Easter wines: what to stock up on for lockdown - MW
Resurrection: difficult to manage in strange times. Usually it's only the second after Christmas for family reunions, but this year our small groups will be sitting at home, some even alone, but hopefully without food. delicious on the table. And the wine - yes, for heaven's sake, ALCOHOL.
Although matching food and wine is my hobby, I will not recommend any smart food pair at this time. Drink the wine you like and you will feel good. That said, Easter is relatively late this year, so it's certainly spring, which, in my opinion, at least, means a lighter wine, maybe even wine if you have one. An outdoor space to enjoy it. Personally, I like Pedro Luis Monastrell Rosé 2019 (£ 5.99 Aldi, 12.5%), the Spanish version of the mourvèdre, which has a strange taste but a taste of ripe nectar.
There is a lot to be said about familiar comfort at these times: grape varieties like Chardonnay and Merlot are popular for a reason but are just out of fashion, for example; and classic wines like rioja and bordeaux red, both fine with lamb. There is a role for famous names at that time, like the word Heinz on a can of soup or beans which provides comforting comfort. You pay a little more, but he's a faithful old friend.
Of course, supermarkets have special offers to tempt you (Waitrose sells Pinot Grigio Terre di Vita organic very well for £ 5.99 at the moment), and have bought new stocks after the period of time. dead between January and March, the world of wine is at the height of the hunger gap.
In addition to the rosé above, I was particularly impressed by Aldi’s range at the last tasting I went to before full lockdown. There’s another in my recommendations below.
Please also try to support your local shops, producers and small online independent businesses who are finding life desperately hard. If you can buy wine from a local winery (or beer from a local brewery), do it.
At the time of writing, some restaurants and wine bars that are unable to trade and have an off-license are selling direct, while most local wine shops will deliver even if they've had to close their doors - though the situation is constantly changing . If they're not already offering a delivery service, just ask.
Four bottles with a feelgood factor
£ 5.99, 13.5%.
Lush, creamy, comforting: will rub along seductively with anything from roast chicken to fish pie.
£22 or £120 for a case of six, 12%.
Really appealing. Made by the same method as, but less sweet than, prosecco: light, fresh, appley. Cool label, too.
£10 Co-op, 13.5%.
Saint-Emilion is often a disappointment, but this from the next-door appellation is really good value: smooth, ripe and plummy.
£8.95 Cheers, Swansea 13%.
Posh-looking, smart-tasting but surprisingly reasonably priced rioja from a region that’s been badly hit by Covid-19.
MW
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