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.
Cantina Frentana Montepulciano d'Abruzzo 2009 (Le Cavenu, €9.95 )
Despite sitting on prime vineyard sites in east-central Italy and the promise of a perfect Mediterranean climate, Montepulciano d'Abruzzo - made from the Montepulciano red grape – generally, rarely delivers. That said, this weighty little number, from Rocca San Giovanni south west of Pescara overlooking the Adriatic, is one of the exceptions and is fragrant and spicy with buckets of cherries and a little raspberry on the nose while round, plummy and very satisfying on the palate with a more than a modest finish. Perfect for Sunday roast or with a luscious steak.
