The words Italy and intense usually don’t sit together in the same sentence. Italy, whether you’ve visited or not, is romantic, pretty, delicious, all dining al fresco. Well, I just had a glass of wine that proves Italy can, indeed, be intense – in a good way, of course. This is no poolside sipper. Fire up the grill, lay on a thick steak, then pour yourself a glass of this deep, inky purple wine. The tre saggi (three wise) men would approve of this one. This is truly a carnivore’s best friend.

2008 Talamonti, Tre Saggi  Montepulciano d’Abruzzo

Colour – deep inky purple verging on black

Bouqet – intense dark cherry with a whiff of spice and crushed charcoal (charred wood)

Flavour – big and bold with loads of cherry and dark fruit. Hefty finish that lingers on the palate. The grapes that went into this dark beauty come from one single vineyard in Abruzzi. Taste the flavour of the land!