ON THE GRAPEVINE

A call to arms – especially your ‘drinking arm’ – British Food Fortnight (September 18 - October 3) is the perfect excuse to champion the best of British. Here’s what’s on our wine and food-pairing menu, and the feelgood factor it brings...

1. Paul Mas Picpoul de Pinet 2020, South of France, £7.50, Co-op stores

With the start of the native oyster season, picpoul is the wine to pluck and wash down with your plate of half-a-dozen.

A refreshing alternative to muscadet or sauvignon blanc, this one offers tangy green, yellow apple and citrus flavours, topped with grassy notes, an alluring herbal note and zesty acidity on the finish.

2. Left Coast Oregon White Pinot Noir 2019, Willamette Valley, Oregon, USA, £12.99, Aldi

A delicious discovery from Oregon’s largest wine region, renowned for its pinot noir – and in this case, a refreshing 100% pinot noir white wine made from the red grape.

Rich and ripe, it beautifully balances honeysuckle aromas with hints of pears and offers great depth of flavour; think apricots, peaches, intriguing fruity notes and a dry, minerally finish. Perfect with skate, dover sole or meaty white fish.

3. Vergelegen Cabernet Merlot Fairtrade 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa, £9, Co-op stores

A Bordeaux-style blend with New World fruitiness and excellent Fairtrade credentials, this vibrant food-friendly red loves a

Sunday roast but feels just at home with a sausage and tomato pie. Classy with a polished oak note and toasty nose, a dark fruit core of blackcurrant and cassis is underpinned by cedar with the perfect level of ripeness.

4. TTD Old Vine Garnacha 2019, Catalunya, Spain, £9, Sainsbury’s

With English apple season within sight and thoughts turning to classics such as roast pork belly, a fun and fruity Spanish garnacha is just the ticket. This ample red shows lovely concentration with perfumed florals, plums, black cherry and hints of spice, layered with similar plush flavours on the palate, finishing with a touch of peppery spice.