It's almost impossible to step into any popular Roman restaurant without seeing this bottle on the list. A tried-and-true favorite of the Roman dining scene, the 2015 Mater Matuta beautifully matches the robust flavors of local cuisine with distinct flavors of smoked guanciale (pork jowl) and spicy Pecorino Romano cheese. This is a blend of 85% Syrah and 15% Petit Verdot, and if you consider the characteristics of those two grapes, you can see how the dark fruit and chocolate-like aromas of Syrah, plus the firm structure and drying astringency of Petit Verdot, would be such an ideal match to the foods I described above. Some 28,000 bottles were made, and I'm sure most of them will be enjoyed in Rome.

This is Casale del Giglio's top-shelf wine. The 2014 Mater Matuta is 85% Syrah with a smaller part Petit Verdot. A popular choice in Roman restaurants, the wine offers bold fruit that is enhanced by spice, tar, smoked bacon fat and white pepper. The wine is thickly concentrated and rich with soft tannins and plenty of succulent layering at the back. Some 28,000 bottles were produced.

A Roman favorite, the 2010 Mater Matuta is 85% Syrah and 15% Petit Verdot. Definitely one of the top red wines of the region, this bold expression offers enormous intensity with ripe fruit, Indian spice, rum cake, black tobacco and heavily roasted espresso bean. There’s elegance in the mouth, more than you might expect, with sweet cherry fruit and very soft tannins. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2019. Casale del Giglio is among the most popular brands found on restaurants wine lists across the capital city. Swamp and on the outskirts of Rome was reclaimed during the Mussolini years and now houses vibrant agriculture. Importer: Soilair Selection; www.soilairselection.com

The 2009 Mater Matuta is an unusual blend of Syrah and Petit Verdot. It boasts striking inner perfume and sweetness in a full-bodied, opulent style that is highly appealing. Layers of blue and black fruit, tobacco, spices and incense flow through to the opulent finish. There is a lot to like in this exuberant, expressive red. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2017. These are two striking, drop-dead gorgeous wines from Casale del Giglio, a Lazio winery that excels with international varieties. Importer: Soilair Selection, New York, NY; tel. (646) 244-4922

The 2008 Mater Matuta bursts onto the palate with masses of dark jammy fruit, spices, tobacco and scorched earth. The 2008 is an especially powerful, virile vintage packed with energy and elements of unrestrained wildness. It will require a few years to settle down. Mater Matuta is predominantly Syrah with a dollop of Petit Verdot that spends 22-24 months in French oak. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023. Casale del Giglio stands apart from most other wineries in Lazio for their emphasis on international varieties. Importer: Soilair Selection, New York, NY; tel. (646) 244-4922