Fiona Beckett in The Guardian Newspaper discusses how Italian wines, particularly white wines, are specifically crafted to complement food. It highlights that Italian wines often lack overt fruit flavours or excessive oakiness, maintaining lower alcohol levels to enhance rather than overwhelm simple, seasonally focused dishes. The article notes the appeal of Italian whites due to their subtle flavours and relative affordability, and suggests that these characteristics make them particularly suitable for drinking in spring.
Here are five Italian white wines recommended in the article:
Unearthed Castellore Custoza 2023 – £9.99 from Aldi. It is described as smooth, fresh, creamy, and elegant, ideal for fans of Gavi, and pairs well with crab.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2022 – £7.25 from Co-op. Known for its fresh taste with a herbal edge, Verdicchio is versatile with food and offers great value.
Sibiliana Sensale Bio Grillo Sicilia – £9.90 from Reserve Wines, £9.99 from Salisbury Wine Store and The Solent Cellar. This organic white is fresh, apple-like, and not typical of the Grillo grape, which usually resembles chardonnay.
Morisfarms Vermentino Maremma Toscana 2022 – £19.50 from Jeroboams, or £10.50 for a half-bottle. It’s a classy, smooth, elegant, and citrussy wine recommended for pairing with grilled fish or shellfish.
Zuani Collio Bianco 2021 – £24.95, or £22.50 each when bought as a case of 12 from Lea & Sandeman. This lush blend of Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and friulano is perfect as a spring aperitif, especially with crab-topped crostini.
