The judges gave it 96 points at the 2024 International Wine Challenge - and the Soave trophy. Their tasting note reads: 'Subtle saffron and wild herb aromas with a layer of flavour on the palate. Loaded with lemon and tangerine notes together with a mouth-watering finish. Really smart.' The wine? 2021 Inama Foscarino Soave, and at £26.95 a bottle (or £99 for a case of 6 in bond) we think it's a steal. 

The poor, volcanic soils of Mount Foscarino (pictured) bring a tense, mineral underlay to this outwardly expressive Soave. The Inama vineyards are close to the summit, with a fabulous view down on the plain, the town of Soave and its castle. It's true what they say about old vines and quality, and Inama's vines here average 50 years of age. 

Inama arrived in the 1960s, in a time when many producers were looking to make their lives easier and expand onto the plain. But oenologist Giuseppe Inama had a different perspective. He saw the potential of these volcanic slopes to make 'unrepeatable wines', and bought his first vineyard on Mount Foscarino. Latterly, his family has expanded into making reds from the Colli Berici. These hills are not at all far away from Soave, but have a much warmer, drier climate. Inama have a particular focus on Carmenere, which is barely planted in Bordeaux anymore, but seems to work especially well here. /NT