Sarah Ahmed – The Wine Detective

Until 9pm today, you can enjoy up to 20% off online purchases at Laithwaites.

I’ve previously recommended the extremely classy Passa Pequena 2008 (see here) made by Jorge Borges of Passadouro, which is a steal.  Here are some more tips based on a tasting in January when I participated in the selection of Laithwaites “Experts’ Choice,” which has just been revealed (see here).

From the Experts’ Choice case, of those wines my panel tasted I really rated the inky, rich, creamy and chocolatey Michell’s Pass Malbec 2010 from South Africa which, though chunky and satisfying, was nonetheless well balanced and defined, with Malbec’s delicious lift of violets.  £9.99/bottle.  Baron de Barbon Oak-aged Rioja 2009 represents great value at £7.99 (let alone  discounted).  I enjoyed it for its fresh, floral nose and palate and silky red and black berry fruit, dusted with cinnamon and clove.

And though they didn’t make it into the Experts’ Choice case, here’s a posy of rosés, both £7.99 before discount, which I’d highly recommend for summer drinking.

Ninetails Moscato  – I do believe that this medium dry pink Moscato cheekily sealed under crown cap comes from Innocent Bystander.  At any rate, it’s from the Yarra Valley and trust me, this frothy, fun pink summer fizz will bring a huge smile to your face.  It’s grapey and fresh with delicious ginger spice and rose petal lift/perfume.  Mouth cleansing acidity perfectly balances the residual sugar.  A delight.

L’Angevin Rosé d’Anjou 2009  – this  pretty off-dry Loire rosé made by Bougrier shows delicate cranberry, raspberry and red cherry fruit, balanced by fresh, crisp acidity.

No better time to snap these up than today!