THIRSTY WORK
Fast-track to fabulous with these flavoursome wines. Sam Wylie-Harris presents an insider’s guide.
M&S Colour Me Chilean Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Chile (£8, Marks & Spencer, in store only)
M&S have partnered with colouring book artist Daisy Fletcher, to create a wine label that’s designed to be coloured in
Having poured yourself a glass of this beautifully fresh savvy blanc, with just the right measure of greenness and a lovely limey, tangy finish, the idea is to bring to life Fletcher’s black and white paradise scene, and colour in the birds, flowers and insects
Pictures of the completed labels posted on social media, with #colourmewines, will be in with a chance to win a magnum of prosecco in a weekly competition.
■■Taste the Difference Cotes Du Ventoux Rhone Valley 2016, France (£10, Sainsbury’s)
A generous red that wraps its arms around you and brings a smile from the very first sip.
A rhapsody of raspberry and spice, the peppery bouquet tickles the senses and the velvety smooth palate is saturated with lush berry fruits, with a spike of earthy liquorice on the sweetly ripe finish.
■■Passimento Bianco 2016 Pasqua, Verona, Italy (£9.99 mix six, £11.99 per bottle, Majestic Wine)
A luxurious white made from the garganega grape that’s used to make Suave, here it’s veered in a bright, floral direction with intense spring flowers on the nose and fresh flavours of tropical fruits and juicy peaches.
Clean and refreshing, while still feeling rich, the concentrated aromas and hints of sweet spices make this wine particularly suited to spicy Asian food. The graffiti label adds extra kudos.
■■Kaapzicht Kliprug Bush Vine Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2017, South Africa (currently reduced to £10.49 from £13 until October 30, Waitrose)
Deliciously rich, a lively pulse of pineapple, peach and yellow apple shapes this wine’s creamy, oak influenced flavours, with fresh acidity balancing the fabulous fruitiness.
The name Kaapzicht (meaning Cape View) comes from the stunning view from the vineyards overlooking Cape Town and Table Mountain, and the vino is as uplifting as the vista.
■■El Viaje de Ramon Garnacha 2017 by Ramon Bilbao, Rioja, Spain (£9.99, The Co-operative, in store only)
Far from frivolous, pale, pink roses can be just as characterful as reds and whites, and the fresh fruit component needs to be crisp and dry yet bursting with flavour.