Don’t ask MIKE TIPPING to recommend any wine for bonfire night. The three he suggests here are far too good to accompany carbonised sausages.
DO NOT expect any fireworks from me. It may be Guy Fawkes night on Wednesday, but I am not going to burden you with suggestions of wines to go with carbonised sausages or toffee apples.
A mug of hot chocolate would be my recommendation or, if alcohol is required, you could always make some steaming hot punch. So save the wine for a more appropriate occasion.
The three I’ve picked this week are organic. They are also far too good to waste on bonfire night grub.
I don’t often write about English wines, so it is nice to mention Davenport Vineyards Horsmonden Dry White 2012, from Sussex, which has just won the gong for best Organic Alcoholic Drink, in the Soil Association Organic Awards.
It is a skilfully crafted drop made from a blend of hardy grapes, including bacchus. It is as crisp as a frosty morning, suggesting flavours of elderflower, lemon and honey with pronounced mineral notes.
Or head to Spain for La Báscula Catalan Eagle White 2013, from renowned South African winemaker Bruce Jack and Englishman and Master of Wine, Ed Adams.
Made with garnacha blanc, viognier and roussanne, it has a bright acidity with some floral notes, flavours of tropical and citrus fruit, spice and minerals.
If you take up Waitrose's 25 per cent off wine deal, which runs until November 4, you can get a perfect partner for the Sunday roast for £7.49, but you need to buy six bottles of wine to get the reduction.
Altano Quinta do Alaide 2012 hails from the Douro valley in Portugal, famous for port, and is a blend of the indigenous touriga franca and tinta roriz (tempranillo) grapes. It has a creamy texture and is quite rich, with cherry and plum flavours, notes of violet, vanilla oak and a little tannic grip.
Davenport Vineyards Horsmonden Dry White 2012, £12.45 from davenportvineyards.co.uk and Vintage Roots 18/20
La Báscula Catalan Eagle White 2013, £9.95 at Field & Fawcett 17/20
Altano Quinta do Alaide 2012, Douro, £7.49 (25 percent off deal) at Waitrose 17/20
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