Fancy trying a bottle of something new but not sure what to pick? That’s why we’re here. Drop in to see us and we’ll happily provide some grape related inspiration.
We regularly select some wines that we think are interesting and let you know why. You’ll see these wines in our shop with a ‘Vino Gusto recommends’ sticker on. Take away a copy of our tasting notes or have a read of them here…
Fino ‘Inocente’, Valdespino, Jerez, Spain, NV, 15%
Sherry can have a bit of an image problem – appearing to be almost exclusively consumed by granny or, at the other end of the spectrum, hipsters. This is a shame as it’s often the most affordable way to drink complex, mature wine which matches food so beautifully. The finished, blended wine in this bottle is at least 10 years old but is incredibly pure & fresh.
This wine is a pale, straw-yellow colour & has delicate, classic aromas of almond, lemon zest & sourdough. On the palate are lovely briny & olive flavours with a super clean, refreshing finish. Perfect to accompany tapas on the terrace (or in the garden!) or to cut through a rich bouillabaisse.
Ciaca Bianca, Fiano, Mandrarossa, Sicily, Italy, 2019, 12.5%
This wine epitomises its style category being crisp, dry & fresh.
Mandrarossa are quite large producers (they own 6,000+ hectares in southwestern Sicily) & have picked just a handful of small sites situated close to the sea in order to produce this wonderfully fresh, salty white wine.
The grape, Fiano, adds texture & interest to the wine on the palate, with lovely tropical fruit flavours & a hint of herbs, such as mint & oregano.
Mateus Rosé Original, Alentejo, Portugal, NV, 11%
This is no joke. Mateus is back & the iconic bottle has been upgraded (get your candles at the ready!). So too has the juice…
At a tasting last year, we were pleasantly surprised to find that Mateus has upped its game. Some clear investments into the brand have been made but most noticeably, into the winemaking. It is well made, delivers great value for the money & is approachable & uncomplicated. We had to list it!
This wine has a bright raspberry pink hue & refreshing acidity with an intense bouquet of red berries & delicate floral notes. On the palate, it is light & well balanced, with a soft effervescence & a hint of sweetness.
Valpolicella, Allegrini, Veneto, Italy, 13%
The Allegrini family are the biggest & best family owned producers in the Veneto region. Their Valpolicella is a modern benchmark standard for others to aspire to. Comparable to Beaujolais in its style, it is juicy, lively & easy to drink. Best enjoyed ever so slightly chilled to accentuate the juicy fruits even more.
The wine is bright ruby red & has pure red fruit aromas complemented by fresh herbs & peppers. The fruits are just as present on the palate, balanced with a vibrant acidity & smooth, soft tannins.