Presenting, perspiration and pleasure!

I do hope you all enjoyed The Wine Tipster’s wine recommendations for Christmas and New Year. Now, here we are in January armed with a list of 2013 resolutions and many of us will be about book a holiday, stay clear of alcohol for a month and take up a temporary gym membership.

So, from my perspective, with all this gastronomic activity and oenophile devotion I have to have some aerobic and anaerobic each week and press the perspiration button, whether running on the relatively car free roads of Chadlington, attending my spinning class or attempting to look classy on my bike like Bradley Wiggins – and in 2013 I’ll definitely be keeping up my exercise regime.

The effort is worth it too, not only for the post workout feel-good factor but for the creativity whilst you pound the streets. Also, these days, there are lots of excellent choices of the non-alcoholic variety to rehydrate so I always have available some San Pellegrino Aranciata or Limonata which are £3.79 per pack of 6 x 330ml cans in Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, Luscombe Sicilian Lemonade 320ml, £1.60, Chadlington Quality Foods and my favourite mineral water San Pellegrino.

After all this perspiration and rehydration you can reward yourself with a glass of vino. The Wine Tipster has always recommended to wine lovers that quality should win over quantity, whatever the time of the year, so don’t let January put you off! If you are checking the calorie counter note that, on average, one glass of 175ml wine has around 130 calories, although this will vary by producer and style of wine as to whether it is medium or sweet.

So here’s to a very happy 2013 in which I look forward to sharing with you my vino tips food and wine recommendations and my top racing tips. Cheers!

January Treats

Chat-en-Oeuf 2011, abv 12.5%, Languedoc, France, £5.99. Stockist: Waitrose (pictured left)

Really good value white, dry, easy drinking, creamy with citrus fruit flavours. Look out for the fun packaging and try their rosé and red too!

Château D’Anglès Classique White 2010, abv 14.0%, La Clape, France, £11.99. Stockist:  Wine Rack. (pictured below right)

La Clape is the only wine appellation based on the Bourboulenc variety, which is 60% of the blend with Grenache, Roussanne and Marsanne making up the rest. Made by renowned winemaker Eric Fabre, his impressive Classique white is dry, complex and elegant with peachy, floral, nutty and creamy notes, completed by a tangy and citrus finish. This wine can easily age for 5-10 years.

Terra d’Alter 2009, abv 13.5%, Alentejo, Portugal, £7.95 or £7.55 when purchasing any 12 mixed bottles. Stockist: The Oxford Wine Company

This red from Alentejo is made by the talented Australian Peter Bright and was the most popular wine at my recent Wine and Vinyl Evening! A smooth, warming red for a January night, packed with plum and damson fruit flavours. Decant a couple of hours beforehand.

McManis Family Vineyards Zinfandel 2011, abv 14%, California, USA. £10.99 down to £8.79 in Majestic, who are offering 20% off all Californian wines* until 4^th February -*excluding wines over £19.99 or sparkling wine.

This is not the full-bodied Zinfandel you often find, but smoother, silkier, intensely fruity, low on tannins and a perfect match with a winter casserole.