Solara Natural Red 2023

This red does exactly what it says on the label - it's a natural wine, made with as little interference as possible to let the fruit do the talking. If you're curious about these sorts of wines, this is a cracking place to start. Made by a top-notch winery and quite affordable, it's packed with bramble fruit, raspberry, and blackberry aromas. Smooth and juicy, with hints of blueberry, balanced acidity, and soft tannins on the finish, it's vibrant, easy-going, and seriously drinkable. .

Try it slightly chilled with a rich mushroom tagliatelle or meaty lasagne - the juicy berry flavours and smooth finish make it perfect for glugging with pure pasta pleasure.

Back in the late 1980s, as Romania began to emerge from behind the Iron Curtain, three families took on a challenge: reviving a rundown state-owned winery and 650 hectares of neglected vineyards. What began as a bold gamble has, thanks to Englishman Philip Cox and his Romanian wife Elvira, grown into Cramele Reca?, one of the most successful wineries in Romania. Today there’s no trace of outdated practices or attitudes, and sustained investment means that everything from vineyard to winery is state-of-the-art, with viticultural and winemaking expertise to match. They now produce a wide range, including organic and natural wines, all with a consistent reliability.