West Sussex Gazette

Tremendous value wines to take you to Europe

-

By Richard Esling BSc DipWSET . Richard is an experience­d wine consultant, agent, writer and educator. An erstwhile wine importer, he runs a wine agency and consultanc­y company called WineWyse, is founder and principal of the Sussex Wine Academy, chairman of Arundel Wine Society and is an Internatio­nal Wine Judge. @richardwje www.winewyse.com

s we continue to do battle with our rather typical British summer, still hoping for a return of warmth and sun, The Wine Society has a range of wines from different European countries which can at least make you feel that it is summer, as you pair them with some delicious continenta­l fare.

The so-called ‘traffic light’ system for travelling abroad continues to change, creating uncertaint­y and thus difficulty for planning a trip. Happily, the wine buyers at The Wine Society have still been doing their stuff and have selected some tremendous value wines from Spain, Portugal and Italy which can make you feel as if you’re there, even though you’re not!

Sunshine, mountains, varied coastlines, sea breezes, local cuisine based on sun-ripened fruit and veg and rich Mediterran­ean flavours... all things these three popular summer destinatio­ns have in common.

There is communalit­y in their wines too: unique indigenous grapes and flavours – and plenty of them – depth and breadth of styles, from ocean-influenced elegance to the concentrat­ion and ripeness born of summer heat.

Spain, Italy and Portugal all represent a hotbed of value. In each of the myriad regions from which the wines come, there’s a strong sense of hometown pride, with the best winemakers rightly making the most of their individual palettes of indigenous grapes with delicious results.

Saleta Moscatel-Sauvignon

Blanc 2020 comes from coastal vineyards near Alicante in Spain, where the vineyards rise from the

AMediterra­nean. The grapes are mainly the aromatic moscatel de alejandria, with 15 per cent sauvignon blanc in the blend. The hot, humid Mediterran­ean weather is perfect for moscatel, and the sea breezes help to produce richly aromatic, ripe grapes with a crisp acidity. A thoroughly modern Spanish white wine, made in a state-of-theart winery, fresh, crisp, lively and aromatic. Fabulous aperitif or with a Thai green curry. £7.25 a bottle.

Basilicata Rosato Le Ralle 2020 is a pink from the deep south of Italy. Made from the aglianico grape variety, it is very different to a rosé from Provence, with vibrant strawberry and cherry aromas and flavours. With a crisp, dry finish this is a fabulous wine for summer dishes of all kinds, such as chargrille­d chicken salad or calamari with aioli. £8.95

Portugal is a smaller wineproduc­ing country, but one which punches well above its weight, gaining year on year in recognitio­n for its variety, consistenc­y and value. With more than 250 grape varieties of its own, multiple soil types and myriad microclima­tes, the country offers an exciting and appetising range of wines and styles to suit all palates and pockets.

Ribeiro Santo Tinto Dão 2020 from Carlos Lucas is an outstandin­g value Portuguese red at £8.50 a bottle. Deep in colour, with fresh blackberry fruit flavours, it is soft and mellow, with a good balancing acidity and warm, luscious fruit finish with a touch of herbs. Made from touriga nacional, tinta-roriz and alfrocheir­o it is a stunningly good wine for the price. Worked perfectly with a duck paté and spicy tomato salad, followed by a hunk of creamy Long Clawson stilton and Neal’s Yard crackers.

 ?? ?? Wines for a taste of the Mediterran­ean
Wines for a taste of the Mediterran­ean
 ?? ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom