TOAD in the hole is one of those delightful dishes that work with lots and lots of different wines. If you’re using pork (or even veggie) sausages, go with Burgundy (red or white), and if you’re using beef or venison bangers, try a Rhone or a Bordeaux red. A spicy Languedoc red, or even a Rioja, will work with almost everything. So, what should you choose for the weekend?
Here are a few ideas…
Cave de Lugny Chardonnay Macon-Villages (Waitrose, £8.79). This is a delightfully accessible Maconnais Chardonnay and you’d be hard-pressed to find a better white Burgundy under a tenner to match Shirley’s toad in the hole. The Maconnais wines have an echo style-wise to their more expensive cousins up north, and I'll frequently choose a bottle (or two) from here as opposed to just drinking Meursault.
Domaine Michel Juillot Bourgogne Pinot Noir (Inverarity One to One, £13.99). The entry-level Michel Juillot is a study in light to medium-bodied Pinot that still manages to retain depth and character. This is a delightful wine that deserves a place in your wine rack this weekend.
Blason du Rhone Cotes du Rhone Villages (Waitrose, £9.49). This is a wee step up in taste and quality from a normal Cotes du Rhone, and you’ll still get change back from £10. Grab a bottle before I drink them all.
Chateauneuf-du-Pape La Fiole (M&S, £28). This quirky bottle is a classic Grenache-based C9dP, and it is luscious and lovely. We’re going up a gear, but this lovely wine is worth the extra money.
Chateau Croix St Benoit (Inverarity One to One, £9.99). This is a blend of Cabernet Franc and very old-vine Merlot, and it is one of the few bottles on the market that proves you can get good value from Bordeaux for everyday drinking. If you haven't yet tried this bottle, it will make you fall in love with the wine, the region and life itself. Buy a few, before they run out.
Marques de Caceres Rioja Crianza (Majestic Wine Warehouse, £8.99). Very few Riojas tick as many of the boxes as Caceres in terms of the bigger, more commercial brands. This is an excellent Tempranillo with a good balance and a lovely, long finish. And it’s great with toad in the hole.
Pete Stewart is Glasgow director of Inverarity One to One, 185a Bath Street, Glasgow inverarity121.com
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