Wine to drink this spring

18 Mar 2016

Considering what wine to drink this spring?

With these longer spring evenings and just a hint of warmth in the air, it’s that time of year when many of us start considering our home entertainment plans for Easter and beyond.
A recent conversation with Nicholas Corfe, Commercial Director of Ipswich based company Go Brazil Wines lead us to ask how we should freshen up the contents of our all-important drinks cabinet with wine to drink this spring.

‘It’s easy to get stuck in a routine and there is no doubt that we tend to stick with our familiar tipple, whether beer, wine, cider or spirits. However, right now the UK drinks scene is bursting with creativity and new products: we’re in the middle of a craft cider and beer boom and the same goes for gin, with a raft of new brands hitting the market, many of them being produced locally. Just think of nearby companies such as Aspalls, St. Peter’s and Calvors, not to mention the big boys like Adnams and Greene King.
Moving on to wines, English sparkling is going great guns both here and internationally – to the extent that even the French have started buying land in Kent to plant vines. With some 70 vineyards in East Anglia there is an abundance of, notably Shawsgate, Wyken and Giffords Hall, all well worth visiting. Although English fizz has a relatively high acidity, I personally like those crisp, refreshing apple and pear flavours, as well as the more biscuity notes that you find in the more mature wines. Enjoy a well-chilled glass or two on its own, but try matching too with oysters or served with smoked salmon.
Rosé still wine is an interesting category – traditionally it originated almost entirely in Provence and was consumed in the UK mainly by women and almost entirely during the summer months. That pattern has change significantly in recent years, however, with sales spread across the year and much less gender specific. Drink your rosé with light fish dishes, salads or risottos and experiment with new wines from Spain or Portugal, for example. Pink fizz is of course a great standby of the English summer wedding but for a change why not try a demi-sec (slightly sweet) version to match with meringues or a fruit salad?
When buying wines in Brazil for my own company, I like to find a balance between what is distinctive and unusual and what a customer will find acceptable for ‘new’ drinking. For example, we currently offer a dry non-vintage still Moscato (Muscat) which has pronounced elderflower and lychee aromas and a characteristic ‘grapiness’ on the palate. Clean and well made, it makes great spring and summer drinking and has been well received by customers – but it is very different from your typical supermarket wine!
In conclusion, whatever your tipple, be brave, put your prejudices to one side and be prepared to clean out that cabinet.  Where the choice of high quality, well-made drinks is concerned, we really have never had it so good in Suffolk”.

Non-alcoholic drinks

“For those with a preference for non-alcoholic drinks, there has never been such a choice of healthy, natural flavours. Again, we have the likes of James White and The Juice Works on our doorstep. Be bold and experiment a little!”

Nicholas’ quick fire questions

What’s the most essential item for any kitchen? 
I find a corkscrew always helps with the cooking!
What’s the best thing about your kitchen? 
Not really my domain, but the view from our wooden kitchen table into the garden is lovely
What’s the tastiest Suffolk product?  
Anything fishy and there’s plenty of tasty ham too
 
Love wine? Love food? The Unruly Pig has an enviable collection of wines in the 16th century Suffolk Inn. Read their recent Anglia Factors blog here The Unruly Pig fine dining restaurant