Calvet Prestige de Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc, £7.50, Tesco
Another classic Bordeaux wine from leading French pan-appellation brand Calvet. Specialists in Bordeaux since 1818, they also make wines now in all the main French wine regions. This one is a white from Bordeaux made from 100 per cent Sauvignon Blanc. It’s a fresh, zesty, citrusy and softly oaked wine with flavours of gooseberry and herbs – it would work well with your Christmas dinner or a seafood starter.
Trapiche Oak Cask Malbec, Argentina, £7, Asda & Tesco
Trapiche Reserve is crafted with grapes grown in high altitude vineyards, in the soils of the Andes mountains. The altitude and sunshine produce fresh fruit flavours with the nine months of oak-aging adding harmony and complexity. This is a really nice food wine to mop up meaty dishes. Beyond the label, black plum and savoury spice aromas lead to a forest floor of red and black fruits with a pleasant finish.
WINE OF THE WEEK
Cepa Lebrel Rioja Reserva, Spain, £6.99, Lidl
One of the great benefits of Rioja is that the Reservas are released from the cellars when ready to drink – and this vintage is now just right. Ripe, blackberry and plum fruit in a traditional style with notes of spicy oak. This also has some of the toasty oak character that will appeal to Rioja lovers. Enjoy with roast meats or lamb tagine.
