Torretta di Mondelli Nero d'Avola 2010

Appearance: Light purple.
Aroma: Juicy plums and smoke.
Flavour: Lean and dry medium-bodied red with a fresh green character and simple tannic finish.
Black pepper, redcurrants and bitter greens.

This is a youthful red wine and is perfect with meaty fish, pasta or other tomato-based dishes where fuller-bodied red wines are not wanted. I was surprised by the quality of this wine and recommend it.

Wine Name: Torretta di Mondelli Nero d'Avola

Producer: CS Birgi, Italy

Grape/Blend: Nero d'Avola

Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12.5%

Country: Italy (Sicily)

Bought at: Sainsbury's

Price: £4.49 (50% off £8.99)

Value for money: ♦♦♦♦ Very Good
Over all rating: ♦♦♦ Good

Triade Campania Bianco 2009

Appearance Medium yellow.
Aroma: Tropical fruits and strong alcohol.
Flavour: High acid is matched by full tropical fruit flavours and a touch of oak lends complexity.
Pineapple, vanilla and hazelnut.

Wine Name: Triade Campania Bianco

Producer: Paolo Leo

Grape/Blend: Fiano, Falanghina, Greco

Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13%

Country: Italy (Campania)

Bought at: Waitrose

Price: £8.99

Value for money: ♦♦♦ Good
Over all rating: ♦♦♦ Good

Sicilano Wild Cat Nero d’Avola 2008

Appearance: Deep ruby-rose.
Aroma: Savoury and earthy.
Flavour: Full-bodied and complex, this wine is a great food wine. Very dry with beautiful silky tannins showing potential for 2 - 3 years of aging.
Blood, black pepper, evergreen.

This was my first ever Nero d'Avola wine and I was very excited to get it open. With its powerful body and peppery finish, it wasn't unlike a Shiraz. It's a real 'grown ups' wine and I reckon perfect with meaty stews and - wine bottle label cliché or not - would go very well with game.
 

Wine Name: Wild Cat

Producer: Sicilano

Grape/Blend: Nero d'Avola (Organic)

Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13.5%

Country: Italy (Sicily)

Bought at: Waitrose

Price: £6.49

Value for money:♦♦♦ Good

Over all rating: ♦♦♦ Good

Torretta di Mondelli Pinot Grigio 2010

 Appearance: Very pale lemon yellow.
Aroma: Pear and green apple.
Flavour: Sharp and steel-edged. Very fresh acid and short dry finish.
Think lime, pear, greengage and granny smith.

Clear-cut and very simple, this is a typical Italian pinot grigio. For £4.00 I was expecting it to be a bit bitter and nasty - which many cheap pinot grigios are - and was pleasantly surprised. The mouth-watering acidity makes it a natural aperitif and it will go down well with most light foods.

Wine Name: Pinot Grigio

Producer: Torretta di Mondelli

Grape/Blend: Pinot Grigio

Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12%

Country: Italy (Veneto)

Bought at: Sainsbury's

Price: 3 for £12

Value for money:♦♦♦ Good
Over all rating: ♦♦ Average