We are now in the deep, dark, post festive doldrums of January and many of us are dreaming of a summer getaway.

Last summer, our family holiday was spent in Tuscany, at a little village in hills near Lucca. At the bottom of the village was Marina's restaurant/bar/community centre (delete as applicable), where we feasted on pasta each evening for very little outlay.

The red wine flowed too, just the local plonk you understand, it was slightly chilled and cost far less than soft drink options. Served in a caraffa it was very quaffable but absolutely void of anything that would lead to the use of words such as complex, sophisticated or elegant.

I wouldn't use any of those words to describe Tavernello Vino d’Italia Rosso either. It is a bargain basement red, costing £3.49 a bottle, which is new to the UK and available at Tesco.

Smooth and fruity, it is cheerful in an, I've been sitting round the pool all day and it's 35 degrees sort of way. Chill it and serve in a jug to appreciate the savoury, fresh, cherry flavours therein and pair it with takeaway pizza.

Staying in Italy, do check out a really decent and affordable white which is on offer at The Co-operative until Tuesday. Rocca Vecchia Falanghina 2012 is from Puglia, the 'heel' of Italy's boot.

Made entirely from the characterful falanghina grape, this is a fruit-driven wine which works well as an aperitif but also matches with seafood, fish dishes and mild cheeses. It is fresh and unoaked with flavours of lemon, orange peel, flowery notes, a lick of honey and a little spice.

Or head to the Campania region and a smooth, rich, flavoursome red, Rocca del Dragone Aglianico 2010. Oozing flavours of cherry, blueberry and plums, it is held together by a firm tannic structure.

Meanwhile, back to thoughts of those summer hols...

 

Tavernello Vino d’Italia Rosso, £3.49 at Tesco 16/20

Rocca Vecchia Falanghina 2012, £5.99 down from £6.99 at The Co-operative 18/20

Rocca del Dragone Aglianico 2010, £9.49 from hawksheadwines.co.uk 16/20