Winter wine club: Warm reds
Starting to feel the bitter winter chill? Well, there’s no better remedy than sipping a warm-hearted winter wine. So, here’s Gentry’s sumptuous selection of warm reds…
There’s nothing better than warm reds this time of year – especially those with a generous dash of alcohol. Sloshing around the perfect Pinot Noir is an amiable riposte to the frosty spite of the season. Forget your low-percentage tipplers, now’s the time to seek out a bottle with serious kick to truly enjoy that hazy glow than only a succulent red can bring. We’ve sniffed out a medley of cockle-warming wines to see you through the long nights. And if this is truly a winter of financial discontent, then Gentry have done you another favour by selecting reasonably priced but unreasonably fine tasting vino.
We don’t recommend you drink yourself silly. But at this time of year, with so many gorgeous wines to sample… it’d be plain silly not to drink.
2006 Marcillac, Lo Sang del Pais, Domaine du Cros, France
Made from the robust but rather rare fer servadou grape. marcillac is one of those especially clandestine wines that tourists only rarely experience. It’s a wild wine: seductive, spicy, peppery red with a velvety, raspberry-charged tang and a grassy finish. A taste of the real France, without doubt. Superior and authentic, give it a go.
Cave de Pyrène (01483 554750), £6.39.
2005 Good Ordinary Claret, Berry Bros & Rudd
This popular red in very exciting… Made from around two thirds merlot with the remainder cabernet sauvignon, this delicately scented, berry blend has the sort of plummy finish that connoisseurs crave.
(020-7396 9600), £7.20.
2005 Five Rivers Pinot Noir, Central Coast, California
A rich strawberry-scented red offers the kind of deliciously ripe flavour you have evry right to expect from this great, refined Burgundy grape. Quite simple, it’s a classic pinot noir.
Majestic, £9.99 down to £7.99 each if you buy two until February 4.
2005 Southern Point Shiraz, McLaren Vale, Australia
Australia’s top shiraz – an exquisite 2005. It’s perfectly balanced variety makes it an essential member of our winter wine club… truly a warm red to savour. A perfect compliment to the game of the season – and goes down worryingly well with Christmas lunch.
Wine Rack, £9.99, down to £6.66 each if you buy three.
2007 Hardys Crest Cabernet / Shiraz / Merlot, SE Australia
A blend of South Australian fruit from the best regions. Elegant ripe blackcurrant and cherry fruit and a smooth finish enhanced by hints of mint and vanilla from ageing in French and American oak barrels. Ideal with lamb, beef, chicken or turkey.
Waitrose £4.26 a bottle
If you can suggest any other warm reds, let us know.
Still thirsty? Look out for more of Gentry's selections for the Winter Wine Club.
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