Wines of the week

Dark, plummy fruit

Lidl, Entre Quintas Reserva, Douro, Portugal 2019. £6.99, Lidl, alc 14%

A blend of grapes used traditionally in Port, this smooth red was aged in French and American oak for a year. Deep in colour, hinting at the depth of dark, plummy fruit. Fragrant and full-bodied, with earthiness balancing the ripe fruit and good tannic structure.

Fleshy flavours

Maximin Grünhaus, Maximin Riesling, Mosel, Germany 2020. £15.25, Natty Boy Wines, alc 11.5%

Using hand-harvested fruit sourced across the Moselsaar-ruwer valleys, this elegant and approachable everyday wine displays mineral freshness, measured acidity, soft texture and gentle aromas of crispy pear, lemon zest and white peach. Doesn’t stint on fleshy flavours.

Figs and soy sauce

Domaine Madeloc, Robert Pagès, Banyuls, Roussillon, France NV. £16/50cl, The Big Red Wine Co, alc 16%

From the steep slopes of dry, warm Roussillon comes this well-balanced vin doux naturel (fortified) in an oxidised style— orange and cardamom, dried figs, coffee, hazelnuts and soy sauce. Huge intensity and character for the price—this is firing on all cylinders.

A truly exceptional year

Harrow & Hope, Brut Rosé, England 2018. £32, Laithwaites, alc 12% Described as a ‘truly exceptional year’ by founders Henry and Kaye Laithwaite, this 2018 rosé from their 16-acre vineyard in the Chilterns offers ripe red Pinot Noir fruits and sweet spice, with Chardonnay structure and Pinot Meunier panache, plus almost tart acidity.