Wines in the Press: Biodynamic wines and barbeques

Tim Atkin has been firing up the barbeque, Jamie Goode has been getting stuck into biodynamic wines and Andrew Jefford has been seeking out some hidden gems in Romania. Meanwhile, the Nicholas chain of wine stores take a battering from Jane MacQuitty and Anthony Rose investigates the "vineyard virus" of South Africa.



Andrew Jefford, The Financial Times, Saturday 16 August 2008

Romania may not be famous for its wine production, says Andrew Jefford, but there are some hidden gems to be found amongst its remarkable rural landscapes. Few of its finest exports can be found in the shops and you'll have to get online for a taste of what's on offer. Jefford recommends the following:

• 2006 Feteasca Regala (£7.78, www.ivinters.co.uk)
• 2006 Tamaioasa Romaneasca (£7.78, www.ivinters.co.uk)
• 2007 Colina Piatra Alba Pinot Noir (£39.90 for six bottles, www.laithwaites.co.uk)
• 2006 Limited Edition River Route Merlot (£5.19, Waitrose)
• 2007 Frunza Pinot Grigio (£5.99, Thresher)
• 2007 La Citadella Pinot Grigio (£36.90 for six bottles, www.laithwaites.co.uk)



Anthony Rose, The Independent, Saturday 16 August 2008

Some of South Africa's Cape reds have been the victims of "vineyard virus" of late, writes Anthony Rose, but that doesn't mean you should avoid South African wine. The "offending characters" are confined only to a few reds, and, concludes Rose, there is still plenty to be enjoyed. Rose recommends:

• 2007 Cederburg Sustainable Chenin Blanc (£7.50, Waitrose)
• 2006 Vergelegen Prestige White (£21.50, Waitrise)
• 2006 Jordan Nine Yards Chardonnay (£18 - £19.85, George Hill)
• 2006 Stellenbosch Barrel-fermented Chardonnay (£11.35, George Hill)
• 2006 Neil Ellis Chardonnay (£9.19, Tesco)
• 2007 Iona Elgin Sauvignon Blanc (£9.99, Waitrose)
• 2007 Vergelegen Sauvignon Blanc, £8.79, Waitrose)
• 2007 Darracott Sauvignon Blanc (£8.99, Marks and Spencer)
• 2007 Paul Cluver Sauvignon Blanc, Elgin (£9.75, Jeroboams)



Jane MacQuitty, The Times, Saturday 16 August 2008

Jane MacQuitty is seemingly behind the times. In her Saturday column, Oddbins is still owned by Castel. Now, unless she has been hiding in a wine cellar for the past three weeks, we suspect this was written a wee while ago before Oddbins was bought by Ex Cellar earlier this month. This faux pas aside, MacQuitty is less than taken this week with Nicolas, the chain that does remain under Castel's ownership. "Nicolas shops are no better than its wines, with odd, dusty window displays, and even the smart, besuited staff looking bored and ill at ease." Still, if you must buy wine here, she says, go for one of the following:

• 2007 Côte de Provence Carte Noire St Tropez (£8.50, Nicolas)
• 2007 Mâcon Terroir Mâconnais (£7.49, Nicolas)
• 2007 Réserve des Vignerons Saumur Rouge (£6.95, Nicolas)
• 2004 Premium de Crouseilles Madiran (£11.99, Nicolas)



Victoria Moore, The Guardian, Saturday 16 August 2008

"So often, we drink to drink and food happens willy-nilly," writes Victoria Moore. Which, is a shame when some wines don't shine until you put something on your plate. Moore thinks of them as sommelier wines - "because at tastings you see sommeliers buzzing around them. You put them with food and then, bang, suddenly they outclass the thirst-quenchers with their richness and flavour." Her four to try this week, with food are:

• 2005 Pinot Blanc Barriques, Ostertag, Alsace, France (£12.25, Berry Brothers)
• 2006 Collioure Cornet & Cie Blanc, France (£9.99, Marks and Spencer)
• 2006 Taste The Difference Gewürztraminer, France (£6.99, Sainsbury's)
• 2007 Tesco Finest Albariño, Rias Baixas, Spain (£6.49, Tesco)



Tim Atkin MW, The Observer, Sunday 17 August 2008

"A decent barbeque deserves a decent wine," points out Tim Aktin MW. Which is why he's been in search of the best plonk to go with chops, steaks and patties. "Don't waste time pouring light, refreshing Gamays, Pinot Noirs or Lagreins". Don't bother with expensive tipples either, says Atkins. Instead, go for something "robust... with plenty of flavour and (preferably) some oak". Some of his favourite big wines for big flavours are:

• 2005 Cairanne Reserve des Hospitaliers (£7.69, Waitrose)
• 2005 Capel Vale Cellar Exclusive Shiraz, Western Australia (£7.99, Sainsbury's)
• 2005 Malbec Reserve Barrel Select, Andean Vineyards (£8.99, Marks and Spencer)
• 2005 Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel, Lodi County (£9.49, Majestic)



Jamie Goode, The Sunday Express, Sunday 17 August 2008

Jamie Goode has been reviewing biodynamic wine this week. If the term confuses you, think of it as a "supercharged version of organic," he says. Work in the vineyard is fitted in around the alignment of the moon and the planets, and growers claim it has improved the quality of their wine. Need more convincing? Try out some of these:

• 2005 Corralillo Merlot Malbec, Vina Matetic, San Antonio Valley, Chile (£12.49, Majestic)
• 2006 Chapoutier Organic Côtes du Rhône, France (£7.99, Waitrose)
• 2005 Bodega Colomé Estate Malbec, Salta, Argentinia (£14.24, Waitrose)
• 2005 Bertie Collection Syrah, Minervois, France (£7.99, Oddbins)
• 2006 Meinklang Pinot Noir 2006, Austria (£9.25, Vintage Roots)
• 2006 Millton Chenin Blanc Te Arai, Gisborne, New Zealand (£10.99, Vintage Roots)
• 2004 Didier Barral Faugeres "Jadis", France (£17.30, Les Caves de Pyrene)



Joanna Simon, The Sunday Times, Sunday 17 August 2008

Gone are the days when wine came only in 75cl bottles. Thanks largely to tetra paks and plastic there is now an "avalanche" of shapes and sizes to choose from. But, points out Joanna Simon, there's nothing wrong with giving a half-finished bottle the stopper and refrigerator treatment, rather than putting it to waste or into tomorrow's casserole. Top picks this week are:

• 2004 La Riada Limited Release Crianza (£4.99, Wine Rack)
• 2004 Mas Des Dames, Côteaux du Languedoc (£7.95, Berry Bros & Rudd)
• 2007 Reschke Fumé Sauvignon Blanc (£10.99 - £11.49 The Wine Library)

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