Top 10 wines in the UK press

For those wishing to reduce their alcohol intake in January, Matthew Jukes recommends a lower alcohol white wine, which he says is, “simply stunning, world class.”

Jukes, writing in the Daily Mail, adds that the wine has an “energy and verve which allows the wine to age gracefully for seven years.”

He also recommends a sparkling wine, that is “low in alcohol and high in excitement.”

In The Observer David Williams suggests a Languedoc Blanc, which he says “has a bit of flesh and richness that makes it work well at this time of year”.

Find out more about these wines, and others recommended in the UK press.

2007 Gevrey-Chambertin from Denis Bachelet (Berry Bros)

This week Jancis Robinson MW wrote in the Financial Times about the growing problem of esca, “a disease that affects the wood of the vine”. So far the disease has hit older vines and she adds that healthy vines, “seem to be dying off at a rate of between 10 per cent and 20 per cent a year because of esca.” Robinson highlighted this wine, which is made from 75-year-old vines, but she asks, “how many survived the past five years?”

Château Teyssier 2007 (Majestic)

Olly Smith, in the Mail on Sunday, focused on Bordeaux and how the region’s climate impacts on each vintage, he wrote: “Knowing the good years in Bordeaux is important, but it’s also important to know your winery to keep up with who is making the best quality.” In terms of affordable wines, he added: “You could also select wines from vintages such as 2004, 2006 or 2007, which weren’t as highly prized as stellar vintages such as 2005, 2009 or 2010.” He cites this wine as a good example, saying: It’s a wine with backbone that flourishes alongside a hearty roast dinner.”

Bordeaux Blanc 2011 (Aldi)

Smith also picks this budget white wine, which he says is “a good bet for a weeknight aperitif or paired with shellfish”. He adds: “This is a lemony white with an appetising simplicity.”

Domaine Les Quatres Pilas Blanc, Languedoc

In The Observer David Williams picks out a white wine, “from a highly regarded up-and-coming estate in southern France”, adding, “it also has a bit of flesh and richness that makes it work well at this time of year”.

Stone’s Original Ginger Wine

Some may consider this a strange choice, but Fiona Beckett, in The Guardian, says: “There’s no better spice than ginger to vanquish the post-festive blues.” Of Stone’s Ginger Wine, Beckett said: “It seems to me to have got lighter and sweeter than it used to be, though Stone’s also do a reserve that is a great drink to serve with a rhubarb or apple crumble.”

2005 McWilliams Mount Pleasant Elizabeth Semillon (Majestic).

Matthew Jukes wrote in the Daily Mail: “This is not only one of the greatest expressions of dry Semillon in the world it is also naturally lower alcohol than most white wines because the grapes are picked at lower sugar levels.”

NV Brown Brothers, Sparkling Moscato (Tesco)

In recommending lower alchol wines Jukes also picked this Australian wine, a sparkling Moscato from Victoria. He wrote: “A sparkling, sweet wine with a knockout flavour which has already taken Australia by storm and it is set to do the same here.”

Finca Flichman Malbec Reserve 2011

In The Independent Terry Kirby, picks this wine as one to enjoy with your midweek meal. He wrote that the Malbec has, “a lovely palate freshness and vibrant cherry fruits overlaying a concentrated base of smoky, bitter chocolate-type flavours”.

Julien Sunier Fleurie 2011 (Roberson)

In the Telegraph Victoria Moore picked this as one of her wines of the week, writing that Fleurie has a, “fragrance that is reminiscent of peonies covered in summer dew. She added that this Julien Sunier is, “beautifully juicy and springlike”.

Domaine G Descombes Regnie 2011

Moore also picked this wine, writing that, “Regnie is the most recent addition to the collection of Beaujolais crus and its wines are among the lightest”. But she adds: “This one is just right”, and that a friend described it as “spring and winter in one glass”.