I receive a lot of samples in the run-up to Christmas, sent by importers eager to feature in the most important few weeks of the year. As I can only cover four wines each week, a great many deserving wines don’t make it to my final selection. This week a few Christmas leftovers, wines that didn’t feature in December but certainly deserve your attention.
Three of the four wines this week are Spanish. I have been writing about wines made from the mencía grape for several years now and recently had the opportunity to revisit northwest Spain, home of this grape. The wines are light to medium-bodied with dark fruits, sometimes an earthiness, a fine minerality and refreshing acidity. Bierzo is the leading region and the wines here are becoming more serious every year. The two below, among my favourite wines of 2024, offer great value for money.
The wines of Ribera del Duero tend to be fuller-bodied and powerful, perfect with grilled or roast red meats and substantial spicy stews. The Háchon below is a good example at a very reasonable price.
Lastly, a first for this column: a Serbian wine, made from a blend of gamay (the grape used to make Beaujolais) and vranac, native to Montenegro, but also one of many varieties found in Serbia.
Hachón Ribera del Duero Reserva 2020
14%, €11.99
Medium to full-bodied with concentrated plum fruits and some drying tannins. This would be perfect with roast lamb, beef or mushrooms.
From Lidl
Parajes Bierzo, César Márquez, 2022
13.5%, €19.95 (down from €29)
Medium-bodied with supple savoury fresh dark cherry fruits and light tannins on the finish. This would go with a variety of foods, including chicken, pork and tomato stews with beans.
From WineSpark.com
Finca Luna Beberide 2022, Viño de Paraje Bierzo
13.5%, €24
A very stylish medium-bodied wine with concentrated dark fruits, black olives and dark chocolate and well-integrated tannins on the finish. Try this with roast pork or rich tomato-based pasta dishes. Very well-priced for the quality.
From Whelehans, Loughlinstown
Vinarija Daria Splet 2022, Negotin Valley, Timok 2022, Serbia
14%, €33.95
I tasted this intriguing wine twice last year and enjoyed it on both occasions. Medium-bodied with intense ripe dark fruits, a refreshing acidity and a subtle spiciness. Decant before enjoying with spicy pork dishes; sausages with lentils?
From The Corkscrew, D2; wineonline.ie
