Brand’s Laira, Blockers, Shiraz, 2013, Coonawarra, Australia
Coonawarra produce great, bold, flavourful red wines and this is good, not outstanding but it wont embarrass you if you served this with a chunk of red meat. With aromas and flavours of red and black fruits, pepper and oak. Its bold and pretty dry but 7 years on its smoothed out and is easy drinking. Have it with red meat or game bird and I’m sure you will enjoy drinking it, its worth taking your time and at £12 a bottle its OK value.
Supermarkets do sell excellent wine and this Extra Special, Chardonnay from the Barossa in Australia from Asda is pretty good, it may not be a gold medalist at Decanter but what I liked about it is how easy it was to drink.
Its light, medium bodied white with light aromas of peach and pineapple that come though in the flavour, there’s creaminess and hints of oak which are very welcomed. Day 2 and the pineapple came through more but still easy drinking. It lacks in many ways but as I’ve mentioned before with other wines, its a wine for a moment. In this case its in front of the TV or in the garden on a summers day. At £7 a bottle its great value, pick up a box of 6 and just enjoy.
Asda, Extra Special, Chardonnay, 2017, Barossa, Australia
The red blend of Syrah, Merlot and Xinomavro from Alpha Estate in Greece is a rather decent red wine.
A dry, reasonable light red it has aromas of red and black fruit with earthy and spice hints. The flavours are defined, plum, blackcurrant and cherry with oak notes, strong but not overpowering.
People rubbish wine thats not from the traditional wine areas but this shows that many non main stream wine countries can produce very good wine. The only downside is the price, EUR20 a bottle is a bit pricey.
Alpha Estate, SMX Red, 2017, Greece
As the weather gets colder I find I’m drinking lots more red wine, so I thought I’d try a white and this one from Spain is different to what I would normally have. It’s a deep straw colour, dry but with fruit. There are aromas of grapefruit and oak and these follow through with a flavours. it’s a heavier white wine than I would normally drink and I think on its own it’s not my taste but I can see this with a creamy pasta dish or a game bird dish, something with a little bit more flavour than just chicken.
At £7 a bottle and a decanter bronze medal it’s ok but have with food.
Bodegas Eylo, 2018, Rueba, Spain
From North East Italy this Pinot Noir shows that italy isn’t just about Prosecco.
Its not go a lot of flavour, there are hints of lemon, peach, brioche and dryness that makes it easy drinking but it feels more grown up. Good structure but not Champagne quality.
Its subtle in many ways and it went well with a starter of smoked salmon and with a cheese board. Well worth trying out although may be not worth a case of it.
Jako Wine, Brut, Pinot Noir, Sparkling, Italy
Rieslings from Australia has come a long way in the last decade and this one from Rawsons Retreat shows another example of why Riesling is such a great grape. Dry with a decent level of acidity and aromas of ripe pineapple and kerosene that are followed with additional flavours of honey, lime and green apple.
At £7 a bottle its a wine that grows on you, not outstanding but great for curling in front of the TV.
Rawsons Retreat, Riesling, 2015, Australia
Greece is not known with the great unwashed for great red wine and most people don’t know that they make wine but that is to the benefit of those that search a little and have open eyes.
Its a solid red colour, dry with decent tannins and shows that the greeks can make pretty good wine, aromas and flavours of red and black fruits, plums, redcurrant and blackberry with hints of herbs and spices with a smoothness that makes this a joy to drink.
Well done to the wine maker, our Christmas meal main wine was excellent.
Chrisohoou, Gold Selection, Xinomavro, Greece
California wine is pretty good in general and this Lynx Petite Syrah, Zinfandel is very good example of a very drinkable red wine. A good deep red in colour with aromas of red fruit and hints of smoke and oak. There are flavours of red and black fruits, strawberry, berry, plum, blackcurrant and its very well rounded.
Soft, fresh with decent length and so easy drinking, Great and its only £7
Lynx, Petite Syrah, Zinfandel, 2017, California, USA
Pinot Gris is not a grape name that many go too, esp over Pinot Grigio but this Pioneer Block from Saint Clair show why this ia great white wine and why New Zealand is getting a reputation for excellent wines. Pinot Gris is Pinot Grigio, the difference is style where Pinot Gris is full on flavour as Pinot Grigio is full on necking, at least in the UK!
Its fragrant flowery aroma wine with flavours of ripe fruit, pear, melon with a richer, oily texture than found in many white wines. Its a wine to sip or to have with cheese in from of the fire.
At £13.50 a bottle its not cheap but but pretty good, one for a special occasion.
Saint Clair, Pioneer Block, Pinot Gris, 2014, New Zealand
The Loire Valley produce a ton of wine and this Chenin Blanc is a little different to the mass produced wines.
There are aromas of flowers and pear with flavours of ripe fruit, hints of pineapple and lemon. I love the orange hint in the colour, well maybe a bit more than a hint. Its a medium style wine that is a front of fire,comforty chair wine. At £7 a bottle very good value.
Cave du Vendômois, Chant’ Grives, Coteaux du Vendômois, France