High Street Wine Challenge: La Patrie Cahors, Sainsburys

On Saturday night I cooked a roast beef joint and I popped to Sainsburys to find a suitably beef-friendly bottle of vino. Normally I'd veer towards Argentinian Malbec, but this slightly different bottle caught my eye.

Cahors wine is made in South West France and is 100% Malbec. This is where the grape originated from, here and in Bordeaux where it is sometimes blended with Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot et al. The style of wines from Cahors is somewhat different to its Argentinian cousins: more savoury, meaty and spicy. My first impression on tasting this Sainsburys example was one of a meaty aroma, almost Bovril-like (in a good way, I promise)! Then the taste was pleasantly rich, lots of blackberry fruit and peppery spice. Very smooth too (more than I was expecting) which meant it was ridiculously easy to drink (and that my head's still sore while I write this at 9pm on Sunday night)! Definitely worthy of its £7.50 price tag.

Happy Swigging!

Are You Game?

Grouse season is here, which marks the beginning of Game Season in the UK and the steady emergence of some of my favourite foods on restaurant menus and in my butcher's window. Vegetarians look away now, because here follows my quick guide to the wines you should be drinking to ensure these beautiful animals didn't die for nothing!
 

The key with game is that these animals are all pretty low in fat so work best with wines that are low in tannin. Avoid Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux reds unless they are really mature. Syrah/Shiraz/Rhone reds and Pinot Noir/Red Burgundies are all safe bets but there is more you can try...

Photo courtesy of www.countryandtownhouse.co.uk

 

Grouse

This is a very strongly flavoured bird so it needs a big powerful red wine. Try Cornas or Crozes Hermitage, both 100% Syrah from the Rhone Valley.

Pigeon
Goes deliciously with Oregon Pinot Noir, Barossa Shiraz or Rioja

Partridge & Pheasant
If you'd like a white wine, you can't go wrong with a white burgundy, especially something like a Puligny Montrachet. Or try a dry Pinot Gris from Alsace. For reds, try Chianti Classico or mature Rioja.

Venison
My dream match for venison is Nebbiolo: look out for Barolo & Barbaresco which are both made from 100% Nebbiolo in the north of Italy. Or if you want something a bit sweeter, try a Californian Zinfandel. 

Hare
You can't beat a good bottle of silky smooth, rich Amarone here. Or even an Argentinian Malbec. 

Wild Boar
Look out for top cru Beaujolais such as Fleurie, Brouilly or Morgon. 

Happy Swigging! 

Wine Review: Marananga Dam Old Vines GSM, M&S

A few weeks ago, I wrote about top quality Australian wines and I discovered that one of my favourite wineries, Torbreck in the Barossa Valley, makes one of M&S's own-label wines: the Marananga Dam Old Vines Grenache/Shiraz/Mourvedre at just £15.

Torbreck have built their reputation making top quality Rhone-style red wines with Australian warmth, and they are one of the country's most iconic wineries. I am delighted to report that this wine totally lives up to its epic credentials: full of deliciously ripe autumnal fruits, sweet spice and a lovely freshness that doesn't make it too heavy. With every sip, the flavours are more and more complex.

This wine is well worth hunting down, I realise it is above my usual £10 budget but this massively overdelivers for its £15 price point. One to buy for your next romantic steak supper or special Sunday roast.

Happy Swigging!