Awesome, Autumnal, Austrian Reds

Words by Tobias Gorn

When my friend Colin Hampden-White of the Three Drinkers offered me a chance to contribute to their beautiful and ever so growing world of drinks news and fun, educational content I was over the moon. It’s an absolute honour and a real pleasure to support this trio of friends and wonderfully entertaining colleagues. So, for my first piece, I have picked something slightly off the beaten track and also close to my heart that I think everyone will love once they give it a chance: Austrian wine.

Why Austrian wine is worth a look

No one knows if such a thing as an ‘Austrophile’ exists, but don’t we love all things Austrian? Well almost all… Arguably the best skiing, rich and delicious food and naturally very intriguing wine and wonderful spirits based on local specialities. Right now, it is Autumn time and I keep catching myself sneaking Austrian reds into my wine recommendations in my regular columns. One just can't help it. Most wine buffs know zesty, fresh Gruner Veltliners and dry, mineral Rieslings from Austria and their lovely late harvested sweet, honeyed wines including some TBA* and ice wine, but reds are a tiny bit lesser known and less obvious choices from this beautiful, mountainous region of Central Europe.

The holy trinity of Austrian grapes

The trinity of Austrian red grape varieties, St Laurent, Zweigelt and Blaufränkisch are real secret favourites and a guilty pleasure whenever one is designing a wine list or at the dining table with the family. The easiest way to explain these three is that they have usually a lighter tannin structure with a tad higher, crisper acidity and some spices and crunchy dark cherries in common. This is only just a vague explanation with major generalisation but why don’t we just imagine a wine between a richer, but still crisp and fruity Pinot Noir and a lighter, more refined fresher Syrah with all sorts of red and dark fruits and scented fresh crunchy morello cherries with a touch of sweet spices?

These aromatic red wines are never really cheap but given the last twenty-odd years of innovation and adding the latest technology to tradition, they are really worth that little extra investment. The beauty is the clean and fine aromatics with a great balance between lovely soft tannins and acidity, rich red fruit and tart cherry and cranberry notes and beautiful warm spices reminiscent of a Christmas lunch. They are pretty versatile and can produce lighter rose wines; a fresh pale ruby red wine - that in some cases can be treated as a rose and enjoyed cold but it is actually a crispy lighter, acid driven super fresh pale red without any detectable tannins – through some more structure youthful Pinot-esk expression to some serious spicier and bigger wines with fine oak aging and longevity a bit like a Northern Rhone Syrah.

The St Laurent grape variety

St Laurent is actually indeed an offspring of Pinot Noir so the zesty fresh strawberry and cranberry zippiness is not at all surprising, especially when the Autumn forest floor aromatics start to develop after a couple of years of aging. Adding the fact in the mix that Zweigelt is the crossing of Blaufränkisch and St Laurent is not making our life much easier to distinguish between them beautiful local varieties, but we really do not have to. 

The Zweigelt grape variety

Zweigelt was created by Fritz Zweigelt in 1922 and it has been a great and spicy Central European local speciality ever since. It has a distinctive red paprika powder note on top of the fine dark cherries and plums. 

Blaufränkisch

Finally, Blaufränkisch seems to be the bigger and more serious member of the family with a greater maturation potential and bigger tannins when picked riper. It is a real autumn variety and it ripens later than the other two. It was thought it is a clone of Gamay – the variety of your favourite Beaujolais from Southern Burgundy. When it is picked a bit earlier it can display fantastic fresh cinnamon, zesty ripe morello cherries, red plums and even blackberries. It is a great wine to match with roasted lamb or even pheasant and slightly heavier cheeses. All the three are very lovable and we can’t recommend them enough. Most of these Austrian wines are not cheap but they are produced to a very high standard and they should very rarely disappoint with their real local character, ability to display the typicity that some like to call ‘terroir’ and they are unique and intriguing with their fine nuances and friendly personality.

Perfect food wines

The great news is that all the three grapes are ideal food partners. Their fresh acidity makes them very versatile and they can go with creamier dishes including the local stews but even curries and a Stroganoff. The earthy, autumn leaf notes and ripe red berry fruit makes these wines perfect for more gamey, earthy flavours, such as lamb or even grouse and pheasant. The heavier oak aged end wines are delightful with venison or even with blue cheese. When cooking, just use a bit of paprika powder and a pinch of black pepper so your dish to make your Austrian red wine sing.

Recommended wines

I have two favourites to recommend. Both wines are brilliant examples of fine Austrian reds for the Autumn – and as a bonus they are not that hard to pronounce after all! You can find them both at 9 Elms Wines. 

‘Feuersbrunn’ Zweigelt, Anton Bauer, 2017

This Zweigelt from Anton Bauer is complex and broad with savoury spicy notes, smoked paprika powder and wild strawberries and some ripe dark plums and cherries. There is a bit of chorizo and freshly crushed red pepper in the background. The palate is bright and fresh with juicy morello cherries, cranberries and red plums. It starts with refreshing acidity and continues with exceptionally smooth, silky tannins. So moreish and refreshing it is hard not to down it however one should really enjoy the fine spicy nuances and the beautiful balance and light elegance of this beauty.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £17.99

Reunion Bläufrankisch, Kracher & Wieder, 2017

Our other favourite is the Reunion - a joint project between the famous Kracher winery and Wieder. I am biased as I love this Bläufrankisch so much; a spicier expression that is similar to a lighter Syrah with its staple black cherry and paprika powder quality and fine cinnamon and plum hints supported by a little freshly crushed black pepper and herbal notes. It is a superb example and as always, we have consulted some friends in the wine industry, and they have all agreed this is a fine choice and a fantastic value example of modern wine making combined with a traditional local variety. 

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £20.69

Don’t forget to also check out 13 luxury red wines you should be drinking now and why boxed wine should not be overlooked.

8 Reasons to Try Boxed Wine

Click above to play the video!

Words by Helena Nicklin

Boxed wine, also known as bag-in-box wine, was one of the industry winners during lockdown with more than one in four people aged 25-34 buying them during this period, according to a recent report from Sainsbury’s. Fewer trips to the shops might have been an initial, very real cause for this during the pandemic, but it seems that people soon realised that you can now get some pretty decent wine in boxes. Add some astonishing green credentials to the mix and it's little wonder that boxed wine / bag-in-box wine is a trend we are seeing exploding, with more and more brands available, many of them looking super swish and containing delicious, premium wine. Here are eight reasons to buy boxed wine in 2020 and eight suggestions for great ones to try:

1) Tighter Technology

Boxed wine no longer has to mean oxidised, vinegary wines thanks to huge leaps in quality with the technology, with many companies using special vacuum taps and collapsible bag inners that keep out oxygen properly. Oxygen after all is the killer of wine! Tip: If the tap looks like the one in the picture, you’re looking at the top of the range tech.

2) Longer lasting than bottles

Thanks to this technology, boxed wine, once opened, can stay fresh for a month when stored upright and cool in the fridge (even the reds). Some even say six weeks but who keeps it that long anyway?!

3) You can have one glass...

… without feeling obliged to finish the whole bottle - or waste the rest of an opened bottle. 

The BIB Wine Company have quickly gained a reputation for good looking, luxury bag-in-box wines.

4) Cheaper than bottle equivalents

Most boxed wines now come in 2.25L sizes, the equivalent of 3 bottles of wine. Given that the packaging for boxed wine is a lot cheaper to produce than single use glass bottles AND the packaging works for three bottles worth of wine at a time, that value can be passed back the customer. 

5) Greener than glass

A recent study has shown that the CO2 produced during the manufacture, transportation and disposing of a single use glass bottles can be up to ten times that of the infinitely more recyclable BiB wines. Producing bag-in-box wines consumes around 80% less water than glass bottles too. Many companies are now also going a step further, making sure their boxed wine packaging is as sustainably sourced and recyclable as possible. You’ll even see several boxed brands with environmental initiatives such as the BIB Wine Company, who are planting a tree for every box sold. What’s not to love? #lowcarbondrinking is real.

6) Portability

It’s much easier to carry the equivalent amount of wine when it’s in a box than when in a bottle. That picnic in the park when we are allowed to see other humans again, or dinner parties, stocking up for Christmas… Imagine lugging three heavy, clinky, wine bottles around, when you could just pick up a pretty box with a hand strap.

7) Quality wines

It may not have been the case in the past when bag-in box wine was known as ‘hangover juice’, but nowadays, you’ll find the same wines you’ll find in bottles inside those bags and boxes. The common misconception that it’s inferior wine needs to be rethought. 

8) No light strike

Light strike is a phenomenon that’s becoming a bit of a buzz word this year. Generally speaking, it refers to the negative effects sunlight can have on wine, where funky, stinky aromas and flavours are produced. It doesn't take long to happen either, which is why you should avoid bottles sitting in shop windows. Wine in glass bottles are obviously much more susceptible to this than boxed wine, which is protected by the cardboard outer layer. 

Have we convinced you yet? Here are some boxed wines to try. Let us know what you think on Twitter @the3drinkers or Insta @thethreedrinkers:

WHITE WINES

Maree d’Ione Organic Fiano 2.25L

Fiano at its best is a great all-rounder grape, making easy-drinking, pineapple and orange scented whites. This one is exactly that with a lovely weight and balance of fruit and acidity. Very classy.

£25.99 / £8.66 per bottle equivalent. Find it at Waitrose here 

BIB Wine Company Dry Furmint: 2.25L

Furmint is one of the grapes that makes the famous Hungarian sweet wine called Tokaji. We’re seeing more dry Furmints on our shelves these days and we think it’s going to be the next big thing in wine. Crisp and refreshing, with subtle notes of honeysuckle. It’s a little bit different, versatile and very easy to love.

£38 / £12.67 per bottle equivalent. Find it at bibwine.co.uk here

When in Rome Grillo 2.25L 

Grillo is the Sicilian grape that will transport you back to a foreign summer holiday with warm winds and fresh seafood on the beach. Golden and tropical with a cool mineral core, this is rustic wine that’s easy going and perfect with simple weekday meals like pizza and pasta.

£26.99 inc delivery / £8.99 per bottle equivalent. Find it on Amazon here

Clearsprings Sauvignon Blanc 2.25L

A benchmark Sauvignon Blanc that’s lemon citrusy and leafy with classic grassy notes. Softer on acidity than some and for the price tag, it’s remarkably good value. Have it with goats cheese or quiche with salad and it will sing.

£16 / £5.33 per bottle equivalent. Find it at Sainsbury’s here.

RED WINES

Terre di Faiano Organic Rosso 2.25L

A big cuddle in a glass, this Primitivo blend from Puglia tastes like chocolate-dipped raisins and honey. Silky smooth and rich with lots of ripe fruit, if you like it big and bold, this wine is for you. Beautifully packaged too, it would also make a great gift.

£25.99 / / £8.66 per bottle equivalent. Find it at Waitrose here

BIB Wine Company, Domaine les Caizergues, ‘Terrasses du Larz’ 2.25L

The BIB Wine Company is currently the go-to place for luxury bag n box wines. Beautifully packagedin sleek grey board, their wines are serious and delicious. A blend of Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan, this elegant Southern French red blend from the Languedoc is concentrated and fresh, packed with crunchy, red berry fruit, subtle tobacco spice and a food friendly slick of saline. Proper wine, glass after glass.

£37.50 / £12.50 per bottle equivalent. Find it at bibwine.co.uk here

Co-op Fairtrade Chilean Merlot 2.25L 

Here’s where cheap is very cheerful. A classic Chilean Merlot with its up front, smoky nose giving way to rich, dark red fruit and cedar. It’ll warm the cockles on an Autumnal day and at under £5 a bottle, there is nothing to complain about!

£14.50 / £4.83 per bottle equivalent. In store only at Co-op.

Most Wanted Shiraz 2.25L

Fans of Aussie Shiraz will not be disappointed by this friendly little number. Think spicy jam tarts and licorice with a touch of smoke. A little lighter than some Shiraz wines, but all the more drinkable for it. Great value too. 

£17 / £5.67 per bottle equivalent. Find it as ASDA here

Want more wine recommendations? Try this Guide To Prosecco Styles, Celebrity wines available now and The Best Red Wines To Have Chilled.

Which is the Driest Prosecco Style? Your Guide for National Prosecco Day

Words by Helena Nicklin

We’re not always in the mood for a Hollywood blockbuster. Sometimes, a bit of daytime TV hits the spot perfectly: it’s accessible, cheaper than going to the cinema and you can consume buckets of it in one sitting and barely notice! Yes, if Champagne is the film star of the wine world, Prosecco is the much-loved TV star. And while it doesn’t command the price tag or have the wow factor of its film-star cousin Champagne, it’s often seen as more approachable, affordable and a lot less demanding.

Prosecco is the easy-drinking fizz choice for many these days; loved for its creamy mousse, soft, ripe pear flavour and low-ish alcohol (generally 11%). It’s not trying to taste like Champagne with all those complex flavours that come with age; Prosecco is all about fresh fruit and early drinking. It’s cheaper to produce and therefore cheaper to sell, so all in all, it’s easy to see why it’s the everyday sparkling wine of choice for many in the UK and the US..

Need-to-know Prosecco Facts

This fresh-faced Italian lovely is a great wine in its own right, so here are some vital statistics:

Where is it from?: the small, hilly Conegliano Valdobbiadene area within the Veneto in North East Italy, just above Venice.

Grape:  Made with the Glera grape, which until recently was also called Prosecco.

Fizz levels: Prosecco comes in various styles of bubbleage: still (tranquilo), semi-sparkling (frizzante) and fully sparkling (spumante). Spumante wines keep their fizz better than frizzante wines. The ones we usually see in shops are spumante with a few frizzante wines here and there.

Quality levels. The acronyms D.O.C. or D.O.C.G. on your labels equate to a rubber stamp of quality, as wines have been made according to certain regulations. D.O.C. (Denominazione d’Origine Controllata) is more common that the higher quality D.O.C.G. (Denominazione d’Origine Controllata e Garantita) and within this latter category, there are Prosecco wines that go up further, from Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG, up to Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore Rive DOCG, then at the top of the pyramid, you have Prosecco Superiore di Cartizze DOCG, which is a high quality sub zone over 107 hectares. These wines will naturally be more expensive and show a great more viscosity and complexity. They are often referred to as the Grand Cru wines of Prosecco.

Sweetness Levels

Deep breath! Did you know there were actually six key levels of sweetness for Prosecco? It’s not really at all clear to be honest, especially in the middle ranges so it’s little wonder people have no idea why some Prosecco wines are sweeter than others. Here they are from driest to sweetest, though it’s really the Brut and Extra Dry styles that we see mostly in the UK.

Dry to Sweet

Brut Nature Aka Ultra Brut, Brut Zero, Pas Dosé and Dosage Zéro) (0 – 3 g/l residual sugar for the wine geeks). Bone dry, this is the driest of the Prosecco styles.

Extra Brut (0-6g/l residual sugar), is ‘very dry’.

Brut (0-12g/l residual sugar), is dry but fruit will feel ripe.

Extra Dry (12-17 g/l residual sugar) and is medium dry with a hint of sweetness. Also known as Extra Sec in French and Extra Seco in Italian. Both mean extra dry, even though the wine is not technically dry. Bonkers. 

Dry (17-32 g/l residual sugar) Also known as Sec or Secco, will taste pretty darn sweet. Not dessert wine sweet, but definitely sweet.

Demi-Sec (32-50 g/l residual sugar), is proper sweet, yo, though it’s actually quite hard to find demi-sec Proseccos in the UK. Very much a pudding wine.

Food Matching

Take Prosecco to any party and it will excel. It’s fabulous alone, but is also incredibly versatile, going well with many foods. The slight sweetness will even help cut through some delicate spice. Give it a go with antipasti, creamy sauces, seafood, spicy starters, white meat and pasta dishes. The list goes on!

Here are some great, easy drinking Proseccos that are easy to find:

The Brut: Co-op Irresistible Prosecco D.O.C ‘Special Cuvée’ - Brut, £8 

A classy, drier style of Prosecco that’s less frothy and ripe than some. This wine won’t get sickly thanks to the lower sugar levels and there’s a lovely floral and honeyed note balanced by a cool hint of lime that keeps you coming back for more. Find it at Co-op here.

 The Extra Dry: Planeta Organico Organic Prosecco D.O.C. Treviso- Extra Dry, £7.99, Aldi

This sparkler frequently comes top of the charts when it comes to Prosecco picks. It’s a richer style with buckets of ripe pear and baked apple fruit flavours, but beautifully balanced. Made with organically grown grapes, which is a bonus. Find it at Aldi here.

The Vintage Superiore: Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference, Conegliano Prosecco Superiore, 2012- Brut £10

A vintage Prosecco no less, which means the grapes were so good they used only the ones from the 2012 growing season rather than blending several years together. Made by a revered producer, this deserves its higher price tag for the zesty lemon, peachy notes and dazzling drinkability. Find it here.

The Cartizze: Prosecco Superiore di Cartizze DOCG Le Colture NV

Possibly the best Prosecco I’ve ever had. Cartizze wines mange a greater balance of all their flavour components, from blossom aromatics, ripe pear and almond to acidity, a cool, saline core and sophisticated drinkability. You can see the upgrade in the price of course, but I’d take this over any cheap Champagne.

Find it at Corney & Barrow here.

The Frizzante: Allini Prosecco frizzante, Lidl, £4.99 

Note that this Prosecco is frizzante in style, so is meant to be softer, with less frothiness than the other ‘spumante’ wines. Uncomplicated and refreshing, with decent fruit. It’s unfussy but pleasant with it and who can argue with that price? Find it here.

Let us know if you find a P rosecco you love! We’re on Insta @Thethreedrinkers and twitter @The3Drinkers

Drinker Discoveries: Six Refreshing Sips for a Sizzling Summer

We’re lucky enough to taste all kinds of drinks given what we do and in Drinker Discoveries, we pick the best of the bunch. This week, I bring you a wealth of stunning sippers for the sunshine, from European aperitifs to perfect pinks and even a new generation of cocktail cherry.

Enjoy!

Helena x

Rosé Wine Star

Le Grand Cros ‘Aurelia’ 2019

This rosé wine stood head and shoulders above its peers in a recent tasting; I was blown away! Hailing from the Côtes de Provence, it was a wine created by Julien Faulkner at Le Grand Cros to showcase the very best of their terroirs and he named the wine after his eldest daughter, Aurelia. Made in a fuller-bodied, creamier style thanks to lees ageing, more skin maceration and a touch of oak ageing, it’s packed full of fresh peach and ripe strawberry with a subtle note of rose and red appleskin. Its rich texture makes it an ideal gastronomic rosé and one that can be tasted all year round. This is going to be my Christmas lunch wine!

Find it here at Faulker Wines for £28.95

Awesome Aperitifs

Graham’s Blend no. 5 White Port (19%)

Port & tonic is the refreshing aperitif they’ve been drinking in Portugal for years, but it’s now making a splash in the UK. If you're thinking ‘how can Port be white?’, it’s when white grapes are used to make this famous fortified wine, such as Malvasia Fina, Rabigato, Códega, Sercial and Viosinho. White Ports are usually made to be drunk young and work really beautifully with all sorts of tonics. This very pretty one from Graham’s was created with Port and tonic in mind, so it’s citrusy and floral with notes of lime, orange and subtle fresh herbs. A great gin alternative.

Find it at Waitrose and Master of Malt for £21.99 - £24.99

La Gitana Manzanilla En Rama 2020 (15%)

Following the fortified wine theme, this savoury, dry sherry is a special version of Manzanilla called ‘en rama’. This is a style that’s released more in its natural state than standard Manzanillas, and so has more texture and complexity. Sherry lovers go mad for them and their twiglet-esque, yeasty notes. Made with pure, free run juice directly from the barrel, it boasts concentrated but tangy flavours of salted almonds and baked bread with a classic chamomile note. The perfect aperitif in hot weather and an ideal drink for salty snacks and cheeses.

Find it at Virgin Wines for £16.99

No and Low

Fortnum & Mason Rosé Sparkling Tea (0% abv)

This elegant looking bottle is the perfect, non-alcoholic replacement for Champagne and Prosecco  in looks and taste. Made with a blend of eight of Fortnum’s certified organic teas, it’s a delicious drop that feels like a treat thanks to the complex aromas and flavours from all the teas as well as a very wine like tannic grip. Aromatic, with stronger notes of jasmine tea and hibiscus, it’s light in its feet and a great food drink too. I’m stocking up! 150mg Caffeine per 1L

Find it here. For £16.95

Something and Nothing Seltzers (0% abv)

Finally! Something lighter and drier than a soft drink and that tastes all natural. These look great too with their super smart, matte white packaging. These elegant drinks are made with fresh, carbonated spring water and infused with subtle, all-natural flavours. They are incredibly refreshing alternatives to tonics and more sugary, soft options and come in three flavours: Cucumber, Yuzu and Hibiscus and Rose. Try them alone or go from day to night and mix it up with a spirit or Prosecco in spritzers. As a bonus, these are low calorie, vegan and come in recyclable aluminium cans and cardboard packaging.

Find them here on their website  in cases of 12 for £23.75.

Drinky Product

Cocktail Cherries (400g or 1kg)

The cocktail cherry is back and it’s absolutely delicious! Made by hotel Starlino based in Piedmont, Northern, Italy, these Italian Marasaca cherries are sourced from Naples and are bright and plump, delivering a concentrated hit of sweet cherry and a natural tang to keep it all fresh. De-stoned and ready to go, they make the perfect garnish for Manhattans, Negronis or other cocktails but you could also use them in desserts too -on top of cheesecakes or ice cream particularly. Yum! 

Find the 400g pot at Amazon for £8.89.

Like these? See our other Drinker Discovery articles here and here!

Sip Like a Celeb: 13 Celebrity Wines Available Right Now

Words by Helena Nicklin

Perfume lines and clothes ranges amongst A-listers are so 2018. It’s all about launching a wine brand nowadays; preferably something that says ‘down to earth sophistication’ that you don’t need a new mortgage to buy. While Cameron Diaz’s ‘clean wine’ and Snoop Dog’s ‘Cali Red’ make their way across the pond, here are some of the best celeb sippers you can buy right now.

Sarah Jessica Parker

Invivo X Sarah Jessica Parker, Sauvignon Blanc, £12 Sainbury’s (UK), $ 18.99 wine.com (US)

Classic, Kiwi Savvy B, this is ‘girls’ night in’ kind of wine with punchy, tropical fruit aromas, but smooth on the palate and not too tart. You can drink this alone or it will sing with salty snacks and goats cheese. 

Invivo X, Sarah Jessica Parker, Rosé, $19.99 from wine.com. Coming soon to the UK!

From the sun drenched coast of Saint Tropez, SJP’s pretty pink is a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah and is an elegantly perfumed, softer style of pink with lots of ripe strawberry and red fruit flavours. Great alone, but it would work very nicely with fruit salad.

Graham Norton

Graham Norton's Own Sauvignon Blanc, £8 Tesco

Also made by Invivo, the same producer as SJP’s wine, Graham’s Sauvignon has less upfront fruitiness and more savoury, smoky, saline notes while still rocking that classic, grassiness the grape is famous for. A good picnic wine this and a great crowd pleaser. 

Graham Norton’s Own Prosecco, £11 at Sainsbury’s 

The first celebrity Prosecco, Graham has gone for a classic ‘Extra Dry’ style which, ironically, means it has a decent dollop of sweeter fruit rather than actually being dry. Go figure. In any case, these are brilliantly balanced bubbles with indulgent notes of ripe pear and baked almonds. Fantastic party fizz.

Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue Rosé, currently £7 down from £9 at Tesco until Aug 10th.

Pale, pretty and perfectly packaged, this easy-drinking pink is from Southern France, but not the usual Provence. Made from a beefier blend of Carignan and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, it’s grippy enough for cold cuts, but light enough to enjoy alone. Think crunchy, red fruit flavours and a summer berry scent. Cracking value, Kylie! 

Phillip Schofield

Philip Schofield Benvenuto IGT Falanghina, £24.99 (2.25 litres. Equiv £8.33 per 75cl) from Waitrose

Philip went to Italy for his pair of premium, bag in box wines and has produced two delightfully different drops from native Italian grapes. This eco-friendly white, made with fabulous Falanghina from the South of the country, is easy to love: citrusy and crisp with stone fruit and pear notes, it’s an easy going, summer sipper that’s perfect for parties. 

Phillip Schofield organic Nero di Troia IGT Puglia, £24.99 (2.25 litres. Equiv £8.33 per 75cl) from Waitrose

Earthy, smoky and rustic, like grandma’s homemade jam, this is a great little holiday, red wine, made with grapes native to Southern Italy. Serve it slightly chilled with some grilled meats or cold cuts to get the best out of it. 

Bon Jovi

Hampton Water, South of France Rosé 2019, £19.51 from Winebuyers.com

Made in Southern France’s Languedoc with the help of superstar winemaker Gérard Betrand, Bon Jovi’s super cool pink was voted the ‘best rosé in the world’ by a top wine magazine when it first arrived. A brilliant balance of fresh peach, strawberry and citrus with a cool slick of saline, this bottle is well worth the price tag. The only question is, why did he not call it ‘Le vin on a prayer?!’ Lolz.

Sir Ian Botham OBE

Botham & Balfour, English rosé 2018, £12 from Tesco

Is this the first celebrity wine made in England? Produced by renowned winery Hush Heath in Kent, this collaboration with one of England’s greatest cricketers, Sir Ian Botham OBE, is delicate and aromatic with crunchy red fruit flavours, an apple skin tang and a quintessentially English leafy note. 

Botham 80 Series Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon, £7 down from £11 at Tesco

Sir Ian Botham is a huge fan of the grape and named his ‘80 Series’ wines in homage to his greatest year in cricket: 1980. This classic Coonawarra Cabernet packs a punch with juicy blackcurrant notes and a mouth filling, minty finish. Smooth enough to drink alone but ideal with beef at your barbecue. 

Angelina Jolie & Brad Pitt

Miraval Rosé,  £19.99 (£14.99 mix six price) from Majestic (UK) or $21.99 from wine.com (US)

Angelina and Brad loved this winery so much, they bought it. As beautiful on the outside as it is on the inside (and we are still talking about the wine here), this cool and elegant rosé set the benchmark for celebrity wines. It’s a beautifully balanced blend that manages to capture that seductive Provençal salinity so well. 

Studio by Miraval, £9 at Tesco

The baby sister of Miraval above, Studio does a smashing job of offering similar glamour and quality at a much more attainable price. Named as a nod to the recording studio still on site where Pink Floyd recorded their iconic albums, this dreamy drop is smooth and dry with subtle notes of peach and melon. For the money, it’s magic.

Sting & Trudie Styler

When We Dance Chianti, il Palagio, 2018. £12.99 from www.vintageroots.co.uk

A classic Chianti that’s light to medium-bodied with tangy, sour cherry notes and a characteristic whiff of sage and dried herbs. Made with organically grown grapes in the heart of Tuscany at Sting and Trudie’s very own Il Palagio estate, this vino is romantically rustic. A great wine for a picnic and perfect with cheese and salami on focaccia.

Have you tried any celeb wines recently? Let us know over Instagram @TheThreeDrinkers. If you liked this, try hilariously unfortunate drinks names and 6 cracking canned drinks for summer.

3 Wines for Romantic Moments

Words by Helena Nicklin

As the sun returns, we’re feeling the love! I spoke to Kevin O’Sullivan on talkRADIO recently about the best kinds of wines for romantic times. My thoughts turned to three styles of wines that can take you from day to evening and each choice with a little story to tell. Enjoy…

Rosé Wine - Jardin de Roses

Outdoor dating is big this summer and the perfect pink will see you through from daytime to evening. Relaxed but sophisticated, think fresh flowers, crisp, linen tablecloths, outdoor scented candles and a fruity, floral bottle of rosé chilling in a silver ice bucket. For this, you’ll want a rosé wine that looks as good as it tastes. We love this pale and elegant looking pink from Languedoc in the South of France. Made with 70% Syrah and 30% Grenache, it has a little more peachy fruit than those from its Provençal neighbours and a lovely, rose petal nose. This one, with its uniquely patterned bottle, translates as ‘bed of roses’ and it comes in six labels, each with an image of different species of rose. Beautiful - and it gives a whole new meaning to the term ‘bouquet’...

Find Jardin de Roses, £13.49 at Waitrose.

Red Wine - Thistledown, Thorny Devil Old Vine Grenache

Light the candles, put the roses in water and snuggle up with a Grenache. If Pinot Noir is the ‘heartbreak grape’, then Grenache is the grape of romance, making wines that are smooth and velvety, with notes of wild strawberry, fig and warm spice. It’s an easy style to love without too much of those astringent tannins and lots of fruit. Grenache from old vines is particularly special as older vines yield fewer grapes and have deeper roots, which means what grows has a gorgeous concentration of flavour and complexity. Try one from the ultimate home of old vine Grenache (aka Garnacha): the region of Cariñena in Spain or one from its spiritual home in Barossa, Australia.

Find Thorny Devil Old Vine Grenache, £15.99 at Virgin Wines

Fizz - Ambriel Rosé 2014

We couldn’t talk about romantic wine without mentioning something sparkling, but how about something other than the standard Champagne? Popping the cork on an English sparkling wine shows that you’ve put a little more thought into your drinks choice. Make it a gorgeous, pale pink little number like this elegant fizz from Ambriel in Sussex. It’s made in exactly the same way as Champagne using 100% Pinot Noir (also one of the Champagne grapes) and has a beautiful perfume of red apple and rose with a quintessentially English, redcurrant crunch. Corney and Barrow describe it as ‘the perfect English rosé with its classic bone structure and cut glass accent’ and we could not agree more. This is an English wine producer to watch!

Find Ambriel Rosé 2014, £28.95 at Corneyandbarrow.com.

Like this? See these other wine guides: 5 new drinks products for socially distanced gatherings, English Wines to Rival Champagne, What You Should Be Drinking With Curry.

Two Wine Stories You Never Knew About the Royal Family

Words by Aidy Smith
(Follow Aidy @Sypped)

As we continue with our Best of British issue, I bring you two tales of a family who sit at the crown jewels of our nation, quite literally, before delving into some of the most beautiful British drinks I’ve had the fortune of discovering. 

For the former, our two stories may both have something to do with the tipple, but not in the way you’d expect – read on and arm yourself with some great dinner party conversation. 

The Not-So Grape Escape

While Queen Elizabeth is quite partial to her martini’s, it turns out she was stirred in quite a different way. Our story takes us back to the evening Friday 9th July 1982, where we uncover one of the only successful break-in attempts to Buckingham Palace.

A chap called Michael Fagan (who may not have been all there if you know what I mean), decided that on this fair evening he would climb a 14ft wall surrounding the palace, managing to somehow get past both the spikes and barbed wire, before climbing a drainpipe into an open window in the palace itself. 

While his intention was indeed to visit our dear Betty, this didn't stop him from doing a little exploring first. Making his way to the pantry, he got a little thirsty, so decided to grab some crackers and cheese (as you do) before continuing along the corridors to what was Prince Charles' bedroom, upon where he found a bottle of Californian Wine. Strange, I had Charles down as more of a Burgundy type of chap, but I don’t blame him, Californian wine can be stunning.  

He indulged his palate with a little Cabernet Sauvignon before deciding to continue his meander through the palace to have a little chat with ol' Elizabeth. Sadly, she didn't feel the same way. After disturbing a curtain, she awoke, running out of the room to go find security. Oddly enough, even when the guards finally arrived at the room, sources say Michael was offered a glass of whisky because he “looked like he needed one."

Lucky for him at this particular time in history, it was not illegal to enter Buckingham Palace through a hidden clause. He was however charged with theft for the wine, but this was later dropped as he was deemed psychologically unfit. As for Queeny, let's just say the armed guard protecting her bedroom wasn’t there for much longer. 

His Majesty's Royal Wine Mobile 

Being the Queen, you can pretty much do whatever you want – apart from drink wine out of a beer glass, that would be treason (I jest, I jest). With her darling son's 21st birthday just around the corner, the Queen decided to do what any loving multi-millionaire mother would: Buy her son an Aston Martin. That was over 50 years ago.

Since then, it would seem Prince Charles has decided to be a bit more creative, taking his love for wine a little beyond the glass.

How you ask? By converting this beautiful vehicle into running solely on surplus British wine stocks. A pretty ballsy move, especially as we could be drinking that wine, right? Well actually, winemakers have certain quotas they have to go by as per British legislation. Rather than allowing this to go to waste, Prince Charles is actually doing these wineries a favor, purchasing the wine to then use it as an eco-friendly fuel source. You'll be excited to know that since his first conversion, the wino-loving prince now has a fleet of wine cars, doing his own little part to help the environment.

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.  

Drinker Discoveries: CBD Bitters, New Spirits, Great Wine and Gadgets

At The Three Drinkers, we are lucky enough to receive various samples of new drinks and lifestyle products over time. In these Drinker Discovery guides, we pick our absolute favourites as well as entertaining drinks news snippets we’ll think you’ll appreciate. Here are some that I have particularly enjoyed recently.

OTO CBD bitters

Not just good for cocktails, I have this in my morning coffee. OTO’s non-alcoholic, CBD bitters adds a warming, spiced aromatic note and depth of flavour to many types of drinks and none of that acrid, hemp note. The CBD element is a huge added bonus that really does feel like it calms anxiety and assists sleep. I love this. Find it and other luxury CBD products including face creams and roll on oils here. RRP £79 for 100ml (2500mg CBD).

Instagram: @oto_cbd

Winesave Pro

We’re always interested in products that can prevent us wasting wine and recently, I’ve been using the Winesave Pro when I’ve already popped a cork (usually on that extra bottle I probably shouldn’t have opened). Simply stick the thin tube in the bottle and give it a couple of squirts so the Argon gas can replace the oxygen and keep your wine fresh for longer (make sure you replace the cork or screw cap straight away). I tested it on various styles of wine over three weeks and was really impressed. A great, budget wine saving product. Find it here for £29.99.

Instagram @Winesavepro

Aloha 65

This brand new, spirit-based drink blew my minds when I tasted it as it does not fit into any regular drinks box easily. With its vibrant packaging, it promises a taste experience that delivers too. The team infuse spirits at 27% abv with fresh pineapple with lemon, ginger and other herbs and spices as well as local chillies for a fabulous kick. It’s vegan too. Have it as chilled shots or in a plethora of cocktails. They make an epic hot sauce too. Summer barbecues, here we come! Find it here for £26 for 70cl.

Instagram @alohasixtyfive

White Wine: Mar de Frades Albarino 2019

White wine of the week for me is this citrussy, saline Albariño (that’s the grape) made by the winemaking legend that is Paula Fandiño in Rias Baixas in northwestern Spain. This is THE region for world class Albariño and this vintage from Mar de Frades also has peachy, tropical flavours underneath those Atlantic, wet rock and sea spray notes. It’s a must with fish and seafood even on a cloudy day. A little blue ship appears on the bottle when its chilled to perfection too. Lovely touch! Find it here for £18.95.

Instagram @mardefrades

Red Wine: DV Catena Malbec 2018

My red wine of the week punches so far above its price tag, I had to look twice at it. Rich and concentrated with notes of cocoa, coffee bean, grilled meat and violet, this is a serious red wine that will love a barbecue. While it is drinking very well now, you could actually leave this for a couple of years to mellow further. Truly excellent value. Find it here at Sainsbury’s for £10 (down from £12) on offer for July.

Instagram @catenawines

In The News: God Save The Clean!

This tickled me. I love how carpet stain remover company Dr Beckmann commissioned artist Fanny Gough to paint a portrait of the queen in red wine on a carpet to demonstrate how good it was. I’m stocking right up. It’s got my vote! Find it here for £11.26

Like this? Check out some of our other guides : Gift Ideas for Drinks Lovers, Best Gins for a Martini and Must-Know Premium Californian Wine Producers.