Ricossa - Cambridge Wine Merchants

Two Ricossa wines from Cambridge Wine Merchants

Ricossa Roero Arneis 2018
Ricossa Lange Nebbiolo 2017

Both these Italian wines come from Piemonte in Italy's northwest; just across the border from France, Piemonte shares nearby Burgundy's love of hedonistic food-and-wine matching. Prices can also be somewhat Burgundian, but these two both represent good value.

Arneis is a Piedmontese grape whose fortunes are now reviving after becoming almost extinct in the late 20th century. The name, incidentally, means "little rascal" on account of it being a difficult grape to grow.

The red Langhe is a Nebbiolo - Italy's answer to Pinot Noir; a pale wine with perfumed, hedonistic aromas but notably higher tannins levels. Italy's greatest Nebbiolos come from Barolo, but you are looking at quite a different price bracket there.

Ricossa Roero Arneis 2018 (£8.99, Cambridge Wine Merchants) straw yellow with fresh flowers and green apple; full and supple with ripe orchard and stone fruit, florality and some sweet spices.

Good.

Match with light starters or seafood.

Ricossa Langhe Nebbiolo 2018 (£11.99, Cambridge Wine Merchants) surprisingly mature in both colour and aromas: old leather, truffles and undergrowth with florality, ripe, slightly dried red-berry fruits and well-integrated oaky spice; fresh and savoury with very fine, persistent tannins.

Good.

Match with darker game or roast red meat.