Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2007 (Widely available, €12.99 )
Coming close to Christmas, here’s a recommendation that will not break the bank and is perfect with turkey. On the nose it is definitely citrusy, peachy and more than wrapped in a little oak, while on the palate it’s creamy and nutty. With crisp acidity and great length, this is everything that should encourage more people to drink Australian Chardonnay from Adelaide Hills.
Marks and Spencer Côtes du Rhône Villages 2010 (Marks and Spencer, €10.99 )
Offering an 80/20 per cent mix of Grenache and Syrah, this has a slightly herby, prune and bubble-gum nose with hints of spice and pepper opening up on the palate into a fuller style with raspberry and pepper soldiers standing subtly to attention as spice and a slight smokiness pass through the parade. Full bodied with grippy tannins, yet contradictorily soft, with a decent finish that’s impressive enough with a warm hearty casserole.
