Wine with Andy Cronshaw
NEW Year’s resolutions have been particularly hardpressed this year. One social media meme I spotted as the latest lockdown was announced said: “Matt Hancock cancels dry January.”
But there is one aim that may be a little easier than a month in lockdown without wine and that’s Veganuary.
Many people may not be aware that plenty of wines are made with the use of animal products.
A lot of producers use meat, fish or dairy products to filter out unwanted tannins and proteins from their wines.
Thankfully many others use different methods and, of course, these wines make great partners for vegan dishes.
I can’t claim to be vegan, but many of the dishes I cook are, from vegetable curries to pasta dishes that omit a cheese topping and opt for breadcrumbs or nuts instead.
Here are some delicious options for Veganuary with more to come next week.
COLBARACA SOAVE CLASSICO 2018 (Top, £15.90, vinvm.co.uk and other online retailers)
All the wines from renowned Venetian producer Masi are vegan according to their website. Inventors of the Appassimento method for red wines, Masi are masters of texture in wine.
This Soave Classico is no exception and is more exuberant in style than most of its cousins.
The nose is rich with tropical aromas and the waxy tang of citrus zest.
The palate is creamy and wellstructured with tangy pear and bright acidity.
PACO & LOLA GARNACHA TEMPRANILLO NAVARRA 2019 SPAIN (Middle, £12, Tesco) This blend is about 50:50 Garnacha and Tempranillo and the fruit is grown in the Valdizarbe sub-region of Navarra in mature vineyards, situated at altitudes of around 450 metres above sea level.
That high altitude shows in the wine with bright, concentrated summer berry fruit that is elegant and refreshing.
Wonderful with roasted veggies.
MARUXA MENCIA 2019 (Bottom, £12.99 per bottle, £10.99 mix six Majestic) Another lithe, supple Spanish wine, this time from Galica. It’s actually made for Rioja producer CVNE by Jorge Navascues of Contino Rioja fame and it’s fabulous for the money. No oak is used here and that allows the savoury, peppery nature of the Mencia grape variety to shine through. Poor soil and high altitude put the grapes under pressure to produce tiny yields and help the wine show a mineral dimension.
LES VIGNES RETROUVéES, ST MONT 2018 (£8.50, Wine Society)
A blast of summery freshness in the depths of winter. This is made by Plaimont, a consortium of producers in the south west corner of France. It’s made from Gros Manseng, Arrufiac, and Petit Courbu which are native to Gascony and seen rarely elsewhere.
This vintage is perhaps a little more muted than earlier examples but still offers floral aromas and vibrant, breezy pineapple fruit with lime-like acidity.