My mum loves sipping a mellow glass of Rioja. She also beams over an effervescent Aperol Spritz. But don’t show her a bottle of Armagnac or she’ll bolt shrieking across the hills. Getting it right on Mother’s Day is simple – select something your mum loves and amp it up to the biggest treat imaginable. It’s time to show all our mums the day of their dreams.
If your mum adores fizz and you want to go nuts, splurge on Champagne Billecart Salmon Cuvée Louis Blanc de Blancs 2006 (12.5%, £120, thewhiskyexchange.com), which is as cutting and rich as a blade of lemon peel slicing through marzipan. Your mum will love it.
For English fizz, Langham Blanc de Noirs 2013 (12%) is a gorgeous new release available directly from langhamwine.co.uk for £27, or for an own-label option go for Waitrose Blanc de Noirs Brut NV (12.5%), which is outstanding and on offer until the 20th for £17.99.
But how about surprising mum with a bottle from off the beaten track? I’m not suggesting rummaging in the drinks cabinet for that weird hooch you brought back from hols last year. But pick something unusual and you could bag a bargain as well as a treat. For fans of Sauvignon Blanc, dive into my pick from Slovenia, above – a hidden gem from Oddbins. For a surprising red, check out 4 Kilos ‘12 Volts’ 2016 (13%, £25, robersonwine.com) for a magical Mallorcan blend including local Callet & Fogoneu. But pick your mum a Portuguese red for a characterful special occasion wine such as Quinta do Noval Douro 2014 (14.5%) from Cambridge Wine Merchants for £36. And if mum is into blue cheese, grab a top-notch Stichelton and give to her paired with a chilled bottle of Tesco Finest 10-Year-Old Tawny Port (19%, £12) and a worthy gold medal winner at the International Wine Challenge. Or for a sweet treat, pick up Morrisons WM Pedro Ximenez Sherry (17%) for just £5.25 (37.5cl) and pour a glug over a bowl of vanilla ice cream for the dessert of mum’s dreams.