Apr
27
Wine column: A good catch
Filed Under EN
PESCETARIANS don’t need a sea view this summer to raise a glass to local fishmongers.
With oceans of choice at crustacean stalls, and a wave of new online seafood markets, shopping for fantastically fresh lobster, prawns, crab or flaky white fish is an easy decision that calls for a bright white to complement the clean, natural flavours.
Spain’s fishing capital Galicia, north-west Spain, is famed for its Albarino, an aromatic, trendy white wine from Rias Baixas with a distinctive limey zestiness.
For a good entry level, try Taste the Difference Albarino 2010, Rias Baixas, Spain (£7.99, Sainsbury’s). Crisp with breezy fruit flavours, soft apricot aromas and good acidity, it’s a great choice with all the fruits of the sea.
A label dressed with ‘Darling’ isn’t hard to resist, and Finest Darling Sauvignon Blanc 2011, South Africa (£7.99, Tesco) pretty much sums up this favourite white to complement oysters and shellfish, or even roasted sea bass with rosemary and lemons.
Concentrated with gooseberry, passionfruit and guava, it’s a drop of sunshine in a glass.
British-born actress Naomi Watts, who’s spent much of her working life in Australia, is the face of a new range of light wines from Jacob’s Creek.
Far more pleasant than some others on the market, if you’re thirsty for an easy-drinking white that won’t lose its mojo, try Jacob’s Creek Cool Harvest Sauvignon Blanc 2011, Australia (£8.99, 10.5% abv, Sainsbury’s).
Super fresh, the grapes are harvested at night for maximum fruitiness and the crisp tropical fruit flavours with undertones of blossom work really well with crabcakes, a mixed leaf salad and sweet chilli sauce.
For a snappy choice with a gourmet fish pie and to start prepping our tastebuds for the summer season, try Craggy Range Te Muna Sauvignon Blanc 2011, New Zealand (£13.99; buy two, £10.99, Majestic), which has a stony, limestone soil influence. An exciting white, it’s herbaceous with ripe kiwi fruit backed by powerful nectarine, margarita-lime and a satisfyingly long, flinty mouthfeel.
From Down Under, Grant Burge Summers Chardonnay 2008, Australia (£16, www.dickenshousewine.co.uk) is a rich, glorious glass that’s multi-layered with white peaches, stone fruit, honey, zesty lemon and spice with a long, creamy finish.
It’s a divine choice with wild salmon, new potatoes and a creamy sauce.
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