Richard Baudains’ top 10 most overlooked Italian wine styles

Ample white mousse and fine perlage, aromas of pears, lemon peel and spring flowers. Apricot, pineapple and citrus palate with crisp acidity underlying the sweetness. Deliciously long, juicy finish. 18pts/20
Price: £11.90–£12.50 Astrum, Butler’s Wine Cellar, WoodWinters
Drink: 2012–2013
Alc: 5%

Chionetti, Briccolero 2010 

Nose of ripe plums and violets with a hint of sage. Big, warm entry, richly textured mid-palate with bags of energy and concentration, excellent grip in the finish, with a return of plummy fruit and a hint of almonds. 18.5pts/20
Price: £15 Profumo di Vino, Wine Tasting Shop, Vinum
Drink: 2012–2015
Alc: 14%

Ignaz Niedrist, Berger Gei, Gries 2009 

Intense cassis and wild berry aroma, with hints of ink and pencil lead. Broad palate of refined tannins and a long, juicy finish of liquorice and tar. 18.5pts/20
Price: £21.30 Astrum
Drink: 2012–2015
Alc: 13.5%

Vigneti Massa, Derthona 2009  

Slightly closed nose, with a touch of acacia, camomile and white peach. Precise, crisp, mouthwatering palate; long, intense finish with green apple hints and great minerally concentration. 18pts/20
Price: £17.49 Theatre of Wine
Drink: 2012–2020
Alc: 13.5%

Tenuta Pederzana, Grasparossa NV

Light mousse. Amazingly rich and complex nose with violets, dark chocolate, plums and black cherry and then autumn leaves, wallflowers, cinnamon and graphite. Fresh and full on the palate with a gentle fizz, and long juicy finish. 19pts/20
Price: £10.70 Astrum
Drink: 2012–2013
Alc: 12%

La Berta 2010  

Super nose of cherry, iris and white pepper. Fresh, zippy, nervy palate with texture, lovely expression, and long fruit and almond finish. Superior in its class. 17.5pts/20
Price: £7.90–£9.95 Astrum, Caviste, Theatre of Wine
Drink: 2012–2014

Azienda Monaci, Girofle, Salento 2009 

Evolved, honeyed but still fresh nose, with precise plum balance between sweet fruit and bitter herbs. Great length and concentration on the finish, with notes of white pepper and cinnamon. 18pts/20
Price: £7.85–£7.99 (2010) All About Wine, Boutinot, Bacchinalia, Hangingditch
Drink: 2012–2013
Alc: 13%

Librandi, Duca San Felice, Classico Superiore Riserva 2008 

Rich, ripe and plummy aromas with distinctive orange peel and sweet spice hints. Soft, round, mid-weight palate with fine tannins and a long finish with a return of plum and cherry, a touch of bitter herbs and a classic salty-mineral nuance. 18pts/20
Price: £17.99 Amordivino, Ann & Vin, Enotria, Fine Wine Co, Swig
Drink: 2012–2015
Alc: 13.5%

Planeta 2010  

Sweet cherry nose with hints of cinnamon. Distinctly dry, tannic palate with a pure varietal notes of savoury herbs and bitter chocolate and a mouthwatering touch of sour plum. Intense salty finish. 17pts/20
Price: £9.99 Cambridge Wine, Enotria, Luvians, Noel Young, Selfridges, Swig
Drink: 2012–2013
Alc: 13%