Last weekend The Wine Tipster was at The Hampstead Butcher and Providore , which is a Delicatessen, Charcuterie and Wine Merchant. The owner, Philip Matthews, has a fine selection of wines from Portugal, including Azamor Alentejo 2008, Alison and Joaquim Luiz-Gomes, £13.75, which like many Alentejo reds I have tasted recently has a good balance of delicious fruit, soft tannins and is friendly on the power front. Azamor is made from Syrah, the very important Alicante Bouschet, Merlot, Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Petit Verdot, and is aged for 7 months in French and American oak.

Further north in the Douro ‘Liceiras’ Douro Red 2009, £15.95, is the second wine of Quinta da Romaneira and is made from a familiar quartet in the Douro of Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Tinto Roriz and Tinto Cao, with 18 months in French oak. Liceiras pronounced ‘Lisseirash’ is one of the most elegant and delicate Douro reds that I have tasted, with blackcurrant, cherries, spice, soft tannins and an alluring freshness.  The gentle style of this red will suit fans of Fleurie, Morgon and other Beaujolais crus.

Earlier this week we had a fun and lively evening at the long established and very popular Bleeding Heart Bistro – there is also a restaurant and tavern. The Wine Tipster was presenting a selection of Portuguese wines with the theme of Discover a World of Difference, matched with excellent dishes from The Bleeding Heart. We kicked off with the creamy, fresh, dry Pato Frio Seleccao 2011 white Ribafreixo from Alentejo with probably the most popular dish of the evening Migas with Portuguese Chourico. With the next course the Bacalhau cut through the intensity of the Alvarinho 2009, Quinta de Pacos,Vinho Verde, followed by the match of the evening Quinto do Pinto 2009 Touiriga Nacional, Lisboa, with Grilled Sardines and Confit of Lemon Zest (pictured right).  Drinking red Vinho Verde was a new experience for many and Quinta da Raza’s 2011 Vinhão (grape variety) is full of delicious, intense fruit, low tannins and crisp acidity, served with Smoked Chaves -village in Trás- os-Montes Presunto Croquettes, whilst the Callabriga Alentejo 2009 blend of Alfrochiero, Alicante Bouchet and Aragonés was a definite crowd pleaser with pork rillettes with Apricot and Sage (pictured below). Travelling up to the Douro and Pôpa Old Vines 2008, which is a blend of 21 different varieties made by the charming and influential Luis Pato – check out their Tinto Roriz 2009 -A smooth, full bodied tinto low on assertive tannins, with plums, spice and flinty character. We finished an excellent evening with the stunning Sandeman 20 Year Old Tawny Port, Waitrose £35.49, served with Trás-on-Montes Terrincho Cheese.

Photos courtesy of Sam Lynas, Bleeding Heart Yard

Just back from a rockin’ weekend of presenting workshops in Bristol at The Tesco Wine Fair. Tesco Wine by the Case  have some fantastic offers on until midnight 25^th September. All the prices quoted below are promotional prices and are per case 6 x 75cl.

The Wine Tipster’s workshops started with Jacob’s Creek Cool Harvest Range (the grapes are harvested at night time) and their Moscato wines, with Jacob’s Creek Cool Harvest Vermentino 2011, £25.62 a case,  and the Moscato Rosé, £33.66 per case popular choices. Next up were Brindisa’s Gordal Olives, Almonds and Manchego to get people in the mood for Journey to Rioja with Campo Viejo and as ever their Tempranillo 2010, £22.50 per case, Reserva 2007, £31.44 per case and Gran Reserva 2004, £60.00 per case were all vote winners.  From Spain we then travelled to Marlborough to taste Brancott Estate’s high quality Sauvignon Blancs and Pinot Noirs. The Brancott Estate “B” Sauvignon Blanc 2010 is high class, well priced at £12.99 for premium  Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc and is on offer at £44.94 per case, whilst Brancott Estate’s Pinot Noir “T” 2010 £69.66 per case, is enjoyable now, however will  continue to develop for 5-7 years.

Other wines on the The Wine Tipster’s radar included, from Chile, the Kiwi style grassy, gooseberry Montes Selection Sauvignon Blanc 2012, £47.94 per case and the intense, smooth Montes Selection Cabernet Carmenère 2011, £47.94 per case. From Portugal, Tesco’s Finest Vinho Verde 2011, £22.50 per case, is crisp, fresh and zingy and Tesco’s Finest Touriga Nacional 2010, £35.94 per case, from the beautiful  Alentejo region in southern Portugal is packed with flavours of damsons and plums.
Away from The Tesco Wine Fair, The Wine Tipster recommends the contemporary Hilton Garden Inn for an overnight stay, with good wines by the glass including the Riff Pinot Grigio delle Venezie Terra Alpina 2011.

See you in Brighton next weekend.

The Wine Tipster picture by Jim Winslet, t.+44 7802 448 309 www.jimwinslet.com

The Wine Tipster was on yesterday’s BBC Radio Oxford Sunday lunch time show with the lovely Bill Buckley. Bill is a renowned foodie and wine lover and yesterday we went in search of different grapes – not for the wine trade but for us punters. First up was the crowd pleasing dry and fruity white Alma de Blanco Godello 2010, Monterrei, Spain, £7.75, Oddbins, with the very talented Godello on goal scoring form, then followed the delicious, limey, refreshing Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2010, Washington State, USA, £11.70, www.slurp.co.uk, Bibendum made by rockin’ Charles Smith, who used to manage rock bands before becoming a self taught winemaker.

On to the three reds, Tempranillo, the major red variety in Spain is becoming more well know, thanks mainly to playing a major role in the Rioja region and Campo Viejo’s Tempranillo 2010, Rioja, Spain, £8.39, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose is full of strawberry, plummy fruit with subtle spice and soft tannins. This is quality easy drinking and a great way to introduce people to Tempranillo. Touriga Nacional is the most important red grape variety in Portugal,

with some preferring Touriga Nacional blended with other grape varieties, whilst others like Touriga Nacional on its own like Tesco’s Finest Touriga Nacional 2010, Alentejo, Portugal, £7.99, which is packed with appealing flavours of damsons and plums. The final red on the show was the Delheim Pinotage 2011, Stellenbosch, South Africa, £14.49 or £13.77 when purchasing 12 mixed bottles Stockist: The Oxford Wine Company. Pinotage can be very easy drinking or like Delheim’s Pinotage full bodied, complex with nutmeg, raisins, dark fruits and a must with game. Decant this high quality red wine a couple of hours beforehand.