Il Cascinone Rive Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2013, Piedmont, Italy (£10-£14 Highbury Vintners, The Secret Cellar, Rannoch Scott, Hennings, Taurus Wines, Amps Fine Wine, Flagship Wines)
Sweet, rounded and plummy style, but despite the wealth of fruit, there’s a backbone of tannin, and a bitter cherry bite to keep it from going wobbly. Yes, there’s a touch of VA, but it doesn’t detract from the wine’s warm-hearted and friendly nature. S-