Out & About Spring 2018

FOOD & DRINK - JAMES ALLEN

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Wines that offer the best value for money fall in the £10 to £15 range, says JAMES ALLEN, and he has some spring wine suggestions that are not too heavy on the pocket, but offer a lot of flavour

I thought I would start with a look at the actual value of wine in the bottle you have just bought. This diagram from Bibendum, published last year, illustrates the point I want to make. There is a sweet spot in the £10 to £15 bottle range where you get a really significant value of wine without having to spend a minor fortune on the bottle. So next time you’re choosing some wine, consider trading up just a notch.

West Cape Howe Old School Chardonnay, Western Australia £15.99 The Naked Grape, Hungerford The days of balanced oaked Chardonnay are well and truly back and if there ever was a wine to show you that these styles are easy and refreshing to drink, then this is it. All the way from the other side of the world and yet this tastes as though it was just straight from the barrel yesterday.

Penley Estate Phoenix Cabernet Sauvignon, Coonawarra, Australia £15.99 The Naked Grape, Hungerford If you can stop gazing at the beautiful intricate label, this wine just knocks you for six when you taste it. The balance of flavour, tannin and fruit is superb. What a joy.

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