[et_pb_section admin_label=”section”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” background_layout=”light” text_orientation=”left” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”]
As the year draws to close, The Wine Tipster has reflected on some of his favourite wines and in particular those he feels would be ideal for the New Year’s celebrations. Here is his selection:
Champagne and Sparkling
Prosecco Masottina DOC Brut Treviso – BBR, £13.95 per bottle – http://www.bbr.com/products-15037-prosecco-treviso-brut-spumante-masottina
Masottina make a seriously fine range of Prosecco and their Brut is a crowd-pleasing Prosecco with fine bubbles and intense, fruity aromas of apple, lemon and grapefruit with a lovely hint of spice and ginger.
Canard-Duchêne Authentic Brut – Waitrose, on offer at £25.49 – http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=309388
Completely underrated Champagne house who make excellent fruity and complex bubbles that offer great value. Their fresh Authentic Brut has lovely balance of citrus fruit, white flowers and red fruits. Look out for their Charles V11 range too, which are very refined.
Gauchezco represents the traditional Gaucho culture from Argentina. This is a producer which is a name to watch and their 100% Pinot Noir sparkler is full flavoured, well balanced, stylish with attractive cherry fruit flavours and zingy acidity.Whites
The Co-op have really stepped up their wine selection in the last few years and this South African Chenin Blanc from Zalze is an excellent recent recruit. This is the perfect dry easy drinking white to be enjoyed over the festive season with tropical, ripe pineapple and peach aromas, balanced fruit and crisp acidity.
Yalumba Viognier 2015 – Waitrose – £12.99 – http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=18451
Australian producer Yalumba pioneered a renaissance of this rare, exotic and alluring variety. Devotion and hard work have seen Yalumba become internationally recognised as one of the world’s most accomplished Viognier winemakers. This is a Grade One performer made by a Grade One producer who bring this grape variety to life and capture the attractive peach and apricot flavours. Top wine.
Reds
If you’re looking for a perfect pairing for lamb, pork or tuna then Jackson Estate ‘Vintage Widow’ Pinot Noir 2013 from Marlborough, New Zealand would be ideal – Currently on offer at £16.99 at Majestic when bought as a case of 6 bottles or save 25% at Ocado. (RRP £19.49 – available from Majestic Wine & Ocado)
‘Vintage Widow’ is named in recognition of the partners and families of those who are overlooked during vintage. This 2013 is a wonderful and delicious combination of cherries, plums. spice and herbaceous character and ‘Vintage Widow’ 2013 will benefit from decanting a couple of hours before serving.
Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône Villages 2015 – Waitrose, down to £6.74 from £8.00 – http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=141045
This popular and versatile Rhône is a must for your shopping basket. Great with lamb or ideal if you like a glass of red with character. For the fuller style to match with beef then try their Les Dauphins Vinsobres 2013 Côtes du Rhône which is great value at £11.99 from Waitrose.
Fortified
Sandeman 20 year old Tawny Port, Waitrose, £29.99 down from £37.40 – http://www.waitrose.com/shop/DisplayProductFlyout?productId=209208
Sandeman are globally recognised for the quality of their tawny ports and the 20-year-old should be part of the cast of any New Year dinner celebration. A wonderful rich and elegant combination of flavours of dried apricots, honey, nuts, spices, vanilla creates an endlessly complex wine that has a brilliant length of finish which goes on and on. Great with nuts, mince pies and hard cheeses like Grana Padano. The Wine Tipster features Sandeman Tawny Ports on a regular basis because they are so versatile and not just a port for the festive season!
See you at Warwick on New Year’s Eve and Cheltenham on New Year’s Day.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.eclipsemagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Gauchezco-Sparkling-Pinot-Noir-Extra-Brut.png” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][et_pb_image admin_label=”Image” src=”https://www.eclipsemagazine.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Les-Dauphins-Côtes-du-Rhône-Villages.jpg” show_in_lightbox=”off” url_new_window=”off” use_overlay=”off” animation=”off” sticky=”off” align=”left” force_fullwidth=”off” always_center_on_mobile=”on” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid”] [/et_pb_image][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]
Neil Phillips, The Wine Tipster is a wine presenter, foodie and horse racing tipster.
The Wine Tipster presents and entertains at numerous racecourses including Cheltenham, Epsom, Aintree and Ascot, marking your card
with tips for the day’s racing, as well as your choice of bubbles or wine selection for food pairing.
Neil is the On The Box columnist for Racing Plus, has featured on Channel 4’s Morning Line and afternoon show and is a regular on Racing UK.
The Wine Tipster presents at Taste of London, Foodies Festival, Ideal Home and has worked with numerous chefs including Raymond Blanc, Michel Roux Jr, Michael Caines and Phil Howard.
Neil is a wine educator for The Wine & Spirit Education Trust and is the UK Ambassador for S.Pellegrino.
