...And to drink?
My friends are always jealous when I tell them that because I’m a wine writer I get sent free wine. I can’t deny it isn’t fun having lots of wine arriving. If only the contents were more exciting. Sadly it’s normally the duller wines that are sent. The best, the sort made by small producers, you have to leave the house to try. With most I have a small glass, then give the bottles to my neighbours. My wife is more picky, she normally doesn’t even fi nish the glass, so when she asks for a top-up, it means that it’s something rather good. If we fi nish the bottle, it’s top-notch. Here are a few we didn’t give to the neighbours:
Pure Mírabeau Côtes de Provence 2013, £12.90, The Sampler: www.thesampler.co.uk
This is classic Provençal rosé, with its pale onion-skin colour, smell of herbs and strawberries, and zesty orangey taste.
Morgon Henry Fessy Beaujolais 2011, £10.75, Oddbins: www.oddbins.com
We really liked this! It has a very fruity nose, red cherries, a touch of earthiness. It’s succulent, very open and delicious now, with tastes of summer pudding and some meatiness, and a little tannic bite at the end. It tasted even better the next day.
Beaujolais Villages Blanc Aucoeur 2012, £11.75, Yapp Bros: www.yapp.co.uk
Another Beaujolais, but white. It’s super-fresh and zesty, with a whisper of spicy oak.
Wakefield Riesling 2012, £11.99, M&S: www.marksandspencer.com
This really sang with spicy food. It has a smoky nose with a little citrus rind, and then the taste is intense and aromatic, with a peppery fi nish. Another one that tasted better after a day open.
Pure Mírabeau Côtes de Provence 2013, £12.90, The Sampler: www.thesampler.co.uk
This is classic Provençal rosé, with its pale onion-skin colour, smell of herbs and strawberries, and zesty orangey taste.
Morgon Henry Fessy Beaujolais 2011, £10.75, Oddbins: www.oddbins.com
We really liked this! It has a very fruity nose, red cherries, a touch of earthiness. It’s succulent, very open and delicious now, with tastes of summer pudding and some meatiness, and a little tannic bite at the end. It tasted even better the next day.
Beaujolais Villages Blanc Aucoeur 2012, £11.75, Yapp Bros: www.yapp.co.uk
Another Beaujolais, but white. It’s super-fresh and zesty, with a whisper of spicy oak.
Wakefield Riesling 2012, £11.99, M&S: www.marksandspencer.com
This really sang with spicy food. It has a smoky nose with a little citrus rind, and then the taste is intense and aromatic, with a peppery fi nish. Another one that tasted better after a day open.