Grape vine
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS heads to the Iberian peninsula and shortlists some sumptious reds UNDER the Spanish sun and clear blue Portuguese skies grow wines in myriad styles to tempt both the adventurous and cautious.
The Iberian peninsula produces wines across a range of price points that we want to drink again and again. While they differ enormously with the use of different grape varieties, what they do share in common is their fruit-driven, food-friendly style that offers good value and good times.
That’s just what we look forward to when we holiday in these countries. So much so, we don’t want the party to end when we get home.
According to recent findings by Kantar (who monitor our shopping habits), sales of Spanish wines at Lidl have increased 49.2% year on year, and those of Portuguese wines have grown 57.7%.
Lidl has just launched its third Wine Cellar Promotion of the year, featuring 40 wines, of which 23 come from Spain and Portugal.
Top picks by Richard Bampfield, consultant master of wine at Lidl, include Vinya Carles Priorat Crianza 2012, Spain (£5.79, Lidl) from Priorat, one of the most exciting wine regions in Spain and famed for its big, warming reds.
“This is still youthful and will benefit from decanting, but the rich, dark fruit and toasty oak are already harmonising well.”
Another of Richard’s recommendations is Soligamar Rioja Reserva 2011, Spain (£8.99, Lidl), “a fine youthful Rioja that has already developed good flavour, but which also has the structure to improve with age. With flavours of cherry, black plum and dried fruits, the oak is well integrated and the wine will make a good match for grilled meats”.
Elsewhere, Asda have an equally impressive Priorat that’s well worth keeping an eye out for. Try Noster Nobilis Priorat 2013, Spain (£7.98, Asda), a garnacha carignan blend that’s lush and velvety smooth with floral notes, rich sweet fruit and well handled oak.
Crossing the picturesque landscape into Portugal and the beautiful Douro Valley, the indigenous grape varieties used in port also produce fragrant, dark fruited reds that are noted for their quality.
Try Duorum Tons De Duorum Red 2014, Douro, Portugal (£8.90, Tanners-wines.co.uk) which is round and soft with a delicate sweetness to the juicy, plummy fruit with spicy notes and a freshness on the finish.
Alternatively, if you’re looking to buy by the case, but don’t want to make an expensive mistake, Prazo De Roriz 2012, Douro, Portugal (£50.88, case of 6, prestigewinesportugal.com) is a joint effort from two leading estates and this spice-edged ruby red opens up with aromas of raspberries and leads to a ripe, soft palate with a mineral element and red berry and cherry fruits that slip down far too easily.