Velvet Reds | Summer Edition

2020 NOFFLA RED WINE OF THE YEAR!. A brilliant value Rioja Crianza. Elegant with strawberry and raspberry aromas with notes of vanilla, spices, and red fruit compote. Fresh, pleasant and balanced wine with a long finish. Made from Garnacha, Tempranillo and Graciano and produced by the iconic house of Lopez de Haro. It spends 18 months in American and French oak which adds body, depth and a touch of sweetness to the spicy fruit character.

This is so so good! If you have never tried a Georgian red wine, producer Bedoba has set the bar very high. This is a rich and full bodied red bursting with dark fruits, herbs, mocha, caramel and chocolatey tones. A wine that would be perfect on a cold evening in front of the fire, or in the summer with a BBQ. Definitely a wine for wine lovers. Made from indigenous Georgian grape 'Saperavi' in Georgia's most renowned wine region Kakheti, this wine is definitely for the curious wine drinker. Partially fermented in ancient traditional clay pots called Quervi and stainless steel tanks, the winemakers Nugzar Ksovreli and Thierry Fontannaz combine tradition with innovation to create super interesting, delicious wines.

Radiating a luminous garnet hue, the 2023 Hans Baer Pinot Noir offers redcurrants, wild strawberries, and a hint of rose petals on the nose. Delicate cranberry and pomegranate notes grace the palate, framed by fine tannins that lead to a harmonious finish with a touch of baking spices. Pair this German gem with roasted duck breast for a succulent meat contrast, or alongside creamy mushroom risotto for an elegant vegetarian option. And on a hot day, you can serve it straight out of the fridge... magic! The Hans Baer Pinot Noir's versatility shines through as it complements a range of dishes. Its red fruit characteristics and gentle acidity elevate British roast chicken, while also harmonizing with the richness of a lamb casserole. For an unconventional twist, try it with pan-seared salmon and herb sauce, demonstrating its ability to enhance diverse culinary experiences. With every sip, this Pinot Noir adds delight to the table.

This wine is made from Garnacha, which is known as Grenache in France. The style of wine it produces is that of a full bodied and fruity red. Its so soft and silky in the mouth and filled with berry red fruits and hints of lavender. It spends time in oak which softens out the wine and what you end up with is a medium bodied style, perfect for people who like Cotes du Rhone wines from France. Rafael Cambra has spent most of his life in a vineyard. His philosophy is minimal intervention and he farms organic. His family own one of the most prestigious nurseries in Spain, with superstar clients like Vega Sicilia, Alvaro Palacios.

AS FEATURED ON VIRGIN MEDIA'S IRELAND:am. What a cool label! Dedicated to the bankers who would not finance his wine project, this winemaker's Rioja passion could not be stopped and has created probably one of the best value natural red wines on the market. Its really bright and fun and very similar to a Beaujolais. Its Bojo, but not as we know it! Whole bunch fermentation, light filtration and minimal sulfur makes for an interesting and beautiful glass of organic rioja, one of my new favourites on our list, excellent value wine on offer here.

This Negroamaro is a full bodied glass of brambly black fruit with intense flavours of blackberries and blackcurrants. The velvety texture, lovely balance and savoury spice notes are very hard to resist. This is an excellent example of why Southern Italian reds are so popular.  It offers serious value for money and over-delivers at the price point! Excellent with or without food, and the perfect wine to enjoy on a Friday night. The winemakers have been making wine in Puglia for over twenty years, and their philosophy is to let the fruit shine with minimal technical intervention. This is something which you can taste in every glass.