Two very different Italians.

Valvona & Crolla has to be my favourite destination in Edinburgh, even though my wallet goes into a fit if I even go near it. The best Italian Deli outside Italy that I know has been on the go since 1934 and is family run by the Continis. Not only do they have a fantastic selection of fresh foods, cold meats, cheeses, garlic in bulbs you've never seen before in your life, they have an amazing, mainly Italian, wine selection.
There is also a cafe-bar through the back. No need for a wine list. As you walk through the shop you pick up the wine you want to drink and they'll open it there and then for you (and chill it if necessary). All for an incredible £4.00 corkage! That means Santo Stefano Single Vineyard Prosecco from Ruggeri is only £13.99! Nothing is better with lunch.

And it gets better. Home delivery is available throughout the UK via their on-line shop and is free to most areas if your order is at least £125. I've yet to manage to spend less than that anyway!
Valvona & Crolla


Poliziano
Rosso di Montepulciano
2003
£9.99 Valvona & Crolla – Edinburgh

Made by Federico Carletti of the eminent Poliziano estate in Montepulciano, known for its Vino Nobile Asinone. Made from Prugnolo Gentile, a clone of Sangiovese. The nose is opulent black cherry and slightly oaky. On the palate the tannin is still quite obvious, with a lovely chocolaty note and juicy black fruit. This would definitely benefit from another year or so as there is also plenty of fruit. That’s not to say it’s not nice now. It’s definitely a food wine though. A nice juicy steak would be perfect for this. We just had it with gnocchi with spicy meatball sauce and it stands up alright to the chillies.
 

Capitel Foscarino
Anselmi
Veneto IGT 2003
£11.95 Valvona & Crolla – Edinburgh

From the Soave region in Italy, made by Roberto Anselmi, his wines regularly achieving great heights according to the Gambero Rosso guide. In 2005 this got ‘2 glasses’. I enjoyed drinking more than two as it is wonderful. Based on the local Garganega grape it has a lightish lemon nose, quite minerally, almost Chablis-like. Mid-weight palate, peach and lemon flavours. Very dry and refreshing. Beautiful long finish with a slight bitterness. Very rounded and balanced.