ON THE GRAPEVINE
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... ENJOYING THE LAST OF THE SUMMER WINE
IF you’re eager to hold on to the sunshine season for as long as possible, now is the ideal time to savour some of our favourite drops from the past few months.
Here are our top picks...
Santa Tresa Cerasuolo 2017, Sicily, Italy
(currently reduced to £8.15 from £10.15 until Sep 9, Ocado) A blend of Nero d’ Avola and Frapatto, this is brimming with wild berries, cherry and sweet spice.
So easygoing and foodfriendly, it tastes utterly delicious with practically anything.
Cimarosa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand
(£5.99, Lidl stores) A sunny surprise with scents of passion fruit and blossom, it captures sauvignon blanc’s vibrant character with its zesty, citrus flavours, fruity freshness and subtle mineral notes. A steal.
Cotes de Provence Saint Victoire Rose 2018, France
(£12, Marks & Spencer stores, or by the case online) A beautiful ballerina pink that’s suave and elegant with a bouquet of dried berries, floral accents and candied citrus fruits, plus cherry, plum and ripe citrus supported by moderate acidity. There’s an alluring silkiness that lets the flavours shine through.
Alain Grignon Carignan Vielles Vignes PGI Pays de l’Herault 2018, France
(£5.99, Majestic) Carignan is a workhorse grape widely planted in the south of France – but old carignan vines such as this little gem (nifty at 50) can really rev up the taste buds.
Deliciously juicy, with punchy cherry-fruited flavours topped with vanilla, satisfying sweet spice closes the finish.
Quinta do Espirito Santo 2017, Vinho Regional de Lisboa, Portugal
(£9.99, Laithwaite’s) Fragrant and gloriously rich, this shows engaging damson fruits infused with warm spice on the nose, intense waves of blackberry, plummy-damson fruit and juicy redcurrants topped with the faintest hint of coffee and lick of vanilla.
Banfi San Angelo Pinot Grigio 2017, Tuscany, Italy
(£14.79, The Drink Shop) There’s nothing neutral about this little treasure from Tuscany.
Fruitier than its northern cousins, a gorgeous bouquet of pear drops, ripe peach and rich, honeyed notes brings instant pleasure, with a fine burst of acidity for some citrusy freshness and a ready-to-drink summer vibe.