Fruitful and a reflection of the region, some wines are so consistent or ready to drink young that you don’t have to worry about the quality of the vintage.
What really counts is that the bottle is good. Whether it’s a good-time wine to share with friends or a name you can bank on, these cold, dark January nights call for winter wines that are expressive, offer a sensory thrill and signal their origins.
- L’Art Provencal Rose 2014, Alpes De Haute Provence IGP, France (£8.99, www.laithwaites.co.uk)
Running the gamut from serious to fun and frivolous, rose wines are on the rise and according to Laithwaites, 25% of rose sales now take place over the winter months. No longer cited as a summer wine, styles such as this gorgeous Provencal pink open up to display a lovely core of soft, ripe fruits with floral and citrus notes and a refreshing, dry finish.
- Elegant Frog Viognier 2014, France (£8, Sainsbury’s)
The sunny Languedoc region in the South of France can be counted on for a rich, lush take on the viognier grape which is far more affordable when grown outside of the Rhone Valley. Richly scented with apricots and honeysuckle, this is round, fleshy white with peach and apricot flavours has a little bit of oak influence and is exotic and fresh enough to enjoy on its own.
- Domaine Charly Nicolle Chablis Ancestrum 2013, France (£16.95, www.perfectcellar.com)
Chablis is that rare combination of an unoaked chardonnay (it’s traditionally fermented in stainless steel tanks) with a flinty, minerally note that’s distinctive to its style and place. Elegant and refreshingly easy to drink, this entry level Chablis from Domaine Charly Nicole tastes terrific and it’s not even a premier cru. Aromatic and racy with a stony minerality, there’s purity and precision without the hefty price tag.
- Toro Loco Reserva 2014, Spain (£4.99, Aldi)
A drop of Spanish sunshine, this is the perfect red to sip while looking for a winter holiday deal. A tasty, fruity blend of tempranillo and bobal, it’s easy to plunge into this easy glugger which offers sweet, jammy fruit with ample body and even weaves a cranberry note into the smooth palate.
- Trapiche Pure Malbec 2015, Mendoza, Argentina (£8.99, The Co-operative)
Approachable and a great choice with steak, there’s freshness to the fine cherry and violet scented, sweet, plummy fruit with plenty of underlying power, but enough minerality to stop it being gloopy. Superb value, even when it’s not on special.
- Chateau Castera Marquis De Castera 2010, AOC Medoc, France (£15, www.shop.boroughwines.co.uk)
Arguably a wine driven by vintage and price, you could be forgiven for overlooking a Bordeaux that’s the second wine of a chateau. Made from younger vines, this blend of 60% merlot and 40% cabernet sauvignon still makes the most of a great vintage. Blessed with plenty of plush, silky fruitiness and ripe black fruits laced with cassis, sweet vanilla and cedar with polished (not overpowering) tannins, it’s a joy to drink.
- Chianti Classico Riserva Castello della Paneretta 2012, Italy (£14.00, Marks & Spencer)
An old favourite that comes into its own this time of year, this Chianti Classico is packed with deep morello fruit, herbs, leaf and earthy characters with a long, lasting finish. Predominantly made from sangiovese grapes, the wine spends 12 months in oak and was awarded a Silver Outstanding Medal by the IWSC (International Wine & Spirit Challenge). A real foodies’ wine, enjoy this taste of Tuscany with anything hearty and rustic.