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....
Domaine Jacques Rouzé Reuilly Rouge Pinot Noir 2014, France (£130 per case, Lupton Wines) It's rare to find a wine region described as somewhere 'Jeremy Corbyn would buy his Y-fronts', or a winemaker 'who makes Jeff Capes look like John Inman'. But then not every wine merchant is like...
Domaine de la Pinte Arbois Chardonnay 2014, 12.5% (£16, Marks & Spencer) OK, OK. So this Domaine de la Pinte Arbois Chardonnay isn’t for everyone. For a start, it has Chardonnay on the label. That'll put lots of people off. Then there’s the price, which makes it a special...
Villa Borghetti Valpolicella Ripasso 2013, 13.5% (£10.99 when you buy 6, Majestic or via Wine Searcher) So what to choose with a classic bolognese ragu with focaccia by the delightful Italian maestro Gennaro Contaldo? There are plenty of options, from Bardolino (in a lighter style) to Chianti (in a...
Chatel-Buis Montagny 2013, 13% (£10.39, Waitrose or via Wine Searcher) I recommended this classic white Montagny to go a with a suitably classic, elegant dish on Saturday Kitchen by Frederick Foster - paupiette of sole with wild mushrooms and herb sauce. We found that a good Chablis also works...
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...
Sesti Monteleccio 2014, Italy (£15.99 per bottle for case of 12, Armit Wines - or use Wine Searcher) This Monteleccio is a fabulous value wine from one of Montalcino’s most celebrated wine estates, Sesti. We visited not too long ago and were captivated by the stunning scenery...
Chalkdown Premium Quality Cider 2013, Hampshire (from £10, independent stockists inc Wine Utopia, The Naked Grape, The Good Life Farm Shop, M Wines, The Cork & Cheese, Vineking) Hampshire cider - made like champagne. Intriguing, no? 'It's all a learning process,' smiles Winchester resident Piotr Nahajski, the...
Taste The Difference Riverblock Sauvignon Blanc 2015, New Zealand (£10, Sainsbury's) This was my Saturday Kitchen pairing for crisp fried fish with softened sweet onion by Great British Bake Off 2016 winner Nadiya Hussain. The dish has a fair bit of spice and aromatic scent. Typically, I'd reach for...
Paul Cluver Ferricrete Riesling 2015, South Africa, 10.5% (£9.75 down from £13, Marks & Spencer) I was so impressed by this wine, and how well it went with Wolfgang Puck’s langoustines with charred aubergine and red Thai curry that I couldn’t resist blowing our Saturday Kitchen budget....