Top 10 wines in the British press

We round-up the top 10 wines featured in the British press last weekend.

This week Olly Smith in the Mail on Sunday has some thoughts on Pinot Noir. “Put simply, Pinot Noir can offer some of wine’s most sublime moments,” he wrote. “When it headlines solo as a red, it can hit the very highest notes.”

Wines from Romania are heavily featured in his picks this week as is Chile and Germany.

Terry Kirby in The Independent on Sunday went for three wines under the headings, night in, dinner party and splash out.

In The Guardian Fiona Beckett used her column to discuss the problem her colleague – Oliver Thring – has experienced, who admitted recently that he found white wines didn’t appeal to him any more.

She then took on the challenge to change his mind. “Always one to dive in with a reckless challenge, I reckoned I could find at least one he would enjoy, so we worked our way through a dozen or so at The Sampler in South Kensington a couple of weeks ago,” she wrote.

Montenova Godello 2010/11 (£7.99 x 2, Majestic) 

Fiona Beckett wrote in The Guardian, “the zippy Montenova Godello 2010/11 from Valdeorras, which tastes a bit like a souped-up albariño and is equally good with grilled fish.”

Sainsbury’s House Pinot Noir NV, Romania (£4.49)

Olly Smith said in the Mail on Sunday, “If it’s value you’re after, you need to embrace the wines of Romani.”

Jaume Serra Cava Rosé Brut Reserva (£4.99  until 15 August; normally £12.99 Tesco)

Terry Kirby in The Independent said, ” Back to the fizz here, this time from Spain. The addition of Pinot Noir to the local Trepat grapes gives an added and expected elegance, while some ageing delivers depth and finish, making this an attractive package for the price and a good choice for summer gatherings. And the fact that this is drier than most cavas makes it particularly attractive with tapas, such as tomato bread with ham.” 

 2011 Rustenberg Sauvignon Chardonnay (£9.99, Tesco)

“I also suggested Olly should experiment with oaked semillon and sauvignon-semillon blends, some of the fuller-bodied Portuguese whites, old vine chenin blancs and subtly oaked chardonnay,” said Fiona Beckett in The Guardian

 2010 Domaine Gérard Thomas St Aubin “Le Champ Tirant” (£13.99, The Co-operative)

Terry Kirby in The Independent on Sunday said, “A stylish addition to the Co-op’s fine wine range, the spicy aromas of this rich, full-flavoured white Burgundy lead to a moreish mouthful of chardonnay with a creaminess of texture and nutty aftertaste.”

Potel Bourgogne Pinot Noir Vieilles Vignes 2010  (£11.99 Majestic)

Olly Smith in the Mail on Sunday wrote that this wine “offers a fine introduction to the more traditional and tightly structured Pinot Noir.”

Go de Godello, Bierzo (£20.50 The Sampler)

In The Guardian Fiona Beckett explained that Oliver Thring liked best was this, “particularly lush, sexy modern Spanish white called Go de Godello, from the Bierzo region of north-west Spain.”

 2011 Spanish Steps Toro (£6.99, Sainsbury’s)

Terry Kirby in The Independent on Sunday said, “The Spanish reds of Toro can be as muscular as their taurean name suggests but this pure tempranillo is full of ripe strawberry fruit and a juicy, robust freshness that makes it ideal for the barbecue, grilled lamb especially.’

Mount Difficulty Packspur Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010 (£40 Majestic)

Of this wine, Olly Smith in the Mail on Sunday said, “this is one of the most beautiful wines I’ve tasted in the past few months.”

2010 Penfold’s Bin 138, Barossa Valley, South Australia (£14.49, Tesco)

Terry Kirby in The Independent on Sunday said, “Vividly spicy and fragrant, this is an Aussie answer to the southern Rhône, an opulent blend of grenache, shiraz and mourvèdre whose toasty oak veneer is etched with juicy acidity.”