Fantini’s ‘Edizione’ is no ordinary blend. Sourced from both Abruzzo and Puglia, it brings together five native grapes—Montepulciano and Sangiovese from the cooler, hilly north; Primitivo, Negroamaro and Malvasia Nera from the sunbaked vineyards of the south. The result is a multi-regional wine that can’t claim a DOC or IGT label, and is instead sold as a simple Vino da Tavola—though there’s nothing simple about what’s in the glass.

The colour is inky, and the aromas are rich: dark cherries, wild herbs, tobacco leaf, and bitter cocoa. Ageing in both French and American oak adds polish without softening its southern edge. On the palate, it’s bold but not showy, with enough acidity to lift the fruit and enough tannin to ground it.

Behind the wine is a clear vision—Fantini founder Valentino Sciotti wanted to bottle the south’s strength and variety, without the usual limitations. It’s a blend that sidesteps bureaucracy in favour of character, and delivers something unmistakably Italian in the process. Fantini | Abruzzo & Puglia | Montepulciano, Primitivo, Sangiovese, Negroamaro, Malvasia Nera | ABV 14.5%

Critic tasting note: "A savory nose of exotic spices, cocoa, cedar, ripe plums and mulberries. Full and structured, with lightly chewy tannins and a core of ripe dark fruit layered with oak spices and earthy nuances. Drink or hold." - James Suckling