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.
tinpot hut, sauvignon blanc, marlborough, new zealand, 2019, 13%, £15
If you have been to a Gusto pub, you will almost certainly be familiar with this wine which is a top favourite for many of our customers. This is quintessential Kiwi sauvignon.
The nose is intensely perfumed with notes of lemongrass, passion fruit & thyme. On the palate, the wine is racy & crisp with lots of the fruits on the nose mirrored. If Marlborough is your go-to for sauvignon blanc, this should be your go-to wine.
beaujolais-villages, dominique morel, gamay, beaujolais, france, 2018, 13%, £13
Jake says ‘This bottle changed the way that my dad thinks about wine. I took him on a tour of Burgundy, Beaujolais & Champagne last year. We arrived at Dominique’s house for our first tasting on the Beaujolais leg of the trip to find that he makes all his wine in the garage. His philosophy is simply to make wine that he likes to drink & I can get on board with that.
This is super approachable with lots of juicy red fruit aromatics on the nose. On the palate, the wine is well rounded with lots of fresh, fruity flavours & a good amount of acidity. Best enjoyed lightly chilled with mature hard cheeses & charcuterie. Preferably on a hot day with a view of Beaujolais rolling landscapes – but we can only dream of that for now.’
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.
