On the grapevine

ON... WARMING RED WINES FOR WINTERY EVENINGS

AN unexpected perk of being lockeddown in wintry weather is the notion of a cosy fireside red.

Here’s what we’re cosying up with, with thoughts of a roaring fire...

1

ALDI GRAVEVINE SHIRAZ, JUMILLA, SPAIN,

£3.49, Aldi A GREAT wintry quaffer that impressed the judges at the The Drinks Business Global Syrah Masters 2020 so much, this bargainous Spanish gem bagged a silver medal. Fresh, fruity and lots of fun, it’s full of bright red fruits alongside subtle strawberry notes, gentle peppery spice with a soft, smooth simple finish. Perfect for bangers and mash with a red onion gravy. Fantastic for less than a fiver.

2

IL SARMENTO NERO DI TROIA 2019, PUGLIA, ITALY,

£5.50, Co-op stores

A PLUSH red from Puglia that punches well above its weight, it’s stylish on the nose with impressive aromas of ripe black fruits and offers bags of juicy, damson fruit, with hints of sour cherries and dried herbs. Food-friendly and a delicious alternative to primitivo, it’ll slip down a treat with a piping-hot pasta bake.

3

BANROCK STATION SUSTAINABLE BOTTLE MERLOT 2019, SOUTH AUSTRALIA,

£7.50, Co-op stores

A FIRST for eco-friendly Banrock Station, the Australian producer has released a fully recyclable flat-bottled wine. Certified carbon neutral and made from 100% recycled rPET plastic (meaning the plastic has already been used at least once before), it’s 87% lighter than an average glass bottle. And as for the wine – a silky smooth drop of sunshine, with a plummy, ripe palate, flash of oak and dash of soft spice.

4

ARTESANO DE ARGENTO ORGANIC MALBEC 2019, MENDOZA, ARGENTINA,

currently £8 (was £10), Tesco) AN A-list Argentinian from the country’s largest organic wine producer in Mendoza, Artesano’s malbec scooped silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2020 and it’s absolutely gorgeous – this is a great price for the quality, even more so while on special. Powerful, velvety smooth and seductively perfumed with aromas of violets and black cherries, enticing flavours of blackberry and deep plum flood the palate, with more florals and violets coming into play on the long, sweeping finish.

A total treat.