Wine of the Month – another outstanding wine from Gutter & Stars! A real treat for the palate …

Gutter & Stars ‘Fight the Power’ Ortega 2022

This is another outstanding wine from Cambridge’s urban winery, Gutter & Stars. Made from 100% Ortega grapes grown at Yew Tree Vineyard in Oxfordshire, the wine was fermented in oak barrels before further ageing on the lees.

The result is a perfectly balanced, inviting wine with a velvety mouthfeel and a lengthy finish. It is, quite simply, a real pleasure to drink!

With honeysuckle, peach, and pear drops on the nose, and peach and citrus fruit flavours on the palate, this is a wonderful expression of the Ortega grape. Enjoy it as an apéritif, or with a seafood, chicken or vegetable dish.

Available from Gutter & Stars and Grape Britannia (£25-£30)

Crossword clue …

Wine in inn Poirot ordered (5,4).

Answer: Pinot Noir

Zana Pinot Noir 2021 (Romania)

This refreshing and easy-drinking Romanian Pinot Noir, which won Gold in the 2022 Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge Awards, is very good value for money. Produced by Cramele Recas, Romania’s largest wine exporter, the wine has cherry, strawberry and plum notes on the nose which lead through to the palate, with a touch of spiciness on the finish.

A smooth wine with medium tannin and medium acidity, it is an ideal match for cold meats or duck, and can also be enjoyed by itself.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£8.25)

A delightful GSM blend from the Rhône Valley

Domaine Gramiller Rasteau 2020 (Southern Rhône)

This wine from Domaine Gramiller in the Southern Rhône is a blend of Grenache (50%), Syrah (30%) and Mourvèdre (20%) grape varieties. It is a smooth and elegant full-bodied wine with medium tannins, medium acidity and a lengthy finish.

With aromas of plum, blackberry and the herbs of its native garrigue on the nose leading to flavours of plum, cassis and liquorice on the palate, this is a well-balanced wine which can be paired with a grilled or roasted meat dish, or with roasted vegetables.

Available from Cambridge Wine Merchants (£15.99)

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)

Wine of the Month – A refreshing dry white blend that is perfect for these summer days …

Freedom of the Press Compendium 1 – Dry White Blend 2021

This excellent wine from Freedom of the Press winery, an urban winery located in the Cotswolds, 15 miles outside Oxford, is just the ticket for these lovely summer days.

A blend of Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris and Bacchus grapes, this is a refreshing, aromatic wine with medium acidity and a long finish. With aromas of elderflower and peach on the nose, and a compendium of flavours, including peach and raspberry, with a hint of strawberries and cream, on the palate, it is a very appealing wine.

Enjoy by itself or with chicken, seafood or salad. It will also pair well with Asian dishes.

Available from Grape Britannia (£13.99)

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)