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Wines in the Press- May 14-16

Guardian
Victoria Moore heard about the Nyetimber Classic Cuvée 2003, long before she tasted it. She says that first there were a few wine trade murmurings about how good it was, then came the news that it had become Champion of Worldwide Sparkling Wines in an Italian competition. Moore adds that tasting it was every bit as exciting as she anticipated: "Here is a wine that is instantly stimulating, begins with an elegant, creamy flow of Chardonnay and then builds steadily in your mouth as the spicy Pinot Meunier and the sappiness of the Pinot Noir come into play. In a word, it's lovely." It's not easy to find because of its low levels of production. But if you're quick, she says you can still buy it for around £26 at slurp.co.uk, Wholefoods, Lea & Sandeman, Fortnum & Mason and Forman & Field.

Times
It used to be taste-bud torture when attending the annual St George's Day English wine-tasting event, but not anymore says Jane McQuitty. Now England's strongest suit is the sparklers made from the classic Champagne grapes of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Meunier. She recommends checking out for yourself at English Wine Week, May 29-June 6, when there will be free tastings and events at wineries. McQuitty recommends Nyetimber's Blanc de Blancs 2001 (£27 Wine Society).

Financial Times
Jancis Robinson MW, says when she started writing about wine in the 1970s she was told firmly that Asians would never become wine drinkers. How wrong we all were, adds Robinson, as Asia has become the focus of the world's fine wine trade and it's happened principally within the last two years. Now more fine wine is auctioned in Hong Kong island than anywhere else in the world. Hundreds of fine wine traders, French merchants and Bordeaux châteaux owners have China's new millionaires firmly in their sights. Robinson says Asia presents glorious opportunities for the world's wine producers - even if for consumers it is having an inflationary effect on prices at the top end.

Daily Mail
For Olly Smith, a genius food-and-drink combination can offer a potent imprint on the mind and unleash a stratum of pleasure that knows no limit. He says he spends his life inventing recipes to match the wild cauldron of flavours that are bursting to get out of his drinks cabinet.
"When you combine two flavours that exponentially multiply the deliciousness of the dish, whether it's something as simple as a sip of cognac with a frosty bite of a Magnum for a DIY Baileys, or eating a chunk of Stilton with a glass of chilled Hungarian Tokaji, you are making magic." You can read more of his matches in his Complete Summer Wine Guide at http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/moslive/article-1277241/OLLY-SMITH-The-complete-summer-wine-guide?Part-One.html#ixzz0oBCAEXSN

Telegraph
Being stranded in New Zealand because of last month's flight ban meant an expensive time for Bob Tyrer as he had more time to delve into the nooks and crannies of boutique New Zealand wines. One extra visit took him to Martinborough, to see biodynamic producer Lance Redgwell. Tyrer says his best is called Noblestone, which he reckons is a ringer for a savoury, dark-fruited, contemplative, deeply serious yet comforting Burgundy. Tyrer adds, "Ha! You can't buy any - unless you go to the other side of the world, and even then there might be none left, because I bought the next-to-last bottle and would have gone back over the Rimutakas for the other one if Air New Zealand hadn't called to say we at last had a flight home."