Food & Drink, Wine for the weekend
With 350 “authorised” grapes and at least 500 other more maverick varieties, understanding Italian wine isn’t easy. We can name about 10 (and we think we counted pinot grigio twice). So the idea of embarking on a little self-education was an intriguing prospect. Canaletto – named after the prolific Venetian painter – has produced a range of wines to showcase different Italian regions. (more…)
May 7th, 2010
Food & Drink, Wine for the weekend
San Pedro describes its sauv blanc as “fresh, bright and expressive”, which sounds more like a girl we’d like to date than a wine we’d like to drink… But, on opening the bottle we were quickly convinced that this is worth your time. (more…)
April 30th, 2010
If you haven’t already cracked into a cold beer to toast St George/celebrate this (near) heatwave, then we have a suggestion in the form of this refreshing and robust semillon. It comes from Tim Adams, the award-winning Australian winemaker who works in the prestigious Clare Valley. It’s been aged in French oak for five months to add complexity (but without being too heavy-handed) giving it grassy and tropical characteristics. Perfect with whatever you’ve burned on the barbeque. £10 at Tesco, www.tesco.com
April 23rd, 2010
Drink, Food & Drink, Wine for the weekend
For Ian Fleming aficionados, Lillet will need no introduction (it was the crucial ingredient in agent 007’s lethal Vesper martini*), but for those uninitiated in the glories of this fortified wine, may we suggest you try it icy cold as an aperitif, Bourdellaise-style.** (more…)
April 16th, 2010
A few days ago we found ourselves in Kentucky, at 10pm, eating bison burgers (don’t ask) — but one of the better decisions of the evening was to order a bottle of this extremely tasty chardonnay. (more…)
April 1st, 2010
Food & Drink, Wine for the weekend
For those who like their reds on the lighter side, gamay is a grape to get into. Previously (well, in the Eighties) it was synonymous with the now rather clichéd Beaujolais Nouveau, which, more often than not, was a thin, acidic and disappointing red. These days, gamay takes on a variety of guises, with recent vintages such as 2003 and 2005 being especially noteworthy for their deep and rewarding flavours. (more…)
March 26th, 2010
You probably won’t get away with opening a sparkling that doesn’t have the word “champagne” plus Dom Pérignon/Veuve/Roederer, etc, on the label next (Valentine’s) weekend so tonight, for something less wallet-denting, we think this Breedekloof Brut makes a damn good aperitif. “Young winemaker of the year” De Wet Lategan heads up the winery, which has a growing reputation for excellence. Stocks are limited, so move quickly. £12 at www.laithwaites.co.uk
February 5th, 2010
The Arch hotel launched last night; it was an excellent party. Too good in fact. And too much time was spent in the martini lounge. So it’s with aching head in hand that we make this week’s recommendation – Amani: a gutsy kill-or-cure red from Stellenbosch, South Africa. Clocking in at 14.5%, it’s all you would expect from a cab franc/merlot blend: lush red fruits (blackberries and cherries), liquorice and spice. Tannins are smooth and silky, making for a well-balanced mouthful. It’s a high-impact wine for 15 quid, and one that has made us sit up and take notice of this boutique winery. Serve with steak. £14.50 at www.laithwaites.co.uk
January 29th, 2010
