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Love letters
(Daily Mail Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)We have reached 'G' in my Modern A-Z of Wine. This week, I have a load of offthe-wall creations and some more explanations of other important words in the vinous lexicon. My Wine of the Week is an 'L', for liqueur, and I have found one that's perfect for those with a sweet tooth.
2004 Beaujolais-Villages, Combe aux Jacques, Louis Jadot, Burgundy, France (GBP6.99, reduced to GBP5.24 until April 2, Waitrose; GBP6.99, reduced to GBP5.99 until the end of March, Wimbledon Wine of London, tel: 020 8540 9979; GBP6.99, D Byrne of Clitheroe, tel: 01200 423152; Luvians of Cupar, tel: 01334 654820; Vicki's of Chobham, tel: 01276 858374, and GBP7.49 at Peckhams of Glasgow, tel: 0141 445 4555). 'G' is for Gavi (the trendy northern Italian white); Germany (home to superb rieslings, see 'M' next week); Gewrztraminer (the wonderfully evocative, perfumed white grape); Grenache (the meaty red grape responsible for Chteauneuf-du-Pape); Grner Veltliner (Austria's zesty white variety) and Gamay, the brilliant red grape that makes Beaujolais. This delicious Beaujolais is made by the excellent team at Jadot. Fine, sophisticated and yet packed with classic summer pudding juice and crunchy acidity, this is a crowd-pleaser of a light red wine. Drink it cool rather than warm.
2005 Oyster Bay Merlot, Hawke's Bay, North Island, New Zealand (GBP7.99, Majestic, Sainsbury's, Waitrose). 'H' is for Hardys (Australia's mighty wine company); Hermitage (the northern RhUne's expensive syrah-based stronghold); Hunter Valley (Australia's semillon centre) and Hawke's Bay, where this merlot comes from. New Zealand has taken a while to get merlot to work well, and this is the least expensive well-made version I have found.
Screwcapped and bright as a button, this medium-weight, lunchtime-style merlot is just the ticket for lighter meat dishes and pizza or pasta frenzies. Red-fruit-driven and with a delightful herbal twist on the finish, this is one of those wines that likes to be chilled a few degrees to really show off its charms.
2000 Amarone della Valpolicella Classico, Ca'del Pipa, Veneto, Italy (GBP15.99, Majestic). 'I' is for Italy. I have found a sensational, topflight, classic Amarone for you to savour, and with five years under its belt, it is currently drinking very well indeed.
This is the very top of the valpolicella tree, made with slightly dried grapes and possessing an intense pruney flavour, with masses of power and distinction. Only attempt this wine with massive carnivorous dishes, mature cheeses or Black Forest gateau.
2004 Monasterio de Santa Ana Monastrell, Jumilla, Spain (GBP4.99, Waitrose).
'J' is not a very highly populated letter and the only ones I can think of are JuranAon (the quirky, dry, yet aromatic French Country wine), Jura (French wine region responsible for highly individual, rare wines) and Jumilla, where this awesomely great value red comes from. I adore this wine and its plummy, berry-driven, palate, which is glossy and sensual. In short, there is a ton of wine here for the money.
2004 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett, Dr Loosen, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, Germany (GBP8.99, Sainsbury's).
'K' is for King Valley (an Aussie region famous for sparklers) and Kabinett (the mark of a top-quality German wine). Only the top 83 Sainsbury's stores stock this wine, so do check that your branch carries it before making a special trip. When you pour this nectar into your glass you will catch the haunting grape-and-apple aroma and feel driven to dive in. Kabinett is a fine style of Riesling. 2004 is a classically dimensioned vintage and Erni Loosen is a legendary producer. Add all these elements together and this is a truly special wine at a fantastic price.
Matthew Jukes's The Wine List 2006 is published by Headline, GBP9.99. You can email Matthew at matthew@matthewjukes.com. The Wine Book, (GBP18.99, Headline) is available in good bookshops now.
This week's WOW De Bortoli Show Liqueur Muscat, South Eastern Australia (GBP9.99, Majestic). For L, I could have gone for Loire or Lugana in Italy, but I decided on a liqueur muscat for my Wine of the Week. At a tenner, this must be one of the best-value wines in the UK. It's a must for everyone who likes chocolate, cake, outdoor spectator sports (for sipping from a hip flask), steamed puddings or icecream. If you have a sweet tooth, you'll adore it. The wine tastes like liquidised, chilled toffees, nuts and raisins. And when you get a taste of it on your tongue, you'll be under its spell.
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