Wine O’Clock Wines
The Mistress of Wine Recommends:
Martín Codax Albariño 2020 Rías Baixas, Spain
£11.99 @ Majestic (mix 6 price, otherwise £13.49 a bottle)
Monday 1st August marked International Albariño Day, and whilst I find these sorts of days somewhat perplexing, if there is a grape that merits celebrating then it is this one! Having recently spent 2 weeks in Spain, I enjoyed a number of different wines made from this Spanish varietal and each shared a fabulous balance of ripe, peachy, apricot fruit offset by wonderful, tangy, citrus acidity. A common tasting term is 'saline', referencing the fact that the area where the variety is from is coastal and it is this zingy quality that sets the wines apart, as they marry bouncy yellow berry fruit with verve. I happily enjoyed a glass or two of the Martín Codax Albariño with my arroz negro, by the sea!
Balfour Lark Song English Rosé 2021 England
£12.00 @ M&S
Given that one of the most important things that rosé can offer - apart from delicious crunchy red fruit - is refreshment, I find that English pinks are a class apart, with their brisk acidity and red berry flavours. They also usually offer better value than wines from Provence but share a pale colour, elegant structure and notes of cranberry and rosehip. This wine by Balfour Winery in Kent is made from grapes grown using sustainable viticultural methods and from a blend of 47% Pinot Noir, 23% Pinot Meunier, 20% Regent and 10% Chardonnay. Yummy.
