Chianti Classico. Terre de Mastri 2005. Co-Op Agricoltori del Chianti Geografico

Well, I guess it had to happen sooner or later - a duff bottle. Sod’s law really that cork taint should have spoiled a bottle of Italy’s most globally-recognised wine.

…this is a DOCG wine - allegedly Italy’s best. It’s not some blend of fruit juice and industrial alcohol, but a Chianti Classico - world-famous, trademark protected and with assurances of excellence. Given the hype - and even allowing for the odd mishap - we have the right to expect better…

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Quick, delicious and easy to make from fresh local produce - Bruschetta is the perfect snack to make in your Abruzzo villa when you’re feeling a bit peckish !

Here’s another easy-to-fix bite to eat for you to enjoy on your Abruzzo villa holiday. Last time, it was Tonno e Fagioli; this week - Bruschetta, which you’ll see on virtually every menu in Abruzzo…

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Langhe Arneis. 2005. Fontanafredda

I was in two minds whether to include Arneis in this weekly round-up. It comes from the neighbouring areas of Roero and Langhe, in the heart of the Alba wine-growing region to the south of Turin in the Piedmont region of northern Italy - the home of Barolo and a dozen more great wines.

You’ll easily find both Roero Arneis and Langhe Arneis and of the two, Roero’s generally reckoned to be better. But the bottle I tried a year or so back had the taste, bouquet, colour and character of a glass of water, so you’ll appreciate why I approached the Langhe Arneis with a little less than my normal boyish enthusiasm. How wrong can you be ? This version from the mammoth Fontanafredda wine empire is fantastic…

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