Tempranillo is the rioja grape, but this is from the northern Spanish region of Navarra. It comes in fresh and tangy then goes well beyond the “cheap red” brief, to fill out with darker flavours, structure and depth. Very smart. Hello, tomato and chickpea salsa. in , 8th March 2019
It’s the streamlined shape of this elegant wine that makes it such a pleasure. It’s made by Telmo Rodriguez from (mostly) verdejo, sometimes dubbed “the Spanish sauvignon”, though I find it more nettley and less shouty. Very stylish. in , 8th March 2019
…this is altogether sleeker and more refined – a real mini sancerre. Very finely delineated, with a grassy taste and a mineral backbone. Classy stuff. in , 8th March 2019
…I knew that ’17 Campriano was special and, of course, it is. This is one of the juiciest, most joyous and finest value Chiantis I have tasted in years… in , 8th March 2019
Made from vines that grow outside St-Joseph in the northern Rhône, this opens with a burst of dark fruit and moves on to bacon fat and smoke. One for food. in , 1st December 2018
Nero d’avola is Sicily’s signature red grape – here it makes a wine like a mouthful of tart redcurrants and sweet-sour cherries. Sappy, and crunchy, with a good intensity of flavour. in , 1st December 2018
A seriously impressive, refreshing Loire sauvignon blanc that is a delight to drink: lissom, with beautiful pace and flow, and ripples of fresh grass, citrus and cold gooseberries. in , 22nd November 2018
If you are searching for an inexpensive Pinot Noir which actually tastes accurate and also classy, then look no further. This wine comes from the wilds of the Cévennes but it is distinguished and also rather raffish and it will amaze you with its value for money. in , 23rd June 2018
Here is another stunningly impressive Nero d’Avola and it is even more rounded and fruit-stuffed than Corbello. Ideal for barbecue food, in particular really good sausages, this is a heady and lip-smacking wine. in , 23rd June 2018
This wine is class personified. If you would like to taste a wine which, to my palate, defines this world-famous grape variety, then look no further. The perfume is so pretty and delicate and the palate is lithe and lemony – I will be drinking a good few bottles this summer. in , 23rd June […]