Calafuria, Tormaresca 2025 75cl

Calafuria is Tormaresca's pale, pretty Puglian rose, made from the region's signature red grape Negroamaro. It has become something of a summer staple, and it is easy to see why: this is a delicate, dry pink built for aperitivo hour.

Tormaresca is the Antinori family's southern Italian estate, and Calafuria takes Negroamaro, a grape usually associated with dark, brooding reds, and coaxes something light and floral from it through gentle pressing and cool stainless-steel fermentation. The result is a Provence-inspired style with a distinctly Italian accent.

The colour is a very pale coral pink. On the nose you get wild strawberry, pink grapefruit, white flowers and a little pomegranate. The palate is dry, fresh and gently textured, with red-berry and citrus fruit, a soft roundness in the middle and a clean, thirst-quenching finish. It is more about charm and drinkability than intensity, and it does that job well.

At around £20 it is a well-made crowd-pleaser from a trusted name. Drink it young and cold while the weather is warm.

How to Serve

Serve well chilled at 8-10C in a standard white wine glass. No decanting needed.

Where to Drink It

Polpo in Soho for Venetian small plates. Bancone in Covent Garden for a sunny lunch. Cecconi's in Mayfair for aperitivo.

Food Pairings

Grilled sea bream, or a spread of antipasti and burrata.