RobertOatleyChardonnay
2017,MargaretRiver,
Australia(£12,Co-op)
AnAussiechardonnay
thatcleverlybalances
juicypeachandcitrusfruit
withsubtlevanilla-tinged
oak.Madeforbuttery,
pan-friedsalmonsteaks
orroastchicken.TescoViñadelCura
RiojaBlanco2018,
Spain(£5)
A modern,unoaked white
rioja,brightandlively
witha streakoftangy
lime.Versatilevino to
enjoyonitsownor with
simplefishdishes and
vegetablerisottos.THEBARGAINWHITE THEMIDWEEKTREAT
THE GIN FORA COLDNIGHT
York Gin OldTom(70cl),
Yorkshire, England
(£35.95, MasterofMalt;
£36, yorkgin.com)
‘Old Tom’ gins,likethis
award-winnermadewith
herbal syrup,areweightier
and slightlysweeter.
Good wintersippingspirit
served neatontherocks.Martinez5 YearOld
MarsalaSuperiore
RiservaDolce,Sicily,
Italy(£7.50for37.5cl,
Marks&Spencer)
A luscioustreatfullof
toffee,marmaladeand
apricotflavours.Sip
withchocolatepuds
orsaltybluecheeses.RED FORA WINTERSTEW DIVINEDESSERTWINE
WarwickCapeLadyCabernet
Sauvignon2017,Western
Cape, SouthAfrica
(£8.75, Morrisons)
There’s plentyofripe
blackcurrant,blueberryand
plum in thisCapecab,but
it’s smoothandmellow– just
the thingfora slow-cooked
beef casserole.Susy Atkins lines up best buys for February, plus purse-friendlyValentine’sfizz
WHAT TO DRINK
ILLUSTRATION: ISTOCK/GETTY IMAGES
HOTTHISMONTH... Crémant sparkling wines
If you’relookingfora
Valentine’sfizztohitthat
sweetspotwherequality
meetsgoodvalue,checkout
crémant.It’stheofficial
nameforsparklersmadein
differentregionsofFrance
usingthesamemeticulous
methodemployedtocreate
champagne.Crémants
cancomefromAlsace,
Burgundy/Bourgogne,Jura
or Limoux,amongother
areas,andingeneraltend
to bewellmade,balanced,
dryandfresh.Eventhe
pricesareheart-warming,makingthema perfect
choicefor 14 February.ONETOTRY
Calvet Crémant de
Bordeaux Brut NV,
France (£10, reduced
to £8 until 14 Feb, Tesco)
Refreshing, zesty and
dry sparkler with lemon
and green apple fruit
flavours and a crisp,
lively sparkle. Chill and
enjoy on its own, or add
a splash of crème de
cassis or damson gin for
an instant pink cocktail.THE BARGAIN RED
Morrisons The Best
Bordeaux Supérieur
2017, France (£6.75)
For the price, this is
a thoroughly decent,
easy-going claret
(aka red bordeaux).
Medium-bodied with a
soft, red cherry flavour,
it’s one for lamb chops.drinks.
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