This week on the Thursday Club with Mike Graham on talkRADIO, we have a special guest! Helena is away, so Mr Freddy Bulmer is stepping in, presenting some fabulous, off-the-beaten-track wines. Freddy is a buyer at The Wine Society and is responsible for Australia, New Zealand, Austria, Eastern Europe as well as beers and cider. What a great job! Here are three Society wines that he’s handpicked for you from places that deserve a little more attention.
Villa Melnik Syrah, Bulgaria 2018
A brilliant value example of this superstar grape, grown in this instance in south-west Bulgaria! This is full bodied and bursting with fig and juicy blackcurrant flavours. There’s a peppery twist which gives this bargain bottle a warming bit of spice, and combined with the full, fruity flavours this makes it a perfect choice for Autumnal drinking. Worth veering of the beaten track for!
Find it here for £6.75
Xinomavro Jeunes Vignes, Thymiopoulos, Greece 2019
This Greek red grape variety is little known in the UK but is well worth getting excited about! Coming from the north of Greece, not too far from the city of Thessaloniki, this medium bodied wine is similar to France’s pinot noir in some respects and northern Italy’s Barolo in others. Quite simply this has to be one of the best value wines available in the UK at the moment and it’s sure to surprise and delight all who fill their glass with it! Not to mention Apostolos Thymiopoulos, winemaker extraordinaire, is one of the nicest people in the wine world!
Find it here for £11.95
Nibiru Grundstein Rosé, Kamptal, Austria 2020
This fresh, raspberry-sorbet-laden rosé comes from the beautiful rolling hills of Austria, around an hour west of Vienna. Made from an inspired blend of local grapes zweigelt and blauer portugieser, this has a delicious hint of freshly picked herbs and vivid red berry fruit. Light, bright and impossibly refreshing, this is the perfect rosé for drinking into Autumn as the summer comes to an end.
Find it here for £13.95
You can listen to previous episodes of Mike Graham’s show on talkradio TV here. For more infomration on the The Wine Society, click here!