Southern Italian Red Wine Box | Explorers Collection

Gran Sasso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a soft, juicy, vibrant red with flavours of ripe black cherry, plum and gentle spice. The texture is smooth and generous with jus...

Gran Sasso Montepulciano d’Abruzzo is a soft, juicy, vibrant red with flavours of ripe black cherry, plum and gentle spice. The texture is smooth and generous with just enough freshness to keep every sip lively. It is the kind of red that suits almost every table because it feels full of flavour without being heavy. This is a brilliant midweek bottle and a great option for pizza, pasta, roasted vegetables or a simple bowl of meatballs. If you are looking for an easy drinking Italian red that always tastes great, this is a lovely place to start. Gran Sasso is based in Abruzzo, a region known for its dramatic mountains, coastal breezes and vineyards planted on steep slopes of limestone and clay. These natural conditions create Montepulciano wines that are deeply coloured, fruit forward and naturally smooth. The winery focuses on minimal intervention and careful vineyard work, which allows the character of the region to shine through. Montepulciano d’Abruzzo has become one of Italy’s most dependable and loved reds because it brings both value and flavour, and Gran Sasso is a perfect example of why the region has such a strong reputation.

Best Red Wine in Ireland 2021 - National Off Licence Awards  This is a wine for anyone who loves dark, rich flavours and a big full body. The grapes here are Negroama...

Best Red Wine in Ireland 2021 - National Off Licence Awards  This is a wine for anyone who loves dark, rich flavours and a big full body. The grapes here are Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera, both natives to these southernly region of Italy. These opulent and rich flavours are complemented by chocolate and coffee notes coming from the short time spend it oak. If you are a fan of Malbec or Shiraz, this wine will knock your socks off! Borgo dei Trulli based in the province of Lecce and the heartland of Salice Salentino, farms organically and the wines are certified vegan friendly. It is a relatively new project by Alessandro Michelon who is one of Italy’s most innovative and experienced winemakers.

This Negroamaro is a full bodied glass of brambly black fruit with intense flavours of blackberries and blackcurrants. The velvety texture, lovely balance and savoury...

This Negroamaro is a full bodied glass of brambly black fruit with intense flavours of blackberries and blackcurrants. The velvety texture, lovely balance and savoury spice notes are very hard to resist. This is an excellent example of why Southern Italian reds are so popular.  It offers serious value for money and over-delivers at the price point! Excellent with or without food, and the perfect wine to enjoy on a Friday night. The winemakers have been making wine in Puglia for over twenty years, and their philosophy is to let the fruit shine with minimal technical intervention. This is something which you can taste in every glass.

95 Points | Decanter World Wine Awards | Gold Medal This organic Nero di Troia from Puglia is full of southern Italian charm. Bursting with blackberries, baked plums a...

95 Points | Decanter World Wine Awards | Gold Medal This organic Nero di Troia from Puglia is full of southern Italian charm. Bursting with blackberries, baked plums and a touch of spice, it has smooth tannins and just the right freshness to keep it lively. A little time in oak adds warmth and depth, with hints of cinnamon and pepper on the finish. It’s a wine that feels both bold and easy to enjoy, perfect with lamb, pasta or a plate of cheese. Terre di Faiano is an organic-focused winery in Puglia, a sun-drenched region known for producing some of Italy’s most characterful reds. The estate works only with native grapes, letting the local climate and soils speak through every bottle. Nero di Troia is one of Puglia’s oldest varieties, valued for its rich fruit and gentle spice. This award-winning wine shows exactly why the grape is making a comeback, offering great value without compromising on flavour.

This complex and beautifully structured Aglianico perfectly captures Campania’s volcanic terroir. Deep ruby-red with violet hints, it opens with ripe black fruit, wil...

This complex and beautifully structured Aglianico perfectly captures Campania’s volcanic terroir. Deep ruby-red with violet hints, it opens with ripe black fruit, wild herbs, and a touch of smoky spice. The palate is full-bodied yet smooth, with layers of dark cherry, cassis, and warm baking spice, all wrapped in velvety tannins. A hint of vanilla from eight months in oak adds depth, while the finish is long, dry, and effortlessly balanced. If you love intense, yet refined Southern Italian reds, this one deserves a spot in your glass. Situated in the Irpinian hills of Campania, Vesevo crafts wines that capture the soul of this ancient winemaking region. Their vineyards, set at 450–700m altitude, benefit from cool breezes off the Bay of Naples, allowing for slow ripening and concentrated flavours. The volcanic soils—rich in phosphorus and potassium from Mount Vesuvius—add a signature minerality and depth to their wines. Under the guidance of winemaker Antonio Melone, Vesevo continues to prove why Aglianico is one of Italy’s greatest red grapes, delivering a wine that is both powerful and elegantly refined.

The Primitivo grape is one of a small number of red grapes from Southern Italy that delivers serious value for money. A rich and robust red with juicy dark fruit frui...

The Primitivo grape is one of a small number of red grapes from Southern Italy that delivers serious value for money. A rich and robust red with juicy dark fruit fruit, a soft silky texture and a spicy finish. We love this flavour bomb, a red that is vibrant, intense and at a great price. The grapes are handpicked, and the wine is made in stainless steel tanks, followed by a period in concrete vats. The result is a juicy red and a luscious mouthfeel, perfect for those who don't like oak flavours or the drying mouthfeel you get from a wine that has been oak aged.