOC

Grape: Nebbiolo, the most noble grape of Piedmont, known for its aromatic complexity, structure, and exceptional ageing capacity.

Learn more on our blog: EXPLORING NEBBIOLO THROUGH FOUR HISTORIC APPELLATIONS

Region: Langhe, Piedmont. From hillside vineyards in the Barbaresco area (notably Serraboella), where calcareous marl soils and varying exposures bring finesse, tension, and elegant fruit expression.

Tasting Notes: Bright ruby red with garnet hues. Aromas of cherry, raspberry, rose petals, violets, and subtle spice. On the palate it is refined and structured, with fine-grained tannins, fresh acidity, and a long, elegant finish.

Vinification & Ageing: Fermented in stainless steel with extended maceration to extract aromatics and structure, followed by ageing in large oak casks to preserve purity and balance.

Ageing Potential: 5–10 years.

Food Pairing: Roasted poultry, veal, mushroom risotto, truffle dishes, and semi-aged cheeses.

Fun Fact: Even in its “Langhe Nebbiolo” expression, Cigliuti’s vineyards come from prized Barbaresco crus, offering a more approachable yet still highly expressive interpretation of Nebbiolo.

Discover more about this producer: Cigliuti