Really truly, wine does enhance a meal. Frost has tried these recently, and they slid down beautifully. In fact, we’ve started another bottle of the Max Reserva for ‘Him Indoor’s’ birthday.
Cune Reserva 2013 (Rioja)
RRP: £15.55
Stockists: Whole Foods, Luvians Bottleshop, Hailsham Cellars, Waitrose Ltd, Majestic Wine Warehouse Ltd
We thought this wine had a rich, deep hint of sweet spice and red autumn fruit accompanied by a fine and complex palate, making a great winter warmer. It worked well with Camembert and crackers, but would work equally well with roast beef.
Errazuriz Max Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
RRP: £14.90
Stockists: Hailsham Cellars, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose
We haven’t tried many Chilean wines but this was smooth and highly acceptable, with a heavy hint of blackcurrant, and reminded us of some of the best West Australian Margaret River wines, (which seldom leave the country because they are drunk pretty quickly) because it was aged in oak. Sensible souls, the Australians. Very nice with our mature, strong cheese tray – the wine, not the Australians.
Louis Jadot Château des Jacques Moulin à Vent 2013
RRP: £18.00
Stockists: Fenwick, Haslemere Wine Merchants, Fresh and Wild TA Whole Foods Mkt Camden, Campbell Moore Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, Fountainhall Wines, Taurus Wines Ltd, Hedonism Drinks Ltd, Sainsburys
A succulent, rich and concentrated Gamay with the structure to develop in bottle, save it for a night by the fire. This is one for the wine rack, to be left for a while – if you can resist the temptation.
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Pinot Noir 2016
RRP: £16.20
Stockists: Sainsburys, Majestic, Wine Rack, Booths Supermarkets, Waitrose (online)
With silky complexity and concentrated juicy red berry flavours on the palate, this New Zealand Pinot Noir paired with roasted red meats is a winning combination for a winter’s evening. I usually like New Zealand white, but this is exemplary. We’re in for a crisp winter so we hear, but we’ll be OK with this to wrap ourselves around in the evening.
Try these too. I can’t vouch for them, but I bet they’re pretty good if the others are anything to go by:
Esk Valley Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 2015
RRP: £17.30
Stockists: Bon Coeur Fine Wines, D. Byrne & Co., Ellies Cellar, Luvians, Hailsham Cellars, Leamington Wine Co., Peake Wines, Woodwinters, www.nzhouseofwine.co.uk
This full bodied and rich Hawkes Bay blend is the perfect wine for a Sunday roast leg of lamb.
Jean-Luc Colombo Côtes du Rhône Les Forots 2015
RRP: £16.45
Stockists: Beers Wines & Spirits Ltd, Flagship Wines Ltd, Bacchus Wine, B J R Hanby, The Jolly Vintner Too, The Halifax Wine Company, Constantine Stores Ltd
An original Syrah and Grenache blend with fine structure and small ripe fruit flavours on the palate, finishing with notes of violets and spices, bringing warmth to the cold weather.
Robert Oatley Signature Cabernet Sauvignon 2015
RRP: £13.75
Stockists: The Co-operative Group Limited, Sissinghurst Wines Ltd, The Halifax Wine Company, Cambridge Wine Merchants Ltd, Ann et Vin Ltd, Taurus Wines Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, New Forest Wines, Penistone Court Wine Cellars
This Cabernet Sauvignon is full-flavoured with hints of blackberries and dried leaves. Pairing it with pizza or pasta makes for an ideal evening-in.
Zalze Shiraz Mourvedre Viognier 2016
RRP: £9.65
Stockists: Waitrose, WM Morrison Supermarkets, Asda Stores Ltd, Booths
This exciting Rhône-inspired blend is richly fruity, spicy with soft texture and matches beautifully with spicy foods.