£7.99, Waitrose
Everything about this nimble, light-bodied Sicilian red wine is cheery and crowd-pleasing, from the juicy fresh fruit – cherry vying with raspberry vying with strawberry – to the lick of pepper and herbs, the barely-there tannins, the refreshing freedom from oak and the soft, dry finish.
Because it should be served lightly chilled, it’s the kind of red wine that seems perfect for uncomplicated summer drinking, but really it works at any time of the year. I can see it on the table at Christmas if you’ve got a mixed crowd in terms of wine palates and you're taking in a traditional turkey with its cacophony of trimmings and side dishes, a whole baked salmon or a vegetarian fest. Then there’s always the cold mop-up on Boxing Day.
More about the wine, which is part of Waitrose’s Loved & Found range of lesser known grape varieties, in this case Sicily’s charming, fragrant Frappato grown in breezy vineyards and organically rich soils in the Trapani and Marsala area. It’s made by The Wine People, an Italian producer with a strong commitment to sustainability.
Apart from the festivities I’ve already mentioned, it pairs well with tuna, swordfish and prosciutto, would go with almost any kind of pizza, or a herby roast chicken or goat’s cheese. 13.5%. Bottle weight: 469g.
Waitrose & Partners Loved & Found Frappato 2021, Terre Siciliane, Italy
£7.99, Waitrose
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