Grape vine
Whether you ski or not, SAM WYLIE-HARRIS has some wines that taste great with Alpine treats for that apres-ski effect
ONE of the best ways to enjoy wintry weather is in the comfort of a cosy mountain retreat, imbibing the joys of a catered ski chalet holiday.
But you don’t have to be a skier to indulge in Alpine dishes and replicate the homely atmosphere you would come back to after a hard day on the slopes.
Along with a rewarding glass of wine, comfort food such as a cheese fondue or warming casserole can make you think it’s not such a bad thing to be stuck indoors after all.
PRISTINE WHITES
FOR melt-in-the mouth moments and an authentic Swiss fondue, crisp, dry whites such as a gruner veltliner, or a South African chenin blanc pair perfectly with Gruyere (cheese of the month at Paxton & Whitfield, paxtonandwhitfield.co.uk), an indispensable ingredient for a genuine cheese fondue. Here are some wines to complement the rich creaminess...
Waitrose Gruner Veltliner 2015, Austria (£6.99, Waitrose): Austria’s signature white wine grape is growing in popularity and it produces remarkably refreshing wines with a hint of white pepper and spice, with a citrusy, herbal character. Try Waitrose own label with its lively acidity to cut through the fat and it won’t overpower the light nuttiness and fruity flavours of gruyere.
Zalze Vineyard Reserve Bush Vine Chenin Blanc 2015, South Africa (£8.99, The Co-operative): Fresh, fruity and fragrant, this cheery chenin has yellow apple and tropical fruit flavours with honeysuckle aromas and a crisp, clean finish. Versatile and food friendly, the freshness and acidity has the edge to cut through a platter of charcuterie if your bread falls off the fondue fork.
FIRESIDE REDS
WHEN it comes to simple pleasures such as a piping hot pasta bake or rustic casserole, ripe, generous reds will bring out the best of the rich dark sauces and tomato bases...
McGuigan Black Label Malbec 2016, South Eastern Australia (£7, Morrisons): The mighty malbec is Argentina’s flagship grape, but if you find the wines too heavy, this medium-bodied, easy-drinking style shows all the lush blackberry, blueberry and plum flavours, with hints of chocolate, violets and spiced fruit, but incorporates the lighter elements of French malbec to bring out the best of both worlds.
Notte Rossa Primitivo Di Manduria 2015, Italy (£10, Marks & Spencer): A wine with character, this full-bodied primitivo is a plum choice with bunches of sweet black forest fruits, savoury, earthy notes and traces of vanilla, chocolate, cherries and plums.
With structured tannins and a lingering finish, it’s the best choice with a casserole or spicy stew if you want to match weight with weight.