As someone who travels between London, Italy, France quite often, I feel a sad pining for my favourite places, yearning to be by the sea soaking up the good life. I’m a working mum during a pandemic (and let me tell you, that is a recipe for total chaos) so the closest I’ve got to a carefree feeling is a few weary hours after my baby goes to bed, when we have been treating ourselves with lovely food and drink to make up for missed fun times.

Chilled red wine is a summer favourite in my family, often homemade, in a litre bottle, simple, rustic and delicious. And so here is my recipe for Pesche Al Vino, Peaches in Wine - a Southern Italian sweet boozy treat for a hot summers day. Close your eyes and dream of Italy.

Pesche Al Vino

4 lovely ripe peaches
1L of light red wine (my preference is a Aglianico or Grangnano local to my Campania region with gentle bubbles, but a Montepulciano or other light red will work well here)
A couple of tablespoons of white sugar
Freshly squeezed lemon juice

Slice the peaches into wedges and place into a bowl. Sprinkle with sugar and toss until they’re completely covered, I like them sweet, adjust as you need. Pour the lemon juice over the peaches, muddle the juices with a spoon and scoop into a large jug. Top with the red wine, mix and keep in the fridge for as long as you can wait. Ideally at least several hours, so prepare in the morning to devour with a late lunch. Mix the wine every time you serve to gather all the lovely juices from the bottom of the jug.

Chiara Perano Peaches and Wine Da Adolfo Positano

Me and my Papà enjoying some Pesche al Vino at Da Adolfo on Laurito Beach a few summers ago <3

Peaches & Wine