RAISE A GLASS
I WAS going to delve into pink wines this week. But today I’ve been treated to a burst drainpipe and a huge puddle slapping and slopping right where my outdoor bin is. And consequently I own a ruined pair of furry slippers.
The weather removed my lockdown yearning of sunshine rosé. I’m staying in a world of mid-June rainy day comfort.
This week has seen the annual celebrations of English Wine Week and, I should note, it’s Welsh wines too. I nodded you in the direction of this event organised by Wines of Great Britain last time. Since then I’ve found some facts which show how this category has exploded.
In 2017, one million vines were planted in the UK and last year it rose to three million. Tellingly, the most planted grape varieties are pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, the traditional grapes in the champagne blend.
Waitrose is a champion of English and Welsh wines. It has seen an increase of 40% sales year on year. It has just launched new wines, including Oxney Organic Estate Pinot Rosé 2018 (£16.99, also at Waitrose Cellar).
An English fizz option is Exquisite Lyme Block Sparkling Brut Reserve (£14.99, Aldi, below) which is golden and rich. It is great value and full of excited bubbles which give the aromas of ripe apples, dried apples, toast and citrus a helping hand out of the glass.
Follow #EnglishWineWeek on social media or go to winegb.co.uk I was interested to discover an award-winning calvados Avallen. Calvados is an apple brandy from Normandy, and the label on Avallen perfectly states its credentials: “Made using nothing but red apples, water and time.”
The English founders of Avallen (RRP £35, from Ocado, Master of Malt, The Whisky Exchange and avallenspirits. com) make a donation to the
BumbleBee Conservation Trust with each bottle sold.
Wow, it packs a warming punch of caramelised, toffee-dipped apples. By contrast, it still retains a clean freshness. Lovely.
Now to a couple of cream liqueurs which are ideal for rainy day snuggles, but also perfect for summer days and nights.
Disaronno Velvet (RRP £15, Tesco, Morrisons, Ocado, Amazon, right) glugs into the glass like a Baileys.
It oozes with almondy, marzipan-like aromas, and has a toasty bite of creamy nuts and fruits.
WIth ice, it is incredibly moreish.
Disaronno is gluten free, but contains milk, whereas my second offering is dairy-free and vegan. Licor 43 Horchata (RRP £18, Tesco) has Licor 43 as its base, which I discovered enthusiastically a few weeks ago. Licor 43, with its hints of coffee, spice, vanilla and honey, has been partnered with a horchata drink.
This is a traditional Spanish drink which blends the ‘milk’ of tiger nuts with spice and citrus. With ice, it’s a sip to ring the changes on a summertime evening. Cinnamon comes through, as does that distinct nuttiness. If you like cream liqueurs give it a try.
Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.