RAISE A GLASS

There’s something splendidly “joined up” about my first wine in this week’s dalliance with words.

I love pinot noir and I love New Zealand pinot noir.

Four and a bit years ago I visited Marlborough on the South Island and a handful of wine producers. One of them was Jackson Estate. I tasted some of their delicious offerings with Matt Patterson-green, Jackson’s head winemaker.

I remember taking photos of Matt as he stood among rows of ripening berries. That was in 2018.

Roll on the years and the wine I’ve just sipped is Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Pinot Noir 2018 (RRP £21, Ocado).

I’d like to think that perhaps I brushed past the grapes as they grew on the other side of the world.

Perhaps not. But I love the romance of the idea.

The wine has a depth of black fruits freshly plucked from a hedgerow. I feel I’m in a dusky, twilit wood. The essence of the shrubtumbled fruits is echoed by dried leaves, snapped twigs and hints of herbs. The rounded flavours last a long, long, time. Lovely.

I’ll stay with reds, and reflect on a couple from Laithwaites, chosen by wine buyers Sarah Everden (Spain) and Leo Bassano (Italy). They were asked: “What’s the very best value wine on your list now?”

Sarah chose Castillo De Maluenda 2020 (RRP £11.99, or £10.49 in a case of 12) which is crafted from old vine garnacha and monastrell.

Sarah said: “This is a wine that I think seriously over-delivers. It’s made by Bodegas Raíces Ibérica – hotly tipped as Spain’s most exciting newcomer.”

What do I think? It’s a lovely mix of bright, deep, red fruits and a herbal, dusty, dryness. It is superbly more-ish.

Leo suggests Di Prima 2020 (RRP £12.49 or £10.99 in a case of 12). It’s a full-bodied red from Sicily, made from syrah (aka shiraz), a grape whose homeland is the northern Rhône.

Leo says: “An outstanding shiraz … you can feel the heat, the herbs, and the spices of Sicily!” He recommends it with all-things barbecue – which is a very good shout. In another “joined-up” random moment, I had sipped my bottle with barbecued lamb chops and chipolatas.

I hugged my glass of ripe black fruits and spice as the afternoon sun ebbed away.

Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers. Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.