WITH the recent burst of fine weather, we may have found ourselves celebrating life a bit more, recession blues aside.
Only problem is what to drink or what will go with our al fresco dining meals?
Sticking with the wine in this instance, I have a few top tipples at the right prices. From under ten euro to just one over 13, the samples tried were very much worth their weight.
Hailing from Chile and racking the shelves at 8.99, Terra Andina and their sauvignon blanc is one for the masses that thrills and does the job exactly as it should.
Clean crisp flavours are followed by a gentle was of citrus fruits that leaves the palate tickled and enthused.
The peach and grapefruit zing eases to a softer fruit tone to leave a pleasant after taste. This wine is far from pretentious but still airs a tone of quality. Well worth the sub 10 euro price mark.
Remaining with the same producer where many have said that the 2007 vintage is one of the best to come from this range and the distinct tones and tastes are pretty excellent to say the least. Dark fruits and rich blackcurrants are the mainstay of the flavours that envelope the glass while a lustful medium body is complimented by smooth tannins.
Slipping to the Australian continent and you will stumble across Wynns Coonawarra Estate and their offering on the chardonnay range. As in most, oak plays an important but subtle role in this chardonnay with some dominant characteristic playing key roles in the wine as a whole.
This 2007 vintage, although young, displays mature notes of melon, fig and citrus fruit finely balanced with oak tinted with vanilla. Dissecting it further and you may even pick up some roasted nuts and a little butterscotch from the finish.
The mainstay of richness through peaches, cream and buttered toast will shine while this wine, at a fraction over 13 euro, really is the king of this selection.
Take the Man Vintners range and especially the sauvignon blanc, where you have a super wine when chilled and poured will quench any afternoon thirst to accompany food.
This wine has pretty much the world in a glass and easily became my pick of the bunch.
Crisp and lively, when perfectly chilled this wine grabs your interest from the get go. The limes and rich pineapple flavours kick things off to bring a balance and length to the wine that makes this the perfect one to sip and share or eat and drink.
Move to the red and the shiraz of the South African producer and you get a wine that brings a little surprise for its gentle opening.
An excellent rich colour brings a mouthful of plums and red berries while a little roundness in the vanilla and spice keeps your interest alive in this smooth and silky offering.
All wines are available locally.
