Take an Italian wine tour – no passport required

With the wintery weather dragging on, who can blame us if we’ve been googling ‘holiday destinations’ more than usual recently? One we keep coming back to is Italy, for good reason. From its varied landscape, world-renowned food, and of course, world-famous wine, it really is a dream getaway.

Whether you’re jetting off to Italian shores and want a taste of what’s to come, in need of a mental vacation, or looking for a bottle to treat your mum to on Mother’s Day, O’Briens is the perfect place to find quality Italian wines priced under €20. We’re taking a little tour of the regions we’re dreaming of visiting, as well as the delicious wines they produce.

Romeo & Juliet Rosé Spumante was €18.95, now €14.95

Sparkling wine is the apéritif of choice in the wine bars and street cafes of Venice. This bubbly Rosé is the perfect pre-dinner drink bursting with fresh red apple, strawberry and floral aromas. Whether you’re planning a gondola ride, or just enjoying dinner with friends this is the ideal choice. As well as this, the alcohol is 11.5%, making it a lovely light start to an evening.

Porta Nova Ripasso was €20.45, now €14.95 

Made from grapes grown in the hills of Verona, this full-bodied, smooth and velvety wine combines style and strength, like the beautiful and ancient city of star-crossed lovers itself. It has both rich intense cherry notes as well as those of sweet spices. If you want to pair it with food, it’s delicious with aged hard cheeses.

Cortest Nostru Nerello Mascalese Organic €14.95

From volcanoes to beaches and ruins to restaurants, Sicily has everything you could need for a dream holiday, and this wine is the perfect expression of its character. Made from the local Nerello Mascalese grape, this Sicilian red is a vibrant ruby colour. Its complex aroma is reminiscent of red berry fruits, and has a touch of a spicy character. It has a silky-smooth taste, and is balanced with a mineral character that’s a real taste of this volcanic island.

Luna Argenta was €18.45, now €12.95

Made by the ‘Passito’ method in Puglia, the heel of the ‘boot’ of Italy, some of the Negroamaro grapes for this gorgeous rich southern Italian red are partially dried in the warm Mediterranean sunshine. The resulting wine is silky smooth with soft tannins and a great concentration of ripe cherry fruit and dark chocolate flavours: it’s like black forest gateaux in a glass.

Rizzardi Pinot Grigio was €14.95, now €10.95

Guerrieri Rizzardi is the effort of two renowned winemaking families that date back to the 17th century. It’s produced near the shores of the beautiful Lake Garda, a popular spot for summer holidays because of its gorgeous scenery and water activities. Their estate-grown Pinot Grigio expresses generations of winemaking knowledge. Bursting with ripe pear and peachy fruit, it finishes with a touch of honey and spice.

Gavi La Battistina 15.95 now 13.95

Grown in the hilly region of Piemonte, at the foot of the Alps, Gavi is one of the most refreshing Italian white wines with clear lemon, ripe apple and pear fruit, and an underlying stoney character. A lovely white, at its best served chilled with light meals, La Batistinna’s single-vineyard Gavi is considered to be one of the best in the region, so whether you’re enjoying it on Italian soil or in the comfort of your own home, pop it in the fridge for an hour before serving.

O’Briens has lots of Mother’s Day gift ideas, pop instore or shop online at obrienswine.ie . Prices correct at time of publishing and until 31^st March 2019.