A heavenly food theme this week – International Burger Recipes! - so here are some suitably stunning wines to match them. If you are not making burgers then you will find that this stunning collection will cover all of the other food groups, too!!
2011 First Cape, Limited Release Merlot, Western Cape, South Africa (£7.99, reduced to £5.29 until 11 September, Waitrose). One of the world’s star wines and certainly the finest five pound Merlot in existence, drink this stunning plum and dark chocolate-scented wine with the feisty Caribbean Jerk chicken burger recipe. It is the perfect, cool red to tame the perky spices and pepper heat!
2011 Les Jamelles, Réserve Mourvèdre, Pays d’Oc, France (£6.99, Co-op). This is a fabulously lush blackberry-themed wine with a stunning silky texture and immediacy which makes it irresistible in spite of its youth. One of the most attractive wines I have seen in a long while, drink it slightly chilled with the American beef sliders with salsa, jalapeno chillies, blue cheese and crispy bacon.
2011 Canaletto, Chianti, Tuscany, Italy (£7.39, reduced to £5.49 until 14 August, Waitrose). Inexpensive Chianti is normally a dreary proposition but this bright, cherry-soaked wine is a wicked little treat. It is a delightful all-rounder with all manner of dishes and I love the arty label, too! Make sure you hurry along to buy it because the deal ends soon.
2011 Gavi di Gavi, Ascheri, Piemonte, Italy (£13.99, Sainsbury’s). I have followed Matteo Ascheri’s wines for twenty years and you will not meet a nicer chap on the planet. He is a food and wine expert and this scintillating Gavi is sheer perfection. With a taut lime chassis it is effortlessly chic and it could even give the Mexican bean burger with avocado, lime and sour cream a run for its money!
2010 Longview, ‘Red Bucket’ Shiraz / Cabernet Sauvignon, South Australia (£11.00, Oddbins). Longview is a stunning estate in the Adelaide Hills and this beautiful blend is one of Australia’s finest value reds. With a multi-layered palate of red and black fruit and epic spice on the nose and palate you will be amazed at this world class wine.
