RAISE A GLASS
IF YOU enjoy white wines with depth and body, then this little selection might give you some inspiration for your Christmas celebrations.
I’m kicking off with this lovely chardonnay available online from Aldi, de Bortoli Yarra Valley Chardonnay. It’s £9.99 and has subtle notes of brioche, vanilla and a light nuttiness. But breaking news means I must mention this wine – also an Aldi online exclusive – Artisan Tasmanian Chardonnay (RRP £16.99). Last week the 2017 vintage was awarded a gold medal in the latest round of awards in the International Wine Challenge. Both wines would be a delightful glass as you celebrate this time of year.
I’ll hover around chardonnay from Australia with Wirra Wirra The 12th Man Wild Ferment 2017 (£19.99, oxfordwine.co.uk). This wine has fabulous aromas of peach and citrus, with a layer of honey and nuts. And then… a delightful zing of citrus in the mouth, a tickle of sweet spice and a refreshing acidity. It will keep its personality intact despite all the flavours on a festive plate.
One more from Oz: I poured Vandenberg Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2018 (£11, the Co-op) for a friend who loved the wine’s ripe aromas of stone fruit which keep on giving. Then the wine zaps with refreshing acidity.
While I’m here in the Co-op... the retailer has brought out a new range for winter and Is this
it? Pinot Blanc 2018 (£6.50) from Pannon in Hungary is one to try. It’s pretty smashing at the price, with ripe fruit which rolls around your mouth.
Let’s zip to Marks & Spencer and this Burgundian white Florent Rouve Viré-Clessé (£14). I sipped it (for your benefit) with a Sunday roast. This rich but fresh wine nudged up to sprouts and chicken and said hey, if you like me now, you’d love me on Christmas Day. Honeycomb Journey’s End Chardonnay (£8, also M&S) is a golden yellow chardonnay from the Stellenbosch area of South Africa. It has a rich, oaky flavour with notes of vanilla and is a bold chardonnay which lingers on the palate. It would pair well with a roast turkey dinner or goose I’m going to stay in South Africa. The other day I joined a Facebook Live tasting with the team from KWV Wines and as I sipped (here in the UK) the winemaker Izele van Blerk (thousands of miles away) talked us through her wines. One was the stunning KWV The Mentors Grenache Blanc (£14.95, slurp.co.uk). It is deliciously creamy and complex with tropical notes. I loved it and know it will be a dreamy choice for your Christmas celebration.
Ah, hang on, here’s one more white from South Africa for your festive season … Regional Selection Breedeklof Chenin Blanc is Spar’s first gold medalwinner at the International Wine & Spirit Competition. At just £6.50 the 2017 vintage will bring you award-winning subtle flavours of pear and peach. Pour it, pull a cracker and don your festive hat.
■ Next time: Light reds to enjoy at Christmas.
■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.