Robert Clatworthy of The Clifton Sausage and A Taste of Europe's resident wine expert shares his thoughts on full-bodied reds for Autumn.
October '10.
As the weather is changing and the leaves on the trees start to let us know its autumn and winter is on its way, there is nothing better than a good red with a delicious cheese, as the wind and rain crash on your window. Godminster cheddar is my cheese of choice at the moment, a rich creamy cheddar cheese made in the village of Godminster in Somerset. Here is a selection of my favourite red wines, to accompany it.
Last year I went to a good friend’s wedding and the wedding list asked for wine, I took a super tuscan,Terrabianca Campaccio IGT Toscana 2006 magnum.The name super tuscan is given to any wine from Tuscany that includes grape verities that cannot be classified in the DOC classification. The main and most popular grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot grapes normally used in the making of Bordeaux, giving a much richer wine.
Unfortunately the marriage did not last but I did get to drink the wine and it was superb! It was enjoyed with a group of 6 friends and a good bit of British beef, better than any wedding. The wine is packed full of ripe berry fruit flavours with roasted almonds and chocolate with very balanced smooth tannins and a long finish, the wine is 70 % Sangiovese and 30% cabernet Sauvignon and made by Roberto Guldener.
Rioja is always a crowd pleaser and great with food or to just drink on its own, it is a true “glugging” wine. Rioja is a region in Spain which is divided in to 3 main sections Rioja Alta in the west which produces a lighter style of wine due to the climate, Rioja Alavesa produces wines that are higher in acidy and a fuller body. Rioja Baja is the hottest of all the areas with drought sometimes being a problem. Although irrigation was introduced in 1990 the wines produced here are very deep dark wines with little acidity and very high in alcohol, they are mainly used to blend with other wines from other areas in Rioja.
The grapes used to make red Rioja are Tempranillo, Garnacha, Graciano and Mazuelo, the Tempranillo being the main grape containing the most flavours, Garnacha second and Graciano and Mazuelo only about 5%or less in a blend,
As with most wine producing countries Spain has a classification system; there are 4 main groups starting with “Rioja”. This is the youngest wine with less than a year in oak aging barrels. The second is “Crianza”, the wine must have been aged for 2 years and at least 1 year in oak aging barrels. “Rioja Reserva” is aged for 3 years, at least 1 year must be in oak and last “Rioja Grand Reserva” which must be aged for 2 years in oak and 3 years in the bottle.
Vina Bosconia Reserva Rioja 2001 is one of my favorite Rioja wines, its colour is deep red with orange hints around the rim, the wine is rich and full bodied, packed with mature fruit from the Tempranillo grape. On the palate it is soft and smooth with good acidity. The cost of this wine from a good wine merchant would be about £20 and more in a restaurant, but it is true value for money.
R.C
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