Top 10 wines in the British press

We round-up the top 10 wines mentioned in the press last week.

In the Mail on Sunday, Olly Smith used his column to explore the concept of the aperitif.

His wise advice is, “your palate is sensitive, and if you overstimulate it early on, you’ll rob yourself of full enjoyment of your meal.”

Smith also mentioned the new “City of Wine” planned in China’s Shandong province.

In The Daily Telegraph we found out what wine expert Victoria Moore drinks at home. “I like my first drink to be a pick-me-up: bright, possibly sparkling (this may explain why so much G&T is consumed chez Moore), ideally with good acidity (I love acidity),” she wrote.

“In an imaginary world of unlimited financial resources, this might be Champagne (Billecart-Salmon or Bollinger rosé or a tight grower champagne? Oh, yes please).”

Terry Kirby selected the best bottles to buy in The Independent on Sunday, while earlier in the week Susy Atkins in The Daily Telegraph picked out some wines perfect for a barbecue.

 Tesco Finest Tingleup Riesling 2011, Western Australia (£9.99)

Susy Atkins in The Daily Telegraph said: “A very useful summer white, this, with hugely tangy, refreshing lemon and lime, and lip-smacking, bracing acidity.”

2007 Caliterra Tributo Single Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile. (£9.99, Luvians)

Brian Elliot in the Scotland on Sunday said: “Typical leafy, dark fruit nose; long, minty finish; a class act.”

Taboexa Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain 2011 (£9.99, Waitrose)

David Williams of The Observer commented: “Fresh without being austere, fleshy and round without being fat in the mouth. There are layers of aromatic white peach and white flowers, a subtle herbal streak and the cooling freshness that marks out all the best wines of Atlantic Ocean-cooled Galicia..”

The Co-operative Les Pionniers Brut Champagne NV (£15.99 £15.99, reduced from £19.99, The Co-Operative)

 David Williams in The Observer said of the wine: “Expect classic Champagne flavours of brioche, fresh apples and perfectly balanced, pinpoint acidity, but with an intensity and precision that you almost never find in Champagnes at this sort of price.”

Château de l’Aulée Crémant de Loire Brut NV France (12.5%, Averys, £11.99)

Victoria Moore in The Daily Telegraph included this wine in her “wines of the week.”

She said: “Winemaker/owner Marielle Henrion spent 15 years at Bollinger and the expertise she has brought to bear really shows in the quality of this very assured, very impressive, very grown-up fizz. It’s made entirely from Chenin Blanc, so it’s quite racy and tastes a bit of orchard fruit, but though it swoops through your mouth like an expensive car taking a fast corner, it also has depth. “

Vistamar Sepia Reserva Malbec 2010. (£8.50, smithfieldwine.com)

 In The Independent on Sunday, Terry Kirby picked out this wine and added: “And similarly forget the idea the only good Malbec is Argentine with this absolutely top-notch rendition of the grape from the Maipo Valley in neighbouring Chile. Intense black fruits and tar on the nose are reflected in the vibrant flavours on the palate, with some extra vanilla and toffee from a little oak ageing. Surprisingly complex for the price and well-deserving of a good rare steak or grilled lamb cutlet to do it justice..”

Binyamina Merlot 2010 (£9.49 in selected Marks & Spencer)

Getting into the Olympic spirit, Fiona Beckett in The Guardian picked out this wine to watch the games with and added: “smooth, ripe, berry-packed red that is part of M&S’s innovative eastern Mediterranean range – it’s light enough to swig on its own, but equally good with a pizza or a steak sandwich.”

Yali Wetland Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Chile (Majestic, 2 @ £5.99 until 3 September)

Published during last week when the good weather was with us, Susy Atkins in The Daily Telegraph picked out some wines perfect for a BBQ. One was the Yali Wetland Sauvignon Blanc 2011. She said: “Yali holds up well against the competition for good-value Sauvignon Blanc, especially on this offer, its gooseberry and lime tackling the barbecued tuna with chilli and peanut dressing well.’

Atlantis Santorini 2011 (£10.49, Marks & Spencer)

In The Independent on Sunday, Terry Kirby said of this wine: “Made using aged Assyrtiko vines, grown on the volcanic slopes of Santorini, this is a distinctive mix of floral and zesty aromas, gooseberry and lemon fruit flavours topped with lovely, fresh minerality.

 Lirac Domaine des Garrigues 2011, France (£9.99 Majestic)

Olly Smith’s “top tipple” this week in the Mail on Sunday, as he said: “Imparting sweet violet aromas mingled with peppery punch, this is an intensely fruity red vino with a wild character and stacks of personality.”