Out & About Autumn 2018

2016 Berton Vineyard, Durif, Winemaker’s Reserve, South Eastern Australia, £28 Durif is also known as Petite Sirah and is a cross of Syrah and Peloursin. It has similarities with the well-known Syrah, with its spicy character reminiscent of freshly crushed black pepper and smoked bacon, although the palate is a bit lighter, not quite as jammy as its cousin. The palate is generally juicy with ripe cherry and light plum. 2014 Buitenverwachting, Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot, Constantia, South Africa £30 If you like Bordeaux reds, this is a must-try. Amazing value for money, full-bodied and luscious, packed with blackberry and blackcurrant flavours, the palate shows some lightly toasty and smokey nuances, with ripe tannins and a savoury edge – simply delicious. MORE TOP TIPPLES From the Naked Grape, Hungerford

Chateau Tour Chapoux, White Bordeaux, France £60 for six bottles Created with the Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes with a touch of Muscadelle, this wine offers great versatility and a great price. Snap it up while stocks last.

From Majestic, Newbury Vina Majestica, Rioja Reserva 2010, £11.99

The Majestic own-range, Definition Rioja, is made by one of the very best Rioja wineries, La Rioja Alta. With some good bottle age and a great price this is a stand out wine to investigate. Graham Beck, Brut Rose, £12.99 A great value pink fizz using classic grape varieties made with the champagne method and with good reviews. Definitely one to try. From Grapesmith, Hungerford A couple of Burgundian discoveries. Burgundy is never going to be cheap, but quality and value-for-money can still be found.

Campo Nuevo Viura, Navarra, Spain Special £7.85

Grown using the Viura grape, the palate is delicate and light benefitting from citrus fresh flavours. A superbly priced daily quaffing wine reminiscent of Iberian holidays

Chateau de Citeaux, Auxey-Duresses Blanc 2017, £28 A lovely, balanced Chardonnay with lively acidity, medium body and ripe fruit. The crisp acidity is wonderfully balanced by a creamy palate. Drink now.

13 Guns IPA Lager, Lancashire Special price: four for £8

Awarded Gold at the World Beer Awards, this hoppy little IPA is part of a new wave of craft lager made in the UK. It uses six different hops, making it super rich and very smooth. A perfect refreshing craft lager.

Auxey-Duresses 1er Cru Les Duresses 2015 Rouge, £38 The fruit does not come from his own vines, but this Pinot Noir emphasises what a fantastic winemaker Philippe Bouzereau ( what better name for a winemaker? ) is. Burgundian Pinot Noir at its very best – medium-bodied and beautifully balanced.

Top Tipples Tip Buichverwachting has already featured in our recommendations. Terrific wine and a fantastically good price for a restaurant. Berton Vineyards are consistently good as are Lapostolle. Again great pricing.

Growers Touch Durif, SE Australia £9.99

The excellent Durif grape makes for a bold black deeply fruity style – imagine Malbec and Shiraz mixed together. This wine has amazing fruit clarity, without any heady dryness. If you are looking for a juicy, easy-style red to enjoy, there isn’t much better than this.

39