7th November 2024 | Top Drops | 6 minute read
For deliciously deep reds with rich flavours that pair with the season, look no further than Schola Sarmenti and their incredible collection of top Italian wines. Whether you’re after something indulgent to drink with hearty dinners or to simply savour on a relaxing evening in, these are wines that will warm your winter nights.
Based in the Puglia region of southeastern Italy, in the “heel” of the country’s boot, Schola Sarmenti is a winery that has a very loyal following. After a single sip of one of their wines it’s immediately obvious why. These are premium quality drops presented in beautifully shaped bottles that improve the look of any table or wine rack.
Since it was founded in 1999, Schola Sarmenti has been wowing us with wines crafted from native Italian grapes such as Fiano, Negroamaro and Primitivo. Winemaker Alessandro Calabrese knows this flavoursome local fruit gives the most authentic expression of the region’s precious terroir.
In his efforts to produce the finest wines possible, Alessandro uses ancient techniques that require extreme precision and attention to detail that only the most skilled winemakers can master. The measure of his success is in the awards and prizes won from all over the world for Schola Sarmenti’s stunning wines.
Puglia’s climate lends itself to red wine production perfectly, allowing Alessandro to craft punchy reds that possess all the characteristics we look for in winter warming wines. We take a closer look at each sensational wine in the Schola Sarmenti collection and how they pair with the season.
Handcrafted in small quantities from the best Primitivo parcels in their Puglia vineyards, this powerful red is a favourite among Virgin Wines’ customers and staff alike.
Made from 65-year-old vine fruit for extra concentration and depth, this absolute mammoth of a red delights the senses with juicy blackberry and dark fruits before expressing chocolate, coffee and warming spice on a surprisingly soft finish.
Notes of baked plum and raisin at the core of this wine are a result of the hot, sun-kissed climate the vines grow in, producing Primitivo grapes that are packed with natural sugar and flavours of cooked and dried fruits. Pour yourself a glass of this and put your feet up.
This is a dark-fruit dream of a wine with an old-fashioned feel from its notes of leather and spice.
A beautiful and traditional Salento red grape blend featuring a relatively unknown local variety, Malvasia Nera di Lecce, this is a compellingly complex drop with unexpected notes such as forest floor and a brightness that brings a touch of lightness to an otherwise heavy red.
The intriguing palate is partly thanks to a steady ageing process of eight months in quality French oak followed by eight months in bottle before release. This one’s certainly a sophisticated drop for savouring on dark, chilly nights.
A fine red wine with a smokiness that makes it the ultimate match for grilled meats.
Considered by some Schola Sarmenti fans as the pinnacle wine in their range, this is a sumptuous Negroamaro and Primitivo blend expressing a riot of scents on the nose. The mouthfeel is super full and luscious, bringing a surge of ripe fruit that gives way to a final wave of chocolate and tobacco on a long, satisfying finish.
A wine this expressive deserves to be decanted for an hour or so before you plan to serve. This will encourage those aromas to really spring out of the glass.
Another outstanding fruit-filled red from the hugely talented Schola Sarmenti team.
Made from Susumaniello, an Italian grape that’s abundant with bold flavours of red berries and cherry, this rich red is fabulously fruity with subtle smoke and a refreshing acidity that makes it a divine pairing with cheese and chutneys.
Not only that, this epic red is also a great match for roast dinners, making it an essential for any winter wine rack in our eyes.
For something a little different, we have a delightful rosé crafted from native Italian grapes, making it unique from other pinks you’ve enjoyed before.
Influenced by Puglia’s sweltering summer days, winemaker Alessandro Calabrese designed this blush to be the ultimate thirst quencher. Although Negroamaro can be quite a brutish grape, the light-handed treatment it gets in Alessandro’s state-of-the-art winery means that it has a gentle colour extraction from the skins and remarkably elegant flavours.
The nose is led by ripe strawberry, followed by a hint of cream on the palate and refreshing acidity. This is a great one to pair with fish dishes and winter berry desserts.
Bottled exclusively for our very lucky customers, this brand new, limited-edition Primitivo from Schola Sarmenti is one of the top Italian wines we’ve ever had the pleasure of listing.
A small-batch production of low-yielding old vine fruit that’s been ageing in fine oak barrels, this beautiful drop is rich and opulent. Expect blackberry and raisin with vanilla, a hint of chocolate and black pepper, all harmoniously blending together.
Unlike the other bottles in the Schola Sarmenti range, this one isn’t available to buy just yet… but if you’re itching to give this one a swirl then read on to find out how.
For a limited time only, if you spend over £100 on a wine order of 12 bottles or more, we’ll pop a free, bonus bottle of the Schola Sarmenti Pentuma Primitivo Limited Edition 2021 in your case! Place your order between now and midnight on Friday 8th of November to take advantage of this special offer.
