Wine expert Carol Brown shares some top autumnal tipples

Wine expert Carol Brown selects a range of autumnal tipples that go with everything from seafood to cheeseboards

The way we were: it could be a while before wine tasting looks like this again, main picture, but you can still enjoy sampling at a distance

It’s probably going to be a while before trade tastings and wine travels resume, but I’ve still managed to enjoy a diverse range of wines over the last few weeks.

For those of you planning to visit virtual Taste of Grampian (www.tasteofgrampian.co.uk), I’ve also included some food and wine pairing suggestions to enjoy with the great local produce.

I’m beginning with bubbles and actually the first wine region where the production of sparkling wine was documented in 1531 by the monks at the Abbey of St Hilaire near Limoux in the Languedoc.

Cuvee Royal Cremant de Limoux Brut NV is a traditional method sparkling wine made from 70% Chardonnay and also Chenin Blanc and Chardonnay in the mix.

Fragrant with biscuit and toasty notes, it’s bone dry and savoury with a toasty edge to the citrus and pear. £11.99, www.waitrosecellar.com

It was perfect alongside battered Peterhead haddock and chips with a side order of battered Amity scampi!

Jordi di Miro Garnacha Blanca 2019 from the Terra Alta region in north-east Spain is a great example of just how good Garnacha Blanca can be – perfumed with peaches and pears, white flowers and pink grapefruit.

Dry and fruity as above and refreshing and with a mineral streak.

Serve it with the best of Scottish shellfish, simply cooked.

M&S, £9.

Another fine fizz is the rich and complex Quartet Brut NV by Roederer from the deep end of the Anderson Valley in California.

It brought back memories of a visit there a couple of years ago.

A classic traditional method Pinot Noir/Chardonnay blend, some of the reserve wines undergo oak ageing giving that richness.

Fragrant with spice, peach and mango with the crispness of green apple and the lift of lemon peel acidity.

Try it as an alternative cheeseboard accompaniment, especially with locally produced hard cheeses and oatcakes.

The toasty, savoury edge really works a treat. £25.99, waitrosecellar.com

Staying with wine with seafood suggestions, a favourite from our fridge is Charles Smith Kung Fu Girl Riesling 2017 from the US region of Washington State.

If you are going to spice up your fish or seafood with Thai flavours or the sweeter elements of Chinese food, the just-dry style of Kung Fu Girl works so well, balancing out both chilli heat and sweetness with its fruitiness.

It’s intensely zingy with lime, pink grapefruit and lemon zest.

In the mouth, it’s a tangy citrus blast with ripe peach and a mouth-watering acidity.

It will also work really well with your chicken or pork stir-fry.

£15.95-£16.05 from independent merchants such as fountainhallwines.co.uk (Aberdeen), aitkenwines.com (Dundee) and exelwines.co.uk (Perth).

Perhaps a touch indulgent, but when we enjoyed a Turkish takeaway from Rendezvous @ Nargile, it was an opportunity to raid the wine rack for a northern Rhone Cote Rotie ‘Les Jumelles’ 2005 from Paul Jaboulet Aine.

Time slumbering has mellowed this rich, full-bodied Syrah.

It was so well balanced with soft tannins, dark fruit and spice and it was perfect with my lamb kebabs.

This Cotie Rotie isn’t widely available but do check out your local merchant to see which Rhone wines they have. Drink your northern Rhone Syrah from Cote Rotie and other appellations such as St Joseph, Hermitage and Crozes Hermitage with kebabs, lamb tagine and roast lamb.

On previous visits to the Taste of Grampian food and drink festival, I’ve always come away with great butchers’ sausages and burgers, and I’ve found you a wine to drink alongside these meats cooked on the last of the summer barbecues.

Bodegas Paniza ‘Terrenal’ Garnacha 2019 is from the north-east of Spain and is a mid-weight glassful of vibrant juicy red berries, red cherries and brambles and all for a very respectable £6 from M&S.

Independent wine expert Carol Brown offers a range of online certified WSET courses in both wines and spirits and also fun, interactive virtual wine tastings. www.wineuncorkededucation.co.uk

Kung Fu Girl Riesling