Muscateddu Fiumicicoli - 50cl NV

This outstanding sweet red from Domaine Fiumicicoli, made entirely from the rare Muscateddu grape, is unoaked, unfortified, and utterly distinctive. They wait for the grapes to over-ripen before picking, then give them a good eight to ten days maceration. Fermentation's stopped by dropping the temperature to a cool 10°C, capturing just the right level of sweetness with around 60g of sugar per litre. The result is a wine brimming with aromas of strawberry jam and allspice, with a fresh, aromatic palate where resinous, woody notes mingle with juicy cherries and a twist of bittersweet orange peel.

This one's a treat with dark chocolate, game pâté, or blue cheese - its rich berry sweetness and earthy spice cuts beautifully through the richness of these.

Domaine Fiumicicoli (pronounced phew-me-chikoli) sits in the heart of Corse Sartène, one of Corsica's most prized wine regions. Just nearby, the 13th-century Pont de Spina Cavallu, a striking Pisan-style bridge, which crosses the river Rizzanesse is a feature on their wine labels. This 75-hectare estate was founded back in 1964 by a former maths professor, Félix Andreani, and is now under the care of his son Simon, who's gone fully organic. With the benefit of cool winds like the Mistral and Sirocco breezing through, they're able to avoid using herbicides and pesticides. The wines are fresh, aromatic whites and rosés, bold reds, and a rare red dessert wine from the native Muscateddu grape.