Grape vine
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS polishes up her palate and recommends some Champagne alternatives.
CAVA TO COUNT ON OFFERING fruity drinking pleasure that achieves a lovely balance between freshness and crisp acidity, Marques Del Norte Vintage Cava Brut 2014, Spain (£7, Asda) comes with the stamp of approval from the International Wine Challenge (IWC) where it won a silver medal. Dry, delicious and lots of fun.
LONGING FOR MORE A New World fizz from Australia’s most exciting sparkling wine region, Jansz Vintage Cuvée 2010, Tasmania, Australia (£21.99, www. frazierswine.co.uk) is a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir and displays all the toasty richness you’d expect in a vintage champagne.
With enticing nutty nuances and a full, long, creamy palate, it’s a jazzy summer sparkler and a Decanter silver medal winner.
NEW KIWI IN TOWN IF you love the delicate sweetness of prosecco and can’t resist a glass of pinot grigio, then you’ll be attracted to this fruity fizz made from pinot grigio grapes. Try Shorn Fizz, New Zealand (£8.75, Oddbins) which has pretty notes of pear and yellow apple and a refreshing, soft mousse.
ACE APERITIVO IT may not have a posh label, but TTD Prosecco Conegliano Superiore Brut 2015, Italy (£10, Sainsbury’s) is one of the best own label proseccos and more than delivers with its appealing creamy mousse, honeysuckle notes and apricot and white peach flavours. And you can always celebrate summer by making a refreshing spritz: three parts prosecco, two parts Aperol, one part soda.
MODERNISTA-STYLE INSPIRED by the architecture of Barcelona, Codornieu has decorated this beautiful bottle like a stained glass window and with apple blossom, pear and citrusy flavours, and a richness on the palate, Codornieu Cuvee Barcelona, Spain (£12.99, Tesco) looks as good as it tastes.
LITTLE LUXURY LAITHWAITES best selling sparkler, Roche Lacour 2014, Cremant de Limoux AOC, France (£12.49, www.laithwaites.co.uk) is a chardonnay-based blend from Limoux in southern France. Fresh yet rich with bready aromas and lots of ripe orchard fruits and a touch of lemon, it’s delightfully drinkable and remarkable value.