It's over: Dry January. A month where many took a closer look at their usual alcohol consumption, where hangovers were put on the sidelines for a while and where a glass of bubbly meant a diet coke. But now that February has arrived we can uncork the bottle again. According to experts, you can toast the end of the alcohol-free month with these five wines.
One that should not be missing from any list is Champagne Taittinger Brut Reserve, a blend of chardonnay (40%), pinot noir and pinot meunier (60%). Grapes from no fewer than 35 different vineyards were picked to bring this cream of the crop to the table. The high proportion of chardonnay among non-vintage champagnes is unique, which was achieved with a minimum maturation of three years in the cellars. Perfect for any occasion where a glass is raised.
Champagne Taittinger Brut reserve
Are cheese fondue or light starters on the menu? Then open a bottle of Weingut Allram Grüner Veltliner Strass. A wine that has been made for four generations by a proud family winery in the Kamptal area, or the 'heart of Austria'. The Weingut Allram Grüner Veltliner Strass reflects a selection of the most important vineyards of the village where Weingut Allram is located and the traditions that have been maintained by the family for four generations. The wine has delicate aromas of refreshing citrus and stone fruit and is spicy, charming and light and at the same time with a beautiful minerality.
Weingut Allram Grüner Veltliner Strass
Mercurey is named after the Roman temple built here in honor of the god Mercury. With more than 4 hectares in the Mercurey appellation, and vineyards planted at an average altitude of 345 metres, pure and rich Chardonnay grapes are grown here. VINVIN Wines: ''The nose is elegant and develops aromas of vanilla and fruit with subtle, well-integrated oak. Mineral and with nice tension, this wine boasts a very pleasant aftertaste. Ideal with fine fish, crustaceans and shellfish, white meat, poultry in sauce and full-fat cheeses.'' Just pour this divine wine.
This is a textbook example of Cabernet Sauvignon and the wine highlights how well suited McLaren Vale is to growing this grape. They call it their Sexy Beast, inspired by the 2000 cult classic starring Sir Ben Kingsley and Ray Winstone.
VINVIN Wines: ''With aromas of cloves, Asian herbs, lavender, cola, roasted meat and blackcurrant, a beautiful wave of fruit enters your palate. This rises in layers and slowly caresses the palate with moderately heavy dark fruit. Due to the tension in the glass and a nice balance, the fruit gets a stony edge in the late taste and a minerality that makes the aftertaste slightly drying. This wine makes it very easy to love Cabernet Sauvignon, and it shows you the wonders of this variety when it all comes together.”
Calados del Puntido is made from a higher yielding plot of the famous bigger brother, El Puntido vineyard. A mineral, fresh and complex Rioja wine from the Viñedos de Páganos. The aromas of berries and spice cake give this wine the impression of oak. It is dense and heavy, with ripe tannins, flavors of baked black fruit and spice cake and a raisin-like finish. The wine pairs nicely with various meat dishes as well as game, both grilled and stewed variations.
Bodegas de Paganos, Calados del Puntido
This article was produced in collaboration with VINVIN Wines.
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