WINE LIST

This week, five fabulous wines with which to welcome in the New Year. Cheers!

1 NV THE SOCIETY’S CAVA RESERVA BRUT, SPAIN

£8.95, thewinesociety.com This is one of the bestselling inexpensive sparklers of the year and it is perfect for New Year celebrations. I wrote down ‘superb class’, ‘great length’ and ‘wonderfully complex’ in my tasting notes – expressions which usually apply to much more expensive Champagnes!

2 2019 VIRÉ-CLESSÉ, VIEILLES VIGNES, FLORENT ROUVE, BURGUNDY, FRANCE

£14, Marks & Spencer

Suave and layered, this chardonnay has a tremendous, all-encompassing flavour – yet its freshness on the aftertaste is the ideal counterbalance to the citrus and wild-honey nuances on the perfume and palate. Drink it with the Potted Ham recipe.

3 2019 DOMAINE GENSAC, PIAFFER BLANC, GERS, FRANCE

£11.99, houseofmalt.co.uk

Want to experience some fascinating new wine flavours in 2021? Kick off the new year by treating yourself to this floral sauvignon gris/semillon blend and let it charm your senses with its calming pear, lemongrass and honeysuckle tones. It’s a great match for the Katsu Turkey Filo Pie.

4 2019 CHÂTEAU D’ABZAC, BORDEAUX SUPÉRIEUR, FRANCE

£13.75, yapp.co.uk Bordeaux is experiencing something of a renaissance right now thanks to its lesser-known and eminently affordable wines. A new discovery for me, this fabulous, modern and thoroughly refreshing red is packed with black-cherry notes and has a delightfully spicy finish.