Curious Case February 2023 - Reveal

The Curious Case is a 'mystery' case that changes every month whereby you find out what is in it when you receive it! Could be red, white, rosé, orange or sparkling from a classic region or a boutique producer in some remote far-flung region using indigenous rare varieties.

For this month we thought we'd take a look at some of our food friendly offerings. Food and wine matching is one of those things that regularly causes lively debate, some stick to the white with fish and red with red meat approach while for others pretty much anything goes. Where do we sit? Well, apart from a couple of broad guidelines - crisp, fresh wines work better with simply cooked foods while those with higher tannins generally suit richer and meatier fare - we're in the free and easy camp. Along the way we've learned that trial and error throws up some really good combinations, so we're not too prescriptive in laying down rules.

What we've done with this month's case though is to provide a few pointers about the sorts of things we think work well. It's a selection of reds and whites, each of a different style, to which we've added our food matching suggestions as a guide. We'd love you to give them a try and let us know if you agree with our ideas. One thing to bear in mind though, nothing's written in stone - if a particular combination works for you it's a winner!

As always with our Curious Cases this is just a snapshot aimed to showcase some good quality, well-priced wines on the theme in question. We certainly hope it piques your interest because there's plenty more to explore in this vein.

£90.00 per case

Wine #1 - An easy-going South African white just right with chicken enchilladas

Wine #2 - A silky white from the Adriatic coast that's a superb partner to clam linguini.

Wine #3 - Tangy and generously flavoured this southern French white will impress alongside honey & soy glazed baked salmon.

Wine #4 - A layered and velvety Rioja which brings out the best in a classic paella.

Wine #5 - This elegant, unoaked, and big flavoured Malbec is made to go with a tasty burger.

Wine #6 - A full bodied Puglian red that works equally well with a lamb tagine, or roast aubergine parmigiana.

Buitenverwachting Buiten Blanc 2021

In a nutshell:
A crisp and easygoing South African white blend based on Sauvignon Blanc.

The lowdown:
Buitenverwachting are specialists in Sauvignon Blanc in what is a cooler climate part of the Constantia wine region. However in this blend they add in a little Chenin Blanc and Semillon which gives an extra dimension to this delicious white. Crisp and medium-bodied it has the gooseberry and tropical characteristics of a good sauvignon Blanc, but there are also some ripe peachy flavours, a few herbal notes as well which adds more layers of interest on the palate. It has a warm, soft feel in the mouth, but the acidity is nicely fresh and keeps things held together very well right through to the finish.

When to drink:
A very versatile choice which is delicious by itself. When it comes to food pairings white fish works well, but poultry especially in creamy sauces is a real hit.

Vignamato Versiano Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2020

In a nutshell:
A fresh and velvety Verdicchio Classico Superiore from the Marche region near Italy's Adriatic coast.

The lowdown:
The reputation of Verdicchio suffered somewhat in the past with the large amount of bland wines, often in kitsch amphora shaped bottles, that were widely seen. Thankfully, with the designation of the smaller Classico zone in the hills of the area, it's now possible to find good quality examples of the type like this. It has a fresh acidity with a medium-full and quite velvety body which results in a very accomplished wine. Complex fruity and floral aromas lead onto flavours of ripe stone fruits, red apple and hints of spice.

When to drink:
A silky and cultured example of Verdicchio. It works well with richer foods than many whites, recipes featuring lemony pasta sauces being a good case in point.

Pacherenc du Vic-Bilh Sec, Les Pierres de Gres, Berthoumieu 2020

In a nutshell:
A dry, tangy and generously flavoured white from the foothills of the Pyrenees in south west France.

The lowdown:
Pacherenc di Vic-Bilh is a Gascon white that is made in both dry and sweet versions - this one, as indicated by the word 'sec' is of the dry variety. It's a blend of local white grapes, Gros Manseng, Courbu and Petit Manseng from vines up to 50 years old. It's big, generous, quite golden in colour and with a nose of orchard fruits. The palate is fresh yet rich with the orchard fruits carrying through and layer of warm, soft spice.

When to drink:
A weighty and quite mouthfilling wine and the sort of thing that would go with full flavoured fish and seafood like salmon steaks, or grilled scallops.

Luis Canas Crianza, Rioja 2018

In a nutshell:
A layered and velvety Rioja Crianza with ripe, fresh red fruit flavours.

The lowdown:
Certainly quite a grown-up Rioja with good, ripe, fresh red fruit flavours. In Rioja the term 'Crianza' on the label means the wine inside will have been aged for at least 12 months in oak barrels giving extra layers of flavour and tannins. This one spent its time in a mix of new French and American oak which has given it gently assertive vanilla, cedar and dried herb notes which complement the primary fruit flavours really well. It's full of rich red fruit flavours and the impressively dense palate has well rounded tannins and good levels of acidity giving it a clean fruity finish with a hint of eucalyptus..

When to drink:
Very versatile when it comes to matching with food. Roasts and poultry naturally, while a classic paella works an absolute treat.

Suitable for Vegans, Organic

Bodega Atamisque 'Serbal' Malbec 2021

In a nutshell:
An inviting and elegant unoaked Argentinian Malbec from the Tupungato sub-region of Mendoza.

The lowdown:
The vineyards of the Tupungato are among the most elevated in Mendoza's Uco Valley and are great for producing the fresher, slightly lighter, version of Malbec that the guys at Bodega Atamisque are aiming for. Made without any oak ageing it's inviting and elegant with a subtle restrained fruit character and delicate floral hints. It's still a pretty big wine though but it's delightfully well balanced and the hints of raspberries, strawberries and dark fruits are more elegance and refinement rather than in your face jammy fruit.

When to drink:
With its touch of opulence it works well with beef and red meats and it makes posh burgers feel extra special.

Fatalone Primitivo Gioia del Colle 2021

In a nutshell:
A rich, warming and full bodied Primitivo from Puglia in the southern heel of Italy.

The lowdown:
Fatalone is a small passionate estate wth roots going back to the 19th century and who are committed to farming organically. This, their flagship wine has a pronounced and complex bouquet of plum, prune, fig, raisin, leather, tobacco and sweet spice. On the palate plush warmth flavours are packed with sweet, spicy fruit, with touches of toasted almond on the finish.

When to drink:
Its warmth and balance alongside the richess make this well suited to lamb, particularly in north African styles. And with veggie recipes like roast aubergine parmigiana it's also a treat.

Organic