Luccarelli, Negroamaro, Puglia, Italy, 2021

Hats off to Lidl for offering a Nerello di Mascalese in the Spring Wine Tour – it's an exciting Sicilian grape variety that can make deliciously complex wines. We were a bit disappointed with Lidl's example, however – you probably need to spend more than the £6.99 it is priced at to get real varietal expression. Staying in southern Italy though, this juicy, smartly labelled Puglian red is far more beguiling. it's made from the Negroamaro grape, which translates as 'black' (negro) and 'bitter' (amaro), but there's no bitterness in sight here, just deep, dark, sweet black cherry and plum fruit and a touch of cocoa flavour, juicy and rounded. Speaks of Italy's warm south, and perfect pizza wine!