RAISE A GLASS
MY inbox is busy with updates on new wines, new brands and new ideas from the retail world. And mainly because people are now gearing up to that magic word – Christmas. I’ll be dusting myself down and getting into the festive vibes with you soon.
For now, I’ll do a quick fly-by of some of the new offerings, starting with the Co-op.
It has unveiled a new autumn and winter wine range which saw 25 new wines go in store last week. I’m particularly excited about the lush, unctuous Co-op Irresistible Pedro Ximenez Sherry (£6 for 37.5cl). This has been created by Lustau, one of the top sherry producers. The sherry has been aged for up to 12 years and this style is in the range after Co-op members asked for it to be added.
It’s a timely addition, as in a few days it’s International Sherry Week (November 4-10). I love a drop of sherry. Pedro Ximenez is a deliciously rich, sweet sherry, best paired with ice cream, chocolate and all things naughty.
At the opposite end of the scale is a fino sherry. There’s a good value example over at Aldi – Exquisite Collection Fino Sherry (£5.99) – which is tangy, fresh and dry because of yeast aging. A nice way to kick off an evening would be a glass of fino and some salty snacks.
Anyway, I’m digressing from new wines but I’ll stay with Aldi.
The retailer has launched a new line of premium wines, the Classic Icon range. It is sold exclusively online and has 22 wines, including a vintage champagne – Veuve Monsigny Champagne 2006
(£22.99) – and a toe-warming Aussie classic Valley Way Barossa Shiraz 2017 (£6.99). I’ll probably be seeking that out as warming solace now the dark nights are well and truly with us.
Waitrose, meanwhile, has also been adding some new drinks to tempt us. It has added cider, wines and spirits into its new top tier range, No.1.
One wine I’m pleased to see is Waitrose & Partners No.1 Sauvignon Blanc Astrolabe (£12.49). It’s a Marlborough sauvignon blanc made by the family-run Astrolabe winery, with grapes grown in the Awatere Valley. I’m pleased because when I went to NZ I met the producers.
There’s two Burgundy wines I can’t wait to taste, both made by Maison Joseph Drouhin.
The Waitrose & Partners No.1 Côte de Beaune (£23.99) is
complex and spicy; and Waitrose & Partners No.1 Pouilly Vinzelles
(£23.99) is rich, ripe and fruity.
I mentioned those cold, dark nights are now with us.
If you want a flashback to summer then maybe the newlyreleased Single Batch Project
Rosé (RRP £7.50, the Co-op) can help. It’s a new wine from McGuigan Wines with grapes sourced from South Australia. The aim is to deliver a “craft” wine experience to consumers. People can see the winery batch number and yeast strain identified on the label.
Yes, the wine speaks of summer. Strawberries, cream and a flash of citrus.
■ To find out more about sherry and International Sherry Week go to www. sherry.wine. You can also follow International Sherry Week updates on social media using the hashtag #sherryweek.
■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.