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Slideshow
Top 10 wines in the UK press
2012 Valdesil, Godello, Sobre Lias, Valdeorras, Spain
Matthew Jukes recommended this Godello white from Spain writing in the Daily Mail this week, which he described a “hauntingly beautiful”.
He said: “The Godello grape is a fleshy, mildly tropical one but it has stunning, palate-cleansing acidity which snaps your taste buds back into order after each creamy sip. Hauntingly beautiful and heavenly with fish dishes this is a dreamboat of a wine and a grape variety which you should introduce yourself to as soon as you possibly can.”
rice: £15.99, Waitrose
2013 Brookford, Chardonnay Semillon, south eastern Australia
Jukes also picked this Chardonnay Semillon blend from south eastern Australia.
He said: “Semillon is a noble grape variety but its price doesn’t always reflect that and when it is combined with Chardonnay you can benefit from a less expensive price tag and a quirky, lemon rind imbued Chardonnay palate. Delicious and intriguing in equal measure, Brookford is a masterclass in clever blending and commercial nous.”
Price: £7.50
Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling 2011, Barossa, Australia
Writing in The Guardian, David Williams picked this “piercingly fresh” Riesling by Australian winemakers Jacob’s Creek.
He said: “Of course it’s just as difficult – if not more so – for a producer to raise their game from making the equivalent of supermarket ready-meals to gunning for a Michelin star. But it’s not impossible. Jacob’s Creek, which is owned by the French drinks giant Pernod Ricard, makes its basic brand to an admirably high standard, but a handful of its pricier bottles are good for serving blind and surprising wine snobs. Asda has recently added a pair of them to its online offering – the sumptuous red St Hugo Cabernet Sauvignon 2008 (£25) and this piercingly fresh Riesling, with its tingling lime and minerals.”
£14.95, Asda
Niepoort Drink Me Douro Tinto, 2011, Portugal
Williams also recommended this Niepoort Port which he described as having an inviting “finger-staining fresh mulberry juiciness”.
He said: “Rather as some top chefs falter when they follow their ego from small kitchen to chain-restaurant world domination, so not every skilled creator of low-production fine wine is capable of making appealing stuff in larger quantities. It takes different skills. Though this wine is nowhere near Blossom Hill in scale, it does show that its maker, Dirk Niepoort, the man behind some of Portugal’s best boutique bottles in the Douro, is no less adept at more mainstream fare.”
Price: £12.95, Lea & Sandeman
De Bortoli DB Reserve Chardonnay 2011, Australia
Victoria Moore, writing in The Telegraph, said this wine was a perfect example of “modern Australian Chardonnay at an affordable price”.
She said: “At a moderate 13% this is no suntan oil monster but a more restrained, refreshing white. Aged in French and American oak that gives it a nutty, wholemeal toasty background, it marries Aussie and French Chardonnay styles to make a great Sunday chicken drink.”
Price: £6.66 down from £9.99 – Majestic, when you buy two as part of a purchase of six.
Finest* Côtes Catalanes Grenache 2012, France
Moore also recommended this Tesco Finest Grenache which, currently priced at just £5.99, she picked as one of her top deals of the week.
She said: “Until March 18, Tesco have a further 20% off all Finest* wines when you buy four or more bottles. This a great chance to explore — try the Limoux chardonnay for example, the Slovenian Sauvignon Blanc Furmint, the frappato or this old, firm favourite: a red-berryish red from the Languedoc that comes in very cheap once all the offers are applied.”
Price: £5.99 down from £7.49 – Tesco, until 8 April.
Malvirà Langhe Nebbiolo 2010, Piedmont, Italy
Jamie Goode, writing in The Express, recommended this “elegant” red with notes of “tea and herbs”.
He said: “Nebbiolo is the red grape that’s used to make Barolo and Barbaresco, and it can be a little overpowering. But here it has been used to make a supple, elegant, lighter-coloured red with sweet cherries and notes of tea and herbs. Delicious.”
Price: £11.99 – Waitrose
Benito Ferrara Taurasi Vigna Quattro Confini 2008, Campania, Italy
Goode also recommended this Italian red produced by the Benito Ferrara winery, headed up by winemaker Paul Caciorgna, based in southern Italy.
He said: “Aglianico is the grape here, and it’s used beautifully in this Campanian red. It has hints of balsamic vinegar and spice, alongside textured black-cherry and blackberry fruit, finishing with fine spiciness and firm flavours.”
Price: £34
Cascina Ballarin, Barbera D’Alba Giuli 2008, Piedmont, Italy
Writing in The Independent, Terry Kirby chose this “fabulously moreish” 2008 Barbera from Italy’s Piedmont region.
He said: “Serious, sophisticated, medium-bodied red from Piedmont, with a delightful balance of fresh, cherry flavours and a dark, intense structure. Fabulously moreish; drink with a herby roast chicken and rocket salad.”
Price: £25.30, jascots.co.uk
Tabali Limari Viognier 2013, Chile
Kirby also recommended this Viognier from Chile’s Limarí Valley.
He said: “The lack of oak keeps this Chilean Viognier bright, floral and enticingly vivacious, packed with flavours of fresh apricots and lemons. Seriously good value, so pair carefully with simple roast cod loin, prawns or scallops.”
Price: £7.50, thewinesociety.com
There are no lions in Semillon and even less in Colombard mixed with Chardonnay!