Lava Beneventano Aglianico 2012, Italy (£8, Tesco or via Wine Searcher) I recommended this hearty, seductive Beneventano Aglianico to partner a delightfully hedonistic beef fillet with cabbage and truffled mash by chef Fernando Stovell on Saturday Kitchen. The dish itself is like a deconstructed beef wellington - and...
Domaine Jean Grivot Nuits-St-Georges 2015, 1er Cru Les Boudots (£660 per 6-bottle case, in bond, Goedhuis, Justerini & Brooks) Although the price of the Grivot wines this vintage veers into eye-watering territory, the quality remains unparalleled. I particularly like this Nuits for its gamey depth of flavour, allied...
Domaine du Comte Liger-Belair Nuits-St-Georges Blanc 2015, Clos des Grandes Vignes 1er Cru Monopole (£795 per 6-bottle case, in bond, Justerini & Brooks) My scribbled note for this white Nuits-St-George kicks of with the words ‘delightful, absolutely delightful’. From me, this is saying something. Tasted in the damp,...
Muga Rioja Blanco 2015, Spain (£9.99, Majestic or via Wine Searcher) This Muga white Rioja is a rare example of an elegantly oaked white under a tenner on the UK high street (and indeed elsewhere, if you care to check the Wine Searcher link). It made a seamless pairing...
Côté Mas Vermentino 2015, France (£8.49, Waitrose or via Wine Searcher) I'll admit it. When I first saw the recipe that Atul Kochhar was cooking on Saturday Kitchen - sumptuous spiced roast chicken with bread sauce, brioche-filled stuffing and gravy, all with an aromatic Indian twist -...
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...
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...
Zenato Villa Flora Lugana 2015, Italy (£9.99, Waitrose, or via Wine Searcher) I took in the sights of a delightfully festive (and Beatrix Potter-themed) Leeds Castle in this Christmassy episode of Saturday Kitchen - before selecting what is a consistently delicious and great value Lugana to go with salt cod...
Morandé One to One old vines País 2015, 12.5%, Chile (£6.99 when you buy 6+ bottles or £8.99 per single bottle, Majestic) Sometimes wine can be just a bit too serious. That's why we all need a good healthy dose of a wine like this Morandé old vines...
Fief Guérin Muscadet Côtes de Grandlieu Sur Lie 2015, 12.5%, France (£7.99, Waitrose or via Wine Searcher) Muscadet is enjoying a bit of a renaissance at the moment and this Fief Guérin is not only a pleasantly refreshing, saline-inflected rendition, it also makes a fine match for...