Here's a savvy tip for fans of smooth, soft reds. It's a cherry-scented Italian charmer from Gold medal-winning winemaker (and old friend) Ettore Galasso.

Ettore only makes this during bumper harvests when strict laws limit the production of his flagship Gold-medal Montepulciano. In the past, he used to keep aside a few bottles for his personal consumption selling the rest for blending, but thanks to his close working relationship with our senior buyer Thomas Woolrych, he now reserves the lot for us!

This lusciously smooth, ripe Montepulciano was bottled without oak ageing so all of the fleshy, cherry fruit flavours shine through. It's smooth enough to enjoy on its own, or with a variety of simple pasta dishes.