Pocket Vintages - wine guide, wine recommendations, wine reviews

Pinot Grigio on offer from Majestic

Majestic has 20% off all their Italian wines at the moment and a few are worth a look in.

Pinot Grigio is growing in popularity (although I still think it has a long way to go before it sheds itself of the cheap reputation it acquired in the 90's).

If you are determined to drink it, go for a higher value option - one that caught my eye was Punggle single vineyard - worth trying for the name alone.  It's a heady 14% but the price won't knock your block off with a £2 discount to £7.99 a bottle.

Order it direct from Majestic here.

Suckling Pig Anyone?

Suckling Pig on London restaurant menus is commonplace nowadays and those brave London chefs have really mastered the art of serving up juicy succulent pork with a thick layer of crackling.

You need a chunky red wine to acccompany this feast and being a lover of Spanish wine, I cannot think of a more perfect match that a Crianza or Reserva from the Ribera Del Duero region.  They are not cheap but they are very very good.  Try a Protos or Pesquera if you really want to splash out.

Pocket Vintages booklet suggests that 1996 and 2001 were both excellent vintages.

Asparagus and wine

Yes it makes your pee smell, but despite this, asparagus deserves to be treated with respect.  There is nothing better than fresh asparagus spears steamed gently for a few minutes and served with a slab of butter and drizzled with lemon juice.

You need a wine that can complement the taste and the texture and I would recommend always going for a New World Sauvignon Blanc or Champagne.

South West France Wines

I'm off to the Carcassonne area this weekend.  This is real wine country, with the majority of the land planted with local Southern French wine varietals.

Two key regions are Minnervois and Corbieres.  I've had some tips for good wines and I'm going to check out the vineyards directly and hopefully bag a bargain!

On my hit list are:

Clos Centeilles in Minervois - I found a 2002 available from a UK merchant for £6.68 so will be trying to beat this.

Chateau Tours Boisee in Minervois - Waterloo Wines in London has a 2005 on offer for under a fiver.

Chateau de Lastours in Corbieres - a variety of merchants are offering the 2004 for under a fiver a bottle.

I'll update the site on my return with the findings!