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Slideshow
Top 10 wines in the UK press
Bibbiano Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 2012
David Williams, writing in The Guardian, explored the world of Chianti this week recommending three “very distinct and very tasty Chiantis” – starting with Bibbiano Chianti Classico.
He said: “As is the case in wine regions all over Europe, there is a certain amount of ideological debate about what constitutes true Chianti. Traditionalists tend to argue that it’s all about the Sangiovese, maybe backed up with a little of another local red grape, Canaiolo. And while their argument rather glosses over the fact that, until the mid-1990s, producers weren’t officially permitted to make a 100% Sangiovese, and that, historically, the Chianti blend also included white varieties Malvasia and Trebbiano, the composition of most of my favourite Chiantis tend to back them up. Certainly, I wouldn’t disagree with Berry Bros & Rudd buyer David Berry Green’s assessment that Bibbiano’s all-Sangiovese Classico tastes exactly as I think Chianti should do: that racy-raspy quality presented with deliciously pure oregano-edged red fruit.”
Price: £14.99, Berry Bros & Rudd
Isola e Olena Chianti Classico, Tuscany, Italy 2012
Of this Isola e Olena Chianti Williams said: “Blind-tasting a bunch of Chiantis with some fellow wine-writers recently – including one passionately arch-traditionalist Italian – two of the highest-scoring wines turned out to contain doses of one of those dreaded international, character-diluting grape varieties, albeit in tiny amounts. Syrah was the offender in Isola e Olena’s gorgeously poised example, but at 5% (along with 15% Canaiolo) it didn’t obscure the sour plum tang and vivacious cherry of the Sangiovese.”
Price: from £17.50, The Wine Society; Slurp.co.uk
Simply Chianti 2012 Italy
This “cheap and cheerful” Sangiovese was among Victoria Moore’s best wine buys writing in The Telegraph.
She said: “Easy-going, but it also has that slight dust-and-dried-cherries feel, (and I mean that in a good way). This is the red you will want to have at the ready to wash down that weekday bowl of bucatini all’amatriciana you have been promising yourself.”
Price: Tesco, £4.89
Poggerino Chianti Classico Riserva Bugialla 2010 Italy
Moore also recommended this Chianti Classico from Poggerino. Available only in magnum format, Moore said it was “exceptional”.
She said: “High levels of alcohol are usually a no-no that I spot at a thousand paces. This for me is a rare exception: a proud, beautifully delineated single-vineyard Sangiovese from a small producer. Exceptional. Invite some good friends around for a winter weekend dinner of steak and salad, and crack open a magnum.”
Price: Lea & Sandeman, magnums only, £54.50
Brancott Estate Terroir Series Sauvignon Blanc 2013
Olly Smith, writing for the Daily Mail, picked Brancott Estate’s Terroir Series Sauvignon Blanc as his “wine of the week”.
He said: “As punchy as a pineapple on the rocky end of Rocky Balboa’s fist. Superb white wine – don’t hesitate to buy it.”
Price: £9.74, Majestic
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand
Staying in New Zealand’s Marlborough region Jamie Goode, writing in The Express, recommended Villa Maria’s Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc.
He said: “Last year is proving to be an excellent vintage for Kiwi Sauvignon and this is one of the benchmarks. With floral grapefruit and ripe-apple aromatics, it has flavours of taut citrus fruit.”
Price: £7.50, Asda
Cono Sur Reserva Riesling 2012, Bío Bío, Chile
“Chile is well known for its reds, but it’s the whites that are winning my heart”, said Goode, before recommending Cono Sur’s 2012 Riesling.
He said: “This is a vivacious wine from the Riesling grape, with taut, limey notes balanced by rich pear and melon flavours.”
Price: £8.99, Morrisons
Wynns Coonawara Cabernet Sauvignon 2008. Coonawara
With today being Australia Day, the national day of Australia, it seems appropriate that Terry Kirby, writing in The Independent, recommend a number of the country’s wines – starting with this Coonawarra Cabernet.
He said: “An exuberant and powerful red from deepest South Australia. Some decent ageing has allowed the full fruit flavours to mellow and soften, letting in some notes of chocolate and tar. Decant well in advance, drink with red meat of all kinds, but particularly beef.”
Price: £15.99, Waitrose
Innocent Bystander Pinot Noir 2012, Yarra Valley
Another of Kirby’s top Aussie picks was this 2012 Pinot Noir from the Yarra Valley.
He said: “Who says Aussies only do robust reds? The cool climate of Yarra, east of Melbourne, is ideal for tricky Pinot Noir. Medium-bodied, fragrant, with succulent cherry fruit, underlying vegetal notes and good structure. For lighter chicken and pork-based supper dishes.”
Price: £12.70, slurp.co.uk; £13.50, winedirect.co.uk
Wakefield Promised Land Shiraz-Cabernet 2013, Clare Valley
Finally, Kirby recommended a Shiraz-Cabernet from Australia’s Clare Valley.
He said: “Shiraz is the dominant grape in the Clare Valley, north of Adelaide. Here, Cabernet Sauvignon adds structure and texture to deliver a juicy, easy-going, but fulsome red for spicy Middle Eastern dishes or pasta with meatballs.”
Price: £7.50,thewinesociety.com