What Are The Most Popular Red Wine Grapes?

With so many red wines out there it’s hard to know which bottle to choose. With that in mind, we’ve created this handy guide to the most popular red wine grapes including information on their characteristics, what to pair them with and which bottles we recommend…

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon (often colloquially known as Cab Sauv) is the world’s most popular grape, being planted in a great many wine regions around the world. The wine has brilliant aging properties thanks to its full body and tannic structure and its rich, concentrated flavours of blackcurrant, cedar and mint are a pie that everyone wants a slice of.

Where Is Cabernet Sauvignon Grown?

As previously mentioned, Cabernet Sauvignon is almost everywhere as it’s fairly robust; its thick skin helps it cope well with both heat and cold. It’s popularity globally is also thanks to its association with very famous wines such as a Château Lafite from Bordeaux. Its spiritual home is still France (especially the Bordeaux region), but the grape has taken to California, Chile and Australia in particular extremely well.

What Does Cabernet Sauvignon Taste Like?

Cabernet Sauvignon has a distinct blackcurrant and dark forest berry flavour with some sort of leafy note. Its thick skin provides a lot of tannic structure too, making it very dry and full-bodied. Depending on the region, it can also have notes of peppercorns and spices.

What To Pair With Cabernet Sauvignon:

The full-bodied nature of Cabernet Sauvignon lends itself extremely well to rich, grilled meats and dishes with high flavour, protein and fat content.

Which Cabernet Sauvignon Should I Try?

Affordable: Apothic Cabernet Sauvignon UK £9 // US $8.98
Mid-Tier (Cabernet Sauvignon Blend): Château de Janicon Graves Rouge 2018 UK £14.83
Top-End: Mt Brave UK £79 // US $99.99

Merlot

Merlot tends to make softer, more medium-bodied, fruitier wines than Cabernet Sauvignon and the two are very often blended as they complement each other so well. 

Where Is Merlot Grown?

Merlot is grown in similar regions to Cabernet Sauvignon and is the other ‘famous’ Bordeaux grape. As Merlot takes less time to ripen, it can be grown in slightly cooler climates than Cabernet Sauvignon such as Northern Italy. For juicy, fruity, warmer climate Merlots, head to Australia, California and Chile as well as regional Southern France.

What Does Merlot Taste Like?

These warmer climate Merlots are often bolder and fruitier, offering flavours such as red plum, blackberry and even vine tomato. Cooler climate Merlots are more tart, with earthy notes and often, an iodine tang. 

What To Pair With A Merlot:

Merlot is a great wine to pair with food as it is so versatile. Easy drinking, inexpensive Merlots like creamy, tomatoey sauces. An earthier, old world Merlot is delicious with roasted meats and vegetables.

Which Merlot Should I Try?

Affordable: Château Tertre De Viaud Côtes De Bourg 2016 - UK £10.92
Top-End: Château Prieurs de la Commanderie Pomerol 2016 - £39.48

Pinot Noir

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most popular red wine grapes. It can taste like a red wine but feel like a white, so is often the red that white wine drinkers pick. It is light bodied and elegant, with high acidity and very low tannin, coupled with a beautiful silky texture and classic flavour profile of spiced cherry, raspberry compote and earth.

Where Is Pinot Noir Grown?

Pinot Noir loves a cool climate and you can now find incredible bottles from many places around the globe. France produces a huge amount of it, with the majority coming from Burgundy, and since the 1990s, Germany has also been producing some stunning bottles, only here they tend to call it Spatburgunder. The USA has some very exciting styles coming out of Oregon and coastal California, and although not as widely known, there are many other countries around the world that produce some very good Pinot too, including the UK, New Zealand, Austria and Romania to name a few! If it’s a cool region, Pinot will do well. 

What To Pair With Pinot Noir:

Given its higher acidity and its low tannin, Pinot Noir pairs really well with many different dishes. For the lighter, fruitier versions, try it with fleshy fish like salmon, or chicken, whereas bolder Pinot Noirs such as those from Chile or New Zealand work really well with pork, duck, beef stews and mushrooms.

Which Pinot Noir Should I Try?

Affordable: Sanziana Pinot Noir Recas Cramele UK £8.50
Mid Tier: Sebastiani UK £25 // US $14.99
Top-End: Volnay Domaine Cyrot-Buthiau 2017 UK £35.95

Syrah

You might know this grape better as Shiraz; the Australian name for their most planted grape, but the two are technically the same, although the Shiraz style has morphed away from the Syrah style, hence the two names. These dark and brooding wines have wonderful aging capabilities and are excellent with all sorts of foods.

Where Is Syrah Grown?

Syrah thrives in warm and dry climates, which explains its massive success in Australia. However, the grape’s spiritual home is on the rocky, gravelly hillsides of the Northern Rhone region in France. California has also done well with the Syrah grape, though it is often left in the shadow of the ever popular Californian Cabernet Sauvignon.

What Does Syrah Taste Like?

Syrah creates powerful, full-bodied wines chock full of dark, plum fruit flavours, dried herbs and pepper. In the Southern Rhone valley in France, Syrah is a key component in famous blends such as Cotes-du-Rhone and Chateauneuf du Pape. New World Syrahs are often spicier and more fruit driven than Old World Syrahs, which offer more herbaceous notes and higher acidity. 

What To Pair With Syrah/Shiraz:

The punch of Syrah can sometimes be too much for foods with more delicate flavours, so pairing these wines with meaty and peppery dishes is the way to go. With an Australian Shiraz, don’t stray too far from the meaty flavours, however, the herbaceous, European Syrah is perfect for vegetables and game. A Californian Syrah is a good middle ground.

Which Syrah should I Try?

Affordable: McGuigan Reserve Shiraz UK £6
Mid-Tier: Penfolds Bin 28 Kalimna Shiraz UK £29.95 // US $27.99
Top-End: Mclaren Vale Yangarra Estate Ironheart Shiraz £89.97 // US $32.99

Malbec

Malbec is a grape with a rich history and a rich flavour. Though sometimes chosen as a better value substitute for Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec deserves its place on the list of most popular wine grapes.

Where Is Malbec Grown?

While Argentina’s pride and joy, the Malbec grape actually originated in South West France. Its move to a warmer, sunnier country by a hopeful French botanist allowed it to shine in a way it never had done in France before. Malbec loves altitude and thrives on the sunny slopes of Mendoza in Argentina and although this country now grows 70% of the world’s Malbec, the grape can still be found in its French home in the famous, black wines of Cahors and is becoming slowly more widespread in other New World regions such as New Zealand and Australia.

What Does Malbec Taste Like?

Classic Malbec is all about blueberry, raspberry and chocolate. It’s bold but often very smooth and with a bit of age can also offer more complex, savoury, leathery notes.

What To Pair With Malbec:

As you may suspect, an Argentinian Malbec loves a good steak! It’s a sure fire winner at any grill or barbecue and works very nicely with hard cow cheese too. It’s another one that can handle grilled veg well.

Which Malbec Should I Try?

Affordable: Tesco Finest Argentinian Malbec £8
Mid-Tier: Bramare Malbec Lujan de Cuyo UK £29.24 // US $39.99
Top-End: Catena Zapata Malbec Argentino US $149.99

Grenache

Grenache is not only known for its red wines, but also for the deep rosés that it can create. Its fruity nature (especially in its rosés) is very approachable and dangerously drinkable! A Grenache is a great pick with or without food.

Where Is Grenache Grown?

Unlike many of the grapes on this list, Grenache didn’t actually originate in France. Though it’s now planted all over France’s Southern Rhône region, Grenache originated in Spain (where it is labelled as Garnacha)! It’s not as widely grown in the New World as a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Merlot and its acreage has been sharply dropping in the past few decades (sad face).

What Does Grenache Taste Like?

Grenache’s fruity flavour is made up of its notes of strawberry and cinnamon, though depending on where the grape is grown, it can also produce notes of orange and grapefruit. 

What To Pair With A Grenache:

Though it’s definitely a winner with most grilled meats, lean towards something leaner with Grenache, such as lamb. It’s not just meat that you want to pair with Grenache, anything spicy or herbaceous is perfect with this fruity wine.

Which Grenache Should I Try?

Affordable: Waitrose Cotes du Rhone Villages £7.99
Mid-Tier: Anayón Garnacha £17.19
Top-End: Orin Swift 'Abstract' UK £39.99 // US $37.99

Tempranillo

There’s no doubt that Tempranillo (tem-pran-ee-o) is Spain’s favourite red grape, and its versatile flavour profile and texture makes it a treat for pairing with food. It’s most commonly known in its guise as Rioja (In Spain, the wine is often named after the region) but Tempranillo can be found all over Spain. If you’re planning a tapas night anytime soon, be sure to pick up a bottle of Tempranillo - you won’t regret it!

Where Is Tempranillo Grown?

Again, this grape is Spain through and through. Over 80% of the world’s Tempranillo comes from Spain but it has tiptoed its way across the border and is now fairly common in other countries like Portugal. Australia has also been experimenting with this grape, as it enjoys similar conditions to the old favourite, Aussie Shiraz. 

What Does Tempranillo Taste Like?

Tempranillo is simultaneously earthy and fruity, with notes of leather, strawberry cherry and spice. An Australian Tempranillo offers more chocolatey notes, sometimes even being juicer than a Spanish variant. It’s worth trying both New World and Old World Tempranillos to discover your favourites.

What To Pair With Tempranillo:

A fresh, young (‘joven’) Tempranillo is delicious alongside pasta and tomato dishes, whereas a bolder Tempranillo is more suited to meaty dishes. It’s all about trying what works for you and what doesn’t.

Which Tempranillo Should I Try?

Affordable: Finca Besaya Crianza 2017 UK: £9.99
Mid-Tier: Altos de Baroja Rioja Joven £10.75
Top-End:  Marqués de Murrieta Gran Reserva Rioja £50.50

Looking for more wine content? How about having a read of The Best Places in the UK to Drink English Wine or Cheap Champagne that Tastes Great.

Champagne Comes From Russia – Or So Putin Says

We all know how it goes: Champagne is Champagne because Champagne is made in Champagne, which makes it Champagne. Pretty simple, right? Well, due to a recent announcement in Russia, that’s not the case anymore. We have a feeling the notoriously specific French wine authorities aren’t going to be happy about this.

The big man, Putin himself, has signed legislation stating that imported Champagne not made in Russia can no longer label itself as Champagne (though it can tell you where it was made on the back label). Instead, only sparkling wines made in Russia have the privilege of being named Shampanskoye (Russian for Champagne).

However, wine enthusiasts and sommeliers in Russia aren’t in such a rush to change things around. According to The Guardian, sommeliers such as Elena Lebedeva, the head sommelier for a group of very popular Russian bars, aren’t going to be changing the menus. “If we are selling namely [French] champagne, it’s going to remain in the champagne section”, said Lebedeva.

Russia imports a staggering 50 million liters of sparkling wine each year, 13% of which is French Champagne. Russian sparkling wine is not nearly as popular, with some bottles being sold for the equivalent of £2.70 in stores. With this new law in place, it’s likely that French Champagne houses will either significantly reduce or even halt their exports to Russia - leaving Russia not able to meet the needs of their mega-rich. Moët’s Moscow office has already declared that they will be refusing to export their Champagne to Russia if a solution cannot be found, clearly hesitant to have to overhaul the branding of their exports to Russia.

We’re quite curious as to which appellation Putin is thinking of claiming in the near future. Perhaps he’ll fancy some Roquefort, a Cornish Pasty, a Melton Mowbray pork pie… Who knows? Watch this space!

Want to read more drinks news? How about checking out Cocktails for Dogs… yep, they’re a thing! Or maybe funky drinks such as this Dill Pickle Hard Seltzer is more up your street?!

6 Ways To Open a Bottle Of Wine Without A Corkscrew

We all know that dreaded situation. Somebody’s brought a really nice bottle of wine to the dinner party, everyone’s super excited to try it, and then the worst happens. You thought it was a screw cap. It’s not a screw cap. Frantically you race around the kitchen, hoping a corkscrew will have magically appeared in your drawer - but alas, it’s nowhere to be found. What now? You can’t let everyone down! Google in one hand, tentative knife in the other - you begin the search.

Well congratulations, you’ve hit the jackpot! Here are 6 super easy ways to open a bottle without a corkscrew - otherwise known as how to save a life. Forewarning: these tips, while incredible - are not 100% foolproof (and can be a bit messy). If this bottle of wine is dear to your heart, or wildly expensive, please wait until you have a corkscrew on hand. Delayed wine is better than no wine.

Push The Cork In

Sometimes you just have to bite the bullet and accept your fate, you’ll have a cork in the bottle. The key to this trick, and all of the others, is to be careful rather than frantic - stay calm and things should go your way. Also, don’t do this by a white wall or in nice clothes!

1. Grab a blunt object like the end of a wooden spoon and a towel/drying up cloth. 

2. Holding the bottle at the neck with the cloth, carefully but with force push down on the cork with the end of the wooden spoon.

3. Keep the pressure until the cork pops into the bottle (it might splash up a bit).

4. If the cork is a little broken, feel free to filter and decant the wine.

Use A Screw To Pull The Cork Out

While this might require a trip to the toolbox, this method does work. All you need is a thick screw, a screwdriver and a hammer.

1. Screw the screw into the cork until about 10% of the screw is showing. 

2. With the back of a hammer (or a VERY sturdy spoon) slowly but forcefully pull the cork out of the bottle.

Use A Serrated Knife To Twist The Cork Out

This method can also be done with a key, but that variation takes a bit more practice at an already quite difficult trick. You’ll just need a serrated knife (like a steak knife) for this.

1. Push the serrated knife into the cork at a 50-60 degree angle, careful not to cut all the way through.

2. With one hand putting firm pressure on the knife, turn the bottle until the cork comes out. It’s safest to do this on a flat surface and please watch your fingers!!

Pull The Cork Out With A Screw Hook

An easier variation of the hammer and screw method, but requiring quite a specific tool - the screw hook method is one of the easier options available. Use a good sized screw for this, one where you can fit at least two fingers in the hook.

1. With your hands, screw the screw hook into the cork until just the hook is showing.

2. With a firm grip on the bottle, pull the hook until the cork comes out.

Pull The Cork Out With A Shoelace

Choose whoever has the least grimy shoes and thickest shoelaces to be the martyr for this method. You’ll need a thick shoelace, a nail and a hammer. This can be quite impressive when pulled off effectively.

1. Tie knots on top of each other at one end of the shoelace to create a monster knot.

2. Lay the knot in the centre of the cork and position the nail on top.

3. Carefully hit the nail with the hammer until the knot has successfully made its way through the cork

4. Wrap the rest of the shoelace around your hand and pull hard until the cork is removed.

Smack It Against The Wall In A Shoe (CAREFULLY)

This method is a bit scary, we won’t lie - but feel free to give it a go if you’re that kind of daredevil. You’re going to need a sturdy shoe (not a high heel) and a hard, flat wall.

1. Place the bottle in the shoe and make sure it is firmly secured.

2. Grip the shoe with one hand and the bottle in the other.

3. Making sure the bottle is at a 90 degree angle, hit it firmly against the wall. You might have to do this a few times.

4. Stop when the cork is most of the way out to avoid an accident. Gently remove the rest of the cork and enjoy!

Feeling in the mood for wine now? Then, make sure to check out this delicious selection of wine!

What is Pinot Noir?

Pinot Noir is one of the world’s most popular red wine grapes. It can taste like a red wine but feel like a white. It is light bodied and elegant, with high acidity and very low tannin and this is one of the reasons why it is loved so much. Couple this with its beautiful silky texture and its flavour profile of spiced cherry, raspberry compote and earth, it’s no wonder why it is a fond favourite around the world.

Which Countries Produce Pinot Noir?

Pinot Noir loves a cool climate and you can now find incredible bottles from many places around the globe. France produces a huge amount of it, with the majority coming from Burgundy, and since the 1990s Germany has also been producing some stunning bottles. The USA has some very exciting styles coming out of Oregon and California, and although not as widely known, there are many other countries around the world that produce some very good Pinot too, including the UK, New Zealand, Chile, Romania, Austria and Canada to name a few!

What is the Best Food to Pair with Pinot Noir?

Given its higher acidity and its low tannin, Pinot Noir pairs really well with many different dishes. For the fruitier versions, try it with fish, like salmon, or chicken, whereas, bolder Pinot Noirs work really well with pork, duck, beef stews and mushrooms.

Fun Facts about Pinot Noir

1. Pinot Noir is actually one of the three main grapes used in Champagne, along with Chardonnay and the lesser-known Pinot Meunier!

2. Pinot Noir is one of just a few red grapes that is commonly made into red, rosé, white and sparkling wine!

Which Pinot Noir Should I Try?

There are so many bottles to choose from it was hard to stick to just these five, but here is a mix ranging from classic Pinot Noir to some lesser-known regions that are certainly worth checking out!

France: Volnay Domaine Cyrot-Buthiau 2017

If it’s red and from Burgundy (aka Bourgogne) the chances are it is going to be Pinot Noir. The best ones need a few years of age on them to develop but this one is ok to drink now. Think spicy cherry, lavender and marzipan. It’s delicate, earthy, understated and old school in style.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £35.95

California: Sebastiani

The fog-cooled parts of coastal California give their Pinots softness, while that ripe, sweet, juicy fruit still shines through. They’re all about strawberries and cream on a bed of red velvet. Look for some from Russian River Valleys and Sonoma County like this bottle, Sebastiani.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.8%
Find here: UK £25 //US $14.99

New Zealand: Escarpment

New Zealand is Pinot’s most famous (arguably) New World home. Here, it’s slightly easier drinking and fruity, yet serious. The concentrated, savoury red fruit and cinnamon notes have won hearts and palates worldwide. Head to Central Otago, Martinborough and Marlborough for great ones.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £22.49

England: Bolney Estate Pinot Noir

English still wine used to be a bit of a joke, but nowadays, we’re finding that many serious producers are looking to the key Champagne grapes like Pinot Noir and Chardonnay for their still wines and gaining globally award-winning results. The Bolney Estate Pinot Noir has won multiple awards internationally and this bottle, with its soft, velvety red fruit, hints of earth and coffee beans with a touch of chocolate dipped cherry on the finish is definitely one to try.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £17.99

Romania: Sanziana Pinot Noir Recas Cramele

Romania has a talent for making excellent, inexpensive, seriously easy-drinking, cherry-bomb wines from Pinot Noir. Don’t expect the complexity of Burgundy, but for under £10 this is brilliant value. Keep an eye out for the other great Pinots popping up all the time.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8.50

If you enjoyed this then why not check out these great Proseccos for under £15! Or, how about checking out these Stunning Rosé Wines?!

The Best Proseccos for £15 and Under

Special occasion coming up? Why not go Italian with your fizz and pop a bottle of prosecco! It’s super trendy, delicious as ever, and it won’t have you parting ways with family heirlooms to get your hands on it! To aid you on your prosecco journey, we’ve gathered our favourite bottles under £15 that guarantee you a great night.

In case you’ve fallen victim to the years of bashing prosecco has received, a) we’re really sorry you had to go through that, and b) fear no more. This guide will make you a prosecco enthusiast before you can say, ‘Mamma Mia’!

Best Pink Prosecco: Montresor Prosecco Spumante Rosé Millesimato - Extra Dry

Rosé? Brilliant. Fizz? Also brilliant. Rosé prosecco? Best of both worlds. With its delicious strawberry flavours and citrus tones, Montresor slips down very easily - blink and the whole bottle is gone! It looks beautiful in the glass and feels beautiful in the mouth: if you’re looking for something pretty that gets you bang for your buck, you can’t go wrong with this bottle!

ABV: 11%
Size: 750 ml
Find it here: £9.99 (on offer from £10.89)

Best Organic Prosecco: Pianeta Organico Organic Prosecco D.O.C. Treviso- Extra Dry

With notes of green apple, pear and citrus -  this bottle is perfectly balanced and excellent value for money. The grapes used are organic and it’s produced without chemicals, a process that’s supposed to steer you away from those awful bubbly hangovers (yay!). A big winner amongst prosecco fans (and prosecco haters) - Aldi has done it again!

ABV: 11.5%
Size: 750 ml
Find it here: £7.49 (on offer from £7.99)

Best Celebrity Prosecco: Kylie Minogue Prosecco Rosé

I’m sure you’re wondering why this isn’t under best bottle design, and trust me it was a really  strong contender. Tiny hearts on a prosecco bottle? Now that’s dedication to style…

With the release of yet another wine, it seems there’s nothing Kylie Minogue hasn’t decided to create (rosé, cava, chardonnay, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, pinot noir, prosecco…). Her massively successful collection has led to this crisp prosecco rosé chock full of strawberry and raspberry flavours. Who knows what Ms Minogue will make next? Perhaps a champagne...?

ABV: 11%
Size: 750 ml
Find it here: £12.00

Best Brut Prosecco: Mionetto Prosecco

If a sparkling wine is labelled as ‘Brut’ rather than ‘Extra Dry’ or ‘Dry’, it means it’s a much drier wine containing less residual sugar. This is great for those who like some bubbly but aren’t really into sweet wines. Mionetto is a classic pick, with light notes of peach, pear and citrus that go down well on any occasion. The lingering fizziness and dry finish makes Mionetto a tasty and great value choice for a mimosa.

ABV: 11%
Size: 750 ml
Find it here: £8.00

Best Bottle Design: Freixenet Prosecco

Another popular pick, Freixenet’s iconic bottle is one you’ve definitely pointed out on the shelves. The cut glass finish makes this prosecco stand out from the rest, but it’s what is inside the bottle that really counts. The green apple, citrus and honey flavours jump out on the palette and the elegant lightness makes it extremely drinkable. Despite being the largest producers of Cava, it seems Freixenet’s standout bottle design and zingy flavour have made this prosecco their funkiest product yet.

ABV: 11%
Size: 750 ml
Find it here: £10.00

Best Extra Dry Prosecco: Giusti Rosalia Prosecco Treviso Extra Dry

One of our favourites on the list, this Extra Dry has a beautiful light golden colour and offers a perfectly balanced level of sweetness and acidity. Giusti carries the usual orchard and citrus notes of a prosecco, albeit with a hint of honey on the finish. Wonderfully pleasant to sip and a great affordable fizz, when it comes to Extra Dry - Giusti is there for you.

ABV: 11%
Size: 750 ml
Find it here: £15.00

Best Frizzante Prosecco: Giol Prosecco Treviso Frizzante Organic

A Frizzante prosecco has a gentler fizz to its counterparts, more of a semi-sparkling wine. The fizz is so little that most Frizzantes are stopped only by a regular cork and a piece of string, rather than a full crown cap. The subtle bubbles make for an interesting change from the usual carbonation of a prosecco, and Giol’s citrus and pear flavours give it a wonderful fresh taste. Another organic wine (yay for our non-existent, eco-friendly hangovers), Giol Frizzante is a great value entry into semi-sparkling wines.

ABV: 11%
Size: 750 ml
Find it here: £12.00

If you would like to read more about prosecco then check out our Guide to Prosecco and our Top Pink Proseccos for Under £10!

Why Albariño from Rías Baixas is the Next Big Thing in White Wine

Celebrate Albariño Day on the 1st August!

Check out AlbarinoDay.co.uk for details of events and promos all around the UK.

We’ve seen various grape varieties take their place in the sun over the last few years especially in the UK market. With some, it’s because they are easy to say. With others, it’s because the wines from that region offer a clear, recognisable personality. Enter Albariño in this camp; the white wine grape taking the wine world by storm as consumers seek out whites with flavour and freshness as well as complexity and texture. Here’s everything you need to know about Spain’s flagship white wine grape from the country’s premium white wine region: Rías Baixas. 

The Mermaid of Wine Grapes

You know us and our penchant for describing grape varieties as personalities? Well in our minds, Albariño is the elegant mermaid of wine grapes, swimming in the stormy seas of Galicia. Imagine the scent of ripening lemons, wet granite rocks and sea spray as she calls us with her siren song, that pale and peachy complexion shining in the water. In a classic tasting note, Albariño is pale, dry, crisp and fresh with notes of lemon citrus, white peach and a cool, saline kick on the finish. 

Albariño from Rías Baixas 

The stunning region of Rías Baixas can be found on the southwestern coast of Galicia, which itself is located to the very northwest of Spain. It’s a beautiful location made up of lots of small fjords (known as rias) set out over four estuaries. Compared to the rest of Spain, Rías Baixas is particularly green thanks to its high rainfall and misty mornings. It does also however boast over 2,200 hours of sunshine per year, which together help vines produce healthy, ripe grapes. 

As a wine region, Rías Baixas comprises of five distinct subregions, which each offer subtle variations on the classic Albariño style thanks to differences in their geography, though there tends to be granite-heavy, mineral-rich soils throughout. These sub regions are Ribeira do Ulla, Val do Salnés, Soutomaior, Condado do Tea and O Rosal. You will currently see these on the label as Rías Baixas Salnés, Rías Baixas Condado and Rías Baixas Rosal only. If the wines are simply labelled ‘Rías Baixas Albariño’, it means they are made with 100% Albariño grapes from any sub-zone.

Unusual vines 

Due to the humidity in the region, vines are often planted up to seven feet high to allow air to circulate (thus preventing mildew) and helping the grapes to ripen evenly. The vines are supported by granite posts called ‘parras’ where they form canopies and the bunches are harvested in the Autumn by pickers from below.  If you drive around the region, you will see lots of small vineyards with these parras, all owned by single families. There is a long history of artisan families passing down their vines through the generations and this is why hand harvesting has also always been important as this is how it was always done. Combine this with the unique terroir in Rías Baixas and wines that so beautifully express their sense of place and you have real fine wines in your hands. 

More than just a white wine

Unusually for a Spanish wine region, 99% of all wines made in Rías Baixas are white and of these, 96% of the grapes used are Albariño! Of the remaining 4%, there are 13 other local grapes allowed in the DO; most of which are blended with Albariño, though you will occasionally see some of them standing alone. The most important ‘other’ grapes are Treixadura, Caiño Blanco, Torrontes, Loureiro and Godello. Red wine is made in Rías Baixas (Rías Baixas Tinto) but it’s rare at under 1%. Sparkling wines (Rías Baixas Espumoso) are also still very rare, but we are starting to see some well-known producers experimenting - and to great effect. 

Albariño wine style trends in Rías Baixas

Here’s the geeky part! Producers of Albariño in Rías Baixas have been experimenting over the last few years, finding ways to make their wines age for longer, to create more food friendly styles and generally put this grape through its paces to see what it is capable of. As a result, we are seeing producers try more maceration of the grapes with their skins before fermentation, which increases the aromatics and gives more structure. They're opting for native yeasts to kick off this ferment too as they've noticed that it gives the wine a more authentic, less generic flavour. In very ripe years, some barrel ageing (Rías Baixas Barrica) is now starting to be used to tone down the overt fruit and balance things up, offering a more robust texture. One particularly exciting development however, is seeing producers let the wine sit on its lees for longer (the dead yeast cells left after fermentation). This gives body, weight and structure to the wines and means they can age for a bit longer. It also means that these wines can take a bit more on the food matching front, from nutty cheese to creamy, chicken and rich fish dishes. 

What to eat with Albariño

Albariño was born by the sea so naturally, it should be a top choice for fish and seafood. The lighter, more zesty styles are great by themselves or make a fantastic aperitif with salmon blinis or fresh sheep cheese. The weightier, more lees-aged or barrel-aged wines can take some heavier textures and flavours, be that nuttier cheese or grilled, smoky flavours. Creamy pork and potato dishes work well here too. All in all, it’s a very versatile grape variety!

Try these Albariño Wines

We’re seeing more and more Albariño from Rías Baixas in the UK every year, with exports having increased by twenty five times in the last nine years alone. Many supermarkets now stock their own label Albariño wines as well as carrying key brands and more gastronomic styles of wines can also be found in independent shops, bars and restaurants. Here are some to try.

You & Me Albariño

With grapes harvested from Salnés Valley, which is the most northern and coolest subzone of Rías Baixas, this wine is perky and fresh with floral notes and a touch of peach. Very easy drinking.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £13.99

Serra da Estrela Albariño, Adegas Valmiñor 2020

Another refreshing Albariño with a touch more body and great salinity. Think peaches, lemon peel and white flowers. So pretty!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £13

Lagar de Cervera Albariño

A creamier, weightier drop this thanks to some extended lees ageing, making it a perfect match for food such as white fish and seafood. Grapes harvested in O Rosal and Condado.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14.99

Linar de Vides Albarino, Bodegas Coto Redondo

Another elegant white with the perfect balance of citrussy freshness and creamy texture. This is the wine to take home to meet the parents. A great all-rounder, with or without food.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £14.99

For more wine content make sure you check out these articles next.

Meet the French wine region the experts have their eyes on: Ventoux AOC

Last week, I had the absolute pleasure of hosting a wine tasting event in the sky. Why would I hang from a crane 100ft above terra firma to talk to an audience over dinner about wine, you may ask? We did it to highlight the magic ingredient that one unsung hero French wine region has that means it will be one to watch in the future as the world gets hotter. That region is Ventoux AOC and the magic ingredient is altitude. 

What and where is Ventoux AOC?

You’ve seen those films that make you want to buy properties in the south of France, right? Luberon, the Vaucluse Mountains…You may also be a keen cyclist and an avid follower of the Tour de France. This part of the world is where you will find Ventoux; nestled in the south-eastern part of France’s Rhône Valley, signposted by the famous ‘Giant of Provence’ aka Mont Ventoux, sitting at 1912m ASL and  providing a beautiful - and very useful - backdrop to a winemaking revolution that has been taking place over the last twenty years.

Wines with Altitude

Helena hosting the Ventoux event with London In The Sky

Ventoux is an AOC, which stands for Appellation d’Origine Controlé. It’s a wine term that describes a delimited area where there are strict winemaking rules around what grapes and techniques you can use, with an aim to maintain the character of the wines from that area and to keep the quality high. To date, Ventoux has been more of a hidden gem region, outshone by its more glamorous, famous neighbours such as Châteauneuf-du-Pape and Gigondas, despite having wines of similar styles (and lower price tags!), but the focus is starting to change. Why? Global heating is a sad reality and the difference these extra degrees are having on grape production are really starting to show. Some say that in ten years, the more famous regions may even be too hot for growing fine wine grapes.

Enter Mont Ventoux, with its higher altitude vineyards that benefit, crucially, from much cooler night time temperatures than many other Rhône regions. What this diurnal swing does to the grapes is cool them quickly, thus concentrating aromas and flavours and preventing the wines from tasting cooked and flabby. This is the reason that wine writers and winemakers alike say that they would put their money here in Ventoux.

Ventoux AOC wine grapes & wine styles

Ventoux is most famous for red blends, which make up 54% of all the wines. Pinks sit at 40% and whites at just 6% currently, but watch this space for more Ventoux blancs; white grapes love limestone from the windy slopes of the mountain. 

In Ventoux, you’ll find classic, familiar Rhône valley blends but wines here certainly have a distinctive freshness. The rosé wines are fragrant and fruity, with notes of ripe cherries, raspberries and flowers. The white wines are generally floral, citrussy and elegant with characteristic notes of hawthorn and acacia and the reds offer rich notes of leather, liquorice, truffles, black fruit, and pepper. Keep an eye on Syrah from Ventoux, by the way. It’s one of the red grapes really starting to turn heads.

The boyband and girlband of wine grapes.

You know me and my ‘vinalogies’, well I have always thought of the red and white blends of the Rhone Valley as pop bands, made up of grapes that each bring their own distinctive personality. The main players for reds are Grenache Noir, who is the youthful, cute one. Think soft strawberry and subtle spice. Next up it’s Syrah, the brooding, complex soul who probably plays the guitar. Think plum spice, grilled meat and herbs. We also have the party animal, Mourvèdre, the one with wild hair and who is full-on and meaty, needing the other grapes to tame it. Joining these three are Carignan and Cinsault, the former offering the geeky piano playing and lyrics skills that while a bit skinny, can scrub up quite nicely when needed and the latter, the light-hearted, perfumed pretty boy that gets lots of attention.

On the white side, the leads are Clairette, the elfish blonde who is lean and saline with flowers in her hair; Roussanne, the sassy redhead with her richly aromatic notes of  lime and blossom; Grenache Blanc, the curvy one giving good body a complex herbaceous note and finally, Bourboulenc, the exotic, if a touch needy one, which when treated properly, can give great acidity and structure with a hint of smoke and spice. 

Ventoux wines to try

At the event in London in the Sky, we tasted a fair few fabulous wines. Here are our top pics from the night:

PINK

Rhonéa ‘Passe Coline’ 2020  (Grenache noir 95%, Carignan 4%, Syrah 1%)

A punchy, pretty and fruity pink with an interesting backstory about a demanding lady called Colline who wouldn’t pass the bottle around the table. Almost luminous in the glass, it’s a vibrant pink that’s great by itself or with lighter bites, such as cold cuts. 

Find it here for £10.50

WHITE

Cave de Lumières ‘Aubépine’ 2020  (Clairette 40%,Grenache Blanc 30%, Roussanne 30%)

A light, fresh and floral style with the most stunning bottle you’ll see! Aubépine means ‘hawthorn’, which properly sums up this crisp and refreshing white. 

Find it here for £12.90

Château Pesquié ‘Quintessence’ 2019  (Roussanne 80%, Clairette 20%)

Another legendary producer and this is the top of their white wine tree. The Quintessence leads gloriously with sassy Roussanne, offering a white that’s lemon-lime and viscous, with a refreshing saline note and great aromatics.One to be savoured in the glass. 

Find it here for £18.50

RED

Domaine de Fondrèche ‘Persia’ 2019  (Syrah 90%, Mourvèdre 10%)

This icon red from Fondrèche is brooding and complex with notes of grilled meat, licorice and dried herbs. It’s a meal in a glass with an effortless freshness. You could even keep this for a couple of years and it will sing.  

Find it here for £20.99

Chêne Bleu ‘Abélard’ 2012  Grenache Noir 85%, Syrah 15%)

From another stellar producer, the Abélard is big, bold and beautiful, all about ripe blueberry, spice and chocolate. It’s a gloriously indulgent, rich, velvety red where the extra years of aging add tobacco leaf and cedar complexity. Have it with red meat or a stew - or even some hard, nutty cheese. 

Find it here for £55

Can Music Make Wine Taste Better?

Music: A simple, yet incredibly complex pleasure with the power to alter our emotions and even change the way we perceive things. It has been at the forefront of human expression for thousands of years and over time has become even more powerful as new forms continue to emerge.

In the past decade, plenty of research has been carried out to suggest music can even affect the ways in which we interact with wine. So, let’s delve in to this and find out just what power music has when it comes to wine, and whether it can really change the way we perceive, purchase and even taste our vino?

Can Music Influence What Wine We Purchase?

According to a theory known as the 'Priming Effect', the answer to this is yes. There have been various studies over time monitoring this phenomenon, but one of the most significant took place in 1999 when scientists decided to look into the influence of music on wine purchases in wine stores.

When German music was played, a much higher concentration of German wines was purchased and the same was the case for both Spanish and Italian music and wine. It seems this 'Priming Effect' increases a particular area of our memory, influencing other decisions we make, which in this case means the wine that we purchase.

Can Music Influence How We Taste Wine?

A chap named Adrian North partnered up with Montes Winery to explore how listening to different types of music could affect the tasting notes we give the wines we drink. In order to do this he first found 4 songs and associated 'characteristics' with them, without any wine being involved. He then formed 5 different groups based on those songs:

·       Group 1: Powerful and heavy characteristics (Carmina Burana by Orff)

·       Group 2: Subtle and refined characteristics (Waltz of the Flowers from Tchaikovsky's 'Nutcracker')

·       Group 3: Zingy and refreshing characteristics (Just Can't Get Enough by Nouvelle Vague)

·       Group 4: Mellow and soft characteristics (Slow Breakdown by Michael Brook)

·       Group 5: Control group characteristics (No Music)

Participants in each group were given a Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon and Chilean Chardonnay, and after 5 minutes of tasting, they were asked to describe the wines. The researchers found that the participants tended to describe the wines in similar ways to the characteristics of the music that was playing, regardless of whether they were drinking a red or white whereas the control group had a totally different set of results.

This explains why the ambience of a venue is so important and therefore why the majority of high-end restaurants will always have elaborate music playing in the background. It would also explain why people spend a lot more money in restaurants that play classical music as opposed to other forms.

Can Music Directly Affect the Quality of Wine?

Now, this question still leads to a very mixed answer although there is some evidence to suggest that music may improve the quality of wines. In fact, big names such as Cloudy Bay and De Morgenzon have already taken to the art of music in attempt to improve their wines by using outdoor speakers to play music to their vines 24 hours a day.

According to Hylan Applebaum (owner of De Morgenzon winery), music has strengthened his vines and enhanced their health. His reasoning is that as the vines increase in size due to the effect of the music, they gain a larger surface area, which in turn increases the rate of photosynthesis, sugar, and therefore concentration of flavor within the grapes.

While some laugh at his views, scientific research in South Korea has actually shown that when classical music was played to rice plants, it triggered two genes within the plant (rbcS and Ald), resulting in a better quality crop. The same was found when a similar experiment was carried out with onions!

So, there you have it. We've discovered that music can influence the types of wine we buy, allowing us to perceive we've made a better purchasing decision. We've also come to understand that music can alter the tasting profiles we give wines, deeming them as better quality. Finally, we've explored the possibility that music can trigger genes in plants, possibly resulting in better quality crops.

While more and more evidence is producing compelling results to suggest that music can in fact make our wine taste better, a lot of skepticism still remains. You've read the story. Where do you stand?