For our February meeting Martin and Auriol chose a “Wine with Food” theme where they presented a great selection of wines each served with complimentary food...
The Wines
1. La Marca Cuvee Prosecco , Italy 11.5% £9.99
Origin – Made in the Trevisio area of Northern Italy, produced from 100% Prosecco grapes from selected vineyards, made using the Charmat method.
Taste – Delicate and elegant with a distinctive aroma of apple and apricot. Medium bodied, soft, velvety and well-balanced.
Enjoy – An excellent aperitif, served with light starters or fruit salads.
2. La Grille Cool Fermented Chenin Blanc 2011/12 , Anjou, France 11% £6.99
Origin – Made from grapes grown on the granite and rocks of the Western Loire, Chenin Blanc is probably the world’s most versatile grape variety and comes in many different styles in the Loire region.
Taste – A freshly fruity and slightly off-dry white, bottled with a natural spritz to maintain freshness. Plenty of white flower and peach characters contribute to the balance of this wine.
Enjoy – Pleasant, summery white, delicious served with grilled trout and salmon.
3. Giesen Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough, New Zealand 13% £5.99
Origin – The Giesen brothers Theo, Alex and Marcel started the winery in the 1980s and today have 13 vineyards covering the length and breadth of the Wairau Valley. The wine is blended from 32 separate vineyard parcels, vinified in the winery in Blenheim.
Taste – A richly tropical nose, dominated by youthful aromas of lime, lemongrass and green herbs. Fruit on the palate leans more toward gooseberry and citrus, with a zest acidity.
Enjoy – Drink with a seafood risotto or paella.
4. Luis Felipe Edwards Viognier Reserva 2011, Rapel Valley, Chile 13% £5.99
Origin – Made by the largest family-owned winery in Chile, the grapes are pressed in a protective atmosphere and spend only 2 months in oak, for maximum freshness.
Taste – Light and fresh, yet intensely aromatic. Flavours of peach, apricot and ripe pears cascade across the palate, finishing with a refreshing acidic lift and gentle mineral grip.
Enjoy – A great partner for mild spicy dishes, such as Cajun chicken, Thai red curry, or sweet chilli and garlic prawns.
5. Barista Pinotage 2010, Western Cape, South Africa 13.5% £6.97
Origin – from the Val de Vie wine estate in the heart of the cape winelands, where wine production dates back to 1825. This is a deliberately modern offering by the winemaker who has concentrated on drawing out the coffee-like aromas of South Africa’s signature grape.
Taste – Intense on the nose, with a bouquet of coffee, chocolate and cherry, with meaty, savoury hints. The tannins are ripe, perfectly suiting the round and mouth-filling plum and mulberry fruit.
Enjoy – Drink on its own or with red meat dishes. The winemaker recommends a blue-cheese-filled brandy snap with chocolate and roasted coffee beans!
6. Wakefield Estate Shiraz 2009, Clare Valley, Australia 14% £9.99
Origin -The Wakefield Estate extends to just under 750ha, with approximately 415 ha under vine. About 60% of the vines are planted on the famous “terra-rossa” soil, whilst the rest roll into the river valley on clay soils topped with rich loamy soil.
Taste – The nose shows classic aromas of stewed plum, backberry and violets and the palate is inviting, filled with ground coffee, vanilla and clove characters mingling with ripe blackcurrant fruit.
Enjoy – Perfect for beef casseroles or pies.
7. Catena Malbec 2009, Mendoza, Argentina 13.5% £9.99
Origin – Nicolas and Laura Catena have worked tirelessly in the discovery, identification and development of key microclimates in the high altitude wine country of Mendoza.Their Malbec uses this work and combines grapes from various altitudes to create a unique profile of aromas.
Taste - Elegantly structured, and showing ripe blackberry and blackcurrant fruit flavours, subtle vanilla and plenty of peppery spice. Balanced by firm tannins and crisp, refreshing acidity on the finish.
Enjoy – The complex character, tannins and acidity help suit this wine to further ageing and it will comfortably last five years.
All wines available from Majestic Wine
