Winning
this winter
Reviewed by Wes Game
Spain
Finca De La Villa, Rioja
Spain
Sendero Des Santos, Albarino
£9 Laithwaites/Sunday Times Wine Club
£8 Laithwaites
Rioja is a region in the North East of Spain
situated on the River Ebro. A wide variety
of wines are produced due to different
altitudes, soils, grape types and wine making
processes. This Rioja uses the key grape
type Tempranillo and is medium bodied due
to spending 12 months in oak barrels. The
oak barrels inject vanilla and oak flavours.
You will also notice several red fruit flavours
(cherry, redcurrant and strawberries) as well
as a slightly spicy aroma. It looks heavier
than it tastes. Great with cheese or a roast
dinner. Will keep for up to 5 years if you can
resist drinking it! Ideal for winter.
Albarino is a lesser known grape variety that
is fast becoming more fashionable. Tucked
away in the hills of North West Spain, the
Rias Baixas region is cooled by the Atlantic
Ocean. This results in a lighter, pale lemon
wine with delicate apricot aromas and subtle
citrus flavours. A crisp refreshing elegant
wine with a cool mineral finish. Ideal for
those who prefer less powerful flavours. So
drinkable! Impress your friends with this
trendy wine.
Lebanon
Chateau Musar
New Zealand
Split Rock, Sauvignon Blanc
£20 from Waitrose, Majestic or
Cooden Cellars
£9 from Laithwaites
And now for something special. I’m glad
a friend introduced me to this fantastic
wine a few years ago and it’s now one of
my favourites. Every year Serge Hochar
has to fight different weather conditions
(and dodge human conflicts) to produce
this iconic wine that now has a cult
following. Made in a Bordeaux style,
every year this remarkable wine can vary
in taste due to the widely differing levels
of rain, humidity and sunshine. Made
from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon,
Carignan and Cinsault, there are complex
flavours of plum and blackberry that
linger as well as a hint of chocolate. With
aromas of spice and cinnamon, each
glass gives you plenty to think about. If
you like to share a bottle between 4 over
Christmas, this is the one for you.
From the oldest family-run winery in the
Nelson region, this is a classic New Zealand
Sauvignon Blanc. Located just north west of
the famous Marlborough region, it actually
has a cooler and wetter climate. Why is
that relevant? Well, this results in a slightly
less intense and acidic flavour. Make no
mistake, it still has powerful citrus and vibrant
gooseberry flavours as you would expect.
Crisp and refreshing. A little more refined
than cheaper Sauvignon Blancs. Who cares
about food matching with this one!!
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