Out & About January 2018

OA food & drink

by tipples top

I want to highlight some of the wines that I came across in pre-Christmas tastings. In general, the quality of wines offered by our local retailers is very high indeed, but even with so much competition, some wines really do stand-out. These are the ones which are worth going out of your way to try. They’re not the cheapest, but they pack both flavour and interest, making them great value for money. Lovely balance of crispness and fruit with rich apricot flavours coming to the fore. Perfect winter white. £9.80 per bottle. Macon, Monbellet, France Really good creamy Chardonnay with depth and poise. Not so opulent as the Viognier above but very classy. Leaves the more commercial Macons absolutely trailing in its wake. £13.80 per bottle. Sangiovese, Carpazo, Italy This is such an attractive red. Uncomplicated, fruity, but not jammy, with a satisfying dry finish. Just so drinkable – bring on that pizza. £9.50 per bottle. Cabernet Merlot, Buitenwerwachtung, South Africa Wow. What a stunner. Reminds me of old-style Bordeaux. Quite tannic, but in taut balance with excellent berry fruits. At this price, love it or hate it, you’ve just got to try it. £10.90 per bottle. Winesmith, Hungerford Dumanet Viognier, France

Hayne Hanson & Clarke, Whitchurch Basa Blanco, Rueda Made by the outstanding Spanish wine- maker, Telmo Rodriguez, this is just such an attractive wine. Not complicated, but with a lovely balance between crispness and peachy/ plummy stone fruits. A delightful, elegant wine. £10.50 per bottle. Saint Romain, Sous le Chateau, Burgundy, France Another cracking white burgundy from Olivier Leflaive, the winemaker. A Chardonnay part-aged in some toasty oak barrels gives a gorgeous wine balanced between crispness, creaminess and those toasty/nutty flavours. Not cheap, but by classic white burgundy standards this is terrific value. Can be cellared for two to three years easily. £21.80 per bottle. Fonseca, 2007 Crusted Port, Portugal Powerful, aromatic bouquet. Sweet, with firm but ripe tannins and a concentrated core of dark fruits, mocha and sweet spice. Delicious. Will help dispel the gloom of these long winter days. £21.80 per bottle. Majestic Wine, Newbury Blind River, Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand Enticing, aromatic bouquet but with a surprisingly smooth, soft style while keeping that zingy Sauvignon flavour. Most attractive. £11.99 per bottle. Chardonnay, Domaine del la Metairie d’Alon, France A little subdued on the nose, but with flavours of citrus, freshly-baked

The Naked Grape, Hungerford Hattingley Valley, Demi Sec, Hampshire What a gorgeous wine. Pale onion-skin colour, enticing aromas and beautiful soft, creamy, fruity flavours. Amazing. £39.99 per bottle. Chateau Paraza, Minervois, France Rich, round, fruity, spicy… and some! Super blend of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre grapes. A true winter warmer. £14.99 per bottle.

Cabernet Franc, Araucano, Chile Really good wall-to-wall blueberry and raspberry fruit and a smokey smooth palate. Yum! £16.99 per bottle. Pfeiffer 5 yr old Muscat Brilliant fortified nectar. The grapey flavour is captured wonderfully in this heavenly, rich liquid without ever being cloying.

Fab with cheese. £18.99 per bottle.

pastry and hazelnuts, this is seriously good value. An oaked Chardonnay to seriously rival white burgundies. £14.99 per bottle.

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