Eastbourne Herald
In Style
Food & Drink
December
2003
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Wines for Christmas
A festive selection for your
enjoyment
Most of us wouldn’t argue with Christmas
fruitiness and a fizzy New Year, but this year’s corker comes
straight out of Oz. Independent wine merchant, Eastbourne’s
award-winning Cooden Cellars, puts the down-under Shraiz at the top
of the list. All the recommendationa are bound to keep you glowing,
especially if you drink lots of water to keep your head clear the
morning after.
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Sparkling Shiraz ‘Coonawarra
Cuvee’ n.v. £15.00
Rumball Wines, South Australia
Let the crisp fruitiness of this red
sparkler inject the right note of celebration with a
difference. The dry but wonderfully Shiraz-rich flavours are
supported on a heady mousse of tingling foamed bubbles. What a
red sensation to greet Christmas Day!
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Franconia 2002 £7.95
Staatlicher Hofkeller Wurzburg,
Franken, Germany
A most surprisingly full and
evocative dry white wine. Great on its own, as an aperitif
before the festive meal or to start the festivities on
Christmas morning, but equally at home with a light starter or
Turkey.
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Reserve Riesling 2002
£7.29
Sherwood Estate, Waipara, New Zealand
This noble grape is here vinified
dry, revealing impressive aromatic citrus fruits and a
mineral-bedecked expression. Try it with smoked salmon, or s
soft goat’s cheese.
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Miss Harry 2002
£10.95
Hewitson, Barossa Valley, South
Australia
Whatever the name may conjure up for
you, make no mistake that this red wine is not a retiring
spinster of the parish, but an alluring and articulate
individual in full blossom. Be ensnared by its attractively
fruity and full-bodied charms and savour the smoothness and
lingering ripeness as it envelops you with unadulterated
satisfaction. Pure seduction.
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Chateau Panchille 2000
£7.75
Bordeaux Superieur, France
If clarets and Christmas are your
perfect match, then here is a superbly balanced example at a
keen price to accompany your meal. The soft and silky
mouthfeel is underpinned by ripe blackcurrant fruit and a
well-integrated finish.
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Kia-Ora Noble Late
Harvest Limited Release 2001 £10.00
Kanu, Stellenbosch, South Africa (37.5cl)
Finally another suggestion not to be
misled by this Christmas. It may sound like a well-known soft
drink, but this one will stand your eyes on stalks! Voluptuously
sweet, but not cloyingly so, with grapefgruit and marmalade
acidity and beautiful honeyed edges. A most apt finish to
Yuletide prandial pursuits, be they sweet or fruit desserts or
blue cheese.
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