MIRAVAL ROSÉ( 2016)
WHISPERING ANGEL( 2017)
TRAMARI ROSE DI PRIMITIVO( 2016)
A‘ FIZZY’ HAT-TRICK
The Miraval estate, purchased by Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in 2009, in Provence produces this wonderfully pale, petal pink and elegant rosé. A blend of Cinsault, Grenache, Rolle and Syrah. Wild strawberry, floral notes, a bit of citrus, a bit of redcurrant and a lovely, subtle, touch of spice to balance the wine out. This is a crisp and moreish wine. It can be found at a number of outlets where you are likely to find it priced at just short of £ 20 a bottle in the main – but the cheapest I have found it is in Costco for £ 11.99 + vat(£ 14.38 inc vat).
Again from the fabled Provence region of France, this is another outstanding example of rosé at its best. A blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Rolle, Syrah and Tibouren. This is another sensual, silky smooth and delicious wine. It is produced by one of the new and upcoming stars from the Cotes de Provence, Chateau d’ Esclans. A pale salmon colour, it has a mild creaminess to it, but is not overly sweet. It has aromas of red fruit and is clean and crisp. It is fairly widely available – any online search will reveal its whereabouts. My most recent purchase was from Amazon( yes they sell wine now!). Generally you will be looking to pay somewhere in the region of £ 17.99 a bottle for this; but it is well worth it.
This wine comes from the Puglia region of Italy and is produced by Cantine San Marzano. It is made from 100 % Primitivo( known as zinfandel in the new world). Normally, from Italy, you would associate the great Primitivo grape with big, powerful and luscious red wines. But this is another fresh, elegant, rosé. Whilst it possesses a richness, it is not sweet. It is probably best described as just off dry. Hints of raspberry, strawberry and a touch of orange. It is not overly complex, but is an easy drinking wine. Again it is available online – my most recent purchase again came online from Italvinus( www. Italvinus. co. uk). Here we are, for a very good wine, remarkably talking about the £ 9.20 mark for a bottle.
How many of us think that‘ fizz’ is to be enjoyed on its own or as an aperitif? Of course it can be; but it, too, can also be a food wine. Think here fish and seafood again, sushi, tempura and Asian cuisine, hard cheeses, pork, chicken, pasta and even soup, Indian and Chinese cuisine. In fact it works well in counterbalancing salt and richness in any number of foods; but don’ t go for anything too rich or sweet that will totally overpower the wine. Experiment!
Many of us will also, understandably, associate fizz with Champagne( which can, obviously, only come from the Champagne region of France) and increasingly with what seems like an everlasting supply of Prosecco from Italy. But there is much more to the world of sparkling wine than just Champagne and Prosecco. Here are three examples that prove the point.
‘ ANNIE’ S ANNIVERSARY’ BRUT
DONNA CORA SATAN( 2011)
Produced in Cornwall by the acclaimed Camel Valley( who, by the way, have just been awarded a Royal Warrant, granted for the supply of English sparkling wines). Says it all really! I have visited their vineyards in Cornwall and my first purchase of this wine was the 2009 vintage. This is a very fine sparkling wine, made with 100 % Seyval Blanc. It is fresh, clean and refreshing; yet it still manages to retain a lovely richness. Citrus, particularly lemon, a touch of sweetness, some herbal notes and lots of lovely little bubbles came to mind. This is a great vineyard, producing a range of fantastic wines, and is English! Now on sale is the 2014 vintage, which again you can find at a number of on line outlets. Importantly you can purchase direct from the vineyard( www. camelvalley. com) for around £ 29 / £ 30 a bottle. Tremendous!
This lovely sparkling wine comes from Franciacorta in Lombardy, Italy. It is a blend of 75 % chardonnay and 25 % pinot nero. Produced by Marchese Antinori, this sparkling wine is straw yellow, elegant and sumptuous. Floral notes, a bit of creaminess and silky smooth. Again my recent purchase of this wine was online from Italvinus. It will cost you around £ 24.50 a bottle. At this price, compared to some of the better known bottles of fizz around, it represents exceptional value.
ICE CUVEE
This is an unusual and unique wine produced by Peller Estates. It comes from the Niagara Peninsula in Canada and is made from hand picked chardonnay and pinot noir grapes. But the uniqueness of this wine comes from the fact that ice wine, obtained from frozen grapes, is added to the mix. When added this produces an off dry, complex and slightly sweet sparkling wine. There is all sorts going on in your glass. A bit of honey, a bit of grapefruit, apple, citrus and tropical fruit. My recent purchase of this wine was online from Great Western Wines in Bath( www. greatwesternwine. co. uk). It will set you back somewhere in the region of £ 25 a bottle; but again this is a snip compared to sum of its more illustrious competitors from else where in the world.
So there we are – three groups, three hat-tricks. Why not head into spring, and beyond, by trying a few of these gins or wines. A special tribute would, in due course, have go to anyone that manages the lot! Now there’ s a challenge! If anyone does, then please let us know!
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