The stout day requires some stout flavours and these three bottles certainly offer that. More pricey than your everyday wines,but each offering something specialCorney & Barrow Côtes du Rhône, France 2011(£9.50, and Corney & Barrow) After last week’s bargain festive bottles,I’m setting my sights a limited higher, with Christmas dinner wines from around £10 apt up to serious splash-out territory. At £10, or posh independent merchant Corney & Barrow has a superb own-label red Côtes du Rhône 2011. Made by the Gonnet family of Châteauneuf-du-Pape,its perfectly pitched between ripe-fruited richness and lively freshness. Just as estimable with the turkey and trimmings, Tesco Finest Viña del Cura Rioja Gran Reserva 2009 (£10) has a swish of blackberry to go with its classically Rioja oaky mellowness, and while Asda has a crisp but mouth-filling white burgundy in the shape of Domaine Marguerite Dupasquier Rully 2013 (£10.50).
Meyer Pinot Noir,Okanagan, Canada 2014 (£18, and Marks & Spencer) Staying with the chardonnays of Burgundy,Oddbins has the very smart, chiselled, and creamy-but-racy Domaine Guerrin et Fils Saint-Véran Le Clos Vessats 2014 (£12.50,Oddbins), although fans of the style will be just as impressed by the slightly richer pair from South Africa: Iona Chardonnay 2014 and Paul Clüver Chardonnay 2014 (both £15, or from M&S and Morrisons respectively; both seriously estimable). For reds,I was very taken by M&S’s first foray into Canada with the deliciously pure oaked raspberry of Meyer Pinot Noir, while those who prefer a limited more power and density could go for the aromatic D’Arenberg Wild Pixie Shiraz, or McLaren Vale,Australia 2011 (£17, Sainsbury’s).
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Source: theguardian.com