Bienbebido Queso Tempranillo Vintae 2013, 14.5%, Spain (from £6.99, Majestic) This Bienbebido is a fantastic value, really satisfying red which I matched with Korean grilled beef short ribs by Jordan Bourke on Saturday Kitchen. I do like a wine that doesn't take itself too seriously. This bottle is a prime...
Taste the Difference Rioja Reserva 2010 Cepa Alegro, Spain, 13.5% (£7, Sainsbury's) We're big fans of Ben Tish in this household and his Saturday Kitchen dish this weekend made his stock rise even further. I mean, who couldn't love roasted partridge with caramelised chicory, orange, honey and...
Jordi Miro Garnacha Blanca 2015, Spain, 13.5% (£9, Marks & Spencer or via Wine Searcher) White wine for game? And from a little known Spanish region (Terra Alta) to boot?! This one raised a few culinary eyebrows when I recommended it on Saturday Kitchen. But, as ever with game, it's...
Valdesil Montenovo Godello Valdeorras 2015, 13% (£9.89 when you buy 6, Majestic, or via Wine Searcher) We find we're turning more and more to the Godello grape variety as a reliably food-friendly, frequently good value wine. It has that unique blend of freshness but textural elegance that...
Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial Blanco 1986, Spain (c. £400, L'Assemblage, Cru World Wine, Brunswick Fine Wines or use Wine Searcher) Sometimes, very rarely, a wine comes along that stops you in your tracks. Shifts your take on the world, almost imperceptibly, but a minor earthquake all the...
Puerto Fino Solera Reserva, Emilio Lustau, Spain (£16.50 Fields, Morris & Verdin or use Wine Searcher) As I wandered from table to table at ‘The Great Sherry Tasting’ on London’s Southbank, I began to wonder how on earth I would choose my ‘Top Tip’ out of such...
Bodegas Muga Rosado 2015, Spain, 13.5% (£9.99, Waitrose) To tie in with rosé day (11th June), Susie recommended a delicious pink on Saturday Kitchen to go with Maria Elia's pulled duck burgers with peach, cabbage and apple slaw. Maria termed it, 'perfect' while show host Donal Skehan quipped:...
Tio Pepe En Rama, Spain, 15% (£15.99, Adnams, The Wine Society, Lea & Sandeman) New initiatives aimed at reinventing certain styles doesn't always work for drinks like wine, so it's wonderful when something does make sense. The En Rama initiative is designed to get people as close as possible...
The Exquisite Collection Rioja Reserva 2009, 14% (£8.99, Aldi online) Pretty spot on Rioja Reserva at a fair price. It's very classic and there's plenty of wine for the price here. It's a dense, creamy and juicy red with hints of coconut and orange rind to complement the...
White for salmon, red for pâté - yum yum yum...