ROSÉ ITALIANO

Today, I fancied a change. I decided to go Italian and check out one of their modest rosés.

2005 CAVALCHINA, Bardolino Chiaretto DOC (rosé), 12% - serve chilled at 12°

(Majestic - £5.99; £4.99 – with any 2 rosé)

It’s made near the picturesque Lake Garda in the Bardolino region from the same grape varieties as Valpolicella: Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara. Brilliant rose water in colour, it’s slightly off-dry and its delicate soft cherry aromas and flavours on the nose and palate and well-balanced as if caramelised acidity, makes it an ideal refreshingly delicious aperitif. You can sip on it for ever. It purports to be quite alcoholic at 12% - I have my doubts. But does it really matter? Less is more when the sun is shining and the sky is blue.

It goes well with mildly flavoured food and appetisers, is perfect with light tomato pasta and pizzas of the not so spicy variety. And when it comes to cheesecake, a nice berry one will do, such as the Very Berry Cheesecake from M&S. And finally… it goes very nicely with a slice of Cheddar cheese.

P.S. If you’re a Londoner, Majestic near Borough Market is the only Majestic in the UK which sells its goodies by the bottle rather than by the case.