Angela Wine Bristol April .qxp_Layout 1 20/03/2015 15:37 Page 1
THE WINE COLUMN Angela Mount, wine and food critic asks: ‘Do wine recommendations matter?’
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ost days of the week, when I pick up my children from school, one mother or another asks me which wine to buy for the weekend, or to match what they are planning to cook. We are a nation of wine lovers, with wine sales now bigger than beer, but there’s still a huge amount of uncertainty, and insecurity about choosing the right wine. Many of us just stick to what we know; others would love to know just that little bit more, but are afraid to ask. Wine awards and press recommendations from wine writers give confused wine lovers the chance to choose something new, or different, secure that the wine in question, comes highly recommended. It’s no different from other recommendations from restaurant reviews, to car choices – we need endorsement and reassurance in what we purchase. Simple but true. Leading wine merchant, Great Western Wine is pretty good at picking up awards; voted South West Wine Merchant of the Year by the world’s leading wine competition, the International Wine Challenge, it’s easy to see why – its quirky, treasure trove of a shop is packed to the rafters with award winners, which are all available online. It’s relatively easy to find expensive wines with row upon row of medals; but it’s very clever to find wines that get the thumbs up from the experts, which are around the £10 mark or under. To kick off a series of wine features, they’ve put together a mix of spring wines, all of which have grabbed the attention of national and international critics. The prices I quote here, are the normal shop prices – the price they are charging for their first foray with The Bristol Magazine is nothing short of insane; snap them up while you can! First up is the passion fruitinfused, vibrant Yealands Estate Sauvignon blanc 2013 (£11.95) – From the world’s leading carbon-zero winery, in New Zealand’s famous Marlborough region, this is a multi-award-winning, tangy delight, which knocks spots off the big brands. Mouthwateringly fresh, it’s packed with pink grapefruit and lime zest flavours – impossible to resist, once you’ve tasted it’s citrussy charms. It’s a match made in heaven with goats cheese salad, and thai prawn curry, and spot on with good old fish and chips. Staying with the fresh, crisp white wine theme, if you prefer a crisp, zingy, but slightly more delicate style of white, venture into Spanish territory, with the Marques de Riscal Rueda Blanco 2013 ( £9.95) – winner of an International Wine Challenge Bronze medal, it’s a delicious fusion of Granny Smith and lemon zest, made from the delightful Spanish Verdejo grape. Bright as a button, crisp, and citrusy, yet elegantly restrained, it’s ideal with just about any seafood dish. Up next, two of my own personal favourite reds, both great for spring. Firstly, Cotes du Ventoux Les Boudalles, Domaines Brusset 2013 (£9.95) – this is simply one of the best, and one of the best value Southern Rhone reds I have ever come across. It’s soft, it’s perfumed, it entices, it enchants. Full of easy-going, smooth blackberry and red berry flavours, it has a velvety softness. It’s my go-to wine for spring lamb, or platters of charcuterie and cheese. Finally, a gloriously rich, decadent Chilean Syrah – but not just any Chilean Syrah. Vina Falernia Syrah 2012 (£8.95) has a story. It’s produced about 400 miles north of the rest of the Chilean wineries, in desert-like conditions. It’s made by an obsessed, charming, slightly mad Italian winemaker, who gave up the sophistication of northern Italy for a home in the desertland of northern Chile. Scooping up awards all over the world, it’s a glorious, opulent, rich red, full of broodingly dark fruit, rich spice, a sprinkling of mocha and a dusting of black pepper. Look no further for the perfect red for that hesitant first barbecue, or for the best value Sunday roast red, you’ll come across. n
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APRIL 2015
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THE BRISTOL MAGAZINE 63