Well, the carols are all sung, mince pies eaten, and the tinsel returned to the roof void; ordinary life can now resume.
In other words, it’s quite nice to be back.
Normality, however, is hard to define – and will vary from person to person.
From what you subscribers tell me, the wine related normality you seek is rather like the way wine is treated in many of the countries that produce it.
In outline, that means:
- “Ordinaire” wine for everyday use that is sound without being exceptional
- Is also modestly priced
- And is something to drink (in about 175ml quantities) with a meal or while preparing one (since the days of injudicious excess are well past now).
If some of that resonates with you, then MidWeek Wines simply says “Welcome home”.
It's a gentle return to “business” with a Top Tip today and next Thursday.
Adopting the time-honoured format, images and, where possible, hyperlinks accompany the assessments of the wines.
So, let's get started
I decided to try to find my pick from High Street versions of two of the UK’s most popular grape varieties.
The start point was the big selling white wine that so many wine commentators love to disparage – pinot grigio.
“One-dimensional”, “commercial” and “lacking acidity” are criticisms often levelled at mundane pinot grigio.
Sometimes, such conclusions are justified but, hang on guys, don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!
Get the geography, climate and winemaking right and all three of those condemnations can be overcome.
Even though, I concede, it does not always do so, the North-eastern Italian region of Venezie is one area that can do that.
This selection is an example of just that and is my Top Tip for pinot grigio available in a High Street near you.
Here is Exhibit 1 for the Defence.
2022 Irresistible Pinot Grigio (£7.50 at the Co-op and 12% abv):
First point, this newcomer to the Co-op range lacks nothing in the vivid citrus acidity it contains.
Secondly, its textured apple, orange and white peach flavours are anything but one dimensional.
Finally, there are few “commercial” pinot grigios that also contain the supplementary green herb components and subtle sweetness that are on display here.
NB: The price may differ in store from that shown on line.
Moving on to a red
A red wine that has seen a massive growth in UK sales this century is, undeniably, malbec.
So, I set out to find the High Street versions that, to me, currently work best.
For sure, styles do vary and range from light ones with red currant flavours and on to those with medium bodied plum flavours.
Of course, versions from Cahors in France tend to be even fuller but Argentinian options can have substance too – and it is one of those that I have selected as today’s Top Tip.
My choice is ….
2022 Blueprint Argentinian Malbec (£6.99 at Waitrose and 13.5%):
Waitrose define their Blueprint offerings as “great value examples of classic wine”, which describes this red wine perfectly.
Fuller and younger than many of the 2021 versions on High Street shelves, it is centred on bold damson, loganberry and blaeberry flavours.
That foundation is ably supported by lively acidity and balanced tannin, enticing aromas and traces of eucalyptus, vanilla and aniseed.
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