This gorgeous Italian variety at its best has plenty of spice with a nice touch of fruit and tannin. The Monte from Russell & Suitor is modern Montepulciano at its best with layers of baking spices and bright red berries. This is your perfect balance of sweet and spice with all things nice, we recommend you get into your comfiest trackies and jump into the kitchen while splashing out a few generous glasses of this scrumptious wine.

Origin: Central Italy, either Tuscany or Abruzzo. Mainly Grown In: Italy leads the way, with small amounts found in the USA and Australia. Key Facts: Confusingly sharing a name with a Tuscan town to which it has no relation, Montepulciano is the second most planted indigenous Italian red variety, behind Sangiovese. Found up and down the length of the country, it is successful in central Italy - with northern versions a little hard and green - due to Montepulciano's late-ripening tendencies. Often used for the production of rosé, Montepulciano has found happy homes in South Australia and California in recent decades, with smooth, medium bodied examples being produced. Fun Fact: The town of Montepulciano in Tuscany and the grape have nothing in common. Another example of the world of wine out to confuse us! Don't worry, we've got your back.