Wine spots

Retro vino e caffè
Small wine bar that is a coffee in the morning and turns more and more into a wine bar the later the day. It is part of the trendy Retro Bottega restaurant. The selection varies from local wines, natural wines and rarities from all over the world, and even the champagne selection is incredible. retro-bottega.com

Il Goccetto (Via die Banchi Vecchi 14)
Not far from Piazza de Ricci with its beautiful Caravaggio frescoed house walls, here you can enjoy local wines and the oenological who's who from Italy in the alleys of Rome. facebook.com/Ilgoccetto

Hotel de Ricci 
A boutique hotel with an affinity for wine, created by the founders of the "Chez Dédé" label, Andrea Ferolla and Daria Reina. The rooms are furnished in the retro-chic style of the 50s and have a wine fridge and delicate wine decorations. The small oasis of pleasure with eight suites includes a magnificent wine cellar with 1500 wines, the Charade Bar and a Smokers Lounge. The idea came from Lorenzo Lisi, who also runs the historic family restaurant Pierluigi. hoteldericci.com

 

4 wines to discover

In Rome, the grape varieties Trebbiano, Malvasia and increasingly Chardonnay and Viognier are among the most important white wines and Sangiovese, Cesanese, Montepulciano and Merlot are among the red wine varieties. Names like "Est! Est!!! Est!!!", "Frascati" or "DOC Roma" are part of the oenological vocabulary of this historic region. Here are my favourite wines to discover.

#1 The Classic 

Fiorano 2019, Tenuta Fiorano

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot with beautiful melting, dense and fine tannins and aromatics reminiscent of cedar, cocoa, cassis and black coffee. A classic Bordeaux blend that carries the sun of Rome and reveals a beautiful concentration and elegance on the finish. The winery is located on the Via Appia Antica and tells the story of Prince Alberico, who cultivated a great passion for this estate. Today it is owned by his great-nephew Alessandrojacopo Boncompagni Ludovisi, who is making the Fiorano flourish again. tenutadifiorano.it

#2 The Modern 

Roma Rosso DOC 2021, Damiano Federici

A stunning wine - from the first to the last sip. This blend of Montepulciano, Cesanese and Merlot glows with a powerful dark red and smells of black cherries, bitter chocolate, liquorice and blackberry nectar. Baroque, dense and orchestral on the palate. An aromatically enjoyable potpourri from the trendy DOC Roma appellation. It covers 35 hectares around the city of Rome. Damiano Federici's winery was founded in 1960 by his father Antonio. One of their vineyards is located just a few kilometres from the Colosseum. vinifederici.it vergani.ch (Bezugsquelle Schweiz)

#3 The Oenologist's wine

Sodale 2020, Merlot Lazio, Familia Cotarella, Falesco

This pure Merlot was created by master winemaker Ricardo Cotarella, one of Italy's most famous "flying winemakers". Together with his brother Renzo, they founded their own winery in 1979. The wine is full of energy with beautiful aromatic pressure and complexity. Dark berry aromas mingle with notes of liquorice and graphite. The finish is elegant and confident. Its name comes from the Italian "sodalizio", meaning partnership. famigliacotarella.it bindella.ch (Source of supply Switzerland)

#4 The Newcomer

Ômina Romana, Chardonnay 2019, Lazio

In 2007, the winery Ômina Romana 40 kilometres south of Rome was founded by German entrepreneur Anton F. Börner and his wine-savvy wife and oenologist Maria Teresa, who fell in love with the goodness of this region. The estate's name is the Latin plural of omen - meaning the portent of a future event. In this Chardonnay, one is greeted by inviting aromas of honey, peach and quince. On the palate, lots of melting and ripe fruit. A charmer with a modern touch. ominaromana.com terravigna.ch (Source of supply Switzerland)