A GLASS
WITH
just wish more people would try it. It’s versatile, it’s great on a hot day and great with food.” I agree.
Another white.
Co-op Irresistible Australian Chardonnay
(£7.50), right, is created by world-renowned winemaker Larry Cherubino. Ben says: “The Co-op has a friendly reputation and it stands us in good stead. It was a real coup that Larry wanted to work with us on this wine.”
It is a delicate refined style of chardonnay. It doesn’t have an overbearing explosion of tropical exotic fruits, but is more balanced and subtle. The wine is creamy on the palate with good underlying acidity.
Now for a pink – which Ben described as a “bonkers blend” and I called “a delicious surprise”.
(£9) is ideal if you love the grapefruit zest of sauvignon blanc and the nectarine, peachiness of a Provencestyle pink.
This New Zealand wine is a blend of six grape varieties, with sauvignon blanc being the dominant partner at 73 per cent. I loved it and another day it sat in the sunshine with me.
Babich Rosé 2019
Let me lead you to a couple of reds, the first being
Firebrand Old Vine Grenache 2019
(£9.50), below, from south Australia. Says Ben: “I love grenache. It is maybe the next step up for people testing the water with red wines, after a beaujolais or a pinot noir. This wine has a lovely mouthfeel but not necessarily that fire-y burn that some stronger red wines have.” It’s a cracking wine with ripe, dark berry fruit, a little pepperiness and is velvet-y smooth.
Finally,
Co-op Irresistible Montepulciano D’abruzzo 2018
(£7). This is a great glugging wine, but even better with food. Its typical Italian notes of sour cherries and just a touch of astringency make it a perfect partner for pizza, pasta or summertime barbecues. Lots of wine-glass satisfaction for its £7.
I’m really loving the tropical vibe of chardonnay at the moment.
McManis Family Vineyards Chardonnay 2018
(£14.99, Ocado) ticked the boxes as it teased my palate with guava, lychee, peach and pear. It has a slightly creamy, buttery note too. There’s a good acidity which adds freshness and brings balance to this lovely white wine.