| Tom Cannavan's wine-pages.com |
value wines
There are links to the Value Wine Archives at the bottom of the pagewhite - red - rosé - sparkling - sweet & fortified
| white wines |
Wine of the week 07/04/13. Part-fermented in old oak casks and using indigenous yeasts, there's a lovely spiced orange and blossom lift to the nose, as well as a mineral saltiness and touch of lemon and herbs. It is subtle but complex. On the palate it shimmers with life through that tangerine and lemony fruit and fine core of pithy, mineral and grapefruit acidity. Delightful stuff. For more details and specific food matching ideas, watch the video. Around £11.99 from independent merchants, see all stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review). Agro de Bazán, Granbazán Albariño 'Ambar' 2010, Spain
Wine of the week 31/03/13. Stunningly good example of a traditional Rías Baixas Albariño. Flooded with lemon and lime, but nuances of peach and of ozoney, seaside freshness, the palate exhibits a weight of fruit and more of that almost tropical nectarine juiciness before a sweep of citrus and mineral acidity powers through the finish. Fantastic and characterful Albariño. Watch the video for more information and food matching suggestions. £15.00, Villeneuve Wines. Wine-searcher lists only one other UK stockist at time of writing, selling magnums at £34.26: see all stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review). Parcel Series, Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Australia
Wine of the week 10/03/13. The grassy, soft and leafy herb lift of the Sauvignon is there, but so too a fresh-pared lemon rind character. In the mouth it is basically dry, weighty and citrussy, with vigor and punch but a rich texture and more lemony focus that most straight Sauvignons. Very nice stuff. Watch the video for more details and food matching ideas. £5.99 until 29th April 2013, Majestic (then £7.49). (see full video review). The Society's French Dry White 2011, France
Wine of the week 03/02/13. Sauvignon Blanc-dominated fresh and crisp white from the Pays d'Oc in southern France. Herb-tinged, apple and lemon fruit sets the scene, for a wine with a bit of weight and texture but plenty of zippy flavour and enough acidity and dry savoury appeal to be broadly food friendly. Watch the video for more information as well as food matching suggestions. £5.95, The Wine Society. (see full video review). Mas des Mas, 'Zucco Vineyard' Pinot Blanc 2011, France
Wine of the week 13/01/13. Plenty of freshness but also a baked apple pie quality on the nose, with creaminess as well as a touch of lemon jelly, and just a hint of spice. On the palate there is a sweetness to the mid-palate, but a rush of very good acidity and a broad, leafy green herb background adds some definition. It has decent length too and is a versatile and very enjoyable wine, especially if you don't serve it too cold (15 minutes in the fridge is ample). An interesting wine that's just about worth its £9.99 price tag. Majestic. (see full video review). Blason de Bourgogne, St Véran 2010, France
Wine of the week 23/12/12. 2010 is shaping up to be a superb year for Burgundy, and though not a chart-topping example, this has the classic honeysuckle and orchard fruit nose of Chardonnay from this region, with a hint of oatmeal and of a more nectarine-like ripeness. On the palate it is fresh and crisp, but it's a wine with juicy citrus and a certain buttery texture, as well as those tropical pineapple and nectarine hints persisting. Very easy to drink. £10.99, Tesco, Sainsbury's and Waitrose. (see full video review). Domain Laroche, Chablis 'La Collégiale' 2011, France
Wine of the week 02/12/12. The nose is focused on lemon, dry apple and a hint of that salty mineral note. But there's a hint of breadth and oatmeal too, from six months of ageing on the 'lees' in tank. The palate is pristine, overflowing with citrus and dry, biting freshness, but again there is a hint of richness, of honey and of that leesy weight to stop this from being at all tart or thin. A very nice, very vivid expression of Chablis. More details and food-matching suggestions in the video. £13.99, Majestic, but on offer at £10.99 at time of writing. See all stockists of Chablis wines from Laroche on wine-searcher. (see full video review). Guerrieri Rizzardi, Costeggiola Soave Classico 2011, Italy
Wine of the week 11/11/12. Intense lemon confit, peach and gently talcumy and floral perfume, and is very striking. On the palate it delivers a big burst of fruit sweetness that is concentrated and full, driving through with real clarity into a long, beautifully balanced and again, concentrated, finish. More detail and food matching ideas in the video. £14.99 Fortnum & Mason. (see full video review). Marquês de Borba, Branco 2011, Portugal
Wine of the week 28/10/12. The nose is clean and crisp with a lemon cream quality, just hinting, but stopping short, of something more floral. On the palate it is dry, citrussy and clean as a whistle, with a burgeoning hint of more tropical fruit on the mid-palate and a fairly rounded texture, but then the crispness and freshness of the acidity sweeps through the finish. More detail and food matching ideas in the video. £8.70, Tanners. See all stockists on wine-searcher.com. (see full video review). Contesa, Pecorino 2011, Abruzzo, Italy
Wine of the week 14/10/12. Flooded with very ripe pear fruit on the nose, not the pear-droppy aroma of simple young whites, but a succulent ripe fruit along with some woody herbs. In the mouth it is deliciously sweet and fruit-filled, a really natural fruit sweetness and a tongue-coating texture leading seamlessly into a fresh citrus finish. Sophisticated but approachable stuff. Watch the video for more information and for food-matching suggestions for this wine. £8.95, The Wine Society. In half bottles at £5.25. (see full video review). Gran Familia, Sauvignon Blanc Verdejo 2011, Spain
Wine of the week 23/09/12. A wine with lots of gooseberry and elderflower notes, quite herbaceous, but a tropical fruit ripeness too. On the palate this toys with being off-dry, with so much sweet fruit too, making it very easy to drink very crowd-pleasing, but with enough acidity to counter-balance. Not complex but well done. Watch the video for more information and for food-matching suggestions for this wine. £5.95, The Co-Operative. For all stockists see wine-searcher. (see full video review). Tupari, Marlborough Sauvingon Blanc 2010, New Zealand
Wine of the week 09/09/12. The nose is beguiling, adding honey and a touch of hazelnut to copious nectarine and lychee fruit, that is exotic and hugely juicy. On the palate a basis of orange acidity supports beautifully, but the gorgeous weight of mango and lychee, stone fruits and hints of grassiness run into a long, dry finish that is food-friendly. Extremely well done. Watch the video for more information and for food-matching suggestions for this wine. £15.25, Oddbins. For all stockists see wine-searcher. (see full video review). Pazo das Tapias, Alma de Blanco Godello 2010, Spain
Wine of the week 26/08/12. A subtle but delightful nose where a hint of baked apple pie joins with some succulent pear. On the palate it has the classic counterpoints of ripe, sweet orchard fruits and a certain powerful minerality that makes Godello so appealing. Well priced and a seafood-matching banker. Watch the video for more information and food matching suggestions. £7.75, Oddbins. For all stockists see wine-searcher. (see full video review). Lourensford, Winemaker's Selection Chardonnay 2011, South Africa
Wine of the week 05/08/12. Aged in new French oak barriques, there's an inviting Brazil nut creaminess on the nose, plenty of buttery, oatmeally lees richness and lots of crunchy apple fruit. In the mouth it is really rather classy, with a joyous ripeness to the fruit, edging into the pineapple and mango range, but the apple, pear and lemon core of fruit and acidity drives through. Around £11.00 - £12.00, Slurp.co.uk, sawinesonline.co.uk and other UK stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review). Adriano Vini, Langhe Sauvignon 'Basarico' 2010, Italy
Wine of the week 15/07/12. The nose has a herbal influence (the wine's name, Basarico, means 'basil' in local dialect) as well as fresh lemon and apple peel, suggeting a bit of weight and richness. It's a Sauvignon more akin to Sancerre than Marlborough in style, though in the mouth the fruit is sweet and full, really filling the mouth with texture. With very good acidity in the finish and that fruit-filled mid-palate, a lovely food wine and a nice to try something a little bit different. £13.48, piemonte-wines.com. (see full video review). Quinta de Azevedo, Vinho Verde 2011, Portugal
Wine of the week 08/07/12. Classic light spritz and zinging, fresh aromas of salty sea breezes, lemon and crunchy apple. As fresh as a mountain stream on the palate too, the gentle effervesence just adds to the crispness, with plenty of fruit and a dry, mouth-watering finish. Great value for a wine of real character and a great example of modern Vinho Verde. Watch the video for more details and food-matching suggestions. £6.49 on offer, Majestic, also in The Wine Society, Oddbins and see all retailers on wine-searcher.com. (see full video review) Marks & Spencer, Gers 2011, France
Wine of the week 24/06/12. The nose is all about summer meadows and fresh-cut grass, with a tropical fruit quality suggesting mango and nectarine. On the palate the lightness and freshness of this 11.5% alcohol wine shimmers through, but it is packed with that tropical fruit juiciness and a great cut of apple and lemon clarity in the finish. Watch the video for more details and food-matching suggestions. £4.99, Marks & Spencer. (see full video review) Monte Vallon, Chardonnay Pays d'Oc 2011, France
Wine of the week 17/06/12. Little notes of vanilla, pineapple and peach, some floral, downy peach skin. On the palate it is nicely done. Sweet oak undertone, but really the fruit ripeness and freshness carries this along, with some orange and tangerine juiciness and tang, and a little bit of nuttiness filling in. A nice example of a well-made Chardonnay that's bold, ripe and flavoursome, but not clumsy. Watch the video for more details and food-matching suggestions. £7.99, Majestic but on offer until 3rd September 2012 at £6.99. (see full video review) Dopff au Moulin, Alsace Pinot Blanc 2011, France
Wine of the week 03/06/12. Aromas of apple and melon fruit are made more subtly complex by nuances of spices and almond. On the palate this has weight and creamy texture, the flavours ripe and full but the citrus and apple acidity balancing and making this a fine food-matching all-rounder - and that's where this wine excels. Watch the video for more info and food-matching suggestions. £11.90, Slurp.co.uk. See all UK stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Fillaboa, Rias Baixas 2010, Spain
Wine of the week 05/05/12. An extra year of bottle aging has added a little honeyed development to this wine. It still has that classic lemony crispness on the nose, a sea-breeze freshness, but layers of almond, honey and a nuance of toffee add rounding depth. The palate too has clarity and citrus cut, but the limpid, clean but broader depth with the edges smoothed off of the acidity are delightful. Watch the video for more information. £11.49, marksandspencer.com. See all UK stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2010, Chile
Wine of the week 22/04/12. The nose brims with creamy apple fruit and the buttered popcorn and Brazil nut warmth from French oak ageing, but there are all sorts of spicy, herby and earthy nuances from the wild yeast too. On the palate it is decadently rich, full-bodied and flavoursome, but again those little layers of complexity are there, including a fine, salty tang on the finish that makes this mouth-wateringly delicious and very long. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas. On offer from 24th April 2012 at £9.99, Majestic. See all UK stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) The War Horse, Chenin Blanc 2011, South Africa
Wine of the week 01/04/12. Crunch and floral brightness of the nose suffused with honey, nectarine and a creamy weight of oatmeally depth. On the palate the incisive lemon zest and apple skin tang powers through the broad, expansive texture of the wine. There's a fruit salad explosion of flavour, with just a fleeting hint of sweetness, before a long, powerful and dry finish. See the video for more information, maps and food matching suggestions. £8.30, Jascots. (see full video review) Little J, Grüner Veltliner 2009, Austria
Wine of the week 18/03/12. A hint of tropical fruit and even an estery banana note on the nose, some lightly custardy creaminess and a sprinking of white pepper. On the palate it is full and generous, and the flavour just bangs out of the glass with loads of apple and citrus, and again that little clove, pepper and spice background from the grape. Nicely confident and characterful stuff, it would be great with a bowl of gnocchi or pasta with pesto and chile, but for more details and food matching suggestions, please watch the video. £8.99, Inverarity One to One. See all retailers on wine-searcher.com. (see full video review) Hilltop, Cserszegi Fűszeres 2011, Hungary
Wine of the week 04/03/12. Lots of floral, geranium leaf and leafy green herbs, and a bit of tropical fruit and almost Sauvignon-like green bean punch. The aromatic fireworks are not let down by the palate, where a searing core of juicy, fresh grapefruit flavour and acidity floods through, but there's some texture and hints of fruity sweetness too, in a wine packed with character unlike so many at this price. More details and food matching suggestions in the video. £5.25, The Wine Society. (see full video review) Yalumba, Y Series Vermentino 2011, Australia
Wine of the week 05/02/12. There's a white flower note here that is fairly discreet, as well as some parsley-like herbs, oatmeal and plenty of punchy apple and lemon fruit. On the palate it is appetising and clean, with lots of citrus cut as well as more of that leafy green herb, some mouth-filling richness to the texture but a sharp, focused, food-friendly finish. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas. £8.99, Gwin Llyn Wines, Hoults Wine Merchants, Nidderdale Fine Wines, Reserve Wines, The Bottleneck, See all UK stockists on wine-searcher.com. (see full video review) Howard's Folly Alvarinho 2010, Portugal
Wine of the week 15/01/12. The nose if flooded with delicate floral and more direct lime and lemon fruit, with a fine hint of salty minerals too. On the palate it fills the mouth with flavour that is substantial and richly textured, yet that saline touch and the tangy core of zesty fruit is mouthwatering and deliciously drinkable. It is long, beautifully made and an excellent example of the New Vinho Verde. Stockists, more details and food-matching ideas in the video. Around £12. See all stockists on wine-searcher.com. (see full video review) Les Crouzes, Colombard 2010, France
Wine of the week 08/01/12. A little wine that is naturally low in alcohol at only 11.5% so might suit those on a January 'detox' kick. It has a nose that hints at Sauvignon Blanc-type herbaceous and elderflower notes, but then it homes in on ripe, crunchy apple and even tropical fruit. On the palate I detect a bit of residual sugar in this wine which some will like more than others, but that ripe melon and lychee exotic fruit is there and there is pretty good acidity to balance the easy-drinking style. Food-matching ideas in the video. £5.39, The Cooperative. (see full video review)
| red wines |
Wine of the week 19/05/13. Abundantly fresh, red and black fruit aromas, much more focused on juicy red plum and berries than the cassis darkness of most Cab-dominated wines. There is a touch of chocolate, but also a touch of sappy, almost Beaujolais-like freshness too. On the palate it is all about fruit (only 10% of the wine was aged in oak) with those fruit-forward flavours, low acidity and discreet background tannins. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas. From £7.69, Avery's, Winerack, see all UK stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Cuvée Chasseur, Rouge 2012, France
Wine of the week 12/05/13. Many people still seek a cheap and cheerful party wine or mid-week pasta basher, so here's one that is an acceptable quaffer. It's a 'Vin de France', so fruit can be mixed from different French regions, and in this case that results in a berry and bramble-scented and flavoured, easy-drinking mouthful that has nothing to offer by way of structure or complexity, but is as good as any I've tasted recently. It does the job. Watch the video for more information and food matching ideas. £4.95, Waitrose, Ocado. (see full video review) Château Ka, Cadet de Ka Red Wine, Lebanon
Wine of the week 28/04/13. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah, with a bouyantly fruit-filled aroma, notes of spice and smokiness from barrel ageing, but all about the deep black fruit. A big wine on the palate, with 14% alcohol and plenty of beefy tannins, that black fruit and tang of fruit skin acidity powers through. Watch the video for more information, maps and photos, and for food-matching suggestions. £8.49, Marks & Spencer. (see full video review) The Crusher, Pinot Noir 2011, California
Wine of the week 21/04/13. A nice lightness to the colour and lovely aromatics. There is coffee and woodsmoke, a touch of exotic incense too and a fresh raspberry and more plummy fruit. In the mouth there is plenty of vanilla and coffeeish toast, but there is authentic, gently earthy and fresh Pinot Noir fruit too with a certain agility and good length. Watch the video for more information and food matching suggestions. £10.00, Villeneuve Wines, and see all stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Château Saint Georges, St-Georges-St-Emilion 2007, France
Wine of the week 14/04/13. Maturing nicely from the 2007 vintage, it has coffeeish depth with an earthiness too and deliciously sweet and ripe fruit at its core. The palate balances the savoury, meaty character of the wine with fresh spine of acid and tannin, but the fruit is creamy and chunkily honest and the finish quite long too. Drinking very well and should age a few years too. Watch the video for more information and food matching suggestions. £12.99, Majestic (on offer until 29th April 2013). (see full video review) i Duecento, Nero d'Avola/Shiraz 2011, Italy
Wine of the week 24/03/13. The wine is Sicilian, but made by a Co-op in Piedmont, but the result is a very pleasing and typical island blend of inky Nero d'Avola and sweet-fruited Shiraz, that has that dry, precise fruit on the palate and lovely edge of crisp tannin and acidity that makes it both delightfully easy to drink and a terrific mid-week pasta- and pizza-basher. Watch the video for full details and more food matching suggestions. £4.99, Booths supermakets. (see full video review) Vinalba, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2010, Argentina
Wine of the week 17/03/13. Creamy and full-fruited aroma, ripe with black cherry and cassis, tinged with chocolate but invitingly deep and fruity. On the palate it delivers a sweet-edged, rich mouthful of those black berry flavours, coating the palate and with a little deepening hint of coffee and chocolate. It is well balanced, moreish and a very good buy at the offer price. Watch the video for more details and specific food matching suggestions. £6.99 until 23rd April 2013, The Co-operative (then £8.99). (see full video review) Linton Park, Café Cabernet 2011, South Africa
Blandy's, Alvada 5-Year-Old Madeira, Portugal
Wine of the week 03/03/13. Both wines come recommended to match with chocolate. Café Caberenet is aged in oak specifically chosen for its coffee-ish aroma and flavour. It is not as overdone as some, the bitter espresso and cocoa note matched by distinct blackcurrant. £8.99, the drinkshop.com. Blandy's Alvada is a beautiful Madeira, a blend of Malmsey and Bual grapes, aged five years in American oak barrels. It is crammed with marmalade orange, walnut and tea, and real raisin and chocolate sweetness is swept up in a flourish of cirtus acidity. £13.33 (RRP), Waitrose, Booths, Harrods. (see full video review) Château de Pennautier 'Terroirs d’Altitude' Cabardès 2009, France
Wine of the week 24/02/13. Smoky, tobacco and incense laden stuff with cedar and a great core of black fruit juiciness, it is creamily easy to drink and well balanced on the palate, the black fruit driving through into an elegant, Claret-like finish. Reduced to £8.99 until 29th April 2013, this is also a Comic Relief wine so buy before 18th of March to donate to charity. Watch the video for more information and food-matching suggestions. £8.99 down from £10.99, Majestic. (see full video review) Domaine des Duc, Saint-Amour Cuvée St Valentin 2011, France
Wine of the week 27/01/13. Plays up the romantic connotation with its flower-strewn label, but the stuff inside is actually pretty serious. The nose has the requisite cherry and sappy, gently woodland note with touches of briar and green peppercorn. On the palate there's a certain meatiness to this wine, the core of sweet cherry and summer pudding fruit butteressed by good acidity and some grippy tannin, which whilst easy to drink and quite full, gives it savoury structure too. Watch the video for food matching ideas. £12.80, Beaujolais and Beyond. (see full video review) Edmeades, Mendocino County Zinfandel 2009, California
Wine of the week 20/01/13. This has a bruising 15.5% alcohol, so will definitely not be for everyone. The nose is laden with burstingly ripe and creamy black fruit, but there's a tugging little sense of something earthy and gently gamy too, and whilst the oak is vanillin and creamy, it is not overdone. In the mouth the picture is similar: copious, chocolate-slicked black fruit, the support of the oak, but also good acidity, a little rasp of tannin and that perhaps wild yeast-derived sense of more earthy and savoury character. The RRP is £17.99, from a whole host of independent retailers including Noel Young, Harrods and Handford, but see wine-searcher. (see full video review) ALDI, Exquisite Collection Fleurie 2009, France
Wine of the week 06/01/13. Whilst this arguably lacks a touch of the fruit concentration that sets this vintage apart, it has lovely style and authenticity, with delicate cherry aromas mingling with liquorice and spice. On the palate the fruit is good, and there is a smoky, earthy quality that is lovely, along with a fabulous edge of typical Gamay acidity to give racy finesse and length. Fine stuff and lovely with roast duck breast, especially cooked with cherries. Watch the video for more information. £6.49, ALDI. (see full video review) Viña Ventisquero, Queulat Carmenère 2009, Chile
Wine of the week 25/11/12. Masses of pepper and spice, but really good black fruit and a touch of chocolaty richness. There's a tiny green edge, which only adds complexity. On the palate it is fleshy and full of black fruit, with again plenty of spice from the fruit and from ageing in American and French oak. It has chocolate richness and power, but there's a defined edge to this, in the quality of acidity and tannin from those cooler vineyards. Big and juicy, there are more details and food-matching suggestions in the video. £10.40, Slurp.co.uk, see all stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Warwick, Old Bush Vine Pinotage 2010, South Africa
Wine of the week 18/11/12. Not overly oaky, but adds a nice roasted chestnut touch to raspberry-ripple, creamy fruit with a touch of game in the background. In the mouth it has a very good, quite crunchy and ripe berry fruit quality, all polished with a sheen of oak and hints of briar wood and undergrowth. A nicely bright, juicy wine with some depth and some crunch. Perfect for a juicy steak. £13.99, see all stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Rigal, L'Instant Truffier Malbec 2011, France
Wine of the week 04/11/12. Made in a juicy, abundantly black-fruited style with immediate appeal, bursting with ripe and sweet aromas and flavours, but without losing the signature spice and delicate floral edge of the grape. From 20-year-old vineyards in the Lot region, right next door to Cahors, it has good concentration and is not aged in barrel, emphasising the primary brightness and boldness of the fruit. It's an obviously commercial style and not a keeper, but it is delightfully and skillfully done. More detail and food matching ideas in the video. Currently on offer down from £8.99 to £6.99 in Majestic. (see full video review) Trapiche, Broquel Bonarda 2009, Argentina
Wine of the week 21/10/12. To be absolutely honest I think the oak is a touch overdone - just a little too much vanilla and toast - but then there is a lovely red fruit brightness about the wine on the nose: it is big and bold, with that depth of toast, but a fresh appeal too. On the palate there's intense blackcurrant and cherry fruit that is focused, though plenty of cleansing and typical acidity and that support of oak adds light and shade. Watch the video for more information and food matching suggestions. £10.99, selected Tesco and Tesco.com. See all stockists on wine-searcher.com (see full video review) Marques de Casa Concha, Merlot 2010, Chile
Wine of the week 07/10/12. Sumptuous and inviting nose of pencil shaving and tobacco over soft, ripe, fleshy plum and blackcurrant fruit. In the mouth that fat, sweet, chocolate-rich depth of ripe fruit is framed by the supple, ripe tannins and nicely focused acidity, and the cedary, savoury and spicy character of the oak. Long, delicious and structured too. Watch the video for more information and for food-matching suggestions for this wine. £12.99, selected Tesco and independent merchants: see all stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Alain Grignon, Carignan Vieilles Vignes 2011, France
Wine of the week 23/09/12. Black fruit with plum and fresh cherry, a touch of spice and curranty character too in a fruity but vinous profile. The palate has a creaminess, not just of fruit but of texture too, with more black berries and then some chewy edges of tannin and cedar, good acidity, but the ripeness giving full fruit sweetness that fills the finish. Watch the video for more information and for food-matching suggestions for this wine. £7.49, Majestic, but on offer until 4th October 2012 at £5.99. For all stockists see wine-searcher. (see full video review). The Crusher, Petite Sirah 2010, California
Wine of the week 02/09/12. Bursts from the glass with pepper and spice and a deep well of enveloping crushed blackberry and blueberry fruit. On the palate it is like a thick smear of blackcurrant jam on freshly baked bread, with more spice and a little vanilla, but that mouth-filling, juicy black berry fruit totally in charge. Not complex, not intellectual, but 100% delicious. Watch the video for more information and for food-matching suggestions. £10.00, Wood Winters. For all stockists see wine-searcher. (see full video review). Les Jamelles, Reserve Mourvèdre 2011, France
Wine of the week 19/08/12. This is partially made by carbonic maceration, giving it abundant fruit on the nose, bursting with ripe, deep black cherry and cassis and hints of spice and tobacco. On the palate it has a certain silky fruit sweetness, but it has a bit of grip and structure that elevates it above some other carbonic maceration wines, with a bit of meaty, food-friendly depth too. Watch the video for more information and food matching suggestions. £6.99, The Co-operative. (see full video review). Château Trillol, Corbières 2008, France
Wine of the week 22/07/12. This red wine is a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Carignan, aged in older oak barrels. It has real cedar, spice and pepper on the nose, a Sandalwood-like, exotic lift developing, and bold red berry fruit. On the palate it is immediately savoury, those spice and cedary characters giving real structure and adding a keen edge to the otherwise quite jammy boldness of blackcurrant and red berry fruits. Nicely balanced and very natural, unforced stuff with classical structure. Watch the video for more details and food-matching suggestions. £9.99, FromVineyardsDirect.com; The Wine Society. (see full video review). Bodegas Emina, Ribera del Duero 'Pasion' 2009, Spain
Wine of the week 01/07/12. Cedar and smokiness on the nose - tobacco and cigar smoke - and plenty of cassis-like black fruit. On the palate a hint of something more gamy, but deliciously juicy stuff. The chocolate and toast of the oak is there, as is the alcohol (14% ABV), but there's a cherry freshness that makes this a wine that invites a second sip, and indeed a second glass. It's concentrated and structured enough to suggest some cellaring potential too. Watch the video for more details and food-matching suggestions. £12.99, Ocado. (see full video review).
Esporão, Arco Alentejo Tinto 2010, Portugal
Wine of the week 10/06/12. This blend of Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Shiraz has a powerful, fruity style with lots of plummy fruit depth, spice and a hint of cool, fresh cherry. It is a savoury wine, with masses of ripe fruit
but also a nice chewiness, chunky rustic tannins and loads of personality. Watch the video for
more details and food-matching suggestions. £9.49, Waitrose.
See all UK stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review).
Torres, Sangre de Toro 2010, Spain
Wine of the week 13/05/12. Dark, deep, savoury black fruit hinting at plum and brambles. There's a background of earth and spice too,
telling you this is going to be an excellent food wine. On the palate there's plenty of that juicy berry fruit with those slightly tarts characters and nicely rustic tannins to
cut through richer foods. An honest, open, quality red on great form. Watch the video for more information and food-matching suggestions.
£7.99, Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons, Majestic. See all UK stockists on
wine-searcher. (see full video review).
Luigi Einaudi, Micuné Langhe Rosso 2009, Italy
Wine of the week 29/04/12. This brims with black cherries and blackcurrant, infused with a smoky tobacco quality and a herbal touch that is authentically Italian. On the palate it is delicious:
it is big and creamy with its 14% alcohol, but a big pillowy weight of black fruit is nicely cut by smooth tannins and gentle but persistant acidity, making it an excellent food wine too.
£9.90, Exel Wines (exelwines.co.uk). See all UK stockists on
wine-searcher. (see full video review).
Guigal Côtes du Rhône 2009, France
Wine of the week 15/04/12. Made in a more serious and ageworthy style than many Côtes du Rhône from 50% Syrah, 45% Grenache and
5% Mourvèdre, it has a meaty, darkly-hued nose with plummy fruit and savoury spice and pepper. On the palate it has a muscular, lean and serious edge - its not a wine that greets you with open arms and phoney air kisses, but one which wants
to take its time to get to know you. The black fruit is there, in a big powerful style, with tannin, concentration and juicy acidity. A terrific food wine and one that has structure to age nicely over five years or more.
Watch the video for more information, maps and food matching. £9.99, Waitrose, The Wine Society. See all UK stockists on
wine-searcher.com. (see full video review).
Bodegas Septima, Malbec 2010, Argentina
Wine of the week 25/03/12. The 17th of April 2012 has been declared 'World Malbec Day', and so my choice is this sweet, plummy, chocolate-rich wine with appealing dark fruit and a subtle layer of spice on the nose,
and just a touch of Malbec's cherry-like brightness. But on the palate it is all about sweet, juicy and fleshy fruit, filling the mouth like taking a big bit of a juicy black plum. An easy-drinking and sweet
fruited example and deliciously drinkable. £7.99, Wine Rack and in independent retailers.
See a list of those on wine-searcher.com. (see full video review).
Doña Dominga Single Vineyard Shiraz 2010, Chile
Wine of the week 11/03/12. Expressive Shiraz nose with a twist of cracked
black pepper and herby spices as well as plenty of black fruit aromas. On the palate the oak is well handled, adding a little underpinning weight, and the fruit is full and plummy, perhaps just verging on being
a little baked, but then that nice Shiraz freshness comes through. The tannins are quite rustic and food-friendly, in a very good, modestly-priced example of Chilean Shiraz. More details
and food matching suggestions in the video. £7.49, Waitrose. (see full video review).
Pizarras de Otero, Mencia 2010, Bierzo, Spain
Wine of the week 26/02/12. Fresh fruitiness on the nose, and a certain brightness with some herbs and flowers and
a real bit of zing. On the palate cherry and plum flavours dominate, with a little roasted fig quality, but real crunch and freshness. The tannins are not big or overpowering, but along with fresh
acidity they give grip and tension. For lots more details, a map and food matching ideas, please watch the full video review. £8.99, Majestic.
(see full video review).
Trivento Reserve Syrah Malbec 2010, Argentina
Wine of the week 19/02/12. On the nose there is the delicate floral lift of violet and kirsch that Malbec can offer, some pepper, earthy spice and plum
from the Syrah, and a little background of creamy oak too. In the mouth the juicy fruit drives this wine, and though there are quite chunky tannins and savoury acidity, it is the grippy plum and cherry
that flows through to the finish. £7.99, selected Morrisons.
See all retailers on wine-searcher.com.
(see full video review).
The Society's Exhibition Saint-Aubin Rouge 2009, France
Wine of the week 29/01/12. On the nose this has classic Pinot qualities with some undergrowith and leafy notes, raspberry and a hint of creamy strawberry ripeness. On the palate it is medium-bodied and well balanced.
There's a creaminess to the texture with red berry fruit, somewhat reminiscent of a good Cru Beaujolais too, and a really nice, versatile food wine. For full details and detailed food-matching ideas, please
watch the video. £9.95, The Wine Society. (see full video review).
Vinalba, Patagonia Cabernet Merlot 2009, Argentina
Wine of the week 01/01/12. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, the wine spends a year
in French oak, but the nose has a juicy, fresh cassis quality with a background of creaminess and spice. On the palate it is a generous wine that is fairly big and lush (with 14.5% alcohol) but it has that
freshness, with a bit of tannin structure and a sinewy backbone that suggest it will also cellar for a few years. More information and food matching suggestions in the video.
£8.99, The Cooperative. (see full video review).
| rosé |
Wine of the week 17/02/13. Lovely, clear red fruit quality on the nose, with enough herb and stony mineral character to immediately suggest a grown-up, savoury appeal. On the palate too, raspberry and redcurrant gives a tart, biting edge to the core of ripe fruit, and this finishes long with elegant balancing acidity. Watch the video for much more information on this wine and the estate, and for food-matching suggestions. £120 per dozen, Private Cellar. Note: orders must be placed by 1st March 2013, but after this there will be other by the bottle stockists. (see full video review). See wine-searcher. Marques de Alarcon, Rosado 2011, Spain
Wine of the week 12/08/12. Abundantly fresh and fruity nose of summer berries. On the palate it is dry, with a very good core of lemony, fresh acidity that cuts through the berry and rose-hip flavours to leave this quite savoury and moreish. Watch the video for more information and food matching suggestions. £7.49 Marks & Spencer. (see full video review) Tagus Creek Shiraz Touriga Nacional Rosé 2010, Portugal
Wine of the week 20/05/12. On the nose loads of fruit of cherry and strawberry, with a creaminess and real fruit clarity. On the palate it is dry and has a bit of bite and grip with dry red fruits and a nip of chewy tannin that gives this both sipping and food matching appeal. Watch the video for more details and food matching ideas. The 2011 vintage is in Asda. £6.49, Waitrose. See all UK stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review)
| sparkling wines |
Wine of the week 10/02/13. Similar in style to a Moscato d'Asti from a little further north, with only 8% alcohol and a definite sweetness. The pretty floral label adds to the romantic Valentine's Day appeal. There are floral notes on the nose too, but a great depth of peach and apricot fruit - deeper and more luscious than Moscato - with a gentle effervescent palate and plenty more of that sweet, tropical and peach juice fruity appeal, the sweetness nicely balanced by some crisp, sherbetty acidity. Watch the video for more information as well as food matching suggestions. £8.99, Morrisons. (see full video review) Torres, Santa Digna Estelado Rosé Sparkling Wine NV, Chile
Champagne Canarde-Duchêne, Authentic Green NV, France
Nyetimber, Sparkling Wine Demi-Sec NV, England
These three sparkling wines, priced from £12.49 to £35.00, are all very good in their own right, but they are also highly unusual and offer the chance of trying something a bit different. The first is a sparkling rosé from Chile made entirely from the rarely seen País grape, the second is a Champagne, but one that comes from organically certified vineyards and finally Nyetimber - an unusual Demi-Sec, or 'half dry' style. The full reviews for all three wines are in the video. Santa Digna, £12.49 Soho Wine Supplies, The Vineyard, Alfred the Grape, see all stockists in on wine-searcher. Canarde-Duchêne, £30 Oddbins, see all stockists in on wine-searcher. Nyetimber, £34.00 Harrods, see all stockists in on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Miolo, Sparkling Brut Rosé NV, Brazil
Wine of the week 16/09/12. Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir by the traditional Champagne method, it has a deep cherry colour and moderately small bubbles. The nose is attractive, filled with cherry and reducrrant aromas and a touch of lemon meringue pie with pastry, cream and citrus. On the palate it has plenty of sweet, mouth-filling berry fruits and a soft mousse that make it very easy to drink, a real sweet ripness, but offset by some good acidity keeping the finish fresh. Stylish stuff. Watch the video for more information and for food-matching suggestions for this wine. £11.99, Waitrose and Waitrose online. For all stockists see wine-searcher. (see full video review) Champagne Moët et Chandon Diamond Jubilee Cuvée
Wine of the week 20/05/12. Released to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II, very fine bubbles stream constantly and the nose is attractive with a floral note to quite ripe apple and pear fruit, with just a little hint of a biscuit edge. In the mouth it has a rolling, soft mousse and ripe fruit floods across the tongue. It is quite full-bodied and hints at some sweetness, but a rush of lemony acidity keeps it crisp and fresh into a long finish. For more details and some serving and food-matching suggestions watch the video. £36.99, Berry Bros & Rudd and other stockists. See all UK stockists on wine-searcher. (see full video review) Pongracz Cap Classique Rosé, South Africa
Champagne Moët & Chandon Brut Imperial Rosé, France
Champagne Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé, France
Wine of the week 12/02/12. Three sparkling wines for St Valentine's day, starting with a traditional South African Cap Classique made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which has a lovely yeastiness as well as good red fruits, the Moët & Chandon pink is zingy in colour and aroma, with cherry and raspberry. Crisp on the palate with more of that raspberry and lemon edge whilst the Veuve Clicquot Brut Rosé is a much more wine-like Champagne with a soft salmon pink colour and touch of earthiness, mellow berry fruit and a savoury character. Prices are £14.99 from Morrisons for the Pongracz (see all retailers on wine-searcher.com) and around £37.00 for the two Champagnes from Waitrose, Sainsbury's and various other retailers. (see full video review)
| sweet & fortified wines |
Wine of the week 05/05/13. It is nutty, super-fresh and bready on the nose, with a blast of apple and of ozone: like breathing in a lungful of seaside air. On the palate it is bone-dry, and what it lacks in easy-drinking fruitiness it more than makes up in that saline, nutty, mouth-watering freshness. Unique stuff that is recommended to be drunk cold and very young. Watch the video for more information on this wine and the En Rama phenomenon as well as a map and food-matching suggestions. £13.00, Bidforwine.co.uk, plus Inverarity One to One, The Wine Society, Flagship Wines and several other stockists. See: wine-searcher. (see full video review) Harvey's 30-Year-Old PX Sherry, Spain
Wine of the week 08/04/12. Fabulously dark colour and treacle-thick richness, with a nose crammed with stewed black fruits, raisins and walnuts, espresso coffee and chocolate. On the palate that onslaught of flavours continues, with hueg sweetness, but richness and depth too, and all the time a fine acidity that stops it from cloying, despite the enveloping richness of the wine. Expensive, but a rare and real treat. See the video for more information, maps and food matching. £21 per 50cl, Waitrose, Booths and Morrisons. See all UK stockists on wine-searcher.com. (see full video review) Bodegas Hidalgo, La Gitana Manzanilla Sherry En Rama, Spain
Wine of the week 22/01/12. The classic ozone and salty tones of Manzanilla with a floral touch and plenty of nutty and dry apple fruit, but there's a meatiness too. That meaty, umami flavour that is earthy and savoury follows through on the palate, giving this a broad mid-palate, before apple core and nuts and then a crisp, lemony acidity gives this a typically fresh finish. For more information on this wine and food-matching ideas, please watch the video. Around £14.75 from bidforwine.com, Noel Young and Cambridge Wine Merchants. See all stockists on wine-searcher.com. (see full video review)
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