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Slideshow
The top 10 wines in the UK press
Victoria Moore picks out a wine that she says is “really superb stuff” while Jane MacQuitty recommends a “mouthwateringly racy, minerally, top-drawer Aussie”.
Writing in The Times MacQuitty’s recommendation comes from a vineyard that is now run by the grandsons of Clare founding father Jim Barry. She wrote: “This tiny five-acre vineyard’s 30-year-old riesling vines thrive in its peculiarly Australian limestone, red clay and slate-flecked soil.”
She added that the wine is a great match “with summer’s exotically spiced white meat or fish dishes.”
Meanwhile in the Daily Telegraph, Victoria Moore picks out what she feels are the best value wines available this week.
She wrote: “This Swartland iteration of a Rhône blend is Mullineux’s best-seller in South Africa,” adding that it is “really superb stuff”.
Click through the following pages to find out which wines, these and other writers in the UK press have recommended over the last week.
Undurraga Terroir Hunter Riesling, Lo Abarca, San Antonio
David Williams, writing in The Observer, picked out this wine writing that “Undurraga is a long-established Chilean producer that used to be solid rather than exciting but has been entirely rejuvenated in recent years.”
He added: “Its Terroir Hunter series of wines from different Chilean regions made by rising star winemaker Rafael Urrejola is particularly good, and includes a graceful Pinot Noir – but I really fell for this Riesling from coastal San Antonio at a recent tasting. A different take on the variety to the Kesselstatt, it’s dry and vividly zesty.”
Taste the Difference Aglianico del Vulture, 2009
Williams also recommended this Italian wine, writing: “If, like me, you have a thing for the great red wines of Piedmont northwest Italy but don’t get to drink as much as you’d like because of the prices, wines made from aglianico in southern Basilicata are worth looking out for.”
He added: “Sainsbury’s new own-label effort is a more than decent introduction to what is sometimes called the Barolo of the south: it’s not a slavish imitation of the northern greats, but it does share their mix of power and tannin with ethereal red-fruit and floral fragrance.”
Reserve Combes AOC St Chinian 2011
Terry Kirby, writing in The Independent, picked out this wine as one to enjoy with a “midweek meal”. He wrote: “St Chinian is one of the best of the numerous wine districts of the Languedoc. A beautifully balanced blend of Syrah and Grenache, this is a near-perfect example of a modestly priced, unpretentious, southern French table wine. Soft, approachable and eminently drinkable, particularly to wash down some organic sausages or a home-made pizza.”
Tesco Simply Garnacha 2012
In the Mail on Sunday, Olly Smith picked out this drop as his “wine of the week”. He wrote: “The new vintage of this top-value fruity glugger is impeccable. Stock up now for summer barbecues and on hot days try serving it lightly chilled.”
NV Renard Barnier, Cuvée Speciale, Blanc de Noirs Brut
Matthew Jukes, writing in the Daily Mail, is clearly impressed by this Champagne, he wrote: “Whip up the rhubarb and chilli jam recipe, grab some goats’ cheese and nice, crusty bread and uncork this phenomenal find. As you know I am always on the lookout for seriously posh Champagne at the right price – this wine is incredible.”
2011 William Hardy Shiraz
This is one of Jane MacQuitty’s recommendations in The Times. She wrote: “Tame this bold, earthy, inky, black forest fruit-charged, chunky red complete with a 14 per cent alcohol finish by serving it with barbecued sausages and ribs.”
2012 clos Clare Riesling, Watervale
This is the wine that MacQuitty recommended as a “keeper”, describing it as a “top-drawer Aussie”. She added: “Treat this as a turbo-flavour-charged Mosel to sip with summer’s exotically spiced white meat or fish dishes. Alternatively, cellar until 2017 and beyond for complex rich, spicy, lime layers to develop.”
Viña Sol Rosé 2012
Susy Atkins, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, picked out this wine as one that can be matched with prawn dishes. She wrote: “A deeply coloured rosado but relatively light, crisp and dry on the palate, with an attractive cocktail of tangy red-fruit flavours, particularly strawberry and red cherry.”
Mullineux Kloof Street Rouge 2011
This is the wine that Victoria Moore recommended in the Daily Telegraph, writing: “This Swartland iteration of a Rhône blend (it’s about three-quarters Syrah, plus Mourvèdre, Cinsault and Carignan) is Mullineux’s best-seller in South Africa.”
She added: “It has an open, slightly smoky, raspberry-tinged smell and while there’s plenty of flavour here it’s neither stodgy nor blocky. Really superb stuff.”
2011 Le Versant Viognier Foncalieu
And finally this wine is recommended by Brian Elliott in The Scotsman, he wrote: “This is an appealing, fresh, ripe white with delightful peach and melon fruit along with the textured depth Viognier does so well. There is also a hint or two of juniper to lighten its long, lemon-influenced finish.”