2022 Villa Albergotti Chianti Superiore DOCG, Tuscany

Villa Albergotti comes from the historic wine country around Arezzo in eastern Tuscany, where Sangiovese has been grown for centuries. Chianti Superiore is a useful step up from basic Chianti, with stricter production requirements and lower permitted yields giving the wine a little more concentration and structure. It is still very much about approachable Tuscan drinking rather than grandeur, which is precisely part of its appeal.

The warm, dry 2022 vintage gave Sangiovese plenty of ripe fruit, but its naturally lively acidity keeps the wine fresh. Compared with the Villa Albergotti Riserva, the Superiore is less about developed tobacco and leathery complexity and more about juicy cherry, fragrance and immediate pleasure. There is enough savoury structure underneath to make it useful with food without demanding years in the cellar.

Bright ruby, with Morello cherry, red plum and cranberry leading into violet and blood orange. Sage, oregano and fennel seed provide a savoury edge, followed by anise and a little earthy spice. The palate is medium bodied and lively, with juicy cherry and plum framed by fresh acidity and fine, lightly dusty tannins. Orange peel and herbs sharpen the middle before a dry, appetising finish.

Pork and fennel meatballs in tomato sugo would be terrific, alongside eggplant parmigiana, veal cotoletta, mushroom and pecorino cannelloni or a pizza with salami, roasted capsicum and mozzarella. Our pick is the meatballs, with plenty of parmesan and crusty bread to deal with the sauce.

Cellaring: Drink now to 2031.