Winter warmers the toast of the UK press

Matthew Jukes reveals his “favourite Prosecco in the whole country” while Jane MacQuitty lists her top 50 white wines for winter including a Vinho Verde for less than £4, which is “a crowd-pleaser”.

Wine writers across many of the UK newspapers have prepared for the official move from autumn to winter that comes next week and featured a selection of “winter warmers”.

We have also moved to within one month of Christmas and several writes have started their Christmas tipple recommendations.

From a “sophisticated Kiwi sparkler” to a “turbo-charged Chenin Blanc” take a look at some of the wines that have featured in the UK press over the last seven days.

NV Prosecco Frizzante Organic, La Jara, Veneto (£10.50, www.swig.co.uk).

Matthew Jukes told his readers in the Daily Mail that “this is my favourite Prosecco in the whole country and it is organically grown, too!

“The bubbles are not too aggressive and fruit notes are tender, sensual and immensely classy.  It’s a far cry from the oceans of dross that seems to permeate the supermarket shelves.  For a tenner this is a sensational sparkler.”

2010 La Bastide Blanche, Bandol (£13.99, Waitrose).

Jukes was also very happy with this Bandol, despite being dubious initially.

He wrote: “Serious Bandol kicks off at the £25 mark, so I was a little cautious when I approached this wine, but it is a star! Autumnal, earthy, briary nuances swirl around the palate and bring with them the essence of Provence.

“The density and quality of fruit in this heroic wine is astounding. Decant it and serve it with meaty main courses.”

Sainsbury’s Vinho Verde Regiao dos Vinhos Verdes (£3.98)

In recommending 50 white wines for winter, Jane MacQuitty in The Times said this wine is, “as cheap as chips, refreshing, spritzy white with lots of crisp red apple and lemon set fruit.

“Predominately made from the Loureiro grape, topped up with Pederna and a dash of Trajadura, don’t be sniffy about Sainsbury’s off-dry, non vintage Portuguese white.”

Oldenburg Vineyards Chenin Blanc (£15.99)

At the other end of the scale this South African Chenin Blanc was also recommended as a winter white by MacQuitty, she wrote, “I adore this bold, oaky, buttered toast of a turbo-charged Chenin Blanc from the Banghoek valley close to Stellenbosch.”

Mount Bluff Brut NV (£10.99)

In the Independent Terry Kirby picked a selection of wines for Christmas, saying this Kiwi sparkler is, “enlivening, balanced, surprisingly sophisticated and would be perfect as an aperitif with canapés and nibbles as well as for party drinking”.

The Senior Tawny (£15.99 – £20)

In The Guardian Fiona Beckett also helps her readers prepare for Christmas as she tackles the world of Port. Beckett writes that some producers are experimenting with more youthful styles than traditional 10-year-old tawny.

She writes: “Niepoort’s warming, spicy The Senior Tawny, for instance, is made from ports of around seven years old, which makes it a good partner for Christmas cake as well as stilton.

Grant Burge Benchmark Shiraz, 2011 (from £7.90)

Meanwhile in the Observer David Williams picked his favourite red wine winter warmers and included this Shiraz from South Australia.

He writes that for this wine, Grant Burge brings “in grapes from vineyards around South Australia for, in this case, a plump, plummy, winter-warmer that would be very happy with spicy Moroccan lamb.”

Simply Garnacha (£4.49, Tesco)

Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Olly Smith picks out this red as his “top tipple” of the week, he wrote the wine is a “simple but effective red wine with cherry-like fruit that makes it perfect for parties.”

Berry Bros & Rudd Argentina Malbec 2010, Pulenta Estates

In the Daily Telegraph Susie Atkins features Malbec, writing that this wine is “an impressive, more tannic take on Malbec, refined and well balanced through use of fresh, high-altitude fruit, giving notes of cassis, liquorice and smoky, rich damson. Worthy of the best grilled steaks.”

Domaine St Gayan Gigondas 2007 (£15.95 Yapp Brothers)

In the Sunday Telegraph, Victoria Moore tells her readers that when it comes to the Rhône, they should experiment, adding that the area is “home to some sumptuous alternatives to Châteauneuf-du-Pape, if you know where to look.”

Of this wine Moore writes it has “superb texture and flow, with the benefit of a few years’ age behind it. Very seductive indeed.”