As the first signs of spring appear, Jane Clare turns to crisp Spanish whites, characterful old vines and elegant English fizz – and shares details of a special tasting event inspired by Liverpool’s seafaring heritage
I’ve just been out to the shops without a coat on. That’s what a bit of sunshine does for us Northerners at this time of year; we become full of bravado and think we can beat the chill because the sun’s out. I was freezing. But I was also excited about what the next few weeks will bring. Because now we’re into March, warmer days and lighter nights are heading our way. We may also be lucky enough to sit in the garden (with a coat on) sipping a springtime wine. And once you’re there, what to pour?
Spring makes me think of crisp white wines such as one from DO Rueda. It’s a Spanish wine region you may have overlooked. If you like a sauvignon blanc, and its keen acidity, then give a white wine from Rueda a try. Rueda wines are hugely popular in Spain and they’re beginning to make inroads here in supermarkets and independent wine shops.
The region is a couple of hours north of Madrid and surrounded by red wine country. Its altitude, warm days and cool nights create ideal conditions for growing white grapes, giving the wines a real shivering vibrancy. There are also many old vines in DO Rueda which grow grapes with concentrated flavours. Verdejo is the native grape variety, and has grown there since the 11th Century. Sauvignon blanc is also allowed in the wines of DO Rueda – though don’t expect the punchy passion fruit style of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc.
Both verdejo and sauvignon blanc can be found as 100% single varietals in a wine, or blended together. You’ll find flavours including herbs, fennel, citrus and ripples of peach. Try Marqués de Riscal Verdejo (£14 or £12.50 in a buy six deal at Majestic); or Tesco Finest Organic Rueda Verdejo (£7.75); or maybe go to the Asda for Exceptional By Asda Rueda (£7.50)
And next …
By the time you read this you may have already given mum a Mother’s Day gift (15 March). If you haven’t, here’s a really lovely English fizz: Co-op Irresistible Eight Acres Sparkling Rosé (£19.50). If you have given mum a treat, then buy it for yourself. I taste-tested this on a windy and wet weekend away in the Lakes (yes it was cold) yet this sparkler brilliantly brought in some springtime vibes. It takes its name from one of the vineyard blocks on the Hush Heath estate in Kent and dapples with crisp citrus and some lovely strawberry and cherry notes.
Fizz & Ships – Celebrating a Golden Age
I won’t apologise for brazenly plugging an event I’m helping to host in Aigburth. It’s for charity you see. Fizz & Ships is a maritime-themed illustrated wine tasting, in which the passengers (the audience) are taken on an ‘armchair cruise’. It’s an idea I cooked up with my journalist pal Peter Elson of elsonshippinglines.com. He’s the ships’ person, and I’m the wine person (you may have guessed that).
Peter has received a British Maritime Writer of the Year Award from the Princess Royal; and the Merseyside Civic Society Award for his campaigns about Liverpool’s historic architecture. I asked Peter (pictured) some years ago if we could work on a (blatantly obvious reason to drink wine) event which would quench people’s thirst for learning about both wine and Liverpool’s maritime history. He said yes. Now, for the third year running, we’re hosting a charity night at St Anne’s, Aigburth on Saturday 18 April in aid of its organ restoration fund (tickets £30).
Peter will take us around the world via various liner routes – especially voyages of Cunard and the White Star Line – sharing anecdotes of both a bygone era and modern twists along the way. We have about six wines with fizz to start: As we come into each port of call, I introduce a wine from that destination – maybe Spain, Chile, or Australia. We end by raising a sparkling toast in tribute to the many ships and sailors who have played a part in the history of this city.
If you’d like to find out more about the Aigburth event (or even plan your own) then email me at jane@onefootinthegrapes.co.uk
JANE CLARE DIPWSET IS ON INSTAGRAM AS @ONEFOOTINTHEGRAPES
GET IN TOUCH IF YOU FANCY YOUR OWN WINE EVENT, OR YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT STUDYING WITH JANE FOR WINE & SPIRIT EDUCATION TRUST WINE QUALIFICATIONS.
EMAIL JANE@ONEFOOTINTHEGRAPES.CO.UK OR GO TO WWW.ONEFOOTINTHEGRAPES.CO.UK
Dining and Cooking