REGULAR readers of my column will know that I usually choose my wine first and then match it with food. However, when I chose Surani Costarossa Primitivo di Manduria 2017 it was to match chef Tom Kerridge’s homemade doner kebabs.

The ingredients were minced lamb, garlic, cumin, paprika, onion powder, dried oregano, chilli flakes, seasoning. The dressing was not Tom Kerridge’s, but a Kebab shop dressing found online which had natural yoghurt, mayonnaise and garlic.

The cool weather was pulling me towards a soft, juicy Californian red wine with some sweetness which would cope with the chilli sauce. In addition, the sweetness of a Californian red would help the food pairing in general. I did choose a red but not a Californian Zinfandel. After much deliberation, I went to my favourite wine country, Italy and chose an Italian grape virtually identical to the Californian Zinfandel grape. I chose Primitivo from Puglia in southern Italy, with an alcohol volume of 14%.

The colour of the Primitivo in the glass was dark ruby. Deep, intense and beautiful. The legs were prominent and descended slowly down the inside of the glass. Leather on the nose was a surprise as this wine was not very old.

On the palate it was soft and round. Blackberry and warming spice with vanilla on the length. completely smooth and luxurious. The biggest surprise was the match with the yoghurt and mayonnaise sauce. This brought out the vanilla in the wine further and when the chilli and yoghurt sauces were mixed the spice and vanilla flavours in the wine were both heightened. A delicious combination.

Surani Costarossa 2017-Primitivo di Manduria is £11.99, but if you take a copy of the Echo's Taste supplement to Majestic wine Poole, you can buy a single bottle for £7.99. For more wine and food matches visit wonderofwine.com