Santa venere Federico scala riserva red 2021

This dry red wine comes from Italy, built around Gaglioppo from the 2021 vintage. Gaglioppo is the principal red grape of Calabria and the heart of Cirò, giving medium-bodied, red-fruited wines with a savory, herbal character. Italy is a wine lover's playground — hundreds of homegrown grapes and a different specialty around every bend, from crisp Alpine whites to sun-baked southern reds. The 'Riserva' on the label means it's had extra aging before release, a step up from the standard bottling. It's a friendly all-rounder — lovely with roast chicken, pork, mushroomy dishes or a bowl of tomatoey pasta. Pop it open at cool room temperature — a brief chill on a hot day doesn't hurt.