INTERNATIONAL

Lambrusco has a mixed history. It’s one of the oldest wine-producing grapes we use today, with evidence dating it back to the ancient Etruscans. The name “Lambrusco” comes from the Latin lambrusca, which means “wild vines.” The popularity of Lambrusco as a cheap imported wine in the 1970s has given it a bad reputation today. Many seem to assume that Lambrusco grapes can’t produce anything but simple, sweet, and causal wines but there are several varieties of the Lambrusco grape which, when blended together, allow wine makers to create a variety of interesting flavors. Lambrusco wines may be due for a revival. Color & Clarity: Riunite Lambrusco is a dark, ruby red wine that is fairly clear and bright. Nose: With the right glass, the Riunite Lambrusco produces a strong, almost overwhelming aroma of berries — probably strawberries, but perhaps a more generic mixture of blackberries and raspberries. The berry aroma is almost too intense and may be designed to be easier to smell with mediocre wine glasses, but frankly I never noticed it before using a large Spiegelau Bordeaux glass. Palate: Riunite Lambrusco has a fairly simple taste, much sweeter than most red wines with weak tannins and flavors of cherry, berry, and perhaps a little plum. Red wines are typically served warmer, but Riunite Lambrusco is best served very cold. Be advised also that this wine is slightly carbonated, another difference from standard red wines. Food Pairing: You can pair Riunite Lambrusco with almost anything that can handle a sweet wine with strong flavors. Pizza, hamburgers, and hot dogs will fit both the flavor and the casual character of this inexpensive wine. It’s also a good idea to try to pair Riunite Lambrusco with regional foods of central Italy.

From the very heart of Spanish wine making country (La Mancha) and produced from the grape variety that’s at the heart of everything Spanish wine does well (Tempranillo – pronounced temp-rah-knee-oh).

This is a silky smooth red that’s bursting with vibrant dark berry fruit flavours. A modern, fruit driven style that’ll leave you reaching for another glass in no time. If you’re into styles like Pinot Noir, Syrah or Merlot you’ll love this!

This is their Nero d’Avola from Sicily and, to keep it simple stupid, they’ve colour coded their labels. This one’s purple and on the label it features some kind of angry dog with wings and a serpent tongue. Apparently that’s Asmodeus, who in ancient Hebrew is known as the “Lemon of Dust”. Oh, wait, sorry that ancient Hebrew was a bit dusty, it’s actually “Demon of Lust”.