1 2 3 4 5 6The Sunday Times Magazine • 43place to start. In Marlborough
the grape’s characteristic zingy
gooseberry flavours are softened
by notes of tropical fruit and
green pepper, underscored by
mouthwatering acidity. This is a
sensational example for the price.
3 2019 Robert Oatley
Signature Series Chardonnay
Majestic, £14.99 Australia
Disregard the snobs who decry
the world’s most widely
celebrated grape variety. When
it’s high in quality, chardonnay
marries a seductively creamy,
buttery, toasty character with
beautiful threads of citrus and
vanilla. Oatley’s Signature Series
hails from the Margaret River
region and provides a little taste
of why some are willing to pay
thousands for the very top
chardonnays in Burgundy.knowledge by serving it with
turkey and all the trimmings.5 2020 Salentein Barrel
Selection Malbec
Marks & Spencer, £15
Argentina
If you sometimes find classic
French reds such as claret too
tannic and austere, the soft,
seductive malbec grape is an
accessible alternative, especially
when cultivated at high altitude
in the Uco Valley of Argentina.
The Salentein combines uplifting
waves of dark plummy fruit with
violet and vanilla. Just thing to
serve with roast beef.6 2019 Seifried Estate Sweet
Agnes Riesling
The Sunday Times Wine Club,
£16.99 (37.5cl)
New Zealand
A glass of chilled sweet wine can
be one of the most hedonistic
and intense experiences on the
wine route. This late-harvest
riesling from Nelson, near
Marlborough, will capture your
imagination with its honeyed
texture and sweet notes of orange
peel and lime. Pair with light
puddings or enjoy on its own.4 2020 Chalkduster Zinfandel
Co-op, £7.50 USA
In sunny California, the zinfandel
grape produces uncomplicated,
undemanding wines that slip
down as easily as an episode
of Lovejoy. This example sits at
the beginning of the wine journey
and shows how a backbone of
acidity can help to enhance the
lush, juicy flavours of dark fruit.
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