Even though after the holidays, many of you will probably have had your fill when it comes to alcoholic beverages, that doesn’t mean that you can’t enjoy a tipple in the new year. Wine is a beverage that just oozes class and sophistication. It has been enjoyed for centuries, it comes in many varieties, it can be produced in all kinds of different conditions, and it can enhance some of your favourite dishes. The trick, is finding a good quality wine. Fail to do so, and you may as well be drinking vinegary grape juice. If you’re a wine enthusiast, here’s a look at 4 very popular wines that you simply must try this year.
Old Vine Shiraz
Up first on our list we have Old Vine Shiraz. This is an Australian wine produced by Rob Dundon, and it is considered by many enthusiasts to be one of the best wines out of Australia in recent years. The key to this wine’s success lies in the age of the grapes. Here, grapes which are anything from 75 – 120 years old, are harvested from the wines of Blewitt Springs. This wine has a very deep purple colour to it, along with chocolate and plum tasting notes, and aromas of mixed berries with just a suggestion of oak. Like many a good Shiraz, this wine pairs perfectly with red meat dishes, as well as cheeses.
2006 Champagne Billecart-Salmon Brut ‘Cuvee Nicolas Francois’
If you’re looking for an excuse to break open the bubbly and celebrate, this champagne is ideal. Needless to say, it is a French classic that is a wonderfully dry vintage with a very powerful body. Here, the champagne gives off amazing buttery and nutty notes, along with hints of grapefruit. It is very warming on the palate, and unlike other champagnes, there are no yeasty and bready undertones here. Whereas this champagne would have been wonderful to toast in the New Year, if you do have any bottles left, be sure to set them aside until you’ve reason to celebrate this year. Yes, it really is that special.
2012 Domaine Carneros Le Reve
We’re heading over the pond next, to the good old US of A. Specifically, we’re heading to California. This is a fabulously fruity sparkling wine that is not subtle at all when boasting the fact that apples, pears, lemons, and peaches are all flavours which consumers of this wine will enjoy. The wine is wonderfully soft and creamy in texture thanks to the gentle fizz. Whereas it can be enjoyed at any time of the year, it will work fabulously well when chilled and served in the warm sunshine in the summer, perhaps with some grilled chicken or fish and a lightly dressed salad?
RedHeads Whip-Hand
This Cabernet Sauvignon is created with grapes from the vineyards of Eden Valley and Barossa, and is a very bold, yet versatile red. Considered to be amongst the best Australian red wines for 2020, this wine pairs particularly well with fattier cuts of red meat such as lamb, ribeye, and prime rib.
