Walls: Vacqueyras 2015 vs 2016 - how are they drinking now?
Matt Walls' expert advice on which wines to buy...
One of the world’s most widely planted grapes, Grenache is a quintessentially Mediterranean red variety which does best as a low yielding bush vine. It produces powerful, warming, raspberryish reds whose greatest expression, from old, low-yielding vines, is to be found in Châteauneuf-du-Pape (Château Rayas) in France and in Australia‘s Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale.
SEE ALSO: Spanish Garnacha: panel tasting results | Decanter travel guide to Southern Rhone
It also makes good fortified reds as in Banyuls, Rivesaltes and Maury. Known in Spain as Garnacha tinta, where it’s widely planted, particularly in Rioja and Priorat, it fleshes out the tempranillo. It’s grown in California and in Italy too.
Food matching with Grenache: Rolled pig’s head | Wild garlic and ricotta ravioli with lamb soup | Michel Roux Jr: Rabbit Pâté en Croute – Recipe | Michel Roux Jr: Stuffed Courgettes | Leg of Lamb Slow Cooked in Red Wine with Figs, Walnuts and Grapes
Matt Walls' expert advice on which wines to buy...
Why it's an exciting time for Garnacha in Rioja...
2020 is a great year to get to know Lirac and Tavel wines...
Careful research into the best estates will be rewarded ...
Vacqueyras and Beaumes de Venise 2020 are good for early drinking...
Despite a hot year, wines are fresh and accessible when young with whites particularly exceptional.
Expert verdict plus the top-scoring bottles...
Cayuse, Horsepower, Hors Catégorie – and Champagne…
One of the greatest, most soulful estates of the Rhône Valley...
Elegance with an easy-going drinkability...
Among Australia's most collectable wines…
Drinkable and age-worthy wines worth seeking out...
Top-scoring wines from Champagne to the Rhône...
The latest wines from this Swartland-based winemaker…
Matt Walls examines seven mature vintages of Gigondas wines and reports on what is drinking well now and what should be kept cellared for a little while longer.
Can you get all of the answers...?
Latest releases of nine premium wines from this popular Barossa producer
Reds to try from the limestone hills of Berici in Veneto...
Top great red and white buys to try....