SIX BOTTLES RIPE FOR ROMANCE
1
Villa Maria Blush Sauvignon (£11, 13%) This delicate pink New Zealand wine mixes the vibrant aromas of passion fruit and fresh herbs from sauvignon blanc with floral blossom and red berry from a splash of merlot. Fresh and naturally acidic, and perfect for a pre-dinner aperitif. Available from Sainsbury’s.
2 Wiston Estate Rosé (£37, 12%)
A fabulous English pink fizz from the family-run Wiston Estate in Sussex, their signature rosé combines complex tastes and texture with a refreshing moreishness. Redcurrants, spice and peaches jostle for attention as you’d expect from a stunning mix of pinot noir, pinot meunier and chardonnay. Available from The Finest Bubble.
3 Vilarnau 0.0 Organic Rosé (£7.99, 0%)
This zero-alcohol cava provides a pleasant mix of red berries and tropical fruits on the nose with a refreshing, acidic taste and just the right amount of bubbles. Dealcoholisation hasn’t removed the fruitiness. Another perfect aperitif. Available from Harvey Nichols, Amazon and coming soon to Skinny Booze. 4
Leftfield Hawkes Bay Rosé (£11.99, 12.5%) Another flavoursome Kiwi rosé bursting with fresh tastes of strawberry, cranberry and raspberry with floral and citrus notes. A blend of merlot, pinot noir, and arneis grapes lends a lovely balance with just enough sweetness to make it moreish. Available from Waitrose Cellar.
5 Taittinger Prestige Rosé (£52.15, 12.5%)
If you’re happy to bring out the big guns price-wise, nothing beats a glass of Champagne and this pink Taittinger is perfect for a Valentine’s toast. Delicate salmon pink in colour, with aromas of strawberries and spice, it’s lively, fresh and fruity on the palate and not overly fizzy. Available from Asda, Tesco, Ocado, Sainsbury’s and Whole Foods.
6 JARR Kombucha Raspberry (£2.29, 0.5%)
For something completely different, Kombucha is a fermented sparkling drink based on black or green tea. JARR was founded in London in 2015. Enjoy over ice or mix it into cocktails. Available from Selfridges, Harrods, Whole Foods, Jarrkombucha. com and Planet Organic.
MUM Sarah Churchill is outraged at the way students have been treated and fears for their long-term prospects.
The 54-year-old, who has two at university, said: “People are talking about them as if they’re poison chalices. It makes me so angry. When they were locking them into halls, physically putting fences around the halls, people were saying, ‘Good, serves them right’. It was just heartbreaking. There were times when I cried because that could have been either of my two. They’re just young people trying to live their lives. It’s diabolical.” Sarah, of
North Wales, is particularly worried for her youngest, a music student. She said: “What future is there in live music? It’s what they’ve worked for all these years. Now it’s gone. There’s no chance, in the next I don’t know how many years, until live music venues open again.”