During July and August, when press tastings are few and far between, I decided to host a few wine tastings at home. For this tasting, I invited PR agencies, importers and retailers to submit wines that would be suitable for a BBQ setting. Ten family members and friends, all sharing my enthusiasm for wine, participated in the tasting, with one exception – someone who didn’t drink but still offered some insightful comments on the aromas.
The wines were paired with BBQ food, including beef burgers, sausages, fish (prawns) and a variety of salads, allowing us to assess how well each wine complemented the food. The wines comprised three whites, two rosés and five reds. The feedback below reflects the collective views of the group, offering a more rounded critique.
Starting with the whites, the Asda Extra Special Riesling 2020 from Austria, with an ABV of 12.5%, had apple and lemon aromas, with a dry, crisp and powerful taste, featuring a flinty character and a long finish. It was very popular with the group, though, in hindsight, its dominant taste may have influenced the wines that immediately followed. £8.50 from Asda.
Next, we tried the Way & Cat Semillon 2023 from Australia, which had an ABV of 11.4%. It had a light lemon aroma, and initially, its taste seemed insignificant. However, it improved with many more sips and a little time, revealing fresh acidity and citrus notes. It was felt it paired better with fish than with meat. £8.99 when purchased as part of a mix of six wines from Laithwaites.
The Journey’s End Queen Bee Viognier 2023 from South Africa, with an ABV of 12.5%, featured a robust apricot flavour, with some people detecting hints of peach and slight orange peel. It was well-balanced, less acidic than the previous wines, making it a better partner with food. It paired exceptionally well with prawns. £13.49 in a mixed six from Laithwaites.
Moving on to the rosés, we began with the Asda Sancerre Rosé 2023 from France, made from Pinot Noir grapes in the Loire Valley, with an ABV of 13%. The wine was dry, fresh and easy-drinking, with fruit and floral notes. One person described it as a good mouth cleanser, and it was generally well-received by the group. £15.50 from Asda.
The Pinot Noir Rosé from Gerd Stepp 2021, from Germany, was made using the ‘saignée’ method, where 10% of the juice was fermented separately at cold temperatures to produce a deeper taste. This rosé, with an ABV of 12.5%, resulted in a deeper, almost amber colour, with a citrusy aroma and red fruit flavours. A few people noted a slight fizz on the tongue, although this wasn’t visible in the glass. This rosé was very popular, especially with food, and paired well with prawns. Some thought the style was more like a white wine and we thought it might be a good for rosé-averse white wine drinkers. £13.99 from Naked Wines.
The reds began with the Adnams Chilean Pinot Noir 2023, with an ABV of 13.5%. This wine had a strong blackcurrant aroma and then taste, including soft spice and slight oak flavours. One person likened it to cherry liqueur. It had smooth tannins and more, colour, body and presence than a typical Pinot Noir. I particularly liked this one. £8.99 from Adnams.
Next, we tried the Henry Fessy Brouilly Beaujolais Cru 2019 from France, made from Gamay grapes, with an ABV of 13%. It was smoother and fuller-bodied than the previous Pinot Noir, displaying red fruits such as wild strawberry and raspberry. It had a crispy, fresh finish and would pair well with cheese. One person particularly liked it, though it was noted that it wasn’t a typical, light Beaujolais. £15.00 from Ocado.
The Errazuriz Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, with an ABV of 13.5%, was medium to full-bodied, with notes of black fruit, black cherry and blackcurrant. While the wine was ok, it didn’t shine in any particular way. Discussion instead focussed on the recommended retail price of £11.15. I have since found it typically sells for £7.99 to £8.99 which offers more appropriate value. Available widely including from Amazon, Morrisons and Waitrose.
The Extra Special Uco Valley Malbec 2021 from Argentina, with an ABV of 14.5%, was a standout. It was aromatic, with a very plummy taste with balanced oak influence, velvety tannins and slight spice. It had a long finish and and was actually the wine that best met the description on the bottle. It was popular with the group. £12.00 (currently £10) from Asda.
The final red was the Bodegas Mateos La Mateo Colección de Familia Vendimia Rioja 2020 from Spain, made from Tempranillo, Grenache, and Graciano grapes, with an ABV of 14.5%. It had a plummy aroma with blackcurrant and cherry flavours. The group described it as soft, gentle and smooth. It was superb with BBQ food, particularly beef burgers, and was most liked by everyone. The green Rioja certification label was of interest, indicating minimal aging, not even Crianza nor Reserva nor Gran Reserva. £30.00 from Oxford Wine Co..
At the end of the tasting, we held a vote to determine the group’s favourites. The Bodegas Mateos La Mateo Colección de Familia Vendimia Rioja emerged as the overall winner, though one person thought the Queen Bee Viognier with prawns was excellent and the Extra Special Uco Valley Malbec also received a vote.
Some people thought we should also vote for the best wine in each section (white, rosés, red) and best value for money. For the best white, the Asda Extra Special Riesling was the winner, while the Pinot Noir Rosé from Gerd Stepp took the top spot for rosé. In terms of value for money, the Asda Extra Special Riesling was highlighted as the best, though two others also favoured the Extra Special Uco Valley Malbec 2021 and Pinot Noir Rosé from Gerd Stepp.
This event demonstrated that it’s worth exploring beyond normal expectations, such as judging a Rioja solely by its years of maturity. Even in a casual BBQ setting, the right wine can elevate the experience, and this tasting provided a mix of possibilities that catered to a range of tastes and preferences.
Thanks to the PR agencies, wholesalers and retailers who provided samples for this tasting.
