This week Helen McGinn tries a Tuffon Hall Sparkling white wine paired with seafood
BARGAIN OF THE WEEK
Climbing Shiraz 2015, £6.99 (normally £8.99), Waitrose
Get past the bonkers label and inside is a seriously smart wine from Australia’s Orange region, not far from Sydney. It’s made from the peppery Shiraz grape, and it’s firm and full with masses of ripe black fruits and has a gorgeous texture to boot. A curl-up-on-the-sofa kind of wine.
WHITE WINE
Corney & Barrow White Burgundy 2016, £14.95, Corney & Barrow
This wine merchant has been around a while — since 1780, to be precise. And if you haven’t tried any of their wines before, their own-label range is a good place to start. This white burgundy is fantastic value for money given its pedigree. It’s from Domaine Dominique Cornin, a small family-owned vineyard. Bright with sleek citrus fruits and a tiny touch of honey.
Food pairing: Roast chicken.
RED WINE
Rieno De La Vina Rioja Reserva 2012, £10, Morrisons
A thoroughly modern take on Spain’s most famous region’s wine, this is shiny and bright with black cherry fruits and a lick of vanilla, thanks to spending two years ageing in oak barrels.
It’s made from the Tempranillo grape and there’s a hint of the herbal about it, too. A fabulous food wine.
Food pairing: Lamb chops.
SPARKLING WINE
Tuffon Hall Sparkling White, £22, Tuffonhall.co.uk
Essex champagne! Well, not quite — it’s English sparkling wine made in the same way as champagne and in this case, from the same grapes.
The Crowther family has been farming here for more than 100 years, but they’ve only recently started making wine.
And I’m very glad they have; this is light and fresh with a subtle floral character.
Food pairing: Seafood.
The Knackered Mother’s Wine Club by Helen McGinn (Pan Macmillan, £7.99).