Totally FREE and UK-focused wine club - we will tell you which wines to try each month and then let us know what you think about the wines on Twitter or Facebook. #HYOwineclub #joinin
If you would like to host your own wine club, please read our TIPS.
The wines we recommend for you to try and join us on social media in May are listed below. If you would like to know which wines we recommended for April (Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon), please click HERE.
AROMATIC WHITES
Aromatic white wines are pronounced on the nose and are
defined by dominant floral aromas, including Riesling, Gewürtztraminer, and
Viognier. These wines range in taste, intensity and sweetness, with many styles
on the sweeter side. Torrontés and Albariño tend to be bone dry. Good quality
aromatic whites tend not to be served super-chilled so that the aromas can
develop in the glass further. Aromatic wines are ideal partners to Asian
cuisine.
Catena Alamos,
Torrontés, Salta, Argentina, 2013, 13.5%
Torrontés is a grape that originates from Argentina. The
best Torrontés wines come from the high elevation vineyards in Salta, like this
one. It is a full bodied white wine, which gives the freshness of the wine some
oomph. Fragrant with perfume of spring flowers, honey and tropical fruits, so
smells as though it ought to be sweet, but it isn’t. On the palate it’s dry,
crisp and well-balanced.
Available from Wine
Rack £9.99
Yalumba, Organic Viognier,
South Australia, 2016, 13.5%
The Viognier grape originates in France, in the Condrieu
appellation in the Rhône Valley. A full-bodied, dry aromatic unoaked white
wine, with lovely peach, tangerine and honeysuckle flavours. You may notice an
oily sensation on your tongue, which is common with this grape. It has quite a
high alcohol content because the grapes are left on the vine longer to ensure
they achieve the heady aromas. Yalumba is a well-known producer of Viognier, at
all price levels.
Available from Waitrose £11.99
Dr Loosen Grey Slate,
Riesling, Feinherb, Mosel, Germany, 2014, 10.5%
Many wine journalists state Riesling as their preferred
varietal. Riesling from the Mosel is light and refreshing. This wine is fruity
with pineapple, peach, green apple and slate flavour characteristics. There is
grey slate surrounding the vines, which is important for radiating the heat on
to the vines overnight and during the cold misty mornings, but makes it very
difficult to harvest. This wine is “feinherb” which means off-dry; look for
“trocken” on the label if you prefer a dry German Riesling.
Available from Waitrose £9.99
ITALIAN REDS
There are hundreds of grape varieties that come from Italy.
Here we showcase three very different styles, from the Nero d’Avola in Sicily,
a wine not dissimilar to Malbec, to the classic refined Chianti (no fava beans
in sight!), to the bold and fruity Primitivo from Puglia in southern Italy.
Italian wines are made for Italian food, and since Italian is a favourite
cuisine in the UK we should explore the variety of wine this beautiful country has
to offer.
Columba Bianca
Vitese, Nero D’Avola, Sicily, Italy, 2016, 14%
Nero d’Avola is a full-bodied wine but with brighter flavour
characteristics than you might expect from such a warm region. It’s a more
rounded, more consistent, more fun alternative to Pinot Noir or Malbec. Rich
flavours of plum and black cherries with a violet aftertaste. It has the same flavour profile as a Cabernet Sauvignon, but without the tannin.
Available from wine-discovery.co.uk £9.50
Poggio Chianti
Classico, Sangiovese, Tuscany, Italy, 2013, 13%
Chianti Classico is the oldest area in the Chianti region in
central Italy. Sangiovese is Italy's most widely planted grape variety and
produces wines with pronounced tannins and acidity. Its character can vary from
savoury leather to fruity red cherries. This wine is Sangiovese blended with Merlot
and Syrah to give great balance and structure. Sophisticated, like a romantic
dinner with a linen tablecloth. Pair with pasta in tomato sauce, Tuscan
Sausages, or roasted aubergine.
Available from Waitrose £10.79
Terre di Faiano,
Primitivo, Puglia, Italy, 2015, 13.5%
Primitivo is the same grape varietal as Zinfandel, but grown
in Puglia, the heel of the boot of Italy, which sees a lot of sunshine. This is
a full-bodied red wine with an intense deep-ruby colour. Aromas of juicy
blackberries, and a silky texture with spicy flavour characteristics of black
cherries, vanilla and chocolate. Comfortable and familiar, like reading a book
on your sofa. Great with meatballs, roast lamb or BBQ.
Available from Waitrose £9.49
Prices may have changed, and availability not guaranteed
