On the grapevine

Greetings from Marta: At the San Gimignano tasting, I sat down, at random, next to a lovely lady called Marta Chiti, inset, who works at Fattoria Poggio Alloro (www. fattoriapoggioalloro.com) looking after PR and the bed and breakfast side of the wine estate. She has excellent English and she told me that she owed her language skills to having spent a year in Leeds. Apparently, she stayed with several families during her time in Yorkshire. If you recognise her, she would love to hear from you.

Chianti Classico: Last week I struggled to find a Yorkshire stockist for one of my favourite Chianti Classico wines but now Badia a Coltibuono wines have now been listed at Campbells of Leyburn (01969 624391). This historic estate was founded in the 11th century by monks, who worked the land, and probably made wine. Now owned and run by the sixth generation of the Stucchi Prinetti family, the property is certified organic and still lives up to the name given to it by the monks. Coltibuono means ‘good harvest’. Campbells now stock the Chianti Classico 2019 (£17.99) which I like for its fresh, red cherry fruit, layered with savoury notes and a twist of black pepper. But for a real taste of this estate, step up to Badia a

Coltibuono ‘Cultus’ Chianti Classico Riserva 2017 (£28.99) which shone at the tasting for its silky complexity, dark and red cherry fruit, supple tannins and

long elegant finish.

Zweigelt at Aldi: New on the shelves at Aldi is a juicy, raspberry and cherry-filled, easy drinking Specially Selected Zweigelt 2021 from Austria (£6.99) that will go down brilliantly in the next few weeks. We have a long Jubilee Weekend coming up and this great value wine will be great if served lightly chilled as a simple quaffing wine, but it will also be good with anything that comes off the barbecue.