2020 Bernardeschi IGT Governo All’uso Toscano

Want to know the secret to why this Tuscan red managed to scale the heights and land a huge 98 points?

It all comes down to an ancient winemaking technique that helps to supercharge flavour, making for what is a simply delicious Italian wine - now at the best price anywhere on the planet.

It started sometime in the 14th century. An unknown Tuscan winemaker discovered that if you keep back a portion of grapes, dry them in the sun, and then add them to your already fermenting wine, you get not just a better fermentation but a richer flavoured wine.

This technique became known as the governo method and was popular for centuries. More recently, with climate change ensuring that grape ripening is not so much of a problem, costly (and tricky) governo winemaking has been pushed to the wayside, adapted instead by producers in the Veneto further north to enhance flavour.

Now, winemakers like Andrea Valiani are bringing governo back, with this Bernardeschi IGT Governo All'uso Toscano 2019 his latest example of what a little dried grapes can deliver.

A blend of Sangiovese and Merlot, this unique red is deliberately built like a flashback wine. Medium-bodied, yet with an extra intensity that the dried grapes can bring, this red is instantly vibrant and fruity, yet with this rare balance and moderation.

After hearing about this red from another Italian winemaker, we had some sent out from Italy. When it arrived we were dumbfounded about why more producers weren't doing it - the resulting wine is so generous and charismatic, a flow of rich red fruit and a sense of freshness.

This is a rare delight - a unique red, from a high class traditional producer, with huge points, and now lobbing up at a globally impressive price. Don't miss out.