Wine: Ca'Vescovo Cabernet Sauvignon Grape: Cabernet Sauvignon Region: Friuli, northeast Italy Vintage: 1993 WINE has been made at the Ca'Vescovo estate since 572 AD, when the Senate in Rome sent a colony of farmers to Aquileia in the Friuli region. In the Middle Ages the estate was run by the Benedictine nunnery of Santa Maria which used to send its produce to Venice. The estate eventually came under the control of the Bishop of Trieste. Today Ca'Vescovo is an important estate in Friuli best known for its white wines such as Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc and Tocai Fruilano. These wines, without any oak-ageing, are designed for early drinking. Some decent reds are now beginning to appear.

Ca'Vescovo produces a Cabernet Sauvignon. Ruby red in colour the wine has a distinct ripe berry fruit nose. On the palate there are plenty of soft fruit flavours. Medium bodied, this wine is good for straight quaffing or as an easy accompaniment to lunch. It goes well with pasta and with Italian soft cheeses.

Where To Buy: From the importer Valdivia Ltd (Tel: 2555-7431) at $88 per bottle.