Lisa is a good pal of mine, so here are some wines that I know that she would love to serve with her delicious recipes!
2011 Brancott Estate, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand (£9.29, reduced to £6.19, until 6 March, Sainsbury’s). Brancott used to be called Montana and under its new livery it seems even more impressive than before! Drink this crunchy, citrus-themed, tangy sauvignon with Lisa’s Spinach, cream cheese, cherry tomato, onion and garlic quiche recipe – it’s a perfect match!
2008 Churchill’s Estate, Douro Red, Portugal (£10.70, Tanners tel. 01743 234500; £10.99, reduced to £9.49 if you buy 2 bottles, Majestic). This is a heroic red made from port grapes and while the nose is rich, spicy and robust, as you might expect, the palate is soaked with black plums and silky dark chocolate notes and it parades a thoroughly genial finish. In fact, it’s very posh indeed!
2009 Newton Johnson, Chardonnay, Western Cape, South Africa (£12.99 www.laithwaites.co.uk & tel. 0845 194 7720). This beautiful, full-bodied, silky-smooth chardonnay is wonderfully luxurious and designed to impress fans of succulent, mouth-filling, dreamy whites. Drink it with really smart fish and chicken dishes.
2010, Santa Digna, Gewurztraminer, Miguel Torres, Curicó Valley, Chile (£51.26 per case of 6 bottles (£8.54 per bottle) www.vintagemarque.com; £8.35, www.winesofinterest.co.uk). I adore this wistful, tropical-scented gewurz, from the perennially talented Miguel Torres. This grape is heavenly on the nose with exotic, peachy notes, but the palate is crisp and refreshing. Perfect for spicier dishes and cunning canapés.
2010 Casillero del Diablo, Cabernet Sauvignon, Concha y Toro, Chile (£7.79, reduced to £5.84, until 6 March, Sainsbury’s). Is this the finest value cabernet on the planet – I think so! Remember that in spite of the lowly price tag you must still decant this wine and use your biggest glasses. It will reward you with masses of blackcurrant fruit and a seriously long, classy finish.
