Antonio Federici is a small, 3rd-generation cellar in Lazio, just south of Rome. As you'll taste here, its wines are both authentic and delicious. Normally, they only supply their meagre output to top restaurants in Rome.

But with most shut in 2020, we managed to gain a small allocation of this superb, cherry-scented red. And again, the following year. On fine limestone soils (the rocks of which were used to build some of Rome's most famous buildings) they grow some of Italy's most characterful native grapes.

From these they make a small range of award-winning wines. No doubt the skill of top Italian consultant Franco and Matteo Bernabei comes into play, as well as the commitment and passion of the family.

A silky, smooth, easy red.

Antonio Federici is a small, 3rd-generation cellar in Lazio, just south of Rome. As you'll taste here, its wines are both authentic and exceptionally delicious.

Normally, they only supply their meagre output to top restaurants in Rome. But with most shut in 2020 and 2021, we managed to gain a small allocation of this superb, cherry-scented red.

On fine limestone soils (the rocks of which were used to build some of Rome's most famous buildings) they grow some of Italy's most characterful native grapes. From these they make a small range of highly awarded, rule-breaking wines.

No doubt the skill of top Italian consultant Franco and Matteo Bernabei come into play, as well as the commitment and passion of the family.

A great pizza or pasta red.

The hottest name coming from Romania is Cramele Recas. Founded in 1998, this pioneering cellar leads the field in premium wines, with an up-to-the-minute winery and vineyards that were first planted in 1447. Englishman Philip Cox and his Romanian wife started the estate, bringing in winemaking expertise from Oz, Hartley Smithers, and Spain, Nora Iriate. Their bottles have even caught the attention of The Telegraph and The Drinks Business who have written rave reviews about their vibrant, characterful wines.

This silky smooth Merlot is part of their new Babele range, named after the Romanian tradition of celebrating the arrival of spring. Bright and succulent, it has a wealth of drink-me-now flavours. Great solo or with grilled meats.

Like this sumptuous Malbec from the Schroeder family, named after the town of Bariloche, home to the source of several meltwater rivers that feed into the valley where the Schroeders’ vineyards lie.

The supple, ripe Barón de Barbón has remained our bestselling Rioja since the early 2000s. That’s decades of popularity and loyal customers coming back for more. The Daily Express even claimed on its release that it’s “what true Rioja is all about.” The talent behind this contemporary, fruit driven red is the infectiously keen Javier Murúa. His father Julián owns Bodegas Muriel (a winery Julián's father established in 1926) in Rioja’s superior Alavesa. We’ve known the family well for years now, so much so that Javier calls us up after the vintage so we can get the top pick on their finest vats.

With its easy going, ripe red berry flavours and fragrant vanilla character, this supple Rioja is great on its own or with grilled meats or tapas.

Let’s go back in time! To the 1st century AD and vineyards planted to serve the ruling elite at the thriving Roman port of Troia. Here, on Portugal’s windswept Atlantic coast, the only grape that thrives in the dry, sandy soils and super-hot sun is local star Castelão. This small, dark-skinned grape boasts fathomless depths of flavour – if you know how to unlock it.

Back to today and enter Gold-medal maestro Jaime Quendera at Portugal’s most awarded winery, Casa Ermelinda Freitas. Only made in the best years, this Black Red flies of our shelves as soon as it's in stock. So our advice is: if you see it, buy it! Rippling with ripe plums, black fruits and laced with chocolate, with a spicy oak finish. At 14.5% it’s got power, so sip slowly.

Chai winemaker Mark Hoddy reserves the Belle Roche label for a red wine made from the best parcel of grapes of the vintage. In 2022 he found just the ticket in a few rows of dark, thick-skinned Cabernet, grown in high-up Languedoc vineyards close to Carcassonne. There the climate benefits both from Mediterranean and Atlantic influences, hence a wine that echoes both of the warm ripeness of the Med with the structure of Bordeaux.

It's a densely flavoured red, its colour almost black – the reason he calls it his precious ‘black diamond’ of the vintage. Meticulously crafted by Mark at the cellar, Belle Roche is best decanted an hour before serving, just like a claret. It’s ideal with a juicy steak, a rich lasagne or a hearty casserole. Decant.

Chai winemaker Mark Hoddy reserves the Belle Roche label for a red wine made from the best parcel of grapes of the vintage. In 2021 he found just the ticket in a few rows of dark, thick-skinned Cabernet, grown in high-up Languedoc vineyards close to Carcassonne. There the climate benefits both from Mediterranean and Atlantic influences, hence a wine that echoes both of the warm ripeness of the Med with the structure of Bordeaux. It's a densely flavoured red, its colour almost black – the reason he calls it his precious ‘black diamond’ of the vintage. Meticulously crafted by Mark at the cellar, Belle Roche is best decanted an hour before serving, just like a claret. It’s ideal with a juicy steak, a rich lasagne or a hearty casserole. Decant.