The TASTE case: what to drink in August

1. Lunato Lambrusco Rosso
Lambrusco is an unusual, slightly sparkling red wine made in the Emilia-Romagna region of north Italy. This one exudes cherry, berry and plum flavours with dark chocolate and a subtle hint of violets and luscious sweetness with a gentle fizz. With its friendly alcohol of 8%, why not add it to the guest list at your next lunch or dinner ? It’s particularly adept at bringing out the best in oily foods and has the sweet charm to mingle well with red berry desserts and ice cream.
R69.99

2. Gran Duca Chianti DOCG 2017
Chianti, Italy’s best-known red wine, comes from the Chianti region in Tuscany. With a minimum of 80% Sangiovese, you can expect your Chianti to have a light ruby colour, black and red cherry flavours, with hints of violets, spice and savoury earthiness. Firm tannins and brisk acidity make it an excellent match for food, particularly Tuscan specialities such as ossobuco with polenta or bistecca alla Fiorentina.
R69.99

3. Divici Prosecco DOC
Organic Extra Dry Prosecco, the bubbly made in the northeast of Italy, is now the best-selling sparkling wine in the world. How can it sell more bottles than Champagne? Well, first off, it costs a lot less, mainly because the bubble gets into the wine by a second fermentation in a tank, rather than the costly Champagne method of doing this in individual bottles. Secondly, it’s a crowd-pleaser with a frothy spritz, a nose of peach, green apple and lemon, and a mouth-tingling mousse.
R159.99

4. La Torre Italian Red
A family lunch in Italy will often look like this: mama, papa, bambini, neighbours and friends seated around a table groaning with salami, prosciutto, pancetta, salads, crusty home-made bread, fruit and cheeses, and great jugs of wine. Make like the Italians do and lightly chill this easy-drinking, one-litre blend of Sangiovese and Merlot and let the vino flow.
R69.99

5. Fantini Farnese Sangiovese 2017
Tuscany, with its rolling green hills, winding roads, stone castles and historical landmarks such as the Duomo in Florence, is the home of Sangiovese. This one is bursting with cherry and red fruit, is light to medium on the palate and the ideal wine to drink while watching the sun sink beneath the horizon.
R79.99

6. Astoria Pinot Grigio 2017
Pinot Grigio is a zesty white wine with flavours of lemon, lime, green apple and honeysuckle alongside a mouth watering acidity. It originates from the wine area around Venice and is the perfect refresher after a day revelling in an espresso in St. Mark’s Square, a Bellini in Harry’s Bar and a gondola ride on the Grand Canal. If you can’t get there, pour a large glass of this wine, sit back and let your imagination do the rest.
R89.99