Cold weather calls for elegant red wines which enrich everyday moments, while elevating them into unforgettable memories. Below are wines that cover a wide range of tastes, price and character:
- Mega Spileo Cuvée III Red – Greece
(price range in €: 10-15)
Only by watching the scenery of the vineyards in Mega Spileo, Kalavrita, Greece, you can understand the greatness of each wine produced on this location. The philosophy behind the label of this bottle is the blend of 3 grape varieties, 2 local ones (Mavrodaphne & Ayiorgitiko) and 1 internationally known (Cabernet Sauvignon). A light bodied, off-dry red wine, with deep red colour with complex nose of red and black fruits syrups, graphite, sweet spices and vanilla. Well-balanced, warm and dense in the mouth with soft tannins. Long aftertaste of sweet spices. All the above make this wine one of my all-time favs!
- Domaine Barons de Rothschild, Aruma (Lafite) – Argentina
(price range in €: 15-20)
An Argentinian beauty from the Mendoza region. Its name “ARUMA” means “night” in Quechua. The name suggests the deep darkness of the nights in the Andes and the very pure mountain air: the wines have the same rich, authentic character as their terroir. A wine made from 100% Malbec, with deep ruby colour. Aromas of red fruits like ripe plums, cherries and raspberries, accompanied by sweet spicy notes. Fresh and juicy, a unique balance between acidity, gentle tannins and alcohol. Full bodied and exuberant, with long and delicate finish.
- Chapoutier – Domaine de Bila Haut, Occultum Lapidem – France
(price range in €: 20)
M.Chapoutier is the world’s most admired French Wine Brand for 2018. Michel Chapoutier himself, is the most awarded winemaker on the planet!
Domaine de Bila Haut, Occultum Lapidem is a wine that can be characterised as complex and compelling. The domain itself, is based on stony soil, challenging to handle, yet giving extraordinary fruit. A blend of three varieties: Syrah, Grenache and Carignan, all generously giving their best characteristics.
Its colour, a great dark garnet-red. On the nose, you can clearly identify the character of the soil, through graphitic, leather aromas., accompanied by intense aromas of pepper, spices and black fruits. Full bodied, rich in flavour and velvety, delicate tannins, all blended together resulting in great finesse.
- Marques De Caceres, Gran Reserva – Spain
(price range in €: 30-35)
A wine made only on the best vintages. Produced from grapes coming from old vines, which means that the quantity is very limited, but the quality is exceptional. A blend of three indigenous grape varieties: Tempranillo, Garnacha tinta, Graciano. Handpicked with care and love, this wine spends its first two years of life in a barrel and the next four aged in a bottle, prior release to the market. These long and costly processes, lead to a Big wine with intense red colour, ruby-red highlights turning slightly brick-red. Beautiful aromas of stewed fruit, purple plums, balsamic notes and refined oak, with hints of clove. Round body in the mouth, with matured tannins which give fresh, lively notes and a silky fullness. Long-lasting flavours and superb potential for ageing. Above all, a wine to be shared with friends, as it is an experience that cannot be forgotten.
- Masi, ‘Costasera’ Amarone Classico – Italy
(price range in €: 45-50)
My great big love, or according to Masi “proud, majestic, complex and exuberant”. Just like Romeo and Juliet, Amarone comes from Verona, Veneto. Specifically, from the Valpolicella region. Together with Barolo and Brunello, this wine constitutes the aristocracy of the Italian Wine World. Made with the passito method, or as the Italians call it, appassimento, which calls for fresh grapes laid on bamboo sticks to dehydrate and concentrating sugars, flavours and aromas. Again, a blend of local grapes: Corvina, Rondinella, Molinara, blended together to create a wine that smells like love. Very dark in ruby red colour, and aromas of ripe red fruits. A palate full of flavoured baked fruits, coffee and luscious chocolate. A mouth-watering wine, that should be tasted by every true wine lover!
I hope you’ve found my red, red wine tips useful and as tasty as I do.
See you next week!
Cheers, Santé and Yiamas..
Until then.. Strike for a glass half full !
Nicole x
