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Wines of the week

7 wines to celebrate virtual Mother’s Day with

If we cannot get together in person, technology allows us to meet online and raise a glass to motherhood, says Terry Kirby

Friday 20 March 2020 17:32 GMT
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This is a difficult time for all of us. Writing about what wines to buy might seem utterly trivial at a time of crisis. And yet… and yet... wine is one of our great pleasures, one of nature’s greatest gifts, which, consumed sensibly, gives enormous enjoyment to millions.

And while we may be confined largely to our homes, willingly or unwillingly, drinking a little wine might just be good for us, perhaps to relieve some of the stress and remind us of civilised values, simple pleasures and normality. And, at time of writing, there is no reason not to carry on buying and drinking wine – high street supermarkets, where the majority of us buy our wine, remain open – there may be more wine than pasta on sale – as is retailer Majestic, which also delivers.

There are also very many excellent independent wine shops, some of whom will deliver locally if we cannot make it out, so please support them as well. And online outlets are still open for business. It may well turn out to be very tough for many in the wine trade in the UK and across the world, who are already suffering severely from the many diverse consequences of the crisis. So, we should support the winemakers and the wine trade when we can – or that local wine shop or favourite website of yours may close down. Life should and must go on.

Mother’s Day tomorrow will be very difficult for many. It's traditionally a good day when families get together from far and wide to celebrate – but such gatherings tomorrow might seem unwise or even impossible, particularly if they involve the elderly. At the same time, many households might be cooped up inside, so what better to do than share a nice bottle and a good meal? And, if we cannot get together in person, technology allows us to meet online and raise a virtual glass to motherhood. So here are some dependable wines which should be available in some of your local supermarkets this weekend, which will not break the bank and will help us celebrate.

If you are looking for a sparkling wine, there are loads to choose from with lots of special offers for Mother’s Day and, in a few weeks, Easter, so take advantage of them. If you have slightly tired of prosecco, try the attractively bottled Maison du Cirque NV (£8.00 until 24 March; normally £15.00, sainsbury’s.co.uk) made by the commendable Domaines Paul Mas from chardonnay grapes in the Limoux region using the traditional method. It is quite full, with toasty, buttery, brioche flavours and very dry. It's also excellent as an aperitif and with canapes. If it is a more traditional champagne you are after, Majestic has a good discount on the Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee NV (£26.99 if bought as part of a mixed six bottle purchase; otherwise £43.99 majestic.co.uk), which is light rather than vintage in style, effortlessly refreshing and has lovely flavours of white peach and apple, with just hints of brioche.

If something pink beckons, then are many rose sparklers out there, but a really great bargain you might just find in your local shop is the still, grenache rose Studio by Miraval (£12.00 Co-op stores) made on the same Provencal estate owned by Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie that produces the more pricey Miraval Rose. This sparkler is a gorgeous, berry fruit flavoured rose that might just remind us that summer cannot be far away… lovely with any kind of shellfish.

Also in the Co-op, you can pick up this excellent Portuguese white, the Estrada Douro White (£8.00 co-op stores; not available online) from a company that specialises in environmentally friendly and sustainable production using some of the local indigenous white grapes – it’s fresh, but full and rounded on the palate, with an attractive smoky character, with hints of pear and fennel.

For something a little more special and ideal with a prime white fish like a turbot or John Dory, the Joseph Mellot Sancerre La Graveliere 2018 (£20.00 morrisons.com; various independents) is absolute benchmark sancerre: flinty and mineral, with a mixture of citrus and tropical fruits, with plenty of structure.

Now for a couple of reds: for a good value, approachable and food friendly red, try the Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Franc 2016 (£6.99 if bought as part of a mixed six-bottle purchase, otherwise £8.99 majestic.co.uk). Made in the Central Valley from the grape normally found in Bordeaux blends, it is packed with lovely ripe red fruit flavours, some hints of chocolate and cherries; ideal for tomato-based dishes. And speaking of Bordeaux blends, if you are looking for something more substantial, for, say, roast chicken or some red meat, the Moueix Saint Emilion 2016 (£15.00 marksandspencer.com) is a merlot dominated blend, from one of the most celebrated Bordeaux villages: velvety and soft, with some cedar, mint and tobacco notes amid the dark, juicy fruit. A reminder of a wine tradition that dates back a long time and which has survived war and plague, reassuring and comforting in these uncertain times.

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