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 When you go into a shop to buy a bottle of wine how do you choose it? By the offer it’s on? Or do you just buy the bottle you’ve had before and you know you like? The problem I think a lot of people face when looking at rows of bottles is, ‘How do I know I will like it?’ Obviously it’s never guaranteed, but here are a few suggestions of things to try to get you on your way:
Crisp Zesty Sauvignon Blanc. If you are a fan of this style of white wine then why not try some new world Rieslings. Riesling has suffered from a bad reputation among some, but don’t be put off. There are some fantastic examples out there. Why not try the Villa Maria Riesling from New Zealand, or the Pauletts Riesling from Australia. These wines offer clean, crisp, limey fruit. Great as an aperitif or with Thai food.
Big Rich Chardonnay. Lovers of these full bodied, creamy wines may like to try wines made with the Viognier grape. Viognier offers up aromas of apricots and peaches. One of my favourites is the Winemakers Lot Viognier from Chile. If you’re more a fan of South African wine then try the Bellingham Chenin. This is a bold full bodied wine, full of ripe tropical fruit, all wrapped up with a spice and vanilla finish.
Light Delicate Pinot Grigio. If Italian Pinot Grigio is your weakness, then why not give Muscadet a try,. These wines from the Loire in France have mineral, subtle flavours and are the perfect match to seafood and light dishes. Moving onto Spain the Marques de Riscal Rueda is well worth a taste. Made from the Verdejo grape you’ll find delicate fresh floral aromas in your glass.
Bold Fruity Shiraz. Big, bold, full flavoured reds the only way to go? Then head to Argentina and give some of their Malbecs a go. Deep dark berry fruits mix with vanilla and spice. Pair these wines up with what Argentina does best, a great steak! Catena Malbec is made using grapes grown at different altitudes and is a prime example of the style.
Soft Plummy Merlot. Is it merlot usually filling your glass? Then head to Chile to try a Carmenere. Expect to find flavours of blackcurrant, plums, chocolate, and coffee. A great example is the Perez Cruz Carmenere. Full and fruity, perfect with hearty dishes. Or perhaps you would prefer to go down the French route by trying a Bordeaux, go for wines from St Emillion or Pommerol, as these are made with a high percentage of the Merlot grape.
Classic Bordeaux. The key grape varieties in Bordeaux are Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. When they have more merlot in the blend they give soft plummy wines. When the blend is predominantly Cabernet Sauvignon, you will find more flavours of tobacco and cedar. Bordeaux style wines are made all over the world, but why not try the Vasse Felix from Australia with it’s lashings of spicy berry fruit. Alternatively try the Vergelegen Mill Race, for a wine with more chocolate and coffee flavours.
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This really is just a drop in the ocean when it comes to wine alternatives, but I hope it has given you some ideas. The great thing when it comes to trying new wines is that the options are endless!
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To find any of the wines I recommend, a quick internet search will show you who is selling them and their current prices. The main places I would advise to try are Majestic wine, Tesco, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s, and Oddbins.
About Kelly-Anne:-
After graduating from the University of East Anglia with a Business Management degree, I chose to take up a trainee position with a wine merchant. I loved the idea of being involved with such an interesting and exciting product. I have been working for the same company now for six years and have been a manager with them for three.
During my time in the wine trade I have been lucky enough to visit some amazing places and meet some fantastic people. I really believe that wine should be fun and enjoyed, and I hope to be able to share some of my passion for this great subject with you.
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