It’s Thirsty Thursday and that means time for the Thursday Club with talkRADIO! This week, we continue the supermarket theme and taste three wines that impressed me from Morrisons. Two whites and red. Have you heard of any of these?
Morrisons ‘The Best’ Rioja Blanco
White Rioja is a totally different animal to red Rioja, even though it is made in the same region. While the reds are based largely or entirely on the Tempranillo grape, white Rioja is all about white grapes, especially one called Viura, which has to make up at least 51% of the blend. Other local white grapes can be added too, such as Malvasía de Rioja, Garnacha Blanca, Tempranillo Blanco, Maturana Blanca, Turruntés de Rioja, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Verdejo. The style of these can be light or heavy and there is often a bit of oak involved. They have age statements too like the reds, from Joven, which means young, up to Gran Reserva, which will be released after a minimum of 48 months. This one is fairly young and has a good balance of ripe fruit, oak and texture.
Find it here for £7.75
Masseria Pietrosa Verdeca
We’ve talked previously about how Italy has some really interesting and brilliant value grape varieties, so here’s another one for you: Verdeca. It’s fairly rare, comes largely from Puglia and Emiglia-Romana and tends to be aromatic with herbal notes and ripe, citrussy flavours with a mineral core. It’s often used in blends from smaller DOCS around Southern Italy, so it’s interesting to see it here as a varietal wine (With just one grape on the label). Masseria Pietrosa means old stone farmhouse and refers to the famous trulli houses in the area.
Find it here for £7
Morrisons ‘The Best’ Barolo 2017
Barolo is the famous Italian wine hailing from Piedmont in the North and made with the Nebbiolo grape. It’s often a bit of a surprise as it often looks pale and delicate and has pretty, aromatic notes of rose petals and violet but then get it in your mouth and it’s hugely powerful and full-bodied. Think tar and roses, truffle and marzipan. Needs time open and an amazing meat stew. This one won a gold in the recent International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC).
Find it here for £14