Vinarija Jovac, Single Vineyard Selection, Chardonnay, Serbia
This single Vineyard Chardonnay from Serbia went down a storm with friends. It’s dry and light with good acidity and all that tried it, loved it. Long length of ripe pineapple, citrus, lime, pear and melon made this a firm favourite. A great Chardonnay to just drink and enjoy on a summer’s evening.
Lyrarakis located in Crete, Greece is an interesting example of a red wine from Greece. It’s dry and reasonably light with small amounts of tanning. Its ok as a wine to go with food but just lacks character on its own. At £20 a bottle it’s way over priced.
Ermacora, Schioppettino, 2020, Italy
You can’t really go wrong with Italian red wine and this one from Ermacora in Northern Italy almost proves it. It’s not that there’s anything wrong with it, its just a dry red wine. Red fruit and pretty light is the best any of us that tried it could say. When tasted one evening with 2 other reds, it was left limping into 3rd.
Tender Hope, Coral Syrah, 2018, Okanagan Valley, Canada
Canadian wine has come of age and the Okanagan Valley and Tender Hope vineyard is testimony to this. A smooth, dry red wine that feels at home in a high end restaurant. There’s black fruits galore with sweet spice, oak and firm tannins. We had this with a BBQ and it was a perfect fit. At CAD30 a bottle is good value too.
Greek red wine can be excellent, world beating and it’s not to say that this red made from the Liatoko grape is bad. It lacks any real sense of depth or standout flavours. Its a lunch time, dry red wine to be drunk and enjoyed with a meal. Certainly at £20 a bottle there are better wines out there, but at least it’s a “not to be refused if you are offered a glass” category.
Ensamblados, Blend de Terroirs, Malbec, 2020, Mendoza, Argentina
It’s another Argentinian Malbec, but this one is actually really rather excellent. There’s black plum and blackberry and smooth tannins. Hints of oak, leather and a bit of mint poking through for a long lasting taste. It reminds me of a VW Pola, solid with a chunk of quality all the way through. At about £15 a bottle it’s very good value.
Martin, Cabernet Sauvignon, 2020, Croatia
Croatia makes Some great wine and this isn’t a bad example. It’s not gold medal by any standards, but for a dry red wine., it’s very pleasant. It’s got enough flavour dark and red fruits to keep you drinking, there’s some reason tannins, and it’s very easy to drink, especially with food. At about Euro 30 bottle, it’s a bit on the pricey side, that said, nice wine.
Vina Salort, Gran Reserva, Tannat, 2021, Canelones, Uruguay
I’ve not had much wine made from Tannat and after this bottle I know why. It’s not a grape that seems to really excel. It’s OK, dry, light with reasonable red fruit flavours, some tannins and simple on overall structure. Best to have food with it to help soften it.
Milea Estate, Blau Frankisch, 2021, New York State, USA
This Blau Frankisch fron New York State is dry, light and rather refreshing. Cherry flavours with a hint of spice and served alittle chilled, it’s perfect sitting in the garden in the sun. At USD35 a bottle it’s abit pricey which is a shame as its very good.
Vinha do Fava, Reserva, 2021, Portugal
This family run vineyard produces a rather excellent red wine, primarily made from Touriga Nacional grape it’s dry, full bodied with plum, cherry and spices coming forward and lasting in the mouth. It’s smooth and subtle, quite beautiful. At £16 a bottle nicely priced too.