EASTER WINE BLOG – Quality Reds to enjoy while the Kids are on Easter egg
hunts
Thinking about Easter
and what to drink?
It is so early this
year that cuddling up indoors from a cold March wind, with a bottle of lovely
smooth red, could hit the spot. While the kids are on their Easter egg hunt,
keep an eye on them through the window while sipping a welcome glass of Rioja
or Malbec. Magic……
Viña Maipo Vitral Syrah Reserva, 2014
Chile – Morrisons £6.00
The
Vitral Reserva Syrah is a relatively new product and has already won a silver
medal at the 2016 International Wine Challenge. It has juicy black fruit, oak, and
a touch of fruity sweetness. It is very well balanced with a spicy finish and
chocolatey back notes. Elegant and balanced with a fresh bright finish. I have
already tried the sister chardonnay and it is fab. Both wines have been discounted
from £8.99 to £6 at Morrisons. Also available at Ocado for £6.99
Trivento Reserve Malbec, 2014
Argentina – Tesco £6.00
This is a great
example of the increasingly popular Malbec grape, grown in the Mendoza region
of Argentina. This full bodied red has a combination of plum and raspberry jam
flavours which combine elegantly with vanilla from 6 months aging in French oak
barrels. This is a well balanced wine
with good tannin and a velvety finish. Definitely a wine to enjoy at room
temperature and also keep in your cellar until your first summer barbeque.
Opening a couple of hours before drinking will improve the flavour and iron out
the young tannins. Usually priced at £8.00 it is on offer at both Tesco and
Ocado with 25% off.
CVNE Rioja Reserva 2011, Spain – Majestic £8.99
Quality
Spanish wines with 4 or 5 years age are now much more available. I first came
across CVNE when working in Spain in the 1980’s and their wine rarely
disappoint. This Rioja Reserva is 5 years old and has a typical garnet colour
with a lovely brambly nose and a hint of spice and a fruity flavour. There are
also hints of warm leather and caramel with an excellent lingering finish. The
producer has a long history and is well known throughout Spain, Compañía
Vinícola del Norte de España, was founded in 1879 in and is still family owned.
Normally selling in Majestic for £14.99 it is reduced to £12.99 for a bottle or
£8.99 if you buy it as part of a mixed case. Also available for £9.74 at
Waitrose.
Wolf Blass Yellow Label Cabernet
Sauvignon 2014, Australia Tesco £6.50
Looking
for something big and reliable at a reasonable price, then don’t look past Wolf
Blass Yellow Label Cabernet Sauvignon. This is a prime example of an Aussie
cabernet sauvignon with heady black currant and ripe plum fruit, and a fine
minty complexity. This full flavoured
cabernet sauvignon from selected vineyards in South Australia, has subtle oak
and fine tannins and delivers a lovely balanced mouthful. Don’t be put off by
the bright yellow label and the fact that you can buy it in almost every
supermarket. Give it a try and you won’t be disappointed. This wine will
improve with decanting or by aging for another couple of years ... if you can
wait. Also available in Morrisons £7.00 and Waitrose at £8.00
