Wine Gadget: Coravin Model Six

Those of you who read our previous article on the Coravin Model Eleven and Coravin Moments, will want to know about the new Coravin Model Six. 

Coravin, as you may know, is the ultimate wine preserving system that works by injecting inert argon gas into a bottle via the cork, which then reseals itself. The gas pushes the wine back up the needle, out the spout into your glass. What’s left is perfectly preserved for weeks, months and even years. 

Coravin Model Six

The new Model Six is the only system in the Coravin range with a selection of three colours: Candy Apple Red, Silver or Piano Black. Boasting SmartClamps technology, it is easy to use, comes with some awesome accessories and with its chrome accents, is a great blend of elegance and technology. 

Accessories

The Model Six comes with a range of accessories, depending on the package you go for: 

• Argon Gas Capsules: All packages come with spare Coravin Pure capsules.

• Coravin Screw Cap: Simply quickly unscrew your wine cap and replace it with this. Then, use your Coravin as normal.

• Aerator: A click on ‘shower head’ style attachment that aerates your wines as it pours, helping it become smoother and more flavoursome.

• Needle Kit: Change your needle for old, vintage corks or for a fast pour…

• Premium Pedestal Base: Smart, solid base to keep your Coravin upright and looking great in your cabinet.

• Carry Case: Soft, black carry case allowing you to carry your system with you wherever you go! 

Model Six Package Options

Coravin Model Six ‘Core’ - £289

Includes 2 Coravin Pure Capsules, 1 Coravin Screw Cap

Coravin Model Six - £329.

Includes 3 Coravin Pure Capsules, 2 Coravin Screw Caps, and 1 Carry Case

Coravin Model Six ‘Ultimate Wine Lover's Pack’ - £449

Includes 12 Coravin Pure Capsules, 8 Coravin Screw Caps, 1 Carry Case, 1 Aerator, 3 Needle Kit, Premium Pedestal Base

Coravin Model Six ‘Ultimate Wine Journey Pack’ - £549

Includes 3 Coravin Pure Capsules, 2 Coravin Screw Caps, 1 Carry Case, 1 Aerator, 3 Needle Kit, Premium Pedestal Base, 1 12-Pack of Capsules, 1 6-Pack of standard Screwcaps

Mindful Drinking: Fine Wine in Half Bottles

If you’re anything like me and my other half, you may be looking at your lockdown alcohol consumption over the past couple of months and thinking ‘oops!’ When did a glass of wine a night become a bottle? Or more sometimes, if we’re honest.

I know that it's unrealistic - in my household anyway - to think that we are going to give up drinking entirely, but we do realise that we can and should tone it down now and think about more mindful drinking. Yes, we’ll take more nights off booze a week but there’s one thing we know would really help: smaller bottles. If the bottle is smaller in the first place, you really have to think about what you’re doing before opening another and often, just that pause to think is enough. With that in mind, I looked for places to find half bottles of wine, but not just any rubbish wine - really good wine. Thankfully, the half wine bottle world is growing quickly, so the choice is now better than it has ever been. Here are some great wines in half bottle that I found of varying styles and price levels for every budget: 

Half bottles of white wine (37.5cl)

Macon Blanc Villages, Louis Jadot, 2018, £8:30 from Morrisons
Soft, easy drinking, melon-scented Chardonnay with a touch of vanilla. 

Chablis, Louis Jadot, 2018, £10.99 from Wholefoods
Cool, dry, classic Chardonnay from Chablis with a characteristic, savoury tang and a leafy note.

Sancerre, Reverdy Terre de Maimbray, 2017 £13 from Dulwich Vintners
Sauvignon Blanc at its most elegant and understated from its spiritual Loire Valley home. 

Kumeu River Chardonnay, New Zealand, 2017 £15.95 from the Little Fine Wine Company
Full-on, fruity Chardonnay with toasty, smoky oak. 

Mas de Daumas Gassac Blanc, 2011, £17 from Dulwich Vintners
A glorious, weighty and aromatic blend of white varieties led by Viognier, from the Languedoc. 

Condrieu, Guigal, 2017 £22.50 from the Little Fine Wine Company
Creamy, apricot and blossom-scented Viognier at its finest from its most famous appellation.

Half bottle of Rosé wine (37.5cl)

Côtes de Provence, Whispering Angel, 2019, £10.95 from the Little Fine Wine Company 
Pale and pretty, dry and complex with a saline tang from one of Provence’s famous producers.

Half bottles of red wine (37.5cl)

Beaujolais Villages ‘Combe aux Jacques’, Louis Jadot, 2018 £6.85 from Tesco & Morrisons
Light in its feet with crunchy, strawberry and raspberry notes. A perfect summer red. 

Rioja Crianza, Beronia, 2017, £7 from Ocado 
Brilliant, concentrated Rioja, packed with spicy red fruit with a touch of tobacco-smoke.

Zinfandel, Seghesio, Sonoma County, 2017, £18.95 from The Little Fine Wine Company
A modern, more elegant style of Zin with notes of damson jam and cinnamon spice.

Chianti Classico, Fontodi, 2016, £14.50 from The Little Fine Wine Company
Old-school Chianti Classico with a cool, mineral core, tangy red fruit and fresh herb notes. 

Morey St Denis, 1er Cru, Lignier, 2013, £21 from Dulwich Vintners
Moreish (!), Burgundian Pinot showing some secondary tobacco and leather notes. Delicious.

Half bottles of Champagne  (37.5cl)

Mumm Champagne, NV, £18 from Ocado 
Rich, brilliant value bubbles from a well-loved house.

Bollinger Special Cuvée, NV, £23.99 from Ocado
Weighty, complex Champagne with toasty, brioche notes.

Billecart Salmon Brut Rosé NV, £ 36 from Dulwich Vintners
The benchmark for elegant pink fizz. Delicate colour with red apple skin and patisserie notes.

If you like this, check out our piece on the best no and low alcohol drinks and Small Beer.

Is this the best wine cooler ever?

We’ve finally discovered a brilliant way to cool wine down that solves loads of problems! Heilo is a new company that is taking cooling wine to the next level with its space saving, incredibly efficient coolers.

The Eclipse

The Eclipse (as seen above) is a solid metal structure that cools within a couple of minutes of having ice added to the eclipse section. It stays very cold, bottle after bottle. As there is no messy water, the ice doesn’t melt as quickly, so you use less. Other big selling points are that the bottle doesn’t get wet and drip everywhere and the label stays dry. Designed with the perfect amount of space around the the bottle, cool air hugs it without dissipating too quickly, which means it can be a compact package, taking up less space on your table. So, no water, no mess, space efficient. What’s not to love? It comes in a choice of six finishes and retails for £55 - 59.

The Heilo

The Heilo design is more of a classic cooler, only better. Add just 5 ice cubes at the bottom and pop in your bottle of already chilled wine and it will keep its cool for a lot longer than most. There’s no condensation either, thanks to the raised platform inside which allows air to circulate. The premium finish is super smooth and you can engrave it too for an extra special gift. Heilo comes in a choice of three finishes and costs RRP £49.

Need some wine suggestions for what to put in your cooler? Here are some key suggestions for Summer rosé, Chardonnay and Cotes du Rhone.

7 Great French Rosé Wines for Summer

Let’s face it: France really does knock it out of the park with fabulous rosé wines, especially down South where they are pale and pretty. Rosé wine also seems to be the category where producers can have most fun with the bottles. From Provence to the Languedoc via Beaujolais, here are some that look as good as they taste and taste as good as they look...

Domaine Ott, Clos Mireille (Provence)

Domaine Ott are the godfathers of Provence rosé, ever since Marcel Ott founded the winery on the shores of the Mediterranean in 1896. This is where it all started; the quintessential, Provençal style of pink and the iconic bottle shapes. Domaine Ott have 3 properties in Provence, each harnessing the style of that particular terroir: Château de Selle near Draguignan, Château Romassan in Bandol and Clos Mirelle overlooking the sea at La Londe Les Maures. The Clos Mirelle is Grenache dominated with a splash of Cinsault and Syrah. It is very pale pink, with subtle notes of ripe melon and peach, a citrusy freshness and a cool, saline core thanks to the proximity of the vines to the sea. 

Find Domaine Ott, Clos Mireille, Côtes de Provence 2018/2019 for  £33 - £39.95 from  Hennings, Soho Wine Company or  Amazon by the case.

Ultimate Provence (Provence)

Making a splash on the rosé scene thanks to its combination of a classic, Provençal pink wine profile and a stunning glass bottle that will be reused for water, olive oil and many other things over its lifetime, this is an easy-to-recognise wine from a producer with a funky, urban-style hotel, half an hour away from St-Tropez. Cool, dry and elegant with stone fruit notes.

Find Ultimate Provence rosé for £19.99 - £22 from The Drink Shop and Dulwich Vintners.

Château de Berne CDP (Provence) 

We love Chateau Berne, not just for its funky square bottle and epic wine tourism offerings but because the wine is absolutely delicious. This iteration of it (it has many versions) showcases everything we love about Provençal pink with its weighty, saline texture and subtle complexity, but seems to have just a splash more peachy fruit than most.

Find Château de Berne Côtes de Provence 2019 for £15.99  / £11.99 mix 6 price at Majestic 

Jardin des Roses,  (Languedoc)

Newsflash! This wine is not from Provence, but from the Languedoc region further west. Made in a similar style to the famous Provençal wines with a similar blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah, there’s a touch more ripe strawberry fruit and a distinctive, floral aroma that really does make you think of a bed of roses. It has a gorgeous bottle too and you can collect all six labels, each showcasing a different rose. 

Find Jardin des Roses, AOP Languedoc, France, £13.49 Waitrosecellar

Chêne Bleu Le Rosé (Vaucluse)

Located on the borders of Provence and the Rhone Valley, the wines from Chêne Bleu straddle both styles and offer something unique of their own. Syrah and Grenache dominant, this pink is pale and sophisticated with savoury red fruit notes of redcurrant and wild strawberry. It’s a foodie pink that would be great with grilled meats from a barbecue. Beautifully packed, don’t even get me started on the place itself. If you visit , you will never want to leave...

Find Chêne Bleu, IGP Vaucluse Le Rosé for £25 from Wine & Greene and in magnum for £56.50 from Hedonism Wines

Paradis secret, Foncalieu, (Languedoc)

Another Languedoc pink, Paradis Secret is now one of the signature wines of Vignobles Foncalieu in the Languedoc. Dangerously easy-to-drink, with notes of nectarine, peach and even lime leaf, it's a modern style of southern French pink with an equally modern and elegant, frosted bottle.

Find Paradis Secret by Foncalieu for £10.99 at Majestic

Premier Bain, Beaujolais, 2019 (Beaujolais)

Rosé wine from Beaujolais is going to be a big thing this summer thanks to its slightly lighter style. This one is cool and crisp with vibrant notes of raspberry summer pudding thanks to the Gamay grape from which this wine is made. At 13%, it’s a touch lighter on the alcohol too - something that many are looking for at the moment. Dive in!

Find Premier Bain Rosé, Beaujolais for £10.49 from  Laithwaites

Like this? Check out 3 Styles of French rosé you can rely on…

One Minute Wine Ace: Chardonnay

Words by Helena Nicklin

Weren’t there always at least four people in your class with the same first name at school? In my year, it was Kate: fat ones; skinny ones; drippy ones; foreign ones, you name it! Variations on a theme of Kate were popular the world over.

It was hard to work out how to feel about Kates, because just as you had decided that you hated the name because of spotty-faced Kate who smelled of potato, you met supermodel-in-training Kate who had a perm and older friends who could get into nightclubs. Suddenly, you wanted to name all your future children Kate. Even the boys.

Well, Chardonnay is the wine version of Kate. The sheer number of styles you’ll find worldwide can make it difficult to pin down your thoughts on it.  After all, nearly every wine-producing region in the world has a go at growing it! And as styles of this wine go, Chardonnay moves from the sublime to the ridiculous, being responsible for some of the greatest white wines in the world. Climate and winemaking techniques may leave their mark, but the key elements will always be there somewhere: look for a golden colour, ripe melon flavour and a fuller body than many other white varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc. Vanilla and buttery notes are also good indicators that the wine is a Chardonnay. Try it unoaked for a true reading of its merits. 

Tasting Tour

Wine regions all over the world are making wine with Chardonnay, but here are some keys styles to try first. Taste them together (in moderation, of course) and then go out and explore the world of Chardonnay! One thing to bear in mind with Chardonnay: what you pay for is very much what you get. 

Chardonnay 1: Chablis, France. Yes, Chablis is always made from Chardonnay. It’s just named after the region in northern France rather than the grape, as often happens in Europe. Don’t be that person who ‘loves Chablis but hates Chardonnay! Chablis has a particular style that’s lean, mineral and elegant, thanks to the very cool climate there and its famously chalky soil. If it were a Kate, it would be Kate Moss, the catwalk model. Start with a Petit Chablis, then a straight Chablis before working up to the Premier Cru and Grand Cru Chablis wines, which are fabulous, but a bit richer and often have a touch of oak - getting towards the classic ‘Burgundian’ style of Chardonnay (see below). Chablis, by the way, is technically part of the greater Burgundy region, but it’s slightly removed, just to the north west of Burgundy ‘proper’ and while it’s all still Chardonnay for the whites, the styles are distinctly different. 

Try: Chablis, Domaine Louis Moreau. £17.99 Ocado

A great producer making classic Chablis. Lean, chalky and refreshing. Excellent with seafood.

Chardonnay 2: Burgundy, France. The greater Burgundy region in France also has its own style that tends to be fuller-bodied, with more fruit and savoury oakiness than Chablis. Golden, complex and sophisticated, this is the Kate Winslet of wine. The oscar winner -  statuesque and structured, with a lot to say. Burgundy (Bourgogne in French) is one of the world’s most famous regions for Chardonnay. It’s also a region with many villages, the names of which will be shown on the label in large letters - villages you may have heard of like Puligny-Montrachet or Macon or Meursault. These still fall under the general umbrella style of Burgundy as I’ve described but each will have their own nuances thanks to their specific geography. 

Try: Domaine Carrette, Pouilly Fuissé 2017. £22.95 from CorneyandBarrow

A popular style from the Maconnais in southern Burgundy. Rich, ripe fruit and spice with refreshing acidity. 

Chardonnay 3: Mornington Peninsula, Australia. The country that put Chardonnay on the map for a new generation is doing incredible things with this grape, especially from the relatively cooler parts, like Mornington Peninsula in the south and Margaret River on the coast in the west. Think exotic, ripe fruit with a zingy freshness. It’s a million miles away from those cloying Chards of the early ‘90s.

Try: Ten Minutes by Tractor, Estate Chardonnay, 2015. £36 mix six price from Majestic.

The is the Cate Blanchett of wine styles: cool and restrained, this is an elegant Chardonnay with plenty of structure. Made in a Burgundian style with French oak but showcasing an extra dollop of pure fruit. 

Chardonnay 4: California, USA. The best Californian Chardonnays are like actress Kate Hudson: golden, curvy California girls with brains, capable of fun as well as complex roles, and everyone wants them at a party. Napa and Sonoma are the places that fly with it.

Try: Mannequin Chardonnay 2017, Orin Swift. £46 from winebuyers.com

Brilliant, mind-boggling label aside, this Chardonnay is multi-layered with notes of melon, honey and nectarine supported by a well-integrated oak spice. Velvety and mouth-filling, it’s a real head-turner.

Chardonnay 5: Blanc de Blancs Champagne or Sparkling Wine. ‘Blanc de Blancs’ with fizz usually means it’s made from 100% Chardonnay and the style is more ethereal, fine boned and delicate in its youth than the wines traditionally blended with the red Champagne grapes (Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier). With age, it puts on weight and becomes deliciously creamy and rich. 

Try: Charles Palmer Blanc de Blancs 2014, £26.10 on offer from charlespalmer-vineyards.co.uk

Incredible value bubbles with some age on them. Deliciously creamy thanks to extra lees ageing. Would be lovely with seafood and anything umami, like parmesan cheese snacks. If it were a person it would be Kate Middleton. Elegant and English, with porcelain skin…

If you like this, try Helena’s One Minute Wine Ace features on Pinot Noir, Cotes du Rhone and Sauvignon Blanc

13 Seriously Luxury Reds For Your Collection

Words by Aidy Smith

 As we (hopefully) are beginning to enter the final stages of this lockdown, many of us will be nearing our limits.  There was a time where we visited restaurants or wine bars for our weekly fix, but our attention is now focused on enhancing what we do in the home. In this issues drinks guide, I’ve put together a selection of some of my favourite luxury reds from Europe and the USA for those cool evening nights. Also, don’t forget that you don’t have to down the whole bottle in one go. If you’re getting your hands on some pretty nice wines, seriously consider investing in a Coravin which will allow you to have a glass of each over a very long period of time.  It’s nice to switch things up and I truly believe a few glasses of something different will allow you to appreciate the wine a lot more than 6 of the same. Right let’s get to it!

Faiveley Corton Clos des Cortons Faiveley Grand Cru 2012

 Now at 7 generations, Domaine Faiveley has been a family estate for nearly 200 years and gained a solid reputation for producing truly stunning Burgundy from Côte de Nuits, Côte de Beaune and Côte Chalonnaise - totalling over 120 hectares. The Clos des Cortons Faiveley is a stunning Grand Cru example, produced from vines planted as long ago as 1936. Each year typically sees just 16,000 bottles, which considering its global appeal isn’t that many. Smooth, enticing and powerful with black cherry and an abundance of white pepper spice. 

Find it here

Nuits St Georges Les Murgers des Cras Perrot Minot 2016

 I always love discovering a wine that despite its youth is able to be enjoyed right now, not after 20 years of ageing in my cellar. The creations of Christophe Perrot-Minot represent just that. Here we have a blend of several vineyard parcels that offer a vibrant and juicy dark cherry, raspberry and strawberry alongside a subtle minerality and savouriness.

£140 from Hedonism

Nicolas-Jay, Bishop Creek Pinot Noir 2017

 What happens when Burgundian tradition makes its way into Oregon winemaking? This. Bishop Creek is home to some of the older vines in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, making these wines rarer and more sought-after. Perched on the hillsides of the Yamhill-Carlton appellation these vines get the perfect amount of sunshine. Dark berries, cola and smoky mineral elements hit you on the nose with black raspberry, violet and Moroccan spices on the palate. The finish? A burst of fragrant floral notes with a smoky glaze. 

£104 from Berry Bro & Rudd

Lokoya Howell Mountain 2009

 Lokoya is one of the key reasons I fell in love with Napa after visiting their winery on the purchased upon the rolling hills of Spring Mountain. The winery itself produces magnificent Cab Sauv from Mount Veeder, Spring Mountain, Diamond Mountain and Howell Mountain. Today we focus on the latter. Dark cherry, blackcurrant, demerara sugar and black liquorice evolve into blackberry and stewed raspberry. The robust tannins within this beauty pave way to a long dark chocolate and tobacco finish, held together with a beautiful texture and mouthfeel. 

£305 from Oeno

Joseph Phelps Insignia 2006

In 1974 Joseph Phelps decided to create a unique wine each year, allowing only the finest of his grapes to end up in the bottle. This 100% estate grown beauty has become one of the most iconic wines in Napa for its ongoing consistency and longevity. Produced from some of Napa’s finest vineyards, the 2006 vintage is crafted from 95% Cab Sauv and a kiss (5%) of Petit Verdot. The result after 24 months in French Oak is a mysteriously dark beauty, full of intense black fruits, coffee, cracked cocoa and liquorice. Dense tannin intertwines with a stunning mouthfeel and a finish that never seems to end. 

£226 from Hedonism 

Vérite Le Désir 2015

Vérite Le Désir is by far one of the greatest cab franc dominant blends available. 50 micro-crus across 4 appellations are what make this wine so irresistible, alongside the 5 decades of experience its creator, Pierre Seillan holds. Each cru is independently harvested, fermented and aged in French oak to custom toast levels before being blended to create only 3,500 cases. A process which sees hundreds of unique components and blending options, but only the finest make it into the bottle. Crushed blackcurrant, stewed plums and rose petals mingle with warm vanilla bread pudding, fresh clove and star anise. The texture and tannin are sublime with the perfect balance of acidity. One to get your hands on. 

£399 from Hedonism

Inglenook Rubicon 2014

The name Inglenook has become infamous for its association with Francis Ford Coppola, award-winning director of The Godfather, amongst many other feature titles. With Rubicon, I can confirm his ability to direct movies matches his taste in wine. This stuff is delicious. Crafting wines on their estate since 1879, this particular elegant blend derives from the finest vineyard blocks giving it dynamic layers of complexity. This 2014 is pretty much Cab Sauv with a splash of Merlot (2%) and Petit Verdot (1%) allowing it to showcase black fruits such as dark berries, cherries and currants alongside a baked spice, great tannin and vanilla finish. Only 5,00 cases are produced each year. 

£199 from Oeno

Banfi Brunello di Montalcino Poggio alle Mura Riserva 2012

 The Sangiovese grapes that grace this stunning wine are sourced from the first vineyard to have been created on this estate. A process of which took over 10 years to decide to ensure optimum selection and quality of the vines that were to be planted. Every detail was meticulously thought of, which in the end is why this wine is so tantalisingly good. A rich nose of prune jam, cacao, coffee and spicy balsamic intertwine with an elegant yet powerful palate. Rich fruits, an earthiness and a velvety tannin that continues to flow into the distance. The 2012 is at a beautiful place, but you could wait a long time with these gems, they have the ability to age forever. 

£122 from Hedonism

Castiglion del Bosco Millecento Riserva 2012 

Castiglion del Bosco is one of the leading Montalcino estates that has undergone a lot of tender love and care since it was purchased by Massimo Ferragamo in 2003. The grapes that make their way into this top-tier wine come from a fairly small 8.5-hectare plot, so they get a lot of attention. It’s the tannins on this one that jump out at you giving it insane ageing potential, but the 2012 is ready to go! Super ripe and aromatic (think Mediterranean herbs) with leather, dried berries and dense chewy red fruits.   

Find it here

Tenuta di Trinoro, IGT, 2010

 When Andrea Franchetti discovered this site in the deep south of Tuscany, he knew the terroir was like nothing he’d seen before. As a Bordeaux man, terroir is everything and so removing acres of scrubs and deserted woodland he planted his vines, did his thing and naturally word spread. 9,700 vines are hand-picked bunch by bunch with several passages through the vines to ensure optimum ripeness. The wine itself is created from 60% Cabernet Franc, 35% Merlot 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1% Petit Verdot. The result? Stunning juicy red fruits with tobacco, spice a savoury smoke and a kiss of minerality binding it all together. 

£137 from Corney & Barrow

De Buris Valpolicella Classico DOC Amarone Riserva 2008 

 The vineyard producing this wine is only 1.9 hectares. Known as Groletta, in the small municipality of Sant’Ambrogio it is famed for producing the highest quality wines within the Valpolicella Classico zone. The selected grapes are placed on bamboo racks (Arele) and left to dry for 110 days before being pressed and left to ferment for 30 days in oak vats. After two stages of malolactic fermentation (over 2 years) followed by ageing in Slavonian oak barrels for a period dependent on the seasonal phases of the moon, the juice is then left to age for 5 years in oak barrels. Talk about quality care. Complex notes of dark fruit, black pepper, spice, liquorice and dark chocolate with an incredibly long velvety finish. 

Find it at Hedonism

Marqués de Murrieta Castillo Ygay Gran Reserva Especial 2009 

One of the most beautiful Rioja wines in existence as far as I’m concerned. Murrieta is one of the oldest and most respected wineries in the region, dating all the way back to 1852. The legendary Castillo Ygay sits atop the perch of their offering and does so for a reason. The Grand Reserva itself comes an old single vineyard named “La Plana”, which is about 485 metres high and to top it off, this wine is only made during exceptional vintages. A beautiful array of meadow flowers hits your nose with truffle, baking spice, bright red cherries and a delicate parfum lingering in anticipation. Intense yet refined with a satin soft mouthfeel. 

Find it here

Château Haut-Brion: 2012         

Arguably one of the most famous wineries in Bordeaux, Château Haut-Brion came into new ownership in 1935 with Clarence Dillon at the helms. Today, Prince Robert of Luxembourg is also the Chairman of the estate and has been since 2008, which gives you an idea of its quality and reputation. The 2012 vintage is a steal of a price, given the vintages either side of it were deemed to be ‘better’, but I have to say, it is held up in the bottle quite nicely. Two-thirds Merlot, the wine has a blackberry and blackcurrant backbone with generous helpings of freshly ground espresso, vanilla oak and a delicate violet. Soft, rich and juicy all in one with a stunning finish. 

Starting £271 from Lay & Wheeler

This content was originally published in Oracle Time Magazine under Aidy’s Drinks Column. You can subscribe to the online magazine here to view online or order the magazine in print format.

Côtes du Rhône: Boyband of wine

Words by Helena Nicklin

Côtes du Rhône wine is many people’s go-to, comforting red wine style but they are not all created equal. Here’s what you need to know with a tasting tour to help you discover...

Where?

The Rhône Valley is a large wine region in the south of France that runs for over 200Km, following the Rhône river, from Lyon to Avignon and beyond. Given the vastly different landscapes from North to South, Rhône Valley wines are split stylistically into two: 

• The North: from Vienne to Valence, focussing on mainly Syrah for the reds and Viognier for the whites. 

• The South: ostensibly from Montélimar to Avignon and much wider than the North, its focus is more on blends: Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre largely for the reds and Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne for the whites.

Four quality levels

There are four quality levels of Rhône Valley wine, each naturally going up in price:  

Côtes du Rhône AOC: This first level is the largest and covers the whole of the Rhône valley, though around 90% of production comes from the South. It produces almost as much wine as Bordeaux and is focussed on red blends, though there are a few whites and pinks made (2 - 4% of production). Côte’ means ‘bank’, so these are wines made with grapes grown on the banks of the Rhône river.

Côtes du Rhône Villages AOC: Superior in quality to Côtes-du-Rhône AOC with stricter winemaking rules. It’s the second largest appellation in the Rhône.

Côtes du Rhônes Villages + named village AOC: A further step up in quality with even stricter rules and twenty villages have dispensation to write their names on the labels. These names are Rousset-les-Vignes, Saint-Pantaléon-les-Vignes, Valréas, Visan, Saint-Maurice, Rochegude, Roaix, Séguret, Sablet, Saint-Gervais, Chusclan, Laudun, Massif d'Uchaux, Plan de Dieu, Puyméras, Signargues, Gadagne, Sainte-Cécile, Suze-la-Rousse and Vaison-la-Romaine. 

The ‘Crus’: Recognised just by their village names, these ‘cru’ are allowed to miss off the ‘Côtes-du-Rhônes Villages’ bit on the label entirely. There are 8 cru AOCs in the North: Côte-Rôtie, Condrieu, Château-Grillet, Saint-Joseph, Crozes-Hermitage, Hermitage, Cornas and Saint-Péray. In the South, there are 9 and they are Vinsobres, Rasteau, Cairanne, Gigondas, Vacqueyras, Beaumes-de-Venise, Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Tavel, Lirac. 

The Key Rhône Grapes - the Boyband of Wine styles

The star grapes of the Rhône Valley are Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre for the reds and Viognier, Roussanne and Marsanne for the whites. In the North, the reds are dominated by smoky, savoury Syrah, whereas in the South, wines are usually blends, led by juicy Grenache, then Syrah and Mourvedre, though there are several other red and white grapes permitted. 

Put another way, these Rhône blends are a bit like a boyband, where each key member has been carefully chosen for their particular qualities (and there may be some backing singers on certain tracks). Grenache comes first: the cute, approachable one. Think homemade strawberry jam and liquorice sticks. Syrah comes next: he’s the complex, brooding type who probably writes all the lyrics. Think grilled meat with fresh herbs, pepper and violets. Mourvedre is the party animal of the group. Full-on and full-bodied, he’s unsubtle, rugged and savoury but instantly fanciable. Put them together and the result is harmonious. #Vinalogy.

TASTING TOUR

Côtes du Rhône

Try: Les Dauphins Côtes du Rhône, £8 from Tesco.

Classic, easy going style with juicy, summer fruits and a peppery kick. Excellent value.

Côtes du Rhône Villages

Try: Château de Ruth Côtes du Rhône Villages, Grande Sélection, £10 from COOP .

Available in store, this gorgeous, concentrated, brambly and wild strawberry scented red has had a fabulous label upgrade too so it looks as good as it tastes. 

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages + village name

Terroir Daronton Seguret, Côtes du Rhône Villages. £9.75 Waitrose

A seriously decent, easy drinking CDR with a cool salinity that makes it a great match for cold cuts. 

Cru Red

Arc du Rhône Gigondas, £16.95 from Ocado

Grenache-led with some Syrah and Mourvedre, this is inky and rich with spicy, grilled meat notes and ripe, red fruit that balances it all up. Needs food! 

Cru White

Condrieu, Tardieu-Laurent 2016, £39.95 from Corney and Barrow

Whites don’t get more creamy and luscious than this. Beautifully floral and unctuous with notes of caramelised apricots and white chocolate. Heaven!

If you liked this, try One Minute Wine Ace: Pinot Noir, One Minute Wine Ace: Sauvignon Blanc,

One Minute Wine Ace: Pinot Noir

Words by Helena Nicklin

Pinot Noir: the red grape like a female dancer, graceful and elegant in a cherry silk gown, dancing barefoot in a lavender field. She may be notoriously temperamental and some may find her too thin, but her haunting beauty and ability to make complex moves look so smooth is mesmerising.  

Pinot is famously difficult to work with, which is why they can sometimes be a bit hit and miss. When all conditions are perfect and the masters get hold of it however; oh man. You’ll want to bathe in the stuff! Pale in colour, light bodied and elegant, with high acidity and very low tannin, Pinot can taste like a red wine but feel like a white, which is part of its universal charm. Couple this with a sensual, silky texture and an ethereal perfume of spiced cherry, lavender, raspberry compote and earth, and you'll understand why people spend crazy amounts on the top bottles.

FACT: Pinot Noir is one of the three main grapes used in Champagne, along with Chardonnay and the lesser-known Pinot Meunier. If you have a ‘Blancs de Noir’ Champagne, it has been made with the red grapes only: usually Pinot Noir and often with a touch of Pinot Meunier.

PINOT NOIR TASTING TOUR

Pinot Noir loves a cool climate and there are now incredible Pinot Noirs from many places around the globe. These are the classic places to begin your journey however, with some rapidly rising stars to seek out.  

Pinot Noir 1: Burgundy, France: If it’s red and from Burgundy (aka Bourgogne), it’s going to be Pinot Noir (99.9%of the time). The best ones need a few years of age on them to develop those ‘haunting’ notes. Think spicy cherry, lavender and marzipan. They’re delicate, earthy, understated and old school in style.

Try: Volnay, Cyrot-Buthiau, £34.95 from Corneyandbarrow.com

Pinot Noir 2: New Zealand is Pinot’s most famous (arguably) New World home. Here, it’s slightly easier drinking and fruit, yet serious. The concentrated, savoury red fruit and cinnamon notes have won hearts and palates worldwide. Head to Central Otago, Martinborough and Marlborough for great ones.

Try: Escarpment Pinot Noir, Central Otago, New Zealand. £25 (£22.95 mix six price) from Majestic.

Pinot Noir 3: California: The fog-cooled parts of coastal California give their Pinots softness, while that ripe, sweet, juicy fruit still shines through. They’re all about strawberries and cream on a bed of red velvet. Look for some from Sonoma County and Russian River Valleys.

Try: Sebastiani Pinot Noir, Sonoma Country, £25 from Dulwich Vintners

Rising Stars

England: Some of our best English wineries have recently started producing some excellent, still Pinot Noirs. Kent and Sussex seem to be particularly strong at this. They’re silky, cool and elegant with fresh red fruit flavours and often, a touch of spice. 

Try: Gusbourne, Boot Hill Pinot Noir 2018. £35 from Gusbourne.com

Romania: Romania has a talent for making excellent, inexpensive, seriously easy-drinking cherry-bomb wines from Pinot Noir. Don’t expect the complexity of Burgundy, but for under £10 as they often are, these are rocking value and there are many new ones on the scene.

Try: Sanziana Pinot Noir, Cramele Recas 2018. £8.95 from Corneyandbarrow.

Like this? See our article on the most sought after Pinot Noir, a One Minute Wine Ace feature on Sauvignon Blanc and a more indepth look into Malbec.