LAST WEEK: Top 10 refreshing summer whites
NEXT WEEK: Top 10 reds to chill
Sparkling:
La Châsse du Pape, Blanc de Blancs Brut NV, France
Tasty fizz with nutty, delicate white flower aromas and a clinically refreshing palate that displays nuances of honeyed fruit and zesty citrus hints. A surprise package that offers more than you may initially expect.
£9.99 Morrisons
White:
Dourthe #1 Blanc 2007
Just what you want from an everyday Sauvignon Blanc; zingy, fresh, floral and dry with crunchy green fruit. A vibrant, refreshing wine that delivers and is great value.
£6.99 - £8.49 Waitrose, Thresher
Pewsey Vale, Riesling, Eden Valley 2007
Almost like a slightly tiresome, constantly excelling school swot, Pewsey Vale does it again with a vivacious, floral Riesling tinged with nuances of lime marmalade. Light and zesty with pretty, ripe fruit it finishes clean, refreshing and with you wanting more.
£9.20 Australian Wines Online, Everywine, Oddbins, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Highbury Vintners, Premier Vintners
Monte Tondo, Foscarin Slavinus, Soave Superiore Classico, Italy 2005
This is a world away from the dilute, neutral Soaves that give the region a somewhat less than great reputation. This is packed with creamy lemon aromas with lifted notes of herbs and some appealing, slatey minerality. Slick, polished, with a lovely texture and very tasty.
£14.95 Great Western Wines
Summerhouse, Chardonnay, Marlborough 2006
Chardonnays from the 'Land of the Long White Cloud' are attracting increasing legions of fans, and for such devotees this is another that needs to be on their shopping list. The nose of nutty oak and dried pineapple is followed by a wonderfully polished, broad palate boasting subtle oak, mineral touches and fleshy fruit.
£10.97 Champagnes & Chateaux
Casillero del Diablo, Chardonnay Reserva, Limari Valley 2007
With fruit sourced from Chile's cool-climate Limari Valley, this Sainsbury's exclusive is slightly superior to the standard Chardonnay Reserva. Subtle oak and bright but restrained fruit persist throughout. A slick and focussed wine. Lovely.
£5.99 Sainsbury's
Rosé:
Château des Gravelles, d'Aix-en-Province 2007
This is delicate, mineral with pleasing, pretty red fruits,good balance and the acidity keeps it ticking along nicely. Great with salads and sunny afternoons.
6.95 Yapp Brothers
Red:
Tittarelli, Trophy Reserve Malbec, Mendoza 2006
Really enjoyable Malbec that relies on good fruit to deliver a lovely glass of wine - as opposed to oak and extraction. Pure cherry and black fruit flavours dominate the palate which is fresh and attractive.
£6.79 Laithwaites
Skalli, Terra Vecchia Merlot-Nielluccio Réserve, Vin de Pays Ile de Beaute, Corsica 2007
From Napoleon Bonaparte's birthplace, this soft, smooth and scented wine gives an indication of Corsica's winemaking potential. Elegant, and a touch smoky, it shows rich black fruits and a fresh finish. Very good for its price.
£5.99 Somerfield
Villa Maria, Private Bin Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2007
This is a fairly big wine with obvious class. Rich, ripe and round, there's still plenty of good freshness. Slight menthol notes on the nose add interest while the palate is plumy and medium bodied.
£10.99 The New Zealand House of Wine, Tesco
|
