Everyone from pop stars to presenters, cricketers to chefs are having a go at making wine these days and they just keep coming! It’s fair to say that they don’t physically make it exactly, but in most cases, the big names will have been involved at some stages of the process, from choosing which grape type and country, to the final style of the wine as well as the look and feel of the bottle. You can also tell when they really know their stuff... and when they don’t!
Here are four new releases to try:
Gary Barlow Organic White
Gary is a self-confessed wine-lover, so I was a little surprised to see his first white. It’s a perfectly nice drop, well-made and inoffensive. It just feels a bit like ‘I Found Heaven’ when what you were expecting was ‘Back For Good’ or ‘A Million Love Songs’. A blend of local white grapes from Castilla in Spain, have this as your aperitif. It’s crisp, refreshing and well-priced.
Find it for £8 at winedelivered.com
Gordon Ramsay Vibrante Bianco
Made in partnership with renowned winemaker Alberto Antonini, Gordo’s wines are, unusually, a blend of grapes from Tuscany and Abruzzo. I must say, he’s smashed it with this white. Easy going and food friendly, it has a bit of everything, from exotic fruit to zesty citrus and pretty aromatics. Lots of personality, great balance and, somewhat surprisingly given the man himself, not shouty.
Find it for £10 at winedelivered.co.uk
Banks Brothers Syrah Mourvedre
Another chef takes to wine and he’s done an incredible job. Chef Tommy Banks, owner of Michelin-starred gastro pub The Black Swan at Oldstead has teamed up with his brother who is also a chef to launch a limited edition range of premium wine in cans. While many cans can give off a sulphurous smell when opened, these don’t at all. This South African red is meaty and powerful and with a lovely nose. More pricey than most cans but still half the price it would be in a pub. The Chardonnay is to die for too, but I drank all that so I couldn't show it!
Find it for £7 per 250ml can from banksbrothers.co.uk
Splash Out - Ian Botham 78 Series Pinot Noir
This gorgeously cosy, central Otago Pinot is brought to us by cricketing legend Sir Ian Botham. Silky, spicy and packed with morello cherry notes, plum and earth, it’s a great wine for food (think lamb or duck). A little on the high alcohol side, it will at least warm your cockles in the cold - and and it’s a winning choice to bring to a dinner do.
Find it for £15 at winedelivered.co.uk