Fine wine news

A wine merchant has opened in London, selling only quality Italian wine, the first of its kind in the city.

Vini Italiani has more than 500 wines from Italy, 200 of which from Piedmont and Tuscany, although all 20 regions are represented.

It will catch an upmarket consumer interested in wines with a value of up to £1,000, being located in South Kensington, Decanter.com reported.

Speaking to the news provider, co-founder Matteo Berlucchi said he believed that Italy is an established market for wine that a specialist merchant should be a success.

He also noted that shoppers are choosing wines by grape variety rather than by region.

"People come in wanting Nero d'Avola or Sangiovese, rather than asking for Piedmont or Tuscany," he explained.

The retailer opened just before Christmas and figures from the UK's independent merchants have revealed that sales were strong throughout December.

Cheshire's Corks Out saw its sales increase by 15 per cent last month on the year before.

Posted by Brian Hughes