Italy is one of the world’s great wine countries, with vineyards spanning from the far north to the tip of the south. From a taster’s perspective it can be complicated because there’s so much diversity, but it’s worth the effort. Here are some delightful Italian reds, ranging from cheap and cheerful finds to high end and more serious.Waitrose Chianti Classico Reserva Barone Ricasoli 2013, Tuscany £12.49, Waitrose, 13% alcoholChianti can be quite variable, but this is a delicious one, with mellow, smooth black fruits and a pleasant brightness. It’s pure, delicious and perfect with rich food. Morrisons Signature Valpolicella Ripasso 2013, Veneto £7.47, Morrisons, 13% alcoholRipasso is a method where the wine is made richer by seeping it in the skins of amarone, the rich Veneto red made from semi-dried grapes. This bottle is fresh and juicy with attractive raspberry and cherry fruit. Tesco Finest Frappato 2013, Sicily £6, Tesco, 13% alcoholFrappato is a tasty variety that manages to produce very fresh wines in warm climates.

This is supple and juicy with moreish berry fruits and a hint of meatiness, while raspberries and plums dominate.La Massa 2012, Tuscany £15.95, tanners-wines.co.uk (01743 234455), 14% alcoholThis Tuscan red is made from sangiovese and merlot. It’s dense, delicious and brimming with sweet cherries. There’s also a nice structure and weight to this wine. Asda Extra Special Barolo 2011, Piedmont £15, Asda, 14% alcoholBarolo is one of the most famous Italian red wines, made from the nebbiolo grape. It’s hard to find good affordable examples, but this is just that. Typical of the style, this has a pale-ish colour, firm structure and savoury spiciness backing up the cherries, plums and herbs. Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference Barbaresco 2012, Piedmont £10, Sainsbury’s, 14% alcoholLike its neighbour barolo, barbaresco is made from the nebbiolo grape. This is great value, tasting of cherries and red berries with a spicy, peppery edge.  Villa Annaberta Amarone della Valpolicella 2012, Veneto £17.99, Co-op, 15% alcoholMade from grapes dried on racks for months to concentrate the flavours, this red is soft, rounded and sweetly fruited with gorgeous flavours of sweet blackberries and black cherries, finishing with some spiciness.

In recent weeks, I have been praising Spain as a source of good value but this week I want to focus on Italy.Italy is one of the most difficult wine producing countries to get a handle on, even for experienced wine drinkers. best wines to drink in indiaThere are just too many unfamiliar grape varieties, wine regions and styles of wine, particularly to anyone who began their wine journey in Chile or Australia.buy wine away canada In famous regions such as Tuscany or Piedmont, the grape variety is often not on the label (just as in France), and in regions where the grape is mentioned, it is rarely one that is familiar.good wine restaurant london The main grape in Valpolicella and Amarone, for example, is Corvina, a grape few people have heard of or seen on a bottle. best red wine for cake

The great Nebbiolo grape of Piedmont is also rarely seen on a label despite many (including myself) proclaiming it to be Italy’s best red grape.wine of fire usa As our tax increased in recent years, Southern Italy became a good hunting ground for inexpensive red wine, but you can also find good value throughout Italy if you keep an eye out and are willing to try the unfamiliar.best wine audiobook SuperValu have an Italian wine sale which is running until April 29 which will give you a chance to explore inexpensive regional wines but also a few classics. One extra recommendation that I didn’t have room for below is the excellent Zaccagnini Montepulciano d’Abruzzo for €15 — this wine is better known by its nickname “Twiggy” due to the piece of vine that is tied to each bottle. The first Dublin Wine Festival runs from April 20–25 with more than 30 participating wine bars and restaurants and is worth checking out if you are planning a trip to Dublin next week.

There are discounts, competitions, wine tastings and food and wine pairing deals. The Whitefriar Grill on Aungier Street for example is offering guests a chance to win 10% off your bill (up to 100%) for every wine trivia question you get correct. Intrigo Negroamaro 2014, Puglia, Italy — €9 Negroamaro is found mainly in Puglia (it is the main grape in Salice Salentino) and is almost always worth a look. Despite being under €10, this packs quite a fruity punch with sweet blackberry and touches of coffee on the nose and lots of juicy fruit on the palate. Santoro Primitivo Puglia IGP 2012 , Italy — €11.99 Stockists: Ardkeen Stores Waterford, Kellers Carry Out Roscrea and Nenagh, Vintry Rathgar, Independents Smoky cherries and red fruit aromas with a light red currant and plum influenced palate and a bitter cherry tang on the finish. Very clean and fresh and tastes more than its low price. Serve with rustic Italian food that needs a lift. Sartori Valpolicella Ripasso 2012, Veneto, Italy — €10

Ripasso Valpolicella is left on the lees (spent yeast cells and other particles) of Amarone for a time to pick up extra flavour and complexity. This has ripe bitter-sweet cherry aromas and flavours and is made in a relatively luscious style given the price. Ammasso, Terre Siciliane 2012, Italy — €15 This blend of Nero d’Avola, Nerello Mascalese, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon from North West Sicily is new to the SuperValu range and a bit of a find. Made from partially dried grapes, this has aromas of blackcurrant and liquorice and is jam-packed with rich sweet black fruit. Ricossa Barolo 2012, Piedmont, Italy — €15 Barolo is arguably Italy’s greatest red wine region and can produce wines of extraordinary power and finesse. Don’t expect anything extraordinary for €15 but this is nevertheless a lovely glass of wine, with perfumed red fruit aromas and flavours, fine structure and balance and good length. Try with some spring lamb. Sopra Sasso Amarone della Valpolicella 2010, Veneto, Italy — €20