Italian wines have experienced a chequered history with UK wine drinkers, but times have changed. The Italians are no longer keeping their best wines for themselves, and at Vin Neuf we have a selection of some of their best from Barolo to Valpolicella.

Below, I have added some tasting notes for three Italian wines that I feel are teriffic for summer drinking and are great value for money.

Veritiere Pinot Grigio 2007 - £6.95
Sourced from northern Italy around Veneto with beautiful rolling vineyards.
This is a classic example of this immensely popular grape variety. Fresh & vibrant with clean fruit flavours, its is dry and endlessly appealing

Mandrarossa Fiano 2007 - £6.95
This wine comes from the other end of Italy, in fact, Sicily. Fiano has been heralded as the new white grape variety to take over the popularity of Pinot Grigio. Whatever the press hype, it is a delightful light dry crisp easy drinking white wine, with notes of apricots, peaches.

Ponte Pietea Merlot / Corvina 2007 - £5.50
A fresh and vibrant soft easy drinking red made with 50% merlot and 50% Corvina, (the Italian variety that goes into Valpolicella). The vineyards are on the hills outside Verona.Red cherry flavours that are confirmed on the palate.

At Vin Neuf we strive to offer more a interesting and carefully selected range of wines, many of which are not necessarily more expensive. You may not recognise the names of all the wines we stock but we hope you will trust our judgement and advice.

Ultimately, we do hope you enjoy our wines as much as we have in selecting them.

(All things are good for you in moderation so please drink our wines responsibly!)

Vin Neuf can be found at 6b Union Street, Stratford-upon-Avon. Tel: 01789 261 747

www.vinneuf.co.uk