I decided to stop being interesting and try the cheapest wine Sainsbury’s would offer me at 9:45pm on a Monday night: McGuigan’s Shiraz (£6.50). Awaiting me back in my friend’s flat were deep conversations and a couple hours of mindless nattering, so I wanted something bold. I’m sorry to say, it was a disappointment; strong notes of marmite on the nose, pine and mouldy leather on the mouth. Deeply unpleasant, I wouldn’t waste your time on it.
What I would happily waste my time on, though, is Anakena “Birdman Series” Cabernet Sauvignon (picked up at Margiotta’s by a friend) which is an excellent conversation wine. A few days earlier, I had friends round for a Spring-themed dinner party (this is Edinburgh, after all) and it packed a pleasant punch. Well rounded, full bodied and notes of plum and mint, it was a great choice for an evening of chatting. Unlike the Shiraz, it didn’t leave me wincing from tartness but was well balanced.
Both of these grape varieties are big and bold. Shiraz and Cabernet Sauvignon are both heavy grapes with dark-fruit notes – spicy and jammy, preferring warmer regions to grow in. Shiraz (or Syrah, to use the name more commonly used outside Australia, specifically France) tends to be smoother, a better choice if you’re still learning to like reds. They’re also used in a lot of wines from the Rhone region of France (a classic example being Tesco’s Finest Cotes-du-Rhones which is a great dinner party staple), whereas Cab Sauv is prominent in a lot of Bordeaux blends, which are fresher.
What else I’ve been drinking this week
Isla Negra Sauvignon Blanc 2.5 stars – another supermarket staple, but I wasn’t blown away by it. Very tame, very watery. You can easily find better examples of Sauv Blanc, for a better offering still from Chile and at the same price I would try Phantom River which has a richer depth and is super easy to drink. That being said, my flatmate was raving after Isla Negra and took a photo to note her new favourite – whatever floats your boat.
Illustration by Rosie Warwood, @rosiewarwoodart on Instagram