Castellare Chianti Classico 2022

Sangiovese with a couple of friends, Collorino and Cannaiolo, who seemed to show up as soon as the water started boiling and the amount of pasta needed to be calculated. The three combine for amaro and blood orange juice running over terracotta with enough bright acidity to get through the host’s famous ragu.

Orsumella Chianti Classico 2021

Drink it from a Gabriel Glas to feel a little fancier on your not-so-Juliette balcony that looks east at the beautiful Dandenongs. If the flavours still matter… cherries with chewy but velvety tannins.

Querceto IGT 2022

Very much on the bright side for Sangiovese, complete with all the black and red cherries, and a lot of dusty tannins. Some wines are just honest in the best way and taste and behave, true to style. Pair it with any Tuscan specialty at lunch – Pappardelle with pork.

Sagona Gattorosso Sangiovese Blend 2022

This feels like the kind of wine to warm you up a little on a spring evening by the river when it just gets a little colder than you thought it would do. With bread, and a basket of cheeses, antipasti and some glasses we think you’ll have an evening to remember and come back for a second bottle.

Sensi Vernaccia di San Gimignano 2022

A great Italian red that's safe, approachable, sensible and delicious! Feels like a dinner party bottle, but night-in worthy too, we can’t decide whether it’s more dark choc and Scacchi, or chicken cacciatore and mates. Either option sounds great.

Cantina Etrusca Morellino di Scansano 2022

Deliciously ripe and fleshy cherry notes, wrapped delicately in tobacco leaf and a lovely bitter cherry edge in this Chianti that’s sitting more in the plush and weightier.

Tenuta Casabianca Chianti Collo Senesi 2021

A crowd-pleasing bambino that’s got cool dad vibes to match your perfectly worn jeans. Made by a legend, Vittorio Fiore, who’s extracted rich dark cherries and leathery tannins in this mostly, Sangiovese blend. Dinner-worthy, but with lazy, afternoon ease – perfect.