Saving the date
Wine choices to charm
A romantic evening calls for a suitably impressive bottle to enliven the conversation while setting an appropriate mood (and not breaking the bank). To help you make the right choice, we’ve asked some of London’s most knowledgable experts to recommend their date night picks for under £50.
1 | Rioja 2014, Bodegas Exopto By Colin Thorne (Vagabond Wines)
“Those fluent in Latin will have spotted ‘exopto’ means ‘to desire eagerly’. Any corollary outcomes from drinking this modern Rioja are subject to your usual flair, though. Based around Graciano, the most diva-like of grapes permitted in Rioja production, it rumbles like Lee Marvin’s voice after a heavy night of Havana cigars but, thankfully, smells far better. A solid muscular frame cossets the dark plum and berry fruit well before easing into a finish that's refined and long.” £40/75cl vagabondwines.co.uk
2 | Champagne Entre Ciel et Terre Brut NV, Francoise Bedel By Sandia Chang (Bubbledogs and Kitchen Table)
“Its name translates as ‘Between Heaven and Earth’ and the backstory represents love in the purest form, between mother and son: when Françoise Bedel found a cure for her son’s illness in holistic medicine, she dedicated her life to making wine in the most organic and biodynamic way. One of my favourite Champagnes, it’s aged longer than most and is complex with notes of ripe autumn fruits, spice and toasted rye bread.” £42/75cl (in a case of 6), winedirect.co.uk
3 | Kydonitsa Barrique 2015, Ligas By Isabelle Legeron (Raw Wine)
“Kydonitsa is a rare, forgotten white grape variety that had its heyday in Byzantine times. This homage, by the Ligas family from near Thessaloniki in northern Greece, is flavoursome with rich Med flavours (honey, wild herbs and fragrant acacia blossoms). Perfect on a winter evening, it is sure to bring back memories of summer. It’s a precious bottle as only one barrel was made (400 bottles).” £30/75cl, buonvino.co.uk
4 | Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2014, Mt Difficulty By Charles Metcalfe (International Wine Challenge)
“It’s hard to get top Pinot Noir results away from its native Burgundy but New Zealand comes nearest. And this lush, black cherry-fruited example from Central Otago is about as seductive as Pinot Noir gets.” £24/75cl, nzhouseofwine.co.uk
5 | Puligny-Montrachet 2014, Jacques Carillon Jamie Waugh (Fortnum & Mason)
“A most sensual white wine, enough to impress the very finest date. Its deliciously toasty nose, with lively apple fruit and a long rich finish, pairs beautifully with oysters .” £50/75cl, fortnumandmason.com
6 | Vin de Pays du Gard Rouge 2009, Roc d’Anglade; 3 En Rama Manzanilla Sanlúcar de Barrameda 2016, Lustau By Ruth Spivey (Wine Car Boot)
“With a budget of up to £50, I’d always take two bottles, demonstrating generosity of spirit and enthusiasm for drinking. This pair reveals eclectic taste, good knowledge and love of food and nature. You could bookend the red with the sherry, or finish it at breakfast, should things go especially well!” Roc d’Anglade, £30/75cl, bbr.com; En Rama, £16/50cl, harveynichols.com
7 | Lalama Ribeira Sacra 2010, Dominio do Bibei By Emily Harman (Vina Lupa)
“There is nothing quite like a magnum to pique interest. Who says bigger isn’t better? Lalama is from Ribeira Sacra in north-west Spain. It is dominated by the Mencia grape: medium bodied, with delicate aromatics, intense minerality, fine tannins. It’s pure and subtle, the antithesis of Spain’s most famous Riojas, Ribera del Duero and Priorat. A pleasure to drink with or without food, or even chilled.” £45/magnum, handford.net
8 | Roncaglia Colli Pesarese 2015, Fattoria Mancini By Michael Simms (Sartoria)
“Find out if your date is a wine buff interested in technical details or just drinking the stuff. This is a mid-weight, Italian dry white with a gently floral palate and zesty finish. Describing the stunning Adriatic views from the vineyards above Pesaro often leads to reminiscing of holidays in Italy, so it’s great for conversation.” £45/75cl, sartoria-restaurant.co.uk
9 | Pays d’Oc Blanc 2012, Mas Champart By Mark Pardoe MW (Berry Bros & Rudd)
“Try something understated, not mainstream, and made with love. Isabelle and Mathieu Champart make wonderful wine at their beautifully situated farm in Saint-Chinian, southern France. I’d choose their white. Very old vine Terret gives the individuality: verbena, spring flowers and honeysuckle, then a honeyed, ripe palate and teasing twist of salinity on the finish. It unfolds into the second or third glass; always a reason to try a little more. A perfect excuse on a first date.” £19/75cl, bbr.com
10 | San Lorenzo Etna Rosso 2012, Girolamo Russo By Julia Oudill (Compagnie des Vins Surnaturels)
“I would be very surprised if the person I am dating picked something well known. Rather, I imagine something hard to find, a less famous appellation or an unknown grape; part of the fun and intrigue in wine is finding something new. This wine is made with Nerello Mascalese, and only about 500 bottles are produced each year. It’s very smooth; silky tannins with red cherry flavour, balsamic essence, sweet spices and tobacco.” £35/75cl, uvinum.co.uk