Slideshow

Top 10 wines in the UK press

16 February 2015 By Lauren Eads

Rolf Binder Highness Riesling 2013, Eden Valley, Australia

“White wines from Down Under took a hammering when punters turned their noses up at the oak-filled Chardonnays”, said David Williams writing in The Guardian. But Australian whites have since reinvented themselves are now worth another look, he added.

“It’s always been harder to stereotype Australia’s other most famous white styles as crude and bludgeoning, although, despite their naturally low-alcohol, the sheer strength of personality of both Riesling from the Clare and Eden Valleys in South Australia and Semillon from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales has made them, in a way, just as divisive. I love both, love the way they’re unapologetically themselves and couldn’t come from anywhere else. Rieslings such as Rolf Binder’s have a freshly squeezed lime intensity and verve that makes them natural partners for fish with Asian spice and herbs.”

Price: £10.99, Waitrose

Michael Hall Roussanne 2012, Adelaide Hills, Australia

Williams described this Aussie white as a “rippling, plump but fresh interpretation” of the white Rhône grape, Roussanne.

He said: “Proud as they are of these modern classic white styles – to which I should add the Bordeaux-style white blends of Sauvignon and Semillon from Margaret River in Western Australia (such as the blistering freshness of Vasse Felix 2013; £13.99, Waitrose) – Australian winemakers have always prided themselves on their curiosity and willingness to experiment. You can see that in the proliferation of different white grape varieties they’ve mastered. Two recent favourites both come from the green and gentle rolling hills of South Australia’s Adelaide Hills: Fox Gordon’s pristine, fleshy, peachy take on southern Italian Fiano (2013, £15.95, Lea & Sandeman) and the orchard fruit and blossom of Michael Hall’s rippling, plump but fresh interpretation of the white Rhône grape, Roussanne.”

Price: £24.95, Berry Bros & Rudd

Trapiche Pure Malbec 2013, Argentina

This Argentine Malbec from Trapiche was among Terry Kirby’s top wines picks of the week, writing in The Independent.

He said: “This is, as its name implies, a pure and simple expression of Malbec: unoaked, juicy and hugely approachable, the sweet red fruits dominating and really good value at this price. So, spend money on a good steak to enjoy it with.”

Price: £8.99, Co-op

Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhônes 2012, Vinsobres, France

This 2012 Côtes du Rhônes is a “terrific bargain”, according to Kirby,

He said: “Vinsobres is one of the designated 14 “Cru” villages of the Rhône Valley, where the wines are medium to full, rich and spicy, with typically good structure and balance. Perfect for tomato-based Mediterranean dishes.”

Price: £8.99 (until Tuesday; normally £13.99), Waitrose

Negroamaro 2013 Salento, Puglia, Italy

Susy Atkins, writing for The Telegraph, picked out a selection of good value Italian wines, advising that for the “freshest, juiciest and most affordable Italian red wines”, head to Puglia, Basilicata and Sicily.

She said: “We might revere the premium red wines of Tuscany (Chianti, Brunello, key grape: Sangiovese) in central Italy, and Piedmont (Barolo, Barbaresco, from Nebbiolo) in the north-west, but to get really good ones, you have to fork out. Cheaper versions, say under £12, rarely cut it. They barely exist from Piedmont, and in Tuscany’s case can taste thin and sour. For better-value Italian reds, head south. Campania, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria and Sicily were once the workhorse wine regions of Italy, dominated by old-fashioned co-operatives and turning out oceans of unimpressive, cheap, trattoria-style rosso. Now that’s all changed.”

Of this example she said: “A rounded, ripe cocktail of black cherry, plum and mulberry, perfect with tomato-based pasta sauces such as a classic ragù.”

Price: Marks & Spencer, £7.50

Casa Planeta 2012 Nero d’Avola-Syrah Sicily, Italy

Atkins also recommended this Syrah from Sicily.

She said: “Another terrific buy from the on-form Co-op wine team; soft, ripe and mocha-toned, but with a core of juicy blackcurrrant.”

Price: Co-op, £9.99

Lidl Cimarosa Pedro Jimenez 2014, Chile

Olly Smith, writing in the Daily Mail, sought out some of the best wines available in UK supermarkets priced under £5 this week, praising this £3.99 Chilean white from Lidl.

He said: “As the average price of a bottle of white wine in the UK hits the giddy high of £5.43, can you still find any decent vino for under a fiver? As long as you’re not expecting a wine with the charms of Scarlett Johansson, there are bottles out there that are perfectly satisfying.”

Of Lidl’s Pedro Jimenez he said: “He said: “A total steal as the cheapest in the line-up with respectable lemony bite and fragrance.”

Price: £3.99

Gusbourne 2010 Brut Reserve, England

Stepping outside of his hunt for sub-fiver wines, Smith picked this English sparkler from Gusbourne Estate as his wine of the week.

He said: “Top quality for the cash, this awesome English bubbly is shrill and bright with a dazzlingly rich lemony wow factor. Stunning.”

Price: £29

Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2013, Central Otago, New Zealand

Finally Jamie Goode, writing for The Express, recommended a selection of his favourite wines from New Zealand.

He said: “It takes an age to get there and the jet lag is fearsome, but it’s such a beautiful country and its wines somehow reflect the beauty of the scenery. Kiwi wine initially sprang to fame with Sauvignon Blanc, but the new star is red-grape Pinot Noir.”

Of this Felton Road example Goode said: “Possibly New Zealand’s most famous Pinot Noir producer, Felton Road is based in the stunning Central Otago region at the bottom of South Island. This is expensive, but it’s a lovely, elegant, floral red wine of real class.”

£31.50, Berry Bros & Rudd (0800 280 2440, bbr.com)

Escarpment The Edge Pinot Noir 2013, Martinborough, New Zealand

“Made by one of the pioneers of Pinot noir in New Zealand, this is a lovely, supple red wine with sweet cherries and raspberries plus a savoury, spicy twist on the finish. It’s classy stuff”, said Goode.

£14.99, Waitrose