It Must Be Wine O'clock

An older English vintage which still has lots to offer

Hazel End Vineyard Bacchus Dry 2014 (Hertfordshire)

It’s unusual to find an English white wine that has aged a few years but this 2014 Bacchus Dry from Hazel End Vineyard in Hertfordshire is a real delight. 2014 was generally a good year for English wine. Eleven out of twelve months were warmer than average and there was also a reasonable amount of rain. The result was a bumper 2014 harvest with plenty of healthy, high-quality grapes. And several years on, this wine still has lots to offer.

With aromas of grapefruit, elderflower, lime and a touch of petrol on the nose, leading to a burst of lime and peach on the palate, this older Bacchus has a hint of Riesling about it. It is a smooth, refined wine with good acidity and a long finish, which can be enjoyed by itself, or with a seafood or chicken dish. Great value for a 2014 wine!

Available from Grape Britannia (£14.99)

Wine of the Month: an outstanding Siegerrebe from White Castle Vineyard in Wales

White Castle Vineyard Siegerrebe 2021 (Monmouthshire)

My Wine of the Month is this outstanding Siegerrebe from White Castle Vineyard in Monmouthshire, Wales. Though not a particularly common grape variety, Siegerrebe grows well in cooler climates and so is very much at home in the UK, and Robb and Nicola Merchant at White Castle have produced another fine wine with this 2021 vintage. Indeed, the wine was awarded Silver in the recent WineGB Awards 2022.

A dry wine with refreshing acidity, this has pronounced aromas of honey, blossom and muscat on the nose, leading to flavours of peach, lychee and nectarine on the palate. Smooth and elegant, it’s a fresh, well-balanced wine with a touch of spice on the finish, and can be enjoyed by itself, or with a fish or chicken dish. It will also go well with light, slightly spicy Asian dishes. We enjoyed it with a smoked salmon starter.

Though the wine is now out of stock at the vineyard, it is still available from several stockists including Grape Britannia, Cashells, Blas ar Fwyd, and Noble Grape. (£20-£22). Grab a bottle (or two) while stocks last!

A rich, intense Monastrell from south-east Spain

Carta Roja Pura Selección Privada 2019 (Jumilla)

Made from organically grown Monastrell grapes from the hot, rugged valleys of Jumilla in south-east Spain, and with no sulphur added, this wine demonstrates the dark berry characteristics typical of this grape variety.

This is a rich, intense, full-bodied wine, with medium acidity, medium tannins and a long finish. It is a smooth well-balanced wine that is easy to drink, despite the 14.5% alcohol.

Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, raspberry and spice on the nose lead to black cherry, plum and liquorice and a hint of smokiness on the palate. This is a good match for a hearty, meat dish from grilled meat to a lamb stew to a traditional roast. It’s also a perfect pairing for manchego or a blue cheese.

Available from Morrisons (£7.50)

An Austrian wine with a little sparkle

Grüner Veltliner, Von den Terrassen, Winzer Krems, Niederösterreich 2020 (Austria)

Compared to other European wine regions, Austrian wines are often overlooked and underrated. That’s a pity because there are some real delights to be found. This Grüner Veltliner from Niederösterreich (Lower Austria) is a good example. A fresh, elegant wine produced from grapes grown on the loess terraces along the banks of the Danube in the Wachau Valley, it has all the characteristics of Austria’s signature white grape variety.

Pronounced aromas of blossom, apple and peach, and a touch of white pepper on the nose lead to a delicious burst of apple, lemon, peach and nectarine on the palate. A tinge of effervescence adds a little sparkle to the mix and the mineral notes and refreshing acidity make for a very well-balanced wine.

A dry wine with a lengthy finish, this is a perfectly pleasant wine to drink by itself, or as the ideal match for Wiener Schnitzel. We enjoyed it with Japanese tonkatsu (breaded pork cutlet) and it was just the ticket.

Available from Majestic £11.99, (Mix Six £9.99)

Bursting with red and black fruits, this great value Saint-Chinian wine is perfect with roast beef

Les Hauts de Saint Martin, Saint-Chinian 2020 (Languedoc)

The vineyards of Languedoc-Roussillon in southern France cover a vast area along the Mediterranean coast, stretching from Nîmes and Montpellier to the Spanish border. Here you can find a wide range of wine styles from a variety of grape varieties, producing predominantly red wines. This Saint-Chinian wine is from vineyards located at the southern end of the Massif Central and just 20 miles from the coast, enabling the grapes to benefit from long, hot summers and mild winters, and resulting in a smooth, rich, full-bodied wine.

A blend of Syrah, Grenache, Carignan and Mourvèdre grapes, this is a dry wine with medium acidity and medium tannins. Aromas of mint, plum and blackberries lead to a palate bursting with red and black fruits, vanilla and spice, and a lingering finish.

A quality wine offering very good value for money. A perfect wine for roast beef, lamb or steak.

Available from Co-op (£8.50)

Wine of the Month – a top-quality Sauvignon Blanc 2021 from New Zealand offering excellent value for money

Grove Mill, Wairau Valley, Marlborough 2021

This elegant, aromatic Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is a real treat. Grove Mills produce their wines from grapes grown in the vineyards surrounding their winery in the Wairau Valley with a keen awareness of environmental considerations, and this is a refined wine, with lots of depth and personality.

Pronounced aromas of elderflower, peach, lychee and guava on the nose herald flavours of lime, nectarine and passion fruit on the palate. The layers of fruit are well supported by the bright acidity and lasting finish, and a hint of minerality adds a further level.

A delightful wine offering great value for money. Perfect by itself or with a seafood or chicken dish.

Available from Co-op (£9.50)

This Pecorino wine from central Italy is a little gem

Saladini Pilastri Pecorino, Offida DOCG, 2020 (Italy)

Italian wines never fail to surprise (and delight) me, and this Pecorino wine from the Marche region of central Italy is a little gem. Though the word Pecorino may conjure up yearnings for the nutty, buttery sheep cheese of the same name, there is no connection. And while Pecorino wine may not be as widely known as other Italian white wines, it is certainly worth trying for its floral aromas, crisp freshness and stone fruit flavours.

This honey-coloured wine from one of the first wine producers in Italy to produce organic wine is a fine example of what Pecorino grapes are capable of. It is a smooth and elegant wine, with good acidity, a creamy mouthfeel and a lengthy finish. With notes of honey, blossom and citrus on the nose, and flavours of pear, peach and apricot on the palate, it can be enjoyed as an aperitif or with risotto, grilled fish and cheese.

We had it with ‘cacio e pepe’ pasta and it went down a treat!

Available from Majestic (£11.99, £9.99 Mix Six)

A rosé from the Surrey Downs to brighten your day!

Denbies Rose Hill NV (Surrey)

Denbies Wine Estate on the North Downs in Surrey planted their first vines in 1986. After a bumpy few years when the wines were a far cry from what they are now, the vineyard has grown to become the largest wine producer in the UK, producing a million bottles a year.

A blend of Pinot Noir and Rondo grapes, the Rose Hill is a very flavourful off-dry rosé with raspberry and candy floss on the nose, and a palate bursting with flavours of rhubarb, strawberries and cream, and a touch of toffee apple and caramel.

A refreshing, well-balanced wine which is perfect for this summer weather. Enjoy it by itself or with a salad, light chicken or fish/seafood dish.

Available from Grape Britannia (£9.99)

A refreshing regional wine from Lisbon

Porta 6 2020 (Portugal)

Portugal has an abundance of local grape varieties which bring a note of difference to its wines. This Vinho Regional (Regional Wine) from the Lisbon area is a case in point. It is a blend of Tinta Roriz (50%), Castelão (40%) and Touriga Nacional (10%), and is a smooth, silky wine with balanced acidity and a lengthy finish.

With aromas of blackberry, cherry and vanilla on the nose, and flavours of cherry, plum and a pleasant spiciness on the palate, this is an attractive wine offering excellent value for money.

This is a wine to enjoy by itself, or as a perfect accompaniment for lamb or a pasta dish.

Available from Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Tesco (£7-£8)