Wines of the week: Gudarra Aglicanico del Vulture Bisceglia 2007; Domaine La Croix Belle Syrah 2010; Tawhiri Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy
Wines of the week: Gudarra Aglicanico del Vulture Bisceglia 2007; Domaine La Croix Belle Syrah 2010; Tawhiri Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Show all 3Sunday lunch
Gudarra Aglicanico del Vulture Bisceglia 2007
Southern Italy now produces wines of real quality and this is top-notch. Made from the local Aglianico grape, aged in oak on the slopes of Mount Vulture in the Basilicata region, it is a voluptuous, darkly sensuous wine, with tastes of baked black fruits and a light touch of spice delivering serious depth of flavour. Decant and savour with a butterfly leg of lamb or rare roast beef. £15.73 (minimum purchase six bottles), bibendum-wine.co.uk; £17.99, lastdropwines.com
Midweek meal
Domaine La Croix Belle Syrah 2010
Another obscure area, the Côtes de Thongue near Pezenas in the Languedoc, produces this wonderfully drinkable, velvety smooth Syrah that would be perfect with any Mediterranean foods. Single varietals are uncommon in a region where red blends rule, but here it allows full expression of the grape, delivering perfumed aromas, rich raspberry flavours, very fine tannins and a lip-smacking finish. £6.96 (minimum purchase 12 bottles), rfvintners.co.uk ; £8.95, scarlet-wines.co.uk
Bargain basement
Tawhiri Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is one of the most familiar wines on supermarket shelves. Despite some duds, lovers of this wine will find many excellent examples at great prices. Named after the Maori god of winds, this bottle is typically full of refreshing acidity with a balance of tropical-fruit flavours, hedgerow nettles and green herbs. Match with grilled white fish. £6.99 (until 28 February, normally £8.99), Co-op stores
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies