Time to try something different?

Why is it that when we go out for a drink or go to our favourite restaurant, we find ourselves ordering the same thing over and over again?

Maybe we feel a sense of security in ‘playing it safe’ with a wine varietal we know and trust. Let’s face it, with the ever-increasing cost of wine (due partly to the government’s insistence on constantly hiking alcohol duty), it can be an expensive mistake to take a punt on something different.

Also, there is the embarrassment factor – many people feel socially inadequate if they can’t navigate their way around a wine list with ease, so in order to not look foolish, they go for the ‘same old, same old’. How many times have you found yourself saying ‘I’ll just have a bottle of Pinot Grigio’ or ‘the Chilean Merlot will do fine’.

Since the 70’s and 80’s the hospitality scene in the UK has changed beyond recognition.

We were the laughing stock of Europe when it came to our cuisine but now, thankfully, everything has changed. The diversity and quality of our restaurants has improved so much that many of our cities are now on the global map as culinary hotspots. We, the customer, have helped drive this change with our willingness to be adventurous and try new, interesting, tasty treats from around the world.

Well folks, it’s time to take a stand! Time to start living a little, go crazy and take a walk on the wild side! If we can do it with food, we can do it with wine.

Let’s take a look at some options if you want to try something different. Summer is coming so I’m going to focus on the whites.

 

If you like Pinot Grigio, you probably enjoy light, crisp, and refreshing white wines with bright acidity. Here are some other wines you might love;

Vermentino – An Italian grape with citrus, green apple, and slight salinity. Try our Vermentino, Coquille de Mer, this time from the Languedoc, Southern France - an absolute belter of an everyday wine for around a tenner!

Trebbiano – Another Italian white with light body and bright acidity. A personal favourite of mine is the Lugana doc Vigne Alte, Zeni. From the southern shores of Lake Garda, a wine with real elegance and structure.

Aligoté – When we think of Burgundy, if white, we think Chardonnay but until you try Aligoté, you haven’t lived! Bourgogne Aligoté, Château de Chamilly is an absolute must. Ripe peachy fruit and bags of acidity. A bit more of a treat or dinner party wine but worth every penny.

 

For those addicted to Sauvignon Blanc, it’s time to look elsewhere. Again, you will be drawn to a fresh wine with plenty of zip but also enjoy the grassy, herbaceous character from a classic French Sauvignon or the tropical, pineapple and passion fruit flavours found in a Kiwi wine.

Try the following options;

Albariño – Zesty with notes of lemon, peach, and minerality. A fabulous example is Albariño 'Bernon' Bodegas Aquitania. From the cool Galician vineyards of Rias Baixas in Northern Spain. It shows great intensity and crisp apple scented fruit and layered mineral aromas.

Grüner Veltliner – An Austrian white with lime, green apple, and white pepper. Similar in many ways to Sauvignon but I find more herbal, often with a nice savoury Sage character. They can be quite pricey but well worth the investment. Hungary also produces good Grüner and in general, are more affordable. Try Grüner Veltliner, Domäne Baumgartner or Talisman Gruner Vetliner – both delicious examples of this very easy drinking, crisp and refreshing white wine.

Verdejo – Another Spanish varietal and has citrus (lime, grapefruit), green apple, and herbal notes, much like Sauvignon Blanc, but with a hint of melon or almond on the finish. Often has herbal and fennel-like aromas, with some wines showing tropical fruit. It tends to be slightly rounder and richer than Sauvignon Blanc, especially if aged on lees. A must try, Verdejo, Oro de Castilla.

Vinho Verde – This is not a grape varietal but an exciting and refreshing wine that’s definitely worth trying! It’s Portuguese, traditionally from the northwest of the country, particularly around the Minho Valley. The name "Vinho Verde" literally translates to "green wine," but it doesn't refer to the colour—rather, it implies that the wine is young (freshly made) and lively. The main grapes are Alvarinho (Albariño in Spain), Loureiro and Arinto.

Tongue Twister Verde Branco, Poças – Vibrant and fresh, ideal summer drinking.

 

So now you have now excuses! Delve a little deeper and try something different. The world of wine always has something new to offer – I’ve been in the trade for 33 years yet I still manage to find interesting wines previously unknown to me.

Cheers!

Nick Walne
Regional Account Manager

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