On the grapevine
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... THE ONLY WINES YOU’LL NEED THIS EASTER
THERE’S no escaping the fact Easter entertaining will be at home this year – apart from fleeing the nest for nature trails, and meeting up with some family and friends outside if you can. So, we may as well make the most of this long holiday, with a selection of wines fit for feasting.
1
ADRIEN CHOPIN BRUT CHAMPAGNE,
France, currently £15 (was £18), Morrisons
A CRACKING champagne to get you hopping with excitement, Which? magazine awarded this ‘best buy’ the highest score of 82% in a blind tasting last year. A golden nugget that’s rich and full, with tiers of exuberant fruit and lovely toasty aromas. A steal for the price.
2
ADNAMS PECORINO, TERRE DI CHIETI, ABRUZZO,
Italy, £7.99, Adnams
ADNAMS has a broad range of exciting own-label wines to explore, and if you’ve tired of your fail-safe savvy blanc, pecorino is the trendy new pour. Fresh with subtle green aromas, flavours of citrus and peach abound with tangy acidity. Think asparagus cream pasta topped with pecorino cheese and, of course, a glass of pecorino on the side. Perfect.
3
TASTE THE DIFFERENCE COTES DU RHONE 2019, France, £8, Sainsbury’s
A REALLY good all-rounder and workhorse white from the southern Rhone, this blend of grenache, viognier and local grapes has a lively core of pear, green apple and peach, with notes of white flowers and a tiny hint of vanilla from barrel-ageing lending a mild, creamy richness. The perfect pairing with roast chicken, grilled fish, and mild, creamy cheeses.
4
BERRY BROS & RUDD CHABLIS BY DOMAINE DU COLOMBIER 2019,
Burgundy, France,
£18.95, Berry Bros & Rudd
THIS has a purity and steely freshness with classic aromas of crushed oyster shell and lime, plus plenty of ripe stone fruits, fresh acidity, minerality and an oyster shell finish. Brilliant on its own, but perfect with Good Friday fish pie, goat’s cheese salad and shellfish.
5
MIRABEAU PURE MAGNUM (1.5L) ROSÉ 2019,
Provence, France, £31, Waitrose
WITH a spring in our step at the thought of garden get-togethers and early forecasts predicting a sunny weekend, what better way to mark the moment than with a magnum?
One of the most charming Provencal pinks out there, this vintage is celebrated for its appetising palate of summer berries and pink grapefruit freshness, with touches of citrus and an elegant finish.