Atlantis Santorini 2015

Atlantis Santorini 2015, Greece

(£11.50, Marks & Spencer) 

It’s a little more expensive than we normally have on Saturday Kitchen, but this invigorating, succulent, illuminating Santorini white worked so beautifully with Tonia Buxton’s lamb koftas with spicy tahini that I just couldn’t resist.

This truly was a delightful dish. Flavoursome, energising and not at all heavy. The only risk is not being able to stop eating…

We’re also increasingly choosing whites to go with our lamb. Of course, it all depends on how it’s prepared and served. With this lettuce and this tangy, spicy tahini, it’s unquestionably white wine territory. (The only exception would be for a lovely Greek or Spanish rosé, nothing too brash but with a summery, succulent style and a bit of oomph to it rather than the more wan versions like those from Provence. On the show I mentioned a Chilean Pinot Noir rosé.)

But this Greek white is summer in a glass, with plenty of sun-ripened fruit and herbal tones, which ties in brilliantly with the dish.

‘I really like this wine,’ commented Tania, who then went on to talk very knowledgeably about Santorini and its wines. ‘Great choice,’ added fellow chef Fernando Stovell, while show host Matt Tebbutt said, ‘Delicious – really quite impressed by that.’ So it’s worth the extra few pennies!

(7/10, Susie, Jan 2017)