As Easter rolls around, why not treat your taste buds:
All of these delicious sweeter style wines are ready to sip, savour & share. I am sure some of these decadent wine styles are new to some readers. But the following selection of generous wines - are an ideal pairing with varied sweet treats over Easter and throughout the year. Here are a few brief words to describe my first impressions and the essence of each wine. A diverse range of enjoyable now wine expressions that are worth sharing.
Remember - 'when & where possible, all wines tastes better when served from the appropriate glass and at the ideal temperature’.
SANDEMAN
Fine Ruby Port
Cellars: Vila Nova de Gaia - Portugal
Grapes: Tinta Amarela, Tinta Barroca, Tinta Roriz, Tinto Cão, Touriga Franca
Head Winemaker: Luís Sottomayor
Lifted aromas of red fruits, plums and strawberry preserve. On the energizing palate this Fine Ruby is full of confident berry flavours and has well-balanced fruit sweetness and light-hearted personality. (19.5% Alc. - R.S. 95g/L)
• Chill & serve between 8°- 12°C
*Retail - NZ$39.99 : 4 Stars
FLORIO
‘Targa’ Marsala Riserva
Region: Petrosino, Marsala, Sicily - Italy
Grape: 100% Grillo
Head Winemaker: Tommaso Maggio
On the engaging nose you have vivid notes of sweet dates, grilled peaches, slow roasted plums, nougat and dried figs. The palate is intense with full, warm flavours, with a smooth and velvety mouth feel.
(19% Alc. - Residual Sugar 70g/L - 500ml).
• Chill & serve between 9°- 12°C
*Retail - NZ$39.99 : 5 Stars
De BORTOLI
Show Liqueur Muscat
Region: Riverina - Australia
Grape: 100% Muscat
Senior Winemaker: Julie Mortlock
8 years in barrel has developed layers of sweet vanilla, dried raisins, figs and toffee. Packed with generous flavours of treacle, toffee and coffee fill the unctuous, yet not too heavy palate and a lingering rich finish.
(18% Alc. - R.S. 214g/L - 500ml).
• Chill & serve between 8°- 11°C
*Retail - NZ$36.99 : 5 Stars
De BORTOLI
‘Black Noble’ 10 Years Old
Region: Riverina - Australia
Grape: Predominantly Semillon
Senior Winemaker: Julie Mortlock
A multitude of coffee-chocolate and raisin & fig which infuse with a treacle like wine engaging all corners of your palate, showcasing roasted hazelnuts and those rich mocha-coffee and cacao characters.
(17.5% Alc. - Residual Sugar 201g/L - 500ml).
• Chill & serve between 8°- 10°C
*Retail - NZ$64.99 : 5 Stars
TAYLOR’S
Fine Tawny Port
Cellars: Vila Nova de Gaia - Portugal
Grapes: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Cão & Tinta Barroca
Head Winemaker: David Guimaraens
A mellow combination of berry fruits with butterscotch, figs and prunes interwoven with attractive mixed nut and spice notes. The medium-sweet palate is silky smooth with a lingering finish. (19.9% Alc. - R.S. 100g/L)
• No decanting & serve between 10°- 12°C
*Retail - NZ$39.99 : 4 Stars
SANDEMAN
LBV 2016 Port
Cellars: Vila Nova de Gaia - Portugal
Grapes: Touriga Franca, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz, Tinta Barroca & Tinto Cão
Head Winemaker: Luís Sottomayor
Generous aromas of mixed dark berries, forest floor and dried spices. The palate is generous with confident tannins, plus further reference to ripe berries, dark chocolate and a well-balanced finish. (20% Alc. - R.S. 100g/L)
• Mild decanting & serve between 15°- 18°C
*Retail - NZ$52.99 : 4 Stars
VALDESPINO
Solera 1842 VOS
Region: Jerez - Spain
Grapes: Palomino & Pedro Ximénez
Chief Winemaker: Eduardo Ojeda
Showcasing raisins, chocolate coated nuts, dates and a bittersweet note from the old oak. Coffee beans, roasted walnuts, along with a seam of fruit acidity that balances the sweetness & leaving a long finish.
(20% Alc. - R.S. 45-50g/L - 375ml)
• Chill & serve between 10°- 12°C
*Retail - NZ$89.99 : 5 Stars
VALDESPINO
'El Candado' Pedro Ximénez
Region: Jerez - Spain
Grape: 100% Pedro Ximénez
Chief Winemaker: Eduardo Ojeda
The grapes are left in the sunshine at least two weeks. Intense and full of rich flavours of raisins, figs, molasses, nuts, chocolate and very elegant, sweet notes. The palate is complex, rich, smooth with a long aftertaste.
(18% Alc. - Residual Sugar 405g/L)
• Chill & serve between 8°- 10°C
*Retail - NZ$52.99 or 375ml $32.99 : 5 Stars
*(retail prices shown, stock & vintage availability may vary by country)