Whether you’re celebrating Mother’s Day or just looking for a really good bottle to cheer you up in this shitey English weather, here are seven seriously special wines that I’ve really loved trying recently - and that remind me that sometimes, it pays to trade up.
COSY REDS
Little Giant Barossa Shiraz, £10 until 24th March (was £13) Waitrose
If you’ve watched the newest episode of Alan Carr’s Bottoms Up video podcast (with moi!), you’ll have seen Alan go properly gooey over this comforting red - and it’s easy to see why. Hailing from Australia’s Barossa valley, this is a classic, classy Aussie Shiraz, packed full of damson compote, cocoa and pepper notes and silky smooth with it. Try this with anything beefy or a square of dark chocolate.
Vergelegen ‘Mill Race’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2022, £14 (mix 6 price) Majestic
This iconic South African producer makes many different reds and this one is an absolute steal for the price. It’s a Bordeaux blend, so largely Merlot and Cabernet and shows off some serious blackcurrant fruitiness, balanced up by cedar and spice. It’s a hug in a glass and will adore roast lamb or steak or even a hunk of hard cheese.
La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir Red Wine 2020 California, £28 The Champagne Company
I described this recently as ‘satin sheets, spice and salt’ and that’s exactly how it makes me feel. There’s something really sensual about a Californian pinot and this one oozes all the charm of its cool, coastal home. There’s some smoky, dark cherry compote in there too. This is crying out for duck or a leg of lamb - or even just a cuddle on the sofa.
SERIOUS ROSÉ
Babylonstoren Mourvedre Rosé 2025, £13 until 24th March (was £18) Waitrose
Babylonstoren is another iconic name to know in wine. Based out in South Africa’s cooler Franschoek Valley, it makes wines of all colours and styles. This rosé has been the official wine of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show for the past five years and it deserves to be noticed. Made with the meaty, Mourvèdre grape, this fuller-bodied and textural pink gives serious Bandol vibes if you’re into that, but with a laid back, South African charm. Drink alone or it’ll love cold cuts - and a BBQ if it’s warm out.
TEXTURAL WHITES
Taste the Difference,Languedoc White Wine, £9.50 Sainsburys
White blends from France’s Rhône Valley are going to be big these year as many of us move away from crisp and light whites to seek out something with more creaminess and complexity. This one is a real grower, with subtle notes of pear and baked apple, cream and a squeeze of lime. Wonderful with anything chicken or a slice of comté.
‘Le Arenarie’, Vermentino di Gallura, £15.50 Waitrose
Another wine I’ve completely fallen back in love with is Sardinian Vermentino (that’s the grape) from the Gallura area, where it shines the brightest. Think baked apple pie with a citrussy lift, a sprinkle of salt and a subtle, herbaceous finish. It’s extraordinary - and great value because it’s not very well known. Wonderful with fish, cows milk cheese or a roast chicken.
Clos de la Vierge, Jurançon Sec, £19 Laithwaites
I showcased this recently for Laithwaites and now cannot get enough of it. Hailing from a teensy 3 hectare estate in southwest France, this is a fab example of the Gros Manseng grape done properly with a hint of oak. Think deep green gold with a floral nose and concentrated notes of greengage, white peach and spice, all balanced by a cool mineral core. This will love fleshy monkfish, white fish, chicken and your entire cheese plate.
Dates For Your Diary
If you fancy joining a wine or spirits masterclass with me sometime soon, I’ve just added some new events to my diary: Wine & Chocolate and Spirits & Chocolate tasting events at Cowes Fringe, a Seafood Fine wine & Food Story with top chef Robert Thompson in Ryde and several wine masterclasses as the Lymington Seafood Festival. See helenanicklin.com and ‘Upcoming Events’.
Bottoms Up! With Alan Carr & Lee Peart
Episode 15 of the Bottoms Up video podcast is out now! It features me and a riduclous amount of laughter adn bad behaviour, largely from Alan. See more for how to watch HERE!
Cin Cin!
H x