Corvina is the principal red grape found around the shores of Italy's Lake Garda making joyously quaffable Valpolicella and Bardolino. In these wines it is youthful, fresh and generally fairly light–bodied, brimming with raspberry and redcurrant flavours. But when picked late in the season, off lower–cropping vines from the best sites, and especially when these grapes are partly dried, as they are in the famous winemaking methods of Recioto and Amarone, Corvina's personality changes completely into a wonderfully intense, powerful and raisiny wine that can develop very well with age.
This is a lovely drop of Merlot, demonstrating the wine skills of the Languedoc Roussillon area. I holidayed in the region some years ago and loved their wines - great to see them this side of the world and available. Versatile, easy drinking. So good my neighbour has also bought a case after tasting mine!
As an aperitif or companion to a variety of fish, white meat or vegetarian meals including milder curries or salads, this rose works well. It is both fruity (melon, berry notes) to start and slightly acidic at the finish. It is simply pleasurable drinking at a reasonable price and has become something of a personal favourite.