No-one knows wine better than the author and critic Simon Woods, a former editor of the Which Wine Guide and Financial Times wine columnist. Here he picks five of the very best
Best Party Wine (LS Old Vine Garnacha 2005)
If you need something that will suit most tastes to get a party going try 2005 Old Vine La Sabrosita Garnacha. From Calatayud in Spain, it's a wonderful mouthful of sun-kissed fruit and Mediterranean herbs that'll keep your guests more than happy. And as it's a real bargain, you should be able to afford a plentiful supply.
If you want to impress the boss and boost your chances of being pencilled in for promotion or a decent bonus, the 1998 Château Certan Giraud, Pomerol Classic Bordeaux is the one to go for. It's from a great vintage, oozing class, and promising much for the future to those who can resist the drinking it right away.
Best For Dinner Parties (2005 Kurt Angerer ‘Loam’)
Choosing a wine to accompany a special meal can be tricky but the 2005 Kurt Angerer "Loam" Grüner Veltliner, from Kamptal in Austria is a real winner for your dinner table. It's a ripe and refreshing wine made from the enigmatic Grüner Veltliner grape and will go down happily with a whole range of dishes.
If you are looking for something to put the fizz into your party try the 2004 Petaluma Croser Brut from Adelaide Hills. And if you thought Australian wines were all brawn and no brain, this will make you think again. Here’s a sparkling wine from Down Under that shows real class – elegance and panache in a glass.
Unusual wines? What does that mean? Simply ones that are not conventionally attractive, but are none the less compelling – the Tilda Swintons and Harvey Keitels of the wine world. They are great wines for the adventurous and, for me, Gonzalez Byass Amontillado del Duque certainly tops the bill in this category.
If you need something that will suit most tastes to get a party going try 2005 Old Vine La Sabrosita Garnacha. From Calatayud in Spain, it's a wonderful mouthful of sun-kissed fruit and Mediterranean herbs that'll keep your guests more than happy. And as it's a real bargain, you should be able to afford a plentiful supply.
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If you want to impress the boss and boost your chances of being pencilled in for promotion or a decent bonus, the 1998 Château Certan Giraud, Pomerol Classic Bordeaux is the one to go for. It's from a great vintage, oozing class, and promising much for the future to those who can resist the drinking it right away.
Choosing a wine to accompany a special meal can be tricky but the 2005 Kurt Angerer "Loam" Grüner Veltliner, from Kamptal in Austria is a real winner for your dinner table. It's a ripe and refreshing wine made from the enigmatic Grüner Veltliner grape and will go down happily with a whole range of dishes.
If you are looking for something to put the fizz into your party try the 2004 Petaluma Croser Brut from Adelaide Hills. And if you thought Australian wines were all brawn and no brain, this will make you think again. Here’s a sparkling wine from Down Under that shows real class – elegance and panache in a glass.
Unusual wines? What does that mean? Simply ones that are not conventionally attractive, but are none the less compelling – the Tilda Swintons and Harvey Keitels of the wine world. They are great wines for the adventurous and, for me, Gonzalez Byass Amontillado del Duque certainly tops the bill in this category.