Woolaston News Winter 2022 online (1)

Wine Talk - Winter Warmers...........
At the time or writing this, we are at the
backend of an unseasonably warm Autumn
which has pleased many people, particularly
those trying to prolong the annual ‘switch-on’
of the heating in the house!
However, we’re just starting to see that change
and by the time you are reading this, I would
suggest we will be well into the Winter,
building towards Christmas and inevitably
looking for some of those warming winter
wines that provide a virtual hug when the
weather is rather more inclement.
Whilst I’m certainly not of the opinion this
cannot include some well-rounded, voluptuous
white wines, it’s probably more common for
people to turn to reds at this time of year and
there is one grape that I think pulls off the trick
of the fireside blanket better than most.
Syrah or Shiraz (yes, they’re the same grape)
is a seductive grape, darker in colour than
Cabernet Sauvignon which translates to a
more prominent black and dried fruit character
than some other red wine varieties. It is the
worlds fifth most planted red grape and has a
true global nature, although it is probably most
famous in France within the Rhone Valley
and in Australia (where the Shiraz moniker is
used), most notably in the Barossa Valley near
Adelaide.
One of the most understood flavours of the
Syrah grape is that of pepper or spice and this
means that it can be paired with quite bold
food, including spiced stews and tagines as
well as barbecues.
I’ve selected three wines below which I think
show the different impressions of the grape
and price points also. I must admit to being a
rather late convert to New World ‘Shiraz’ but
it’s certainly something I’m enjoying more
and more, as I hope you do.
Reserva Privada Syrah 2021, Valle Central,
Chile - £5.99 Lidl in Lydney
Fresh, uncomplicated, the black fruit is
dominant here and luscious. There is
something about Lidl’s selections that hit the
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spot, particularly where ‘everyday drinking’
wines are concerned. This works well with
a sausage casserole. I know because we had
one with it!
Lock Keeper’s Reserve Shiraz 2021,
South Eastern Australia - £9.00 M&S in
Chepstow
There may not be many better value wines
around at the moment. This has more of the
spice element within the wine so that ginger
and nutmeg are more common on the taste.
I would say partner those flavours with food
containing similar ingredients but I would
also enjoy just drinking this one in front of the
rugby!
Boutinot La Cote Sauvage Cairanne,
Rhone Valley, France - £17.20 Tell Me
Wine in Chepstow
Bang and we’re up another level again.
Cairanne is one of the more exalted villages
within the Cotes du Rhone appellation. It sits
with similar wines from Seguret, Rasteau and
Vinsobres but maybe just beneath those such
as Gigondas and Chateauneuf du Pape. In
this case, the Syrah is blended with Grenache,
allowing more of the red fruit element to
show itself. This is more austere than the
second wine but will age better for it. A
delight with some venison.
Steve Kendall
Twitter: @TanglewoodWines
Instagram: @tanglewoodwines
www.tanglewoodwinetalk.wordpress.com