RAISE A GLASS

The dreary month of January is over. I’m not saying that February won’t be any less dreary, but at least we’re a step nearer to spring, right?

My first choice this week combines two themes of my first few weeks of 2022; Ginuary and no or low alcohol.

This is a gin with a fantastic name: Smidgin – because little things are often called a smidgen.

Smidgin (£26, for 20cl, from Adnams.co.uk) has been distilled, I’m told, “with ten times the botanicals for a big flavour, meaning gin lovers only need a Smidgin”.

The botanicals include juniper, orange peel, hibiscus flower, coriander seed, cardamom pods and orris root. It is designed to create a G&T that’s low in alcohol.

The bottle comes with a lovely little copper measuring spoon; as the methodology is that you only add 2.5ml of Smidgin to 200ml of tonic.

You’ve got to be honest with yourself to be true to the ethos.

A 20cl bottle contains 80 servings, with each at 0.6% abv, which is 0.1 unit of alcohol.

The taste? Well, yes it’s definitely a gin and tonic, though not one with an alcohol punch (obviously). Dress it up with orange zest.

Next: A great initiative from online merchants The Wine Society has had a tweak for 2022.

Its Australian Blind Spot wines have been part of the society’s range for about a decade. Wine has been sourced and created into a Blind Spot wine, before it could be blended into obscurity by bigger players. Now the society is going a step beyond; and is sourcing grapes – not the wines – for The Blind Spot range. The society uses them to craft their own wines.

I really love this one from the new four-bottle Blind Spot selection: The Blind Spot Grampians Syrah 2021 (£12.95).

The wine, from western Victoria, sings of ripe, crunchy, blackcurrants and plums, enhanced by subtle spice. It’s terribly moreish.

To my last choice and a wonderful zesty, crisp, refreshing wine which is vibrant with limes and lemons and perfectly poised with peach.

I’m talking about Classics German Riesling 2020 (£9.50, Marks & Spencer). If you’re of a mind to mark the passing of Chinese New Year with a feast of culinary delights, then serve them with this wine. It’s a match made in heaven.

Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.