We’ve gone to the experts for this one.
On our journey to find the best, we sought out the owners of Quattro Deli in Chatswood, Christian and Rosanna, to talk about Italian wines for winter. The husband and wife team are passionate about delivering authentic, fresh and unique Italian and European flavours as well as sourcing hard-to-find products. Think $500 per kilo of 36-month old Jamon iberico bellota and bottles of limited-edition wines such as the Italian Soldera and Henschke Hill. They stock an extensive range of exclusive wines, which they allow their customers to taste, while using a coravin (specialised wine cork) to ensure truly special wines can be enjoyed by all.
When it comes to unique Italian wines to drink during winter, here are their top choices:
Bramito Della Sala
From the famous Italian wine house Marchesi Antinori comes this sensational Umbrian chardonnay. Only a portion of grapes is given oak treatment so the fruit really shines through. Balanced and rich, this wine will pair beautifully with a seafood risotto.
Cavallotto Dolcetto D'Alba Vigna Scot
Locals from Piemonte talk about Dolcetto being the wine they drink while their barolos develop. This wine punches well and truly above its weight. The wine is rich and amazingly balanced with a lush finish. Light the fire and put together an antipasto platter of salumi and aged parmigiano and your night will be wonderful.
Le Volte dell’Ornellaia
Considered by some to be the baby brother of the famous Super Tuscan, Ornellia, this wine more than stands on its own! A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and sangiovese, this wine has amazing structure and finish. Put this next to a pizza or plate of classic Tuscan pecorinos and you won’t be disappointed.
Tornatore Etna Rosso
A delicate wine from the beautiful island of Sicily, this is a blend of nerello mascalese and nerello capuccio, indigenous grapes to the region. With balanced tannin and a superb finish, this wine will have you feeling the Mediterranean spirit in no time. Christian and Rosanna recommend pairing this wine with a plate of roast lamb or rich pesto pasta.
Varvaglione Papale Primitivo di Manduria
A powerhouse wine from Puglia in the south of Italy, this wine is both rich and comforting. Combining the elegance of the primitivo grape with careful refinement in French and American barriques, this wine is the perfect mediation in a glass. Add some aged cheese or a rich stew and your meal will be complete.
