VENISON is a relatively easy wine match … you just need a bottle with a bit of spicy oomph, which is a very technical wine term. So you could choose a peppery Syrah/Grenache blend from the Rhone valley or a lovely Nebbiolo from Piedmont in northern Italy. You could also consider an Australian Shiraz or even a well-made Californian Zinfandel.
Here are a few options for your consideration this weekend.
Cotes du Rhone E. Guigal 2013 (Majestic Wine Warehouse, £10.99 in a mixed six pack). Guigal is one of the all-time classic Rhone producers, making great wines in a traditional style that will suit most palates at the right price. This is a lovely wine for the festive season, and definitely worth a place or two in your wine rack at home.
Dagromis Barolo Gaja 2012 (Majestic Wine Warehouse, £54 in a mixed six pack). Oh my goodness, this is expensive but it is absolutely lovely … go on, treat yourself. It might just be the perfect bottle with Shirley’s venison. To be fair, the venison is also a little deer. Nebbiolo is the grape of the region, and named after the fog (nebbio) which rolls in over the vineyards and creates the perfect conditions for the vines, grapes and wine. You can find cheaper versions such as the Nebbiolo d’Alba Il Brumo SanSilvestro 2014 (Inverarity One to One, £12.49) which is made just a little further up the road, and therefore out-with the Barolo region. This is an exceptional bottle, and undoubtedly one of the bargains of the year.
Killibinbin The Shadow Langhorne Creek Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 (Inverarity One to One, £15.99). This is genuinely one of the best sub £20 bottles of Aussie red on the market. In fact, it’s one of the best sub £20 bottles on the market full stop. It’s perfectly balanced and very food friendly working with beef, cassoulet and (of course) venison.
Ridge Estate East Bench Sonoma Zinfandel 2014 (Majestic, £31.50). Ridge are one of the best producers in California and their wines deliver every time. The East Bench Zin is no exception and should be enjoyed with game (including venison), duck or turkey with all the trimmings. Crack a bottle on Christmas day and you won't be disappointed.
Pete Stewart is Glasgow director of Inverarity One to One, 185a Bath Street www.inveraritymorton.com
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