14.00hrs Tuesday 10^th March- (Old) Singer Arkle Challenge Trophy Novices’ Chase (Grade 1) 2m 

Steel Ally (Sam Thomas) 

It’s possible Steel Ally might go elsewhere, but with the Arkle almost certain to have a single-figure field, I fancy connections will roll the dice and take their chance in the race with Steel Ally. 

Two runs, two wins is the score over fences so far and he’s been very impressive, taking to fences really well, firstly at Carlisle when seeing off Unexpected Party (who has since gone down the Hunter Chase route, winning well at Taunton) and then at Ascot where under a superb front-running ride from Dylan Johnston, he never saw another rival and with third home No Questions Asked winning at Grade 2 level at Windsor next time, it looks a very strong piece of form. Another win at Warwick in the Kingmaker last time only continues to back up the favourable impression. 

Essentially you’re backing a very straightforward sound jumper that could take a bit of pegging back if allowed too much rope, and a supposed outsider, others might not see him as a threat if he does go to the front. That could be dangerous for them all. 

Virgin Bet 12/1 each way

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16.00hrs Wednesday 11^th March -(Old) BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) 2m

Captain Guinness (Henry De Bromhead) 

Cheltenham Festival form is Cheltenham Festival form, so the old racing maxim goes, and there aren’t many around with as solid a record as old Captain Guinness, who tends to come alive at this meeting.

He might have gone close in the 2022 Supreme as well, but for being brought down, but since then has finished third in an Arkle, and in the last three years has filled all of the podium steps in the Champion Chase, second to Energuemene in 2023, winning it in 2024 and then third to Marine Nationale last year. 

Can he win this? Probably not. Can he, in a small field, find his way into the places again? Every chance of that happening, I’d say, so have the maths bet and take the 100-1 available, three places. 

Bet365 66/1 each way

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13.20hrs Thursday 12^th March – Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2) 

Future Prospect (Willie Mullins) 

Willie will have the usual battalions taking part for the novice races and the mares novice will be no exception. Bambino Fever is currently favourite for the race and that’s to be expected on what she’s done, but wind back to the DRF bumper last year and you’ll find Future Prospect going off a 9-4 favourite to beat Bambino Fever and the rest. Clearly at that point she was thought the better mare but she blew out on the day, and she did nothing outstanding in two (good) bumpers that followed.

However, she was so impressive on her hurdling debut at Naas in January that it now looks like she just needed time. She gave the impression she would be a stayer in the future, finishing off her race strongly to win 9½ lengths, and the time figure was very solid.  If she’s now starting to get the message, then there’s surely more improvement to come, and this test – a stiff 17f  – really should be up her street. 20-1 and bigger looks fair. 

William Hill 20/1 each way

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16.00hrs Thursday 12^th March- (New) Ryanair Chase (Registered As The Festival Trophy) (Grade 1) 2m4½f 

Firefox (Gordon Elliott) – Ryanair Chase

The Ryanair has the potential to cut up quite badly, with many of the field likely to either go up or down in trip and try either the Champion Chase or Gold Cup, dependant on what the likely fields are. One that’s unlikely to be contesting the Gold Cup, given he appeared not to stay three miles in the Irish version a couple of weeks ago is Firefox, who nevertheless ran a career best in finishing fourth to Fact To File, looking a threat for the places two out but fading on the run-in.

He looks a more robust horse this year and for all his sixth in the Jack Richards Novices Handicap last year was only moderate, the Elliott horses just didn’t fire on the week for whatever reason and I’d be more than happy to think he’s better than that. 20-1 NRNB looks a big price for a horse with his undoubted quality. 

Bet365 14/1 each way

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13.20hrs Tuesday 10^th March – Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 2m ½ f

Old Park Star (Nicky Henderson)

It’s worth saying this could be something of a turning point for the British Challenge as the home team look as strong as the Irish in many divisions this time around, and the Prestbury Cup might be a closer affair than is normally the case. 

Old Park Star can get the party started. Physically he looks the real deal, strong, tall, well-built and in truth more one for middle distances next year but for now two miles suits him fine. It would be easy to mark him down simply as a galloper, but he has speed, too, as he’s shown in all three of his wins so far, all on very different tracks, too. The speed figures merely back up what your eyes are telling you, and for all El Cairos is no mug, Old Park is the Star that could be shining for years to come. 

Sky Bet – 15/8 to win

16.00hrs Tuesday 10^th March- Unibet Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy (Grade 1) 2m ½ f

Golden Ace (Jeremy Scott) 

To say the top of the market in the Champion Hurdle is muddling is an understatement, to say the least. 

Indeed it says much that Constitution Hill is a 5-1 chance at the time of writing when his next outing is going to be on the Flat, and will tell us precisely nothing as regards his future chance in the Champion Hurdle. Lossiemouth won’t ever have a better chance of winning a Champion but whether she even takes part, connections having swerved the chance last year for the Mares, is a question. Brighterdaysahead has it all to prove after stopping to a walk in this last year, and all in all it’s current champion Golden Ace that makes the most appeal. 

She wasn’t right at Wetherby on her reappearance but made amends in good fashion by winning the Fighting Fifth, travelling best throughout, and she lost nothing in defeat when second to Sir Gino in the Christmas Hurdle. With poor Sir Gino suffering a  pelvic injury in the Unibet Hurdle, she won’t be facing him again, and there’s nothing else in the opposition she needs to be scared of. She can keep her crown. 

Unibet – 6/1 Each Way

15.20hrs Thursday 12^th March – Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) 3m

Honesty Policy (Gordon Elliott)

Teahupoo is again the one to beat in the Stayers Hurdle but he isn’t bombproof by any means, and will be another twelve months older by the time this comes around. It stands to reason he shouldn’t be getting quicker at the age of nine, and is surely vulnerable to younger legs. On that score, step forward Honesty Policy. 

The one question he has to answer is whether he’ll handle Cheltenham, but that aside, this improving 6yo will surely be making a challenge for the title this year. He looked a stayer when just getting the better of Regents Stroll over 2m4f at Aintree and stepped up to three miles at Punchestown, was only beaten half a length by Jasmin De Vaux. He made his seasonal reappearance in the Long Walk, looking in need of the run but closing the front pair down all the way to the line, improving again in the process. There’s more to come from him, and he can break down the old guard to win. 

Paddy Power- 7/2 To Win

14.40hrs Friday March 13^th – Mrs Paddy Power Mares Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f

Diva Luna (Ben Pauling) 

Diva Luna has an entry in the Arkle too, but Ben Pauling has both Mambonumberfive and No Questions Asked for that particular contest and the seemingly easier option of the Mares Chase on the Friday, with the 2m4½f trip more in her favour, is probably going to be her target. 

She was so impressive when scoring on her chase debut at Bangor, running out a 19-length winner from the useful Joyeuse, and although less impressive when scoring at Warwick in December, she didn’t need to be at her best, and the race might just have come a bit quick for her anyway. 

Already a winner at Cheltenham over this trip over hurdles, she continues to go the right way and for all the Irish contingent is a strong one, she still has improvement to come, and can make her presence felt, particularly with Spindleberry somewhat blotting her copybook at the weekend. 

Paddy Power- 10/1 – Each Way

16.00hrs Friday 13^th March – Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase 3m 2 ½ f

The Jukebox Man (Ben Pauling)

Given he’s been a horse to follow for the past two years, it makes perfect sense to include him in the five ante-post bets for the Festival, as he still has the potential to go off shorter – or even favourite on the day. 

We now know he can mix it at the very highest level after his battling King George win and the way he rallied so gamely to get back up after being headed on the run in not only suggests bags of courage, but the he’ll be well suited by the extra stamina demands the Gold Cup will ask of him. In all the excitement surrounding the horse it is to be remembered that was just his fifth start over fences – a remarkable rise in a fairly short space of time – and he may not have finished improving  yet.

Unibet – 11/2 To Win

Paul Hawksbee and Andy Jacobs were live again from Cheltenham racecourse for the second day of the Cheltenham Festival! They were joined by Neil Phillips and spoke about how he’s combined his love for food and drink as well as racing. And talkSPORT commentator Rupert Bell’s son Oli joined the show as he discussed his position within the racing world.

With spring around the corner what better time to experiment with your usual wine choices than by exploring different grape varieties from around the world. Get ready to head to your local wine merchants with a new understanding and appreciation of what makes an exciting red this year with The Wine Tipster’s top class red grapes for Spring 2022.

Gamay

The Wine Tipster’s guide to: Gamay

Primary flavour profile

Pomegranate, Blackberry, Bramble, Violet and Earth!

Palate Profile

Dry

Light to medium in body

Low tannins

Medium to high acidity

Low to medium Alcohol

Starting with the lightest bodied grape on The Wine Tipster’s radar this year, Gamay is similar to Pinot Noir a thin-skinned variety packed with red fruits. It’s not surprising as the two varieties are related. Gamay is primarily grown in the Beaujolais region in Burgundy, France. It also thrives in cooler-climates such as Canada, Switzerland, Oregon, and New Zealand. Gamay is often more budget friendly than Pinot Noir but is no less delicious, with stunning floral and red fruit aromas of red cherry, and red plum. As a high acidity, low tannin wine, Gamay is a great option for nearly any food pairing so try it with everything! The 10 Crus of Beaujolais offer tremendous value and Morgon (see below) is the closest in weight and structure to Moulin-à-Vent arguably the fullest bodied of the crus and super food friendly.

• For a classic soft, savoury, complex and fruity Gamay, try the Domaine Lucien Lardy Morgon, 2019, Côte du Py available from Majestic (£16.99 or £14.99 multibuy). A wine with ageing potential too.

Grenache

The Wine Tipsters guide to: Grenache

Primary Flavours Profile

Cooked/stewed strawberry, cooked red plum

Aged characteristics: Leather dried herbs

Palate Profile

Dry

Medium to full body

Medium tannins

Medium acidity

Alcohol high 15% or more.

On the cusp between being a light and a medium-bodied red due to its higher alcohol, Grenache has an unmistakable candied fruit and spice flavour that makes some of the most expensive wines in the world. The major regions for Grenache are the Southern Rhône and Châteauneuf-du-Pape. In Spain it can be found in Priorat, and Calatayud as well as parts of Italy, North America, and Australia. The different climates result in different Grenache flavour and aroma profiles. Grenache is a great blending partner as it’s high alcohol and red fruit pairs well with some dark fruit flavour profile grapes. It can also go alone and produces some much underrated single varietal wines that are still not recognised as much as they should be. Regardless, the distinct spice aromas of Grenache make it perfect for pairing with rich and spice-laden dishes and can even reduce the heat of spicy food.

• The Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 2020 is a well-balanced, medium to full-bodied, vegan Rhône, which is lovely to drink at a great price. Available from Waitrose (£9.99).

• The Grant Burge The Holy Trinity Grenache Shiraz Mourvèdre 2019, Barossa, is a classic example of an Australian Grenache, full of dark chocolate and plum flavours. Available from Laithwaites (£25.00).

Carménère

The Wine Tipsters guide to: Carménère

Primary Flavours Profile

Red and black fruits: Raspberry, red plum, black plum, blackberry

Herbal and vegetal notes: Bell pepper, paprika

Aged characteristics: Notes of sweet vanilla

Palate Profile

Dry

Medium Body

Medium Tannins

Medium Acidity

Medium alcohol

Carménère is one of Europe’s most ancient grapes and is at the lighter end of Medium-Bodied. It gets its name from the French for crimson due to its vibrant leaves at certain times of the year. Carménère has an interesting history, having been presumed extinct in the Médoc region of Bordeaux after a plague of Phylloxera aphids in the mid to late nineteenth century. However, today it is largely found in Chile after being rediscovered when the Merlot grapes that had been growing there for 150 years were in fact Carménère! Its likeness to other red grapes in the Cabernet family make it a firm favourite for blending as it brings vibrant berry flavours and a subtly bitter taste that balances well. Another all-rounder for food pairings too.

• An affordable and top-class Chilean Carménère is the award-winning Mont Gras Reserva Carménère. Available from Waitrose (£9.49).

• The Mayu Carménère Appassimento 2017/18 is a terrific bottle with great richness and depth and is the first appassimento Carménère in the world. Available from Majestic (£12.99 or £9.99 multibuy).

Sangiovese

The Wine Tipster’s guide to: Sangiovese

Primary Flavour Profile

Red fruits: Red cherry, red plum

Savoury notes: Roasted tomato, balsamic vinegar

Herbal notes: Oregano

Palate Profile

Dry

Medium to full body

Medium to high tannins

Medium to high acidity

Medium to high alcohol

Sangiovese is a true Medium-Bodied red although it presents differently depending on where it is grown – which is typically across Italy. It can be more savoury and earthy in flavour or more fruit forward with distinct cherry flavours. Most good bottles of Sangiovese find the perfect balance between its earthy and fruity qualities which make it a great option for pairing with the rich flavours of Winter.

• A bottle of Chianti Riserva DOCG Castellani is a great introduction to Sangiovese as an aromatic and fruity vegan wine from Tuscany. Available from The Great Wine Co. (£11.50 or £8.63 multibuy)

• For a well-balanced example of this complex grape, Querciabella Organic Chianti Classico is a vegan wine which delivers on juicy red fruits and subtle acidity. Available from Waitrose (£19.99).

Tempranillo

The Wine Tipster’s guide to: Tempranillo

Primary Flavour Profile

Red and black fruits: Red cherries and dried figs

Herbal notes: Dill

Aged characteristics: cedar from oak and tobacco

Palate Profile

Dry

Medium to full bodied

Medium to high tannins

Medium to high acidity

Finally, Tempranillo is on the border between being a Medium and Full-Bodied red and can change depending on the ageing process. Those that are young generally have bright red fruit notes, while those that have the quality and capacity to age over decasdesevelop t give rich, dried fruit characteristics. As Spain’s number one red wine grape, you will most likely see Tempranillo from Rioja. It’s a great one for pairing with Spanish food, smoky barbeque dishes, and tomato based Italian or Mexican dishes.

• For a Lighter-Medium Bodied young Rjioja, the Monte Llano Tinto Rioja from Ramon Bilbao is a fresh example of Tempranillo. It is vegan-friendly and available from The Great Wine Co. (£10.25 or £7.69 multibuy).

• Bodega Matsu ‘El Viejo’ 2019, Toro is a more complex and Full-Bodied wine thanks to its long maturation. Full of jammy black fruits and smoky notes. Available from Majestic (£29.99 or £19.99 multibuy).

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Keep in touch with The Wine Tipster via Social Media to share any new bottles and grape varieties you try this year. Cheers!

The Wine Tipster’s Guide to Rosé Prosecco this Valentine’s Day

If rosé be the fizz of love drink on! Or so the late, great William Shakespeare nearly said. Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and what better way to celebrate the most romantic night of the year than with a bottle prosecco rosé.

Lovers of the Italian bubble have been treated in recent years with the creation of pink prosecco and yours truly, The Wine Tipster was in on the action from the start. I managed to taste trial samples at Taste of London back in 2018 when the prosecco DOC team came over from Treviso, in northern Italy. We knew straight away that this was something very special.

So how does this fizz get its pink? With white prosecco being made with the Italian grape variety ‘Glera’ its blush sibling gets its rosy hue thanks to the Pinot Nero grape a.k.a Pinot Noir the only red grape allowed in the blend.

Many wine lovers may recognise Pinot Noir’s other nickname ‘The Heartbreaker’, so dubbed because of the challenges it poses to winemakers and growers. Rest assured there should be no hearts broken this Valentine’s Day with this bubbly!

Perfecting the pink took time and producers played around with varying amounts of Pinot Noir in the blend to make sure the wine hit the right colour and flavour notes. Legally, rosé prosecco will have around 85-90% Glera grape and 10-15% Pinot Noir to hit the perfect pink.

Prosecco DOC rosé first hit British shores in time for Christmas 2020 making it the perfect gift for festive fizz lovers everywhere and has rightly gone from strength to strength. Consumers can be safe in the knowledge that only the strictest rules and regulations are followed to ensure that the quality that we’ve come to expect with prosecco DOC is the same for the rosé we buy.

The strict regulations set out by the Prosecco Consortium (the governing body) dictate the wine must come from one single harvest to produce a vintage wine or ‘Millesimato’ with 60 days of slow fermentation to increase its flavour complexity. As for the intensity of the bubble, well fans of prosecco won’t be disappointed as these wines keep their fizz long after pouring.

Valentine’s Food Pairing Suggestions

How best to enjoy this fantastic drink this Valentine’s Day and beyond? Prosecco rosés embody springtime in a glass so enjoy chilled to truly savour its natural fresh fruit and floral notes.

Like all great fizz this wine is versatile with many foods and here are some sensational suggestions courtesy of The Wine Tipster.

Much like a traditional white prosecco this rosé works well with canapés before a main meal like the classic pairing of smoked salmon on blinis. Cured meats like prosciutto or bresaola and olives are also easy and natural friends.

Fancy a light meal this Valentine’s Day? Then look no further than a classic Japanese pairing of sushi or sashimi with pink prosecco.

Cocktail Prosecco Passion

This fizz is great served chilled and straight up but if you fancy getting in touch with your inner mixologist then there can be no better blending partner. Here are The Wine Tipster’s suggestions for prosecco rosé cocktails:

Rose and Strawberry Spritz

A great cocktail for the romantic at heart, packed with colour and passion perfect for Valentine’s Day.

Ingredients

75 ml Prosecco DOC Rosé Brut

25 ml vodka

20 ml lime juice

15 ml rose/elderflower cordial

1 tsp of brown sugar

4 strawberries

Rose petals to garnish

Ice cubes

Method

• Serve and mix easily in a large Prosecco glass
• If the rose cordial is difficult to find, switch it for an easier elderflower cordial. If using a syrup, reduce the amount by half
• First, add the chopped strawberries, the lime juice and the sugar and stir well to dissolve the sugar and break down the strawberries. Then add the vodka and cordial and fill the glass with ice cubes
• Now add half of the Prosecco and stir to mix everything well
• Add the final top up of Prosecco DOC rosé and garnish with a couple of rose petals

The Rosé 75

This is a twist on a classic French 75 perhaps one of the world’s most iconic cocktails. Named after the kick the gin gives you that resembled an old wartime gun known as ‘The French 75’. Here the recipe is the same but for the addition of some rosé prosecco instead of the usual white bubbles. Soon to be a firm favourite in everyone’s home cocktail repertoire.

Ingredients

25 ml of gin

1 tablespoon of lemon juice

½ a tablespoon sugar or simple syrup

Rosé prosecco

Garnish with lemon twist or strawberry for added pink punch.

Method

• Add the gin, simple syrup, and lemon juice to a shaker with ice.
• Shake, and then double strain into a prosecco flute.        
• Top with rosé, and garnish with a lemon slice.

Rosé Prosecco: Buyer Suggestions

So if all this talk of drinking has whetted your appetite then look no further than the suggestions below for some ‘fizzspiration’. Recommended and tasted by us here at The Wine Tipster HQ.

Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut £9

Valdo Marca Oro Prosecco Rose Brut 750ml | Sainsbury’s (sainsburys.co.uk)

Coming in at a good value point of under a tenner this fresh and elegant wine is packed with floral and stone fruits and works wonders with sushi and sashimi.

Viticoltori Ponte Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Extra Dry

Available in bars, restaurants, hotels.

An award winning Prosecco style that works well on its own but shows versatility in cocktails see above for The Wine Tipster’s cocktail concoctions for inspiration. Look out for it at your next hotel stay or local prosecco loving bar and restaurant.

Bosco del Merlo Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut £14.49

Available from: www.eythropewine.co.uk   www.vinissimus.co.uk

With careful wine making techniques all the great fresh flavour and aromas have been intensified in this bottle. Beautiful in colour and delicate in style. A highly versatile Prosecco to be enjoyed on its own, in a cocktail or Aperitivo time.

Villa Sandi Il Fresco Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut

£14.99 – £19.50 

Available from:www.bellavitashop.co.uk  and Selfridges

Packed with the house trademark floral aromas of violets and roses with a large slice of fresh red cherry pie on the palate, what’s not to love?

Le Rughe Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Brut £14.95

Available Beverage Boys London  https://beverage-boys.com/

If you are looking for the perfect partner to your oysters then look no further than the Le Rughe Prosecco. As romantic a match as you can get and packed with all those delicate rose aromas and red fruits. This fizz will slip down faster than your oysters if you let it!

Whatever you choose to drink this Valentine’s Day I hope you enjoy your pink prosecco and these hints and tips. Cheers from The Wine Tipster.

A cracking Saturday of racing coming up Sandown, featuring the Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 and the ever popular Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase Series Final. There is a competitive card at Wincanton too so plenty to enjoy on both ITV and Racing TV

Enjoy whether at the races or #athome

Cheers

The Wine Tipster

12.40 Sandown – Unibet 3 Uniboosts A Day Mares’ Hurdle Listed (2m 3f)

Martello Sky is such a likeable mare and I tipped her up in my Unibet blog last time out when she stepped up once again to win at Cheltenham. Martello Sky is improving all the time, has the ground conditions and trip to hold off hot favourite Gauloise.

Unibet 5/2 win

1.50 Sandown – Unibet Horserace Betting Operator Of The Year Handicap Chase (1m 7½f)

Up The Straight is interesting dropping back to this trip off a favourable mark of 132. The worry will be he simply gets outpaced, with Numitor and Moonlighter both likely to be pushing on, and this could fall into his lap late on coming up the hill. His second here to Farinet (favourite in the 1.15 Read Nicky Henderson’s Unibet Blog Handicap Chase) in March admittedly over further is good form, as they were well clear of the third. This eight-year-old has never really fulfilled his potential and the drop back to this distance might be the catalyst, especially in testing ground. 

Unibet 15/2 each way

2.25 Sandown – Unibet Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle Grade 1 (2m)

Constitution Hill for Unibet Ambassador Nicky Henderson, looks as things stand, to have a great chance in the Supreme at the Cheltenham Festival. I was presenting at the Tingle Creek meeting in December at Sandown when he showed a terrific turn of foot on debut. Constitution Hill flew up the hill to record a massive speed figure and so impressed everyone, including his trainer Nicky Henderson. He should win this easily at heavily odds on 1/3 Unibet  before heading to the Festival.

For the each way players here then Shallwehaveonemore Unibet 7/1 each way is the selection to chase home Constitution Hill. Shallwehaveonemore was far from disgraced on his hurdles debut at Ascot when second to Kandoo Kid in a race where the form is working out well with Peking Rose (third) winning easily at Newbury.

3.00 Sandown – Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase Series Final (3m)

Final Nudge (nap) can make a late challenge here and come from off a strong pace with plenty of front runners in the field. Final Nudge won a good veterans event at Warwick over this trip on his only start this season and is a proven stayer as he was third in the Midlands Grand National on his previous appearance. The thirteen-year-old is lightly raced and has surely been laid out for this series final by Fergal O’Brien.

Unibet 100/30 win

Gwencily Berbas, who since joining David Pipe last May has form figures of 3231 and like Final Nudge will come with a late challenge. Gwencily Berbas travelled well when scoring easily in a seventeen runner race at Exeter last time at 25/1 (overpriced) over a longer trip. On his penultimate start Gwencily Berbas was third to Wandrin Star (reopposes today) when running well here over today’s trip in November, fading late on and clearly needing the run after an absence.  

Unibet 9/1 each way

3.35 Sandown – Unibet Casino Deposit £10 Get £40 Handicap Hurdle (2m)

Hermes Boy has a strong chance here on Handicap debut, having won his last start at Exeter when pushed out in a race where the second and third have finished first and second since. Hermes Boy finished runner-up on his two previous starts and is clearly open to more improvement.

Unibet 9/4 win

As 2021 draws to a close, The Wine Tipster looks back on another busy year. From racing wins to wine tastings, there has been a lot to celebrate amidst the continuing pandemic.

In particular, 2021 has been an exciting year for Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato, as The Wine Tipster has been able to present to audiences at virtual and live events in his role as Prosecco DOC UK Ambassador. All of the Prosecco DOC producers of white and rosé wines have received great feedback from trade and consumers. If you haven’t already tried Prosecco Rosé then 2022 is the year!

Looking forward to 2022, The Wine Tipster has the perfect recommendations for seeing the new year in which have been firm favourites of his throughout 2021.

Winbirri Vineyards Bacchus 2020, Norfolk, England, £16.99, Waitrose

English and Welsh still wines remain overlooked. The Wine Tipster hopes that quality wines from grape varieties like Bacchus, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay reach a wider audience in 2022. There are some great UK producers like Bolney Estate, Chapel Down, Woodchester Valley, Simpsons and of course Winbirri producing top class wines. The Wine Tipster first presented Winbirri Bacchus a few years ago and Winbirri first hit the headlines when winning the Platinum Best in Show medal for best value white wine made from a single grape variety at the Decanter World Wine Awards. The Winbirri Bacchus 2020 has been a firm Wine Tipster favourite in 2021 and wines made from Bacchus are reaching new levels as a dry style that should be shouted about more.

Domaine Tempier Rouge Classique 2018 Bandol, France, £29.50

Bandol wines are so underrated and The Wine Tipster’s Dad was a massive fan of Domaine Tempier. The excellent Savage Selection list the fabulous Domaine Tempier wines and their 2018 Rouge Classique. This includes one of The Wine Tipster’s favourite grape varieties, Mourvedre, and is very accessible now as well as after ageing for years. 

Domaine Tempier Rosé 2020, Bandol, France, £23.50 

This is a stunning dry rosé which has been so enjoyable in 2021 and will age for years. 

Andreas Syrah 2018, Boviei Valley, Wellington , Western Cape, South Africa, £21.95 Slurp, Cellar Door Wines

Andreas have 4.5 hectares of vineyards and The Wine Tipster first tasted their wines back in 2014. Their 2015 vintage was excellent and the 2018 is truly memorable, with beautiful intense dark ripe fruit flavours, attractive spicy, herbal and smoky notes, backed by well balanced oak, making an integrated wine that is not over-powering. A wine for South African and Northern Rhône fans too.  

Mediterranean Léoube Gin, £50 Daylesford Organics

Gin has remained incredibly popular in 2021 with the recently released Mediterranean Léoube Gin showcasing why the UK loves Gin so much. Known for their stunning Provence rosés, Léoube have introduced this spirited new addition, which is distilled with olives and wild Mediterranean botanicals. Try a little neat and as a gin and tonic, where you can pick these fabulous botanicals. Léoube recommend a range of lovely seasonal Mediterranean Léoube Gin cocktails too including Autumnal Gin Cocktail⁠.

The Wine Tipster’s recent pieces for The Jockey Club are full of Festive Wines and Christmas Cocktails which are great for seeing the new year too.

However you choose to celebrate, The Wine Tipster wishes you a very Happy New Year and a great 2022. Cheers!

The Kempton Park Christmas Festival (26th-27th December 2021) is the jewel in the Kempton Park crown, boasting 12 top quality races over two days and a staple of the festive racing calendar. Here, The Wine Tipster shares his favourite racing moments from the Kempton Christmas archive, and some unmissable wine to accompany the Christmas weekend. Cheers!

King George VI Chase Day – 26th December

Day one is all about The King George VI Chase (3:05) which showcases some incredible talent and is a chance to make horse racing history. It is synonymous with some of the most famous names in racing with Arkle, Pendil, Wayward Lad and Best Mate among its winners. In 2020, history was made in the King George VI Chase with Frodon winning, trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by the first female rider to win the race: Bryony Frost.

Also featured on Friday are the Grade 1 races the Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (1:55) and the Christmas Hurdle (2:30). The former is named after the great Kauto Star who won the King George a record-breaking 5 times and was one of the most successful steeplechasers of his era.

Desert Orchid Chase Day – 27th December

Day two of the Festival is named in honour of Desert Orchid (Dessie) who won the King George an impressive 4 times and ran his last race at Kempton before retiring. His ashes are buried close to his memorial statue overlooking the parade ring at Kempton Park.

The Monday is packed full of quality racing including the Grade 2 (1:20) Wayward Lad Novices’ Steeple Chase, the (1:55) Mares’ Handicap Hurdle Race, and, of course, the (2:30) Desert Orchid Chase. In 2020, Dan Skelton trained Nube Negra to became only the second horse to beat Altior in winning the Desert Orchid Chase.

Celebrating The Christmas Festival

Whether you are at Kempton or at home for The Christmas Festival, The Wine Tipster has an array of wine and food tips to accompany this first class race meeting.

If you are looking for a tipple or two alongside the races, a glass of Ruggeri Argeo Prosecco DOC Brut is a vibrant and refreshing Prosecco with citrus fruit flavours and lovely crisp acidity. It’s a classic, stylish Prosecco, from this highly regarded producer. Great as an aperitif, or with fish dishes, it’s vegan friendly and abv 11%. Available from The Great Wine Co. (£11.75).

For a classy white for Christmas at Kempton, the Mâcon-Lugny Le Crays Joseph Drouhin 2020, Burgundy, France is the perfect bottle. Maison Joseph Drouhin have been producing a fantastic array of Burgundy wines for over 140 years, with the fourth generation now at the helm. This Chardonnay is tremendous value, lovely to have on its own or with fish dishes, it’s vegan friendly and abv 13%. Available from The Great Wine Co. (£18.85).

Top red for the weekend has to be the Ken Forrester Reserve Merlot 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa (abv 14%). Ken Forrester made his first wines in 1994 and has built an international reputation for the range of wines he produces. He is renowned for his Grade 1 Chenin Blancs and there are excellent reds too, including his Reserve Merlot which is medium bodied with intense cherry fruit, herbal notes and friendly tannins. Only available at The Jockey Club Racecourse so do try if you are at Kempton, however, check out the great range of Ken Forrester wines at The Great Wine Co. Perfect for a range of dishes at Christmas time.

If you are at Kempton, please be aware of the COVID safety guidance to keep everyone safe this Christmas:

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The Wine Tipster hopes that you have wonderful Christmas weekend and lots of wins! Look out for his Unibet Blog for tips and follow him on social media for updates. For blogs straight into your inbox, subscribe here.

It’s the most wine-derful time of the year and The Wine Tipster is armed with bottle recommendations to make your seasonal celebrations go off with a bang, or maybe a pop. With options for a tipple on Christmas Eve, right through to drinks to accompany the Boxing Day leftovers, there is something for everyone here and all are under £?. He’s made his list, he’s checked it twice, it’s time to find out which wines are nice!

Christmas Eve

A magical evening of log fires and mince pies calls for a warming glass of something, and The Wine Tipster is excited to try the Mediterranean Léoube Gin (Daylesford Organics £50). Known for their stunning Provence rosés, this new addition to the Léoube family is a wonderful treat at Christmas, distilled with olives and wild Mediterranean botanicals. A Winter Cocktail is perfect for sipping by a roaring fire and captures the magic of advent. To make your own:

• Place ice in a serving glass to chill it
• Fill a cocktail shaker with ice
• Shake together 40ml Mediterranean Gin by Léoube, 100ml organic almond milk, 5ml orange flower water, 5ml maple or cinnamon syrup
• Discard the ice from the serving glass and double strain the cocktail into it
• Try it hot – heat it gently on the hob after straining it

Christmas Morning

The excitement of Christmas Morning means all rules are out of the window. The perfect serve for Christmas morning is the Bottega Pink Gold Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato Brut 2019/2020 (Ocado £25.99 down to £21.99). This award-winning Prosecco DOC Rosé is elegant, truly memorable with soft fruit flavours of cherries and raspberries. It’s sure to get the day off to a cracking start.

Christmas Lunch or Dinner

Whether you have your Christmas meal at lunch or dinner, a bottle of Doña Paula Estate Malbec 2020, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (VINVM £12.65) is the perfect accompaniment. Argentinian Malbec has rightly become very popular, and yet you need to study the form in terms of discovering the high quality, complex and beautifully balanced wines like this Estate Malbec from Doña Paula from the Uco Valley, where some of Argentina’s great red wines are produced. This wine has ripe black and red fruit flavours, is full bodied, yet not overpowering and matches with beef, your turkey roast and vegetarian Christmas roast. 

For a festive white, the Louis Latour White Burgundy 2020, Burgundy, France (Waitrose £14.99 on offer £11.99) is wonderful. This Chardonnay has been a popular choice throughout 2021 and is a classic with soft, ripe citrus fruit flavours, and creamy texture. Lovely to enjoy as an aperitif and paired with seafood and fish dishes.

Christmas Cheeseboard

A Christmas cheeseboard after the Christmas meal is a must for The Wine Tipster and pairs beautifully with a port. Port is very popular during the Festive period and is a great match with a range of cheeses including stilton. The Quinta Do Crasto Late Bottled Vintage Port 2015, Douro, Portugal (The Great Wine Co. £19.95) is a great option for any cheeseboard as the LBV style is the most popular port style. Quinta Do Crasto’s 2015 has beautiful dark fruit flavours, is full flavoured, with finesse and balance. This port is vegan friendly and bottled without fining and filtration so a light sediment may form in the bottle over time. Pour gently into a glass jug or decanter leaving the sediment in the bottle. 

Boxing Day

After a brisk walk, a bottle of Morgon Château de Pizay 2020 Beaujolais, France (Majestic £12.99 and £10.99 in a mixed case of six bottles) pairs well with a table full of leftovers. Gamay is such an underrated grape variety and this Morgon has lovely silky-smooth cherry and blackberry fruit character with friendly tannins. Perfect to enjoy on Boxing Day with turkey, stilton leek and celery tart, or on its own. 

For a white option, The Wine Tipster is a massive fan of the Gérard Bertrand wines and his Gris Blanc Gérard Bertrand 2020, Pays d’Oc, Roussillon, France (Strictly Wine £13.25 on offer £10.47) is outstanding. This is versatile, dry, and refreshing, with subtle red fruits which makes it great on its own, with fish and lightly spicy dishes. 

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However you are celebrating Christmas this year, The Wine Tipster wishes you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Cheers!

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