In January 2026 I attended Borsa Vini Italiani, run by the Italian Trade Agency. There were 43 producers presenting more than 300 wines. I previously attended this tasting in 2024, when I focused on seeking out more atypical Italian offerings by grape variety. This time I went with a wider remit, but there were still far too many wines to try. I decided to narrow my focus a little and look only at reds.
As the majority of exhibitors were looking for representation in the UK, I am showing indicative European retail pricing in euros. Here are my picks:
Fattoria Campigiana Imperatore 2015 14.5% €71
Rosso Toscana IGP. A Super-Tuscan blend of Syrah, Cabernet, Merlot and Sangiovese, aged for 12 months in oak. Ripe cherry fruit comes through on the aroma, then a blackberry lift from the Syrah. The flavour moves between red and dried fruits with plenty of intensity and a full-bodied, structured feel. Available from Agricola Vigne in Chianti Group, a network of producers from Tuscany and Veneto.
Cantina Valle Isarco Blauburgunder 2024 13% €18
Pinot Noir from Südtirol/Alto Adige, in the Eisacktal (Valle Isarco), giving a bright, high-altitude expression of the grape. It is savoury, fresh and light, with vibrant cherry, berry and spice notes. The texture is velvety, acidity is neatly balanced and the finish is elegant. Available from Cantina Valle Isarco.
San Vincenzo Primitivo 2023 13% €4.90 (trade price)
The aroma is led by black cherry. In the mouth it is lush and packed with dark fruit and a warming edge from the alcohol. It sits dry to off-dry, with medium tannins and a warm finish. Available from Cantine Solferino Vini.
Casale del Giglio Matidia Cesanese 2023 14% €12
A rare Rosso Lazio IGT in the UK, made from the indigenous Cesanese grape. The vineyard is relatively new and was planted on former marshland after trials with 50 grapes before committing to full planting. Deep cherry aromas set the tone, followed by ripe red fruit. It finishes with clear minerality. Available from Casale del Giglio Società Agricola S.R.L.
Conte Rosso 2024 13.5% €16
A 50/50 blend of Montepulciano and Sangiovese with no oak, keeping the fruit front and centre. Ripe red fruit on the aroma, then a pure, supple expression on the palate with a slightly savoury focus. The tannins feel velvety and the overall impression is balanced and softly shaped. Available from Conte Villa Prandone s.r.l.
Lu Kont Marche Rosso 2021 14.5% €40
100% Montepulciano D’Abruzzo with a deep ruby red colour. The aroma is intense, bringing liquorice and dark berries straight away. Dark chocolate notes appear on the palate, and the style is deep, full-bodied and persistent, with a long finish. Available from Conte Villa Prandone s.r.l.
Chianti Riserva 2022 13.5% €13
Sangiovese in a classic Chianti Riserva style. Aromas lean into cherry, red fruit and raspberry. The flavours broaden to cherry and fig alongside baking spices, then hints of leather and vanilla. Available from Poggio Bonelli SPA.
Poggiassai 2019 14.5% €40
Toscana IGT, Super Tuscan-style, blending Sangiovese (75%) with Cabernet Sauvignon (25%). The aromas are complex, mixing cherry and plum with spice and oak influence. Dark fruit and spicy notes follow through, supported by smooth tannins and a long finish. Available from Poggio Bonelli SPA.
Terra Mij Nero di Troia 2022 13.5% €14
IGP Puglia Nero di Troia made from the Nero di Troia grape. It is highly aromatic, with red cherry, red berries and violets. The taste is savoury and earthy yet still fruity, with herbal notes adding extra character. Available from Sacco Vignaioli Apuli.
Merlot Graf de la Tour 2020 14% €40
A 100% Merlot from the Collio DOC region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and a very unusual example of this varietal. It is full-bodied, with complex aromas of cherry, blackberry and chocolate. The texture is very round, and the flavour feels both fruity and savoury. Available from Fondazione Villa Russiz, a non profit benefiting their children’s home.
Terracava Primitivo DOP Gioia del Colle 2024 15.5% €32
Primitivo from the birthplace of the grape, the Gioia del Colle area. Aromas bring blackberry, morello cherry and plum. The style is dry, full-flavoured and slightly tannic, keeping enough of the grip alongside the richness. There was also an excellent Riserva with more oak and less tannins. Available from Madeit Group representing Curtomartino Wines in the UK.
Villa Locatelli Cabernet Franc 2024 12% €14
Cabernet Franc from one of the oldest estates in Friuli. A lovely cherry aroma is joined by vegetal notes and a herbaceous edge. The palate stays fruit-led with soft tannins, making it easy to enjoy. Available from Tenuta di Angoris s.r.l. Società Agricola.
Cru Giulio Locatelli Merlot Ravòst 2019 13.5% €20
100% Merlot with a berries-and-spice profile and a slightly smoky aroma. The taste is deep and oaky, again a richer style than the lighter Merlots often seen in the UK. Available from Tenuta di Angoris S.r.l. Società Agricola.
Tedicciolo 2022 14.5% €11
IGT Toscana Rosso made from Sangiovese (80%) and Merlot (20%). The aroma is fruity, with clear cherry notes and a cinnamon-like spice. Medium-bodied and fresh, it delivers black fruit flavours and ends on a soft, pleasant finish. It is entry level, but still great. Available from Montemercurio Winery.
Damo 2016 15% €56
DOCG Nobile di Montepulciano, a field blend led by Sangiovese (80%) with 20% other grapes. The colour has taken on a browning hue, and it has mellowed beautifully with age. Mocha, black cherry and leather come through on the aroma, while the taste brings figs, herbal notes, matured tannins and a long finish. Falstaff scored it 93 points and Wine Enthusiast gave 94 points. Available from Montemercurio Winery.
One of the interesting conversations I had was with Cantine Solferino Vini, mentioned above, from Puglia. Established in 1975 and exporting to more than 20 countries, they have historically been geared towards white-labelled bulk wine. They are now bottling, labelling and selling under their own brand for the first time. They were clear that the wines they are putting under their own name are very different from what is typically shipped in bulk, as they said bulk buyers often specify adjustments to hit a particular flavour profile. They gave the example of Primitivo usually being pushed towards a jammy style, achieved through addition of sugar. Their aim with the new range is to let the wines speak with their own voice.
Despite keeping to reds, I still only managed a fraction of what was on show. The two full-on Merlots felt very atypical of what we see, for Merlot, in the UK and they were better for it. Overall, my picks represent some interesting opportunities for UK importers, and given how much I simply could not get to, I’m sure there were many more excellent wines in the room.
View from the tasting – a very wet and misty day in London
