195 Rosso, Villa Bogdano 1880 2018 75cl

195 is Villa Bogdano's Bordeaux-blend red, Merlot-led with a supporting hand of Cabernet Sauvignon, grown organically in a corner of the Veneto that has quietly made these grapes for generations. The 2018 is supple, savoury and ready to enjoy.

The estate near Lison farms biodynamically on the Venetian plain, where the maritime climate and cooler nights keep these international varieties fresh rather than jammy. The result is a red that leans European and food-friendly rather than big and showy.

Expect a bright ruby colour and aromas of ripe plum, black cherry and blackcurrant, edged with cedar, dried herbs and a graphite savouriness. The palate is medium-bodied and juicy, with soft, fine-grained tannins, lively acidity and a clean, gently herbal finish. Easy to like, but with more character than its price suggests.

At £39.99 this is a versatile, well-made red for the dinner table, the kind you can open on a weeknight or bring to a friend's without a second thought. Drink over the next three to four years.

How to Serve

Serve at 16-18°C in a medium red wine glass. A short decant of 30 minutes helps but is not essential.

Where to Drink It

Bocca di Lupo for hearty Italian plates. Lino for modern Italian cooking. Passo in Clerkenwell for a relaxed pasta-led dinner.

Food Pairings

A natural with ragù alla bolognese or grilled lamb chops. Roast vegetables and a wedge of pecorino also work nicely.