A minestrone – sometimes referred to as minestrone soup – is an Italian delight whose name literally means ‘big soup’, and big it is. Not just in size, though we certainly feel that this is not something to be served in meagre portions, but in oomph. It is warm, comforting, packed with flavour and is just as effective a crowd pleaser as it is a packed lunch. Wine notes by Anne Tupker, Master of WineFor the vegetable minestrone with pesto, I propose the dry, unoaked Gabo do Xil Godello 2016 from Telmo Rodríguez (thewinesociety.com; £10.95). Godello, a distinctive grape from Galicia, combines light floral, pear and citrus aromas with a soft mouth-feel – the perfect foil to the freshness and punchy herbs of the soup and pesto.