Today on the Thursday Club with talkRADIO and Mike Graham, we try some wines that may not be your go-to varieties, but that deserve your attention! We have a Romanian native white grape, A French grape but made in Chile and a need-to-know red blend from the south of France:
Curious Parallel Feteasca Regala, Romania
Feteasca Regala is a native grape of Romania. The name means 'royal maiden'.
Light-bodied, lots of character, floral, vaguely off-dry and lots of fruit. It’s only 11.5% abv. It is aromatic with notes of apricot, peach and summer blossom of rose and honeysuckle. Yet despite these heady flavours the finish is clean, while the stone fruit lingers long into the finish. Its ripe flavours make it a perfect match to lightly spiced cuisine like Moroccan tagines, Asian dishes or even coronation chicken.
Located on the far western fringes of the Romanian region of Transylvania/Banat and made by renowned winery Cramele recas, it boasts ancient vineyards, with the first records dating back to 1447. Romania is ideally positioned with a Mediterranean climate, on the same latitude as Bordeaux. As you walk through the rolling vineyards of the Cramele Recas estate, if you didn't know where you were you'd be convinced you were in Northern Rhône or any other "Classic" European wine producing region - and to a certain extent you are. Romania has a history of winemaking stretching back millennia. So, whilst you may not recognise the name of the region or the grape variety, you are in very safe hands with this beautifully proportioned white.
£9.99 from Virgin Wines
Indomita, Gran Reserva Carignan, Maule, Chile 2019
Southern French grape this time made in the Maule Valley of Chile. Medium-full body and astringent tannins. Think dried cranberry, prune, spice powder, smoked meats, baking spice and sandalwood. Perfect for any food pairing, the Indomita will also please with its drinkability on any occasion. Palate: black cherry, strawberry, dried herbs, game, baking spices and cigar.
£7.50 from Coop in store
Château Millegrand Aurore Minervois
Minervois is a wine production area within the western Languedoc in France. It’s one of the famous three appellations Fitou, Corbieres and Minervois. MInervois usually is a little softer than Corbières wine.The Minervois title also covers rosé and white wines.
The predominant grape varieties used in AOC Minervois wines are Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre.
£10 from CO-OP