Host Your Own (HYO) Wine Club May 2018

Host Your Own Wine Club!

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