ON THE GRAPEVINE
BY SAM WYLIE HARRIS
New World winemakers are at the top of their game when it comes to shaping the way we drink, producing all our favourite varieties in a fruit-forward, accessible style with power in their stride – a sign of sunny climes – and you can’t go wrong with these top options...
Warwick The First Lady Cabernet Sauvignon 2018, Stellenbosch, South Africa
(£8, Tesco) A cabernet with a little bit of swagger and just the right side of ripeness. After 18 months in oak this has a vibrant blackberry nose, solid mix of plums, blackcurrant and cassis, some intriguing charred oaky notes and a touch of herbs – with flashes of liquorice and leather on the smooth, long finish. Veramonte Organic Chardonnay 2019, Casablanca, Chile (currently reduced to £9.50 from £11.50, Ocado) A fresh, juicy, moderately rich chardonnay, beautifully balanced with a tropical, citrusy character, hint of fleshy pear fruit and tangy lemon. Downright delicious, with a burst of lemon zest on the fruity finish. Other Veramonte wines are also worth exploring.
Wynns Coonawarra Estate Shiraz 2020, Coonawarra, Australia (£14.99 or £9.99 Mix Six, Majestic) Lovely forest floor aromas meld with black pepper and floral nuances. The palate’s plump and generous, with black cherry and raspberry fruit, gentle tannins and a soft acidity. Cherry fruit laced with pepper, and a touch of cedary oak closes the finish.
Zuccardi ‘Q’ Malbec 2019, Mendoza, Argentina (£15.99 or £13.99 Mix Six, Majestic) Beyond its alluring bouquet of luscious cherry and violetscented fruit, rich cassis flavours unfurl on the rich, juicy, mouth-coating palate. Herbs and spicy notes also make themselves known – a deeply fruited wine that’s seriously satisfying and polished. Seachange Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Marlborough, New
Zealand (£16.99, Seachange
Wine) Concentrated, stylishly herbaceous and full of zest, this savvy blanc is packed with passion fruit, tropical flavours, gooseberry and grassy notes. There’s even a touch of blackcurrant leaf and green capsicum. Exotic with mouthwatering acidity, it finishes wonderfully fresh and long.