I have five magnificent, brand new wines this week, including a massive red called Catapult!
2010 Rabl, Grüner Veltliner, Kamptal, Austria (£7.99, Marks & Spencer). Grüner Veltliner is such a trendy grape and this inexpensive wine shows exactly why. Take a holiday from sauvignon blanc and bathe your palate in this elegantly spicy, stone fruit and lemongrass-scented, dry white. It is absolutely captivating and fabulous value, too.
2011 Castillo de Tomás, Verdejo, Tierra de Castilla, Spain (£7.99, Luvians tel. 01334 654820, Shills tel. 01900 826427, Delilah Fine Foods tel. 0115 948 4461, New Forest Wines tel. 01425 489771, Leamington Wine tel. 01926 888 994). This is a wonderfully vibrant verdejo with superb citrus fruit and a mouth-watering, taut finish. It looks dead smart, too! Drink it with the frittata with Jersey Royals, pea and mint recipe and get in a summery mood with just one sip.
2011 Pewsey Vale, Riesling, Eden Valley, South Australia (£10.99, Selfridges tel. 0800 123400, SH Jones tel. 01295 251 179, Tanners tel. 01743 234500, Camber Wines 02392 755225, Eagle’s Wines tel. 020 7223 7209, Hoults tel. 01484 510 700, Noel Young tel. 01223 566744, Templar Wines tel. 01202 300331, The General Wine Company tel. 01428 722201). There are so many independent wine merchants around the UK who sell this epic wine, so have a look at matthewjukes.com for a full list and track it down. With jaw-dropping beauty and hints of grapefruit and elderflower this stunner is a sensational creation.
2011 Martín Códax, Albariño, Rías Baixas, Spain (£11.99, Majestic). Martín Códax is the largest producer in the region, but his wines always taste beautifully handmade. This is the first write up ever of the spectacular 2011 albariño and it will grab every one of your taste buds and give them a terrific work out. With delicate floral notes and a bracing apple and lemon balm theme this is a heavenly wine.
2009 Wirra Wirra, Catapult Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia (£13.99, Marks & Spencer). With four spectacular light, dry whites this week I need to redress the red balance and this is the wine to do it! Massively inky, full and structured, Wirra Wirra is a legendary property and Catapult is a noble, dark, brooding, plum and mulberry-soaked hero. Serve Catapult with crushed Jersey Royals and herb sausages or steak!
