Top Editors’ Picks for November 2024

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Discover the vibrant world of English and Welsh wines, featuring unique varieties like Ortega and Albariño, alongside innovative pairings with Champagne.

Exploring the Diverse World of English and Welsh Wines

English and Welsh vineyards are often overlooked in the global wine scene. However, they offer a rich tapestry of grape varieties beyond the well-known Champagne trio. Each year, events like the WineGB tasting reveal exciting new wines that challenge preconceived notions.

For instance, Biddenden’s Ortega is a standout. This grape variety shines as both a sweet and dry wine. The Late Harvest 2018 offers a refreshing citrus profile, while the Ortega Dry 2022 showcases peachy weight and Mediterranean aromas. Additionally, Balfour Winery is pushing boundaries with its Albariño, which features smoky stone fruits and a saline finish.

Moreover, Denbies’ Redlands is a delightful non-vintage red blend. It combines two hybrid varieties, Rondo and Regent, resulting in a crowd-pleasing wine with soft, sweet blackberries. In central Wales, Whinyard Rocks is experimenting with hybrids like Phoenix, producing a bubbly that is rich in green fruits and umami. These examples illustrate the vibrant and evolving landscape of English and Welsh wines.

The Art of Wine Pairing: Beyond the Basics

Wine pairing is an art that can elevate any dining experience. Traditionally, Champagne is reserved for toasts or as an aperitif. However, recent competitions, like the Gosset Matchmakers, challenge this notion. They showcase how Champagne can complement savory dishes beautifully.

This year, the competition featured Gosset’s Petite Douceur Rosé, an extra dry Champagne. Its rich profile, with notes of red berries and Asian pear, makes it versatile. Judges paired it with various dishes, including Indian-spiced red mullet and lobster with carrot. The results were eye-opening, demonstrating Champagne’s adaptability.

The winners, sommelier Camilla Bonnannini and chef Oliver Grieve, created a dish of quail, nam jim, and carrot. This pairing highlighted the sweet and sour balance that Champagne can achieve. Such events encourage wine enthusiasts to explore beyond traditional pairings, expanding their culinary horizons.

The Global Wine Landscape: Australia vs. France

The global wine landscape is constantly evolving, with regions like Australia gaining recognition. A recent tasting organized by Berkmann Wine Cellars compared Australian wines to their French counterparts. This blind tasting aimed to spark discussions about quality and value in the wine industry.

Australia boasts some of the oldest soils and innovative winemakers. For example, the Lethbridge Allegra Chardonnay 2016 was praised for its value compared to a Coche-Dury Meursault 2018, which costs around £900. This price-quality disparity was evident across various flights of wines, including Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

Langmeil’s The Freedom 1843 Shiraz 2019 stood out in the Shiraz lineup. It showcased the class and complexity that Australian wines can offer. As prices for top French wines continue to rise, Australia’s premium bottles present compelling alternatives. This tasting highlighted the exciting potential of Australian wines on the global stage.

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

Source: Decanter – Editors’ picks – November 2024