Avamposti Ventura Pinot Nero 2023

This just sings with bright cherry and raspberry notes, followed by deeper hints of spice and darker fruits. It's crafted from Pinot Nero (that's Pinot Noir to the rest of the world) grown on a single chalky vineyard high in the Monferrato hills. The winemaker experimented with a blend of methods - half the grapes fermented in steel (some whole bunches included), the other half in large wooden casks. After blending, the wine sees a year in oak. The result is a wine both vibrant and complex - juicy fruit, lively acidity, and a touch of savoury depth.

This would be delicious with a hearty rabbit stew or those small, filled pasta parcels known as agnolotti.

Tenuta Il Cascinone dating back to 1920, is a now revived gem of Piedmont's Monferrato hills. Once a revered Barbera d'Asti specialist, the estate was in decline before being rescued by the highly respected Araldica group of wineries in 1999. They've breathed new life into its steep, demanding vineyards which are now flourishing and turning out reliably good wines which are great value for money.