With the new season’s welcome balmier, sunnier days and lighter evenings, it’s time to shift the mood and find refreshing, convivial wines for get-togethers.
It’s time to explore the many world-class wines on our doorsteps here in Kent. And if you want to taste and find out more about superb local wines then be sure to buy a ticket (£25 on Eventbrite) for the Wine Garden of England’s must-visit Summer Festival at iconic Squerryes Court in Westerham on May 29. Hurry though as tickets are selling out fast. Cheers to spring!
1. Fall in love with this charming, bargain Chilean red from Aldi
2018 Valle Hermoso Reserva Chilean País, Maule Valley, Chile (£6.99, Aldi, 13%)
Dark-skinned País is identical to the Criolla Chica of Argentina and the Mission grape of both California and Mexico. It’s Chile’s most historic red grape – although not the most widely planted (Cabernet Sauvignon is still king here) – brought to the country by the Spanish conquistadores and now being rediscovered. This silky, deliciously refined, medium-bodied, vegan-approved, dry-farmed rendition will undoubtedly appeal to Pinot Noir fans and gets my spring thumbs-up. Fab País (with 10% Carignan) for drinking now, all ripe, mellifluous summer fruits, light herbs, spice and silky, amenably-layered tannins. Nicely developed and entering its peak, with some balsamic and minty touches, this drinks like an exotic delight. Lightly chill it and serve with both poultry and fish. Such a great find at last month’s Aldi tasting at The Tate. Even more of a bargain now it’s been reduced by a pound. Bravo Aldi.
2. Must-try pale pink rosé to sip with friends at your first BBQ of the year
2021 Ramón Bilbao Rioja Rosado, Spain (£8, Tesco, 12.5%)
From crisp and fruity rosés to aromatic reds, there’s a marvellous range for everyone’s taste, budget and occasion at Tesco this spring. Scoop up this new, fashionably pale pink, Provençal-style, Garnacha-dominant, easy-swigger from DOCa Rioja, which ticks all the boxes. Think honeydew melon, roses, chamomile, red fruits, citrus and peach. The tiptop grapes were sourced from high-altitude vineyard plots in Rioja’s southwestern Alto Najerilla subregion, on the slopes of the Sierra de la Demanda, which gives protection from the fierce summertime heat of Spain’s hot Central Plateau (Meseta). Whilst not a heavy hitter, this delicate, juicy and fragrant rosado relies instead on its class through the gentle art of persuasion. It’s properly dry and moreish with a dollop (15%, the rest is Garnacha) of Viura (aka Macabeo), Rioja’s main white grape variety. Terrific drinkability. Grilled fish/vegetables, niçoise salad, light seafood, sushi, risotto primavera – bring it all on. It’s also the perfect bottle for the first barbie of the year. Salud to spring!
3. A brisk, fragrant Kentish alternative to Sauvignon Blanc
2020 Chapel Down Bacchus, Kent, England (£13.95, The Wine Society; 20% off, down to £12.79 until May 17, Waitrose; 12.5%)
Chapel Down is a local success story. Named after the Roman god of wine and revelry, Bacchus is a highly aromatic, early-ripening, German-bred cross, and the country’s fourth most widely-planed grape variety (after Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and voguish Pinot Meunier). Cooking steamed or boiled green asparagus with lemon or butter, prawn and asparagus tagliatelle, an asparagus and goat’s cheese tart, fresh trout or seeking a match for oysters? Look no further. England meets Sancerre in this clean-tasting, grassy, zingy liquid excellence, which has scents of grapefruit, hedgerow, elderflower, and nettles. Its cool climate refinement finishes long and lively. Difficult to imagine it will ever be more enjoyable than it is now. A real success. Seek out this local vinous hero once again this spring.
4. Asparagus brunch anyone? Try this superb bargain ‘Wine Garden of England’ bubbly
Balfour Hush Heath Estate, 1503 Foxwood Classic Cuvée Brut NV, Kent, England (£17.50-£24.99, Co-op & Majestic, 12%)
Based in nearby Staplehurst, family-owned Hush Heath Estate produces seamless, crowd-pleasing, orchard-fruit flecked, floral and citrus-scented traditional method sparkling wines under the Balfour label. This one is made mainly of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, topped up with a soupçon of (very modish) Pinot Meunier. It’s an appetisingly accessible and charming sparkler with fresh pear fruit, baked apple pie, hedgerow and toasty pizzazz. One for a decadent brunch plate of asparagus and eggs topped with Hollandaise – and equally heavenly with fish and chips, I might add. It has a copious bead and delectableness stamped all over it. Certain to perk up jaded palates and delight with seasonal asparagus too. Mouth-wateringly delish, this is a fine example of classic method English sparkling wine and a standstill bargain to boot. I adore it for a treat. Discover more of Balfour’s wines at the Wine Garden of England’s Summer Festival on May 29 (see below).
SIP AND SAVOUR AT THE ‘WINE GARDEN OF ENGLAND’ FESTIVAL
The first Wine Garden of England Festival takes place in the historic gardens of Squerryes Court on May 29. Visitors can sample 21 of the finest still and sparkling wines from some of Kent’s top wineries, listen to chilled out live music and brush up on their local wine knowledge by booking into one of the many workshops. Buy tickets here
Follow James on Twitter @QuixoticWine
