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!

With Christmas round the corner, it’s time to buy your bubbly, wines, sherries, spirits and ports. Here’s my time-saving list of recommendations that will work perfectly with every Christmas occasion.

Bubbly and sparkling wines play an important role in any festivities. If you want to create a stylish way to share and enjoy bubbly at your party, then opt for a magnum. They also make great presents! For a really special occasion, buy a vintage champagne. The 10 out of 10 vintage is 2002 and I’d definitely recommend Pommery Cuvée Louise 2002, from Ocado (£109.99). Look out for their Pommery Grand Cru Vintage 2004 too, which is stunning, Ocado (£51.99),  Another lovely vintage to enjoy now is the 2006 Jacquart Blanc de Blancs which is excellent and available at Tesco (£40) . For a signature celebration champagne, go for Laurent-Perrier Brut NV, available on offer at Waitrose (£24.99) and also at Sainsbury’s. Serve with a dash of sloe gin.

Alternatively, a magnum of Prosecco, will also add a fun, celebratory feel to any yuletide party. Try the fresh, creamy style of premium Prosecco Magnum NV Masottina  from M&S (£19.99). This is also one to carry through and continue to serve with a smoked salmon starter on Christmas Day. Alternatively open a bottle of dry sherry such as Gonzalez Byass Tio Pepe Fino (£9.99) available in all major retailers. Serve this delicious, refreshing sherry chilled. Once opened, you’ll need to drink this within a couple of days. Otherwise, a Sauvignon Blanc from the Loire, such as a good Sancerre, will also work well here like Sancerre Blanc 2013 Domaine Vacheron, at Majestic (£17.99).

Around 68% of us will be eating turkey on Christmas Day, according to a 2014 Gallup survey in Prospect magazine. So what’s the best wine to serve with it? Many opt for a Bordeaux to complement all the rich flavours of the accompanying dishes. If you’re looking for good value, choose a Bordeaux with a Cru Bourgeois label – a mark of quality. Bordeaux wines from 2009 are considered the ‘once in a lifetime’ vintage for Bordeauxs, but the 2010 Bordeaux are also considered exceptional. Bordeaux wines do need to breathe properly, so decant 2-3 hours before serving. Within this style of wine, some of the best value Cru Bourgeois wines are available at Berry Brothers & Rudd, Fine & Rare, Lea & Sandeman and The Wine Society.

Alternatively, a Rioja works well with turkey and game, including venison. Try Campo de Viejo Gran Reserva 2007 at Sainsbury’s (£15.99) or a Louis Jadot CÔte du Beaune-Villages 2012 (£16.99 – buy 2 save 15%) at Majestic, the Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Pinot Noir 2012 at Ocado (£19.49 to £16.49).

On Boxing Day, serve cold turkey with a fabulous Beaujolais such as the ripe and fruity, Château des Labourons Fleurie 2011, produced by Henry Fessy, and available through winedirect.com (£16.99). Or, equally good, the Brouilly Henry Fessy 2012 at Waitrose (£11.99) would also be very good here.

Now the cheeseboard. Pair a classic stilton or Alex James’ Blue Monday with Sandeman Late Bottled Vintage Port 2009 at Waitrose (£15.99 to £12.99) or Sandeman 20-year-old Tawny Port, also from Waitrose, (£32.49). Other wines that will complement cheese include a red such as such a Bordeaux with a good cheddar, while Roquefort is a good match for Sauternes.

 

Tawny port is also a good accompaniment to mince pies, Christmas pud and as an aperitif, served chilled. Other rich, fruity wines that complement intense fruit flavours include; the Gonzalez Byass Matusalem Oloroso Dulce Muy Viejo VORS – a rich, dark Oloroso sherry, available at Waitrose (£19.99 half bottle), or try Blandys 15-year old Malmsey Madeira from The Oxford Wine Company (£26.99). Alternatively, opt for the rich, luscious flavours of the perfect Christmas tipple, Californian Elysium Rutherglen Black Muscat 2012, (£11.99) available at The Oxford Wine Company.

Good all-round easy drinkers I’m very happy to offer anytime over the festive break include South Africa’s Zalze Sangiovese 2013 (£6.99), available at Co-Op. Peter Yealands’ Sauvignon Blanc 2013 from Co-op (£9.99) and Sainsbury’s (on offer £7.50) and  Sainsbury’s Taste the Difference, Macon Villages 2013 (£8.99). For a Rose, try Les Dauphins Rosé 2013 at Asda, (£6.99).

Have a wonderful Christmas and make sure you watch the William Hill King George VI on Boxing Day at Kempton. Also, don’t miss the Coral Welsh Grand National at Chepstow on Saturday 27th December.

A big thank you to Jean Adams and Richard Cocks for their Taste of France 2009/10/11 tasting evening and dinner. Jean and Richard had generously invited 20 good people to taste 13 wines covering the 2009, 2010 and 2011 vintages, with some fine, relaxed dining to follow.
Francophile Richard was on top form as he guided us through some lovely Burgundian whites including a delicious, creamy and elegant Santenay Olivier Leflaive 2011, Haynes Hanson & Clark which will continue to improve and develop for some years ahead. In contrast, Domaine Borgeot’s Bourgogne Aligote 2010, (2011 FromVineyardsDirect) which kicked off proceedings, is impressive drinking now.
Before headings to the reds, Cotes de Provence Rose 2011, Mas de Cadenet (2012 FromVineyardsDirect) reminded us all of summer with elegant, soft, raspberry and strawberry fruits. The easy drinking theme continued with the chilled Chitry Pinot Noir 2010 from Domaine Michel Colbois, before moving on to the silky, high class Nuits – Saint- Georges Jaffelin 2010.
The Wine Tipster enjoyed the full flavoured Chiroubles Cuvee Nature 2010, Eric Morin, which has

spice, blackcurrants and brambley character with more development to come, whilst the Chiroubles La Precieuse 2009 Emile Cheysson shown at Richard’s last tasting was equally enjoyable once again. This really is a great time to drink Beaujolais.
Thank you Jean and Richard as Louise, my Mum Jo, my father-in-law Alan Hill and The Wine Tipster all had a wonderful time and we look forward to being there in 2014!

With the continuing low temperatures I have turned to red wines for summer vino pleasure, with a couple here that you ought to try this weekend.

Chiroubles 2010, Georges Duboeuf, abv 12.5%, Beaujolais, France. Stockist: Waitrose £9.49

Beaujolais unfairly remains in a lowly position as the easy drinking red choice for many people, yet there are plenty of good wines made from the Gamay grape in this region like Georges Duboeuf’s Chiroubles, which is soft and fruity, with flavours of cherries and raspberries, a little spice and low tannins. The perfect early evening summer tipple.

Syrah  2009, Oldenburg Vineyards, abv 14.0%, Stellenbosch, South Africa £22.60. Stockist: www.bbr.com

This serious, refined, complex red is ideal for a cooler evening, with powerful spicy varietal character, dark fruits, well managed oak and balanced tannins this was absolutely delicious with sausage casserole.  A wine that benefits from being decanted.

Have a good weekend.

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