You won't find a more suitable partner for fruity dishes than fruity wines,' says JAMIE GOODE, and he recommends 2005 Cono Sur Limited Release Gewrztraminer, Bo-Bo Valley, Chile (5.49; Waitrose).
Read more...Red wines from the Loire Valley are always considered chic' in Paris, and according to JOANNA SIMON, Cabernet Franc is looking better than ever. Chinon is her favoured appellation for suggestions such as 2004 Chinon, Chteau de Coulaine (8.95; Jeroboams).
Read more...Who would choose to go into the wine business?' Generally, people who love wine, concludes RICHARD EHRLICH. One such person is David Bolomey, who has set up a website offering a breakdown of how the critics rate the 2005 Bordeaux vintage: www.bordoverview.com. Ehrlich also speaks to James Bercovici, who launched The Big Red Wine Company and his wine recommendations from here include 2003 Cairanne Vendange Chabrille', Ctes-du-Rhne Villages, Domaine Brusset (11.35).
Read more...MATTHEW JUKES is concentrating on Italy again this week, and he begins by recommending everything from Planeta in Sicily: Their wines are amazing and their olive oil is an absolute treat, too.' Other winners include the chocolate-scented' 2005 Montepulciano d'Abruzzo, Moncaro, Abruzzi (4.49 or 3.59 when you buy two; Majestic). This week's WoW is 2004 Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, Fonte del Re, Umani Ronchi, Marche (10.95; SWIG of London).
Read more...IAN WISNIEWSKI takes the helm this week and gives whisky a turn in the spotlight. Malt whisky has become the most innovative and specialised catagory', according to Wisniewski and even cool, urban consumers from their late-20s are discovering malts'.
Peated malts have been the fastest-growing style in recent years and one to try is Ardbeg 10 Year Old (27.49; Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury's, Oddbins). Or for those who prefer a bit more maturity, he recommends Old Pulteney 21 Year Old (69.99; Oddbins).
Come on, England,' urges JANE MacQUITTY. But, unlike the rest of the country, she's talking to the winemakers, rather than the footballers. MacQuitty started tasting English wine in the 1970s and
a lot has happened since then. Back then, the best we could offer was an undistinguished, off-dry, grapey, pseudo-Teutonic white made from hardy German cross-breeds.' Luckily, things are looking an awful lot better these days, and MacQuitty's recommendations include 2004 Denbies Redlands (7.99; Denbies).
It's the second column of JONATHAN RAY's two-part summer series, and picnics are on the agenda. A picnic is all about being carefree, and the weather is really its least important element. Good company, good food and good wine are all that matter... come to think of it, all that matters is the wine.' For festive picnics, where it's important to impress, he advises packing a bottle of 2004 Chassagne-Montrachet Vielles Vignes, Vincent Girardin (21.99; Waitrose). For something romantic, try Taittinger Ros NV (35.99; Majestic, Selfridges, Oddbins, Tesco), or if you're having a party, he suggests 2005 Brown Bros Tarrango, Australia (5.99; Asda, Budgens, Co-op, Tesco)
Read more...Climate change is affecting wine growers across the world but nowhere more so than Germany, argues JANCIS ROBINSON MW. All that extra sunshine has been translated into extra stuffing in the trocken Rieslings that tasted so unappealingly meagre a decade or two ago.' Another noticeable change, she says, is the new wave of reds: Germany is now well and truly a red wine-producing country even if the most usual grape is Pinot Noir, or Sptburgunder.' According to Robinson, 2005 was as good to Germany as it was to France, and her top producers include Dr Crusius, Fritz Haag, Keller and Stefan Winter.
Read more...JAMIE GOODE turns his attention to spicy foods this week and picks out wines to bring out a synergy of flavours far greater than the sum of is parts'. A good bet for chilli fans is 2004 Pinot Blanc Auxerrois Albert Mann, Alsace (8.49; Oddbins), which is a rich, concentrated, fat white wine with melon and apricot fruit' or the fresh, lemony' Tesco Finest Vintage Cava, Spain (5.93). Question of the week for Goode is: Will the effects of global warming mean that the UK could be producing wines as serious as those from France in 50 years time?' He replies that nobody can be sure of the consequences so it could be good news or bad news for the 200-odd vineyards currently operating in the UK'.
Beer sales are likely to soar during the World Cup weeks, says JAMIE GOODE, but 'before you grab a couple of crates of your regular lager, why not think out of the box a bit?' Among his suggestions are Duvel, Belgium (1.65; Tesco, Oddbins).
Read more...The Sideways effect might not have hit the UK to the same extent as it hit the US but 'sales of Pinot Noir are definitely climbing', reports JOANNA SIMON. Her favourites include 2004 Givry Domaine de la Fert (12.20; Jeroboams)
Read more...RICHARD EHRLICH is a rare creature indeed: a member of the male sex who has not been hijacked by World Cup mania. 'The event holds little interest for me, as I'm not a follower of the sport in question,' he says. However, this hasn't stopped him thinking about some liquid refreshment for those who are interested and he recommends the services of Rent-a-Keg. 'They have access to a range of 400 real ales in casks: Youngs AAA, Fullers London Pride and Adnams Broadside are just three of their bestsellers, and all are supplied with a traditional hand pump so you can pull a pint for your guest like a real-live publican.' Or, for readers who would rather stick to wine, his suggestions include 2005 Flagstone Fish Hoek Ros (5.99; Oddbins).
Read more...'In wine circles the ability to spit like an Icelandic geyser is a critical social skill,' observes VICTORIA MOORE. She admits that the higher echelons of the 'spitocracy' continue to elude her and comments: 'The most experienced and revered palates scour the tables at great speed, swirl, gargle, then, with something of the swagger with which a cowboy might draw his pistol, their glance flicks in the direction of the spittoon and, at long range a jet of liquid arcs suddenly into it.' Spitting aside, she recommends a few of her Italian favourites, including 2005 La Prendina Estate Corvina (5.99; Marks and Spencer).
Read more...VICTORIA MOORE is treated to a glass of 1986 Chteau Lafite-Rothschild - her first first growth' - and she's far from disappointed. It had more presence than any other wine I have ever drunk,' she comments and, for those with money to burn, she discovers the wine can be bought at Berry Bros and Rudd for 402 per bottle. Meanwhile down at the other end of the price scale, she recommends a few summer whites for under a fiver, including 2005 Casablanca Sauvignon Blanc (4.99; Marks and Spencer).
Mid-priced wines are the focus for JANE MacQUITTY this week, and she puts forward her top 25 bottles for under 8. Topping the whites is 2003 Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett, von Kesselstatt, Germany (7.99; selected Co-op, Jeroboams). Her red winners include 2003 Hegarty Chamans, Vin de Table, France (6.99; Oddbins).
Read more...ANTHONY ROSE presents his own take on a summer A-Z of wine and starts off with Albario. 'Rioja might not agree and Catalonia might object, but only the most parochial would challenge Albario's claim to the Spanish white wine crown.' And if anyone is in doubt, he suggests they try a bottle of 2005 Sainsbury's Taste the Difference Albario (5.99). Somewhere in the middle, Grner Veltliner gets a look in, with the 'outstanding' 2005 Gobelsburger Grner Veltliner Kamptal, Austria (6.49; Waitrose). And bringing up the rear is 2005 Casillero del Diablo Viognier, Chile (5.99; Morrisons), 'which displays the full-on, peachy fruitiness of the grape'.
Read more...JONATHAN RAY goes on a visit to Corsica, having been promised a wonderful wine experiece by Jason Yapp of Yapp Brothers. One of the wineries on the itinery is Domaine Saparale, and Ray is 'pleasantly surprised'. The next visit offers up a 2005 Domaine Torraccia Rouge, which is reportedly reminiscent of a 'fox's arse' when young, but luckily becomes 'marvellously juicy and jammy' with a bit of age. Ultimately, says Ray, 'it's Corsica's ross that hit the spot'. Other recommendations of the week include 2004 Da Luca Grillo-Chardonnay, Sicily (5.99; Somerfield).
Read more...JOANNA SIMON takes a moment to consider the French AOC of Lirac and comments: It isn't so much one of France's forgotten wines as one that has never really made an impression.' If you can find these wines on a restaurant list, they're likely to be good value, she continues, or if you'd rather drink at home, try 2003 Chteau d'Aquria, Lirac (7.99; Majestic) or 2003 Domaine du Joncier, Lirac (8.50; Stone, Vine and Sun.
Read more...JANCIS ROBINSON MW says no to both red and white this week, insisting that sometimes only pink will do. 'There is something terribly compelling about ros on a summer's day.' Pink wines might not be taken as seriously as red and white, but there are still several styles to choose between and Robinson strives to make the decision easier. She comes up with six categories: three ros styles and three chilled reds. Ross are divided into 'Pretty Pinks', 'Pink Pinots' and 'Clarete Style', while the chillable reds are Beaujolais, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc. One of her 'Pretty Pink' favourites is 2005 Cavalchina Chiaretto Bardolino (5.99 or 4.79 if you buy two; Majestic).
Read more...ANDREW NEATHER eschews summer whites and ross, pointing out that current weather conditions require something a bit more robust'. He advises trying a bottle of 2003 Palestra Tinto, Douro (6.50; Jeroboams).
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