6 brilliant reds from Bordeaux
At less than £20, budget French wine has never tasted so good
Wworld,ith its reputation for some of the finest red wines in the
sometimes it’s easy to be duped into thinking those lovely labels with illustrious châteaux are out of reach.
But it just so happens that ‘modern Bordeaux’ is far more accessible. Upfront and fruitforward thanks to warmer summers in the vineyard, with swathes of succulent fruits, smooth tannins and a more intense style of wine compared to old-school Bordeaux.
Best of all, there’s some wow factor at entry-level price points with consistent quality in recent vintages – and wines which can be enjoyed in their youth.
Here are some highlights to drink now…
1. Pierre Jaurant Bordeaux 2020, France, £5.29, Aldi, instore
A superb example of a bestvalue Bordeaux with delicious depth to the blackcurrant, cherry and plummy dark fruits; seductive oak-spiced nose alongside deep florals, touches of redcurrant and smooth, long finish. An instant crowdpleaser.
2. M&S Château Bel-Air Bordeaux 2022, France, £10, Ocado
Fabulously fruity and expressive with good structure; sumptuous red and black fruits interplay with hints of blueberry, cassis, dark chocolate and sweet, peppery spice, underpinned by supple tannins, with a long and lingering finish. Just gorgeous.
3. Cap Royal Bordeaux Supérieur 2020, France, £11, Tesco
Another superb style offering great value from this famed appellation, it’s vibrant with a beautiful bouquet of scented florals; the palate is deep with abundant red fruit flavours that meld seamlessly with touches of vanilla toast, velvety smooth tannins and a persistent, long finish. Outstanding value.
4. Comte De Saint Emmanuel 2021, Bordeaux, France, £12, Morrisons
Immediately enjoyable with its welcoming, spiced, brambly nose, complemented by hints of vanilla and coffee; bags of plush, blackberry fruit unfold with a touch of cedarwood, hints of plums and more savoury spice on the velvety smooth finish. Seriously good.
5. Château Moulin la Bergère 2019, St Georges Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France, £14.99, Waitrose
A wine to swoon over with a real sense of strength, beguilsmooth ing aromas of opulent berry fruits mingle with hints of clove and dried flowers. Smooth, rich and resplendent, tiers of plump, fresh, blackberry fruits with generous cassis flood the palate and glide along beautifully, with gentle spiced notes lending interest on the superfinish. A glorious glass.
6. Château Tour Bayard 2020, Montagne-Saint-Émilion, Bordeaux, France, £17.99 (£13.99 Mix Six), Majestic
Devastatingly delicious, this is a blockbuster red which overdelivers for the price at less than £20. Sensational florals bewitch and delight with the promise of what’s to come. Think ribbons of blackcurrant, raspberry, cherries and sweet spice, similar flavours integrate on the polished palate with a touch of liquorice framing the ripe cherry and dark berry fruits. Class in a glass.
The number of people in hospital with norovirus has spiked, three times higher than the previous year.
And there was an average of 438 adult hospital beds filled last week by people with diarrhoea and vomiting or norovirus-like symptoms, according to NHS England. That figure is higher than at the same point both last year and in 2022.
What is norovirus and what are the symptoms?
Norovirus is a stomach bug that can cause moderate to intense nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea. You might also get a headache, high temperature and feel generally achy. Symptoms usually come on quickly and can be quite unpleasant. Thankfully though, it tends to clear up after a couple of days.
How do you catch it?
Abbas Kanani, pharmacist at Online Pharmacy Chemist Click, explains: “You can get it through having close contact with someone with norovirus, touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth, and eating food that’s been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.”
Researchers believe norovirus can survive on surfaces, such as kitchen tops and door handles, for up to two weeks. This is why avoiding contact with others if you’re infected is important, as well as regular hand-washing and cleaning down surfaces.
How do you treat norovirus?
While it’s certainly an unpleasant bug, most people will be able to manage norovirus themselves.
“You can treat it at home. Rest, and drinking lots of fluids to avoid dehydration is important,” says Kanani. “It can take two to three days to feel better and it’s best to stay at home in this time.”
Opting for water and squash is a good idea (fizzy drinks and fruit juice may make symptoms worse). If you’re struggling to keep things down, sipping drinks slowly and eating small amounts at a time can help.
Can norovirus be serious?
Norovirus is more unpleasant than serious most of the time. But it might be more concerning in young babies, people with certain pre-existing conditions and weakened immune systems, or anyone more at risk of dehydration.
If symptoms persevere and you struggle to keep down fluids, a rehydration formula from your pharmacy may help. “If symptoms are severe to the point where the person cannot stay hydrated, they may need to go to hospital for IV fluids,” adds Kanani.
“You should seek emergency medical attention if you vomit blood or have vomit that looks like ground coffee, green vomit in adults, yellow-green or green vomit in children, have a stiff neck and pain when looking at bright lights or have a sudden, severe headache or stomach ache.”