RAISE A GLASS
I HAVE to be quick to keep up with the ever-changing selection of wines on our high streets and when I catch up with some wine ranges I wish I hadn’t.
But there’s a new range from Spar which has had people talking. I mentioned a couple of wines in my festive columns and promised I’d share more in the New Year. This is that time.
Spar has set itself a mission to make choosing wine simpler for customers and has begun its journey with the release of five entry level wines for £5 and, in the level above, has brought out a dozen varietal wines in an Alphabet Series at £6 each.
Bold Red (£5, 13% abv) is a Spanish wine made from 100% tempranillo, the grape at the heart of rioja. This wine has been aged for two months in American oak and despite its name, isn’t deep and gloopy. It is a mediumbodied red with a good nose of jammy fruits and a refreshing fruit flavour with a hint of spice. Fresh Rosé (£5, 11.5% abv) is another offering from Spain, cerise in colour from Bobal grape, it has pretty aromas of strawberry and citrus with flavours reflecting much the same. Pinot Grigio Rosé (£6, 11.5% abv) is in the Alphabet Series and for £1 extra offers more of a pink sensation. Call me a pinot grigio snob, but when I see the grape on a label I always sigh “oh, well, if I must”. But I really enjoyed this pink from Romania which has aromas of pear, stone fruit and fresh red fruits. It was tasty too.
New Zealand’s sauvignon blanc wines have set the tone for many people who enjoy this grape. Spar has sourced grapes for its Sauvignon Blanc (£6, 12% abv) from the Languedoc region of France so you don’t get the punchy fruit notes of a New World version, but a gentler rolling style with citrus and apples. I tasted with a midweek cheese pie; very nice too. The Malbec (£6, 13%
abv) Alphabet Series varietal is sourced from its homeland of France, despite Argentina making the grape its own in recent years. Try this wine with a warming weekend casserole after your toes have chilled from a football match or a dog walk. It has soft dark and red fruits and hints of chocolate.
■ Also in my glass... If you’re thinking of celebrating Burns Night (Thursday, January 25) here’s an idea for a whisky cocktail. This idea from Glen Moray is tasty.
Glen Moray Classic Port Cask Finish Whisky (RRP £25, masterofmalt.com, thewhiskyexchange.com, Amazon and whisky specialists) is matured in American oak and spends eight months in port pipes sourced from the Douro Valley in Portugal.
To make the cocktail: In a glass add 15ml Earl Grey syrup (which is a mixture of 2:1 brown sugar – cooled, strong Earl Grey tea, reheated in a pan until sugar has dissolved) and three dashes of orange bitters. From a separate measure of 60ml whisky, pour a little bit into the tea. Add ice and pour over the remaining whisky. Stir and garnish with lemon zest.