grape vine
The couple that drinks together, stays together, say scientists. But what happens if you have very different palates? SAM
WYLIE-HARRIS suggests some winemakers to satisfy everyone RESEARCHERS from the University of Michigan analysed feedback from 2,767 married couples who took part in a long-term survey and concluded that if both partners drank alcohol, they were more likely to have a happier marriage over time.
With this in mind here are some perfect pairs for when she likes white and he likes red, or vice versa....
A new release from one of the most respected producers in Australia, McGuigan The Borders Chardonnay 2015, South East Australia (£6.69, The Co-operative) is a fresh, upfront chard that’s flowing with juicy tropical fruit and citrus, peach and pineapple notes. While McGuigan The Borders Shiraz 2015, South East Australia (£6.69, The Co-operative) is generously fruity with plummy blackcurrant flavours, a splash of malbec for backbone and a smooth, spicy finish.
With pretty labels reflecting the flora and fauna of the Western Cape, Fire Flower Chenin Blanc Pinot Grigio 2015, Western Cape, South Africa (£8.49, Waitrose) is uplifting with chenin blanc offering a bright fruitiness and pinot grigio enlivening the palate with good acidity.
Sharing the same easy drinking appeal, Fire Flower Shiraz Mourvedre 2015, Western Cape (£8.49, Waitrose) has a wealth of blackberry and fruit preserves with a savoury, spicy finish.
Both trophy winners, Luis Felipe Edwards Bin Series Sauvignon 2015, Central Valley, Chile (£8.99, Waitrose) will put the wind in your sails with its vivid aromatics and refreshing passion fruit, tangerine and guava flavours with fresh grassy highlights and minerality.
And for winos who can’t resist a fruity merlot, Luis Felipe Edwards Bin Series Merlot 2015 Central Valley, Chile (£8.99, Waitrose) is smooth and polished with sweet berry fruits, a sprinkle of spice and aromas of raspberries and a touch of dark chocolate from oak ageing.
Meanwhile, enjoy an exciting first encounter with the native kalecik karasi grape of Turkey. It’s so versatile that, in the right hands, it can produce a pale rose and a ruby red, pictured below. Try Kayra Beyaz Kalecik Kerasi Rose 2015, Turkey (£12.59, www.strictlywine.co.uk) which is extremely lively and marked by notes of citrus, pink grapefruit, strawberry, roses and peach. Kayra Kalecik Karasi Red 2014, Turkey (£12.39, www.strictlywine. co.uk) is a wine to swoon over with soft, sensual blackberry and cherry fruits laced in spice, and light tannins that pirouette on the palate.