Have you tried this? Archives - Page 5 of 17

A refreshing Italian white wine for a snip …

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2022 (Italy)

A dry white wine with crisp acidity from the Marche region of central Italy, this Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi wine is a very good example of the fresh, zesty wines from the Verdicchio grape.

Aromas of pear, citrus and honey on the nose lead to flavours of pear, lemon and a faint note of almond on the palate, with a long mineral finish. This is a very good value wine which is perfect as a refreshing aperitif and also pairs well with a seafood dish. A perfect accompaniment to grilled salmon and spaghetti al limone!

Available from Co-op (£7)

An expressive red wine from Bergerac. Perfect for a barbecue!

Château Bel-Air, Bergerac 2020 (France)

This expressive red wine from Bergerac in the Dordogne, just to the east of Bordeaux, is a very good example of the high-quality, good value wines from this appellation.

A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, this Château Bel-Air 2020 is an elegant, well-balanced wine with generous tannins and a long finish. With plum, cherry and black fruits on the nose, and blackcurrant, plum and vanilla on the palate, this is an excellent match for a grilled or roast meat dish, or with roasted vegetables. Perfect for a barbecue!

Available from Majestic (£8.99; Mix Six £7.99)

A very appealing Pouilly-Fumé to tempt your palate …

Jean Vincent Pouilly-Fumé 2021 (Loire Valley)

Produced from Sauvignon Blanc grapes grown on the flinty soil of the Central Vineyards of the Loire Valley, this is a very appealing Pouilly-Fumé.

With aromas of honeysuckle, apple and pear on the nose, and flavours of gooseberry and citrus fruits on the palate, this is a smooth, well-balanced wine with a lengthy finish and the smoky, flinty characteristics of a Pouilly-Fumé.

Perfect as an aperitif, this wine will also go well with seafood, a vegetable dish, or goat cheese.

Available from Majestic (£21.99, Mix Six £18.99)

A smooth, rich, full-bodied red wine from Languedoc-Roussillon

Les Hauts de Saint Martin, Saint Chinian 2021 (France)

This Saint-Chinian wine is from vineyards located at the southern end of the Massif Central and just 20 miles from the Mediterranean coast, which enables the grapes to benefit from long, hot summers and mild winters, resulting in a smooth, rich, full-bodied wine. It won a Gold Medal in the Concours des Grands Vins de France in 2022.

A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre grapes, this is a dry wine with medium acidity, medium tannins and a lengthy finish. With bramble, plum and cherry on the nose, and an array of red and black fruits, with a hint of spice, on the palate, this is an appealing wine offering very good value for money.

A very good match for a grilled or roast meat dish, or roasted vegetables. We enjoyed it with lamb chops.

Available from Co-op (£9)

A very good value Malbec from Argentina’s Uco Valley

Trivento Private Reserve Malbec 2021, Uco Valley (Argentina)

A very good value Malbec from Argentina’s Uco Valley, this Private Reserve 2021 was awarded a gold medal in the International Wine Challenge 2022, and was recently awarded 93 points by Master of Wine Tim Atkin in his 2022 Best of Argentina report.

With bramble, plum and black pepper on the nose, and blackberry and plum, with a hint of spice and vanilla on the palate, this is a smooth, medium-bodied wine with medium tannins and a lengthy finish. A well-balanced wine which is a good match for red meat dishes or cheese.

Available from Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons (£8.50-£10)

A smooth, silky red wine from Herefordshire …

Radlow Hundred English Red

This smooth, silky red wine from Radlow Hundred Vineyard in Herefordshire is a blend of Pinot Noir, Regent and Rondo grape varieties. With aromas of raspberry, cherry and plum on the nose, and plenty of red fruit flavours, notably cherry, on the palate, this is a balanced wine with medium tannins and a hint of pepper on the finish.

A very pleasant English red wine that can be enjoyed by itself or with a red meat or roasted vegetable dish.

Available from Grape Britannia (£16.99)

A very appealing wine from Southern France

Terres Falmet Carignan 2020 (Southern France)

Produced from Carignan vines over 80 years old, this very appealing wine from Saint-Chinian in the Languedoc is a smooth, well-rounded wine. The vineyards benefit from the long, hot summers and mild winters of this Mediterranean region and the grapes are picked at peak ripeness to ensure an excellent balance of tannin and fruitiness.

With plum, blackcurrant and savoury overtones on the nose, and cherry, blackberry, and peppery spice on the palate, this is a well-balanced, full-bodied wine with medium tannins and a lengthy finish. An excellent match for red meats or cheese.

Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£14.99)

A little gem from New Zealand

Main Divide, Riesling 2019 (New Zealand)

Although we might automatically think of Germany when we think of Riesling, the grape is very adaptable and is grown in many different parts of the world. With a preference for cooler, more temperate environments, it is quite at home in the Waipara Valley region on New Zealand’s South Island. And this Main Divide 2019 is a fine example of New Zealand Riesling.

With floral, honey, orange peel notes on the nose and flavours of citrus fruits, nectarine and honey on the palate, this is an off-dry wine with lively acidity and an unexpected but very pleasant spritzig touch to it. A medium-bodied, well-balanced wine with a long finish, it will go well with seafood, duck or a slightly spicy Asian-inspired dish.

Available from Majestic (£13.99, Mix Six £10.99)

Wine of the Month: Altolandon Mil Historias Bobal 2020 Manchuela (Spain)

There’s a lot more to Spanish reds than Rioja! Try this very appealing Bobal for something different.

When we think of Spanish red wine, we probably immediately think of Rioja. But there is lot more to Spanish red wine than Rioja. Bobal, for example.

Though it may not be very well-known internationally, Bobal is Spain’s second most-planted red varietal after Tempranillo and records show it was already being cultivated in the Valencia region in the fifteenth century.

This Bobal is produced by the Altolandon winery, located in the province of Manchuela, South East Spain, around 70km (45 miles) inland from Valencia. Here the high altitude, climate and well-drained soils create a perfect growing environment for the grapes.

This is a very appealing wine with herbaceous and black fruit aromas, and flavours of cherry, plum, blackberry, and raisins on the palate. A smooth, medium-bodied wine with medium tannins and medium acidity, this is a very good example of a less well-known grape variety.

Try it with lamb chops or a stew. It’s also a great match for cold meats and hard cheese.

Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£12.99)