This time of year is always an interesting one as we await the arrival of the first wines from the previous autumn’s northern hemisphere harvest.
However carefully you study weather and vintage reports, nothing is quite as revealing as what is inside the first bottles to arrive.
The good news is that the first example I have reviewed is very promising indeed.
Obviously, pinot grigio from Northern Italy is not an infallible indicator of results right across Europe.
Nevertheless, this is an impressive version with sufficient texture and energy to help encourage PG sceptics among wine drinkers to think again.
Its companion today is red wine where immediacy is not the priority.
Rioja has a well-established maturation and classification process for red wines and this illustration shows how well that can pay off.
Once again, pictures are included where possible to make it easier to track down the wine in question.
First that pinot grigio
2023 Irresistible Pinot Grigio (from £6.50 at the Co-op and 12%):
This Italian outrider for Europe’s 2023 vintage is really tasty and a good omen for what is to come.
Especially pleasing is the way it provides the vivacity and complexity that (being tactful) is not always obvious in Venezie pinot grigio.
Its orange blossom aromas lead us nicely into light bodied, melon, peach and tangerine flavours.
Support for that backbone comes from its accompanying fresh lime acidity and bold hints of something tart like greengage.
And, then, the Rioja
2018 Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja Reserva (£9 at Asda and 14%):
Reserva is, of course, the next-to-top category in Rioja and involves at least three years aging.
This is a Decanter Silver award winning example of the genre that is well worth £9 (it is a Reserva after all) – but, even better, it does sometimes come on offer.
Dark with oaky aromas, it provides rich bramble, plum and cherry flavours.
These are successfully coupled here with lively acidity, firm tannin and suggestions of vanilla, clove and cocoa.
For those of you who are subscribers, join me on Thursday for a look at oak in white wine and, then, again for next Monday’s Top Tips.
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12 responses
Hi Brian
I remember when the ‘Marques de Norte Rioja’ first appeared on the shelves a few years ago and there was so much fuss around it, winning lots of awards, and rightly so.
It’s a very classic style, a little old school, but more importantly, it tastes like a Rioja should, I’ve bought it many times over the years.
The Asda Rioja never fails to impress and the Coop PG looks good.As you are temporarily abridged and gave the green light for suggestions,here is my take on a wine I enjoyed this weekend.
2023 Stonedance Granite White Piekenierskloof South Africa The Wine Society 12.5% £8.95
This is an accomplished well balanced blend of mainly Chenin Blanc with some Grenache Blanc and Palomino.The latter two grapes and a subtle use of wood in the Palomino adds welcome layers of complexity,but does not obscure the refreshing peach and nectarine flavours. A long and satisfying stony finish that is true to the title of the wine.
Exclusive to TWS, good value and deserves to be a winner,but if not,then at least a place in the fridge door.
Hi Brian …
It interests me a lot as to how certain wines get a bad press somewhere along the way and their provenance gets trashed!
Might go hand-in-glove with a rise in popularity of such wine. It may be that by jumping on the mass-production bandwagon, and a desire for market share no matter what the compromise, it all gets coupled with a drop in quality to satisfy that demand, and then the brickbats fly.
Trying to avoid any soft-target, generalisations here I’ll suggest Oz Chardonnay back in the day, never a favourite of mine, along with cheap Beaujolais, and probably some Prosecco too more recently.
And of course any Liebfraumilche, Blue Nunn and Piat D’Or we might mention! Likely some truth about what I mention here, without wanting to appear snobby about this.
But figuring here as well has seemed to be Pinot Grigio though I’d allow for the fact that with even cheaper-end wines being better manufactured especially in Italy, Pinot Grigio is getting a better press all round, and now no way deserving of its criticism. Its status has improved no end. And that pleases me!
It also pleases me that this is the second week running you have recommended a Pinot Grigio with this Irresistible Venezie Co-op bottle. For me your choice of the Morrisons Abruzzo Sorso last week that I got for an astonishingly cheap £4.30 provided as good a mid- week aperitif as we might hope for. Really enjoyed its citric freshness but some depth of character as well, drunk with salty black, wrinkly Greek olives out of a bag, from Lidl.
Coupled with buying the Calvet Cité de Carcassonne Carignan at Morrisons as well for only £6 the trip there was completed with lovely pieces of beef rump steak for not a lot of money either. My son’s mother was happy at the weekend!
So it’s a Co-op tomorrow for your today’s bianco and while I’m there a bottle of that really delicious 2020 Irresistible Salice Salentino you flagged-up a few weeks ago.
Hi Brian i have been following your weekly emails, love the wines you recommend. but was in aldi’s got some lovely S/B from N ew Zealand for £3.99 insted of £9.99 loaded up. keep up the good work.
Hope someone might pick up on this who could enjoy a classy French red that won’t necessarily jump out at us ! Morrisons somewhat ideosyncratic discounting process is being very selective with only some bottles being offered at £18 for 3 … but fortunately includes the Calvert Cite de Carcassonne . That’s a 25% saving Without having to buy the usual 6 bottles.
Can’t speak more highly of it and now have a shedload on the shelf. … for fear of it disappearing too soon!!
Tried some again the other day, Eddie, and it remains good, typical Southern France red. Great value on this promotion.