What to glug down during the lockdown: With supermarket booze in short supply, it’s the perfect time to go online and tempt your tastebuds with something new
- British wine shops have sold more in recent weeks than in the run up to New Year
- Helen McGinn is essential as she works from home and home schools her kids
- Mother-of-two picked out a selection of beverages for every at-home occasion
When the going gets tough, the tough get going — at least as far as the wine rack.
Wine shops are reporting their biggest sales ever. Majestic has sold more in recent weeks than in the run up to New Year’s Eve. Independent wine retailer, Yapp Brothers in Wiltshire, shifted more bottles in a single day last week than any other in its whole 51-year history.
Wine might not be on everyone’s essentials list, but it is for me right now. After a long day working from home alongside my husband while trying to manage home schooling for my children aged 15, 12 and ten and rationing the bread to make sure there’s enough for sandwiches, my evening glass is appreciated more than ever.
We’re trying to keep trips to the shops to a minimum. So to keep our wine stocks topped up, I’ve switched to home deliveries from my local independent wine shop. No wonder off licences have been belatedly added to the list of ‘essential’ quarantine suppliers by the Government.
Here are a few ideas for every at-home occasion, to keep you stocked up…
British drinks expert Helen McGinn, rounded up a selection of the best beverages for trying something new during lockdown. Pictured: Caixas Godello 2018, £8.49, Majestic.co.uk
Helen suggests Primo Rosso Appassimento 2018 (pictured left) and Felicette Grenache Noir 2018, (pictured right), for a tipple after a day at the home office
PERFECT AFTER A DAY AT THE HOME OFFICE
Caixas Godello 2018, £8.49, Majestic.co.uk
This gorgeous white is from the top left-hand corner of Spain, from the Monterrei region of Galicia. The grape is Godello and it’s crisp and fresh with citrus and ripe pear fruit flavours. Loves seafood but just as happy with a handful of salty snacks — just right for relaxing after a long, tiring day spent working from home.
Primo Rosso Appassimento 2018, £7.99, Majestic.co.uk
From the heel of Italy’s boot, Puglia, this is a cuddle in a glass. Warm and moreish, it’s made of super-ripe Primitivo grapes, bursting with intense blackcurrant fruit flavours. And there’s enough natural sugar to result in a wine with a generous whack of alcohol, 14.5 per cent to be precise.
Felicette Grenache Noir 2018, £8.99, thesolentcellar.co.uk
A joyous red from Southern France, a blissful mash-up of Grenache Noir with a splash of Syrah and Mourvedre thrown in to give it a bit of extra grip. Vibrant, juicy and moreish, it’s just what’s called for when there’s a plate of pasta and a whole evening of binge-worthy TV.
Helen said Picpoul de Pinet 2018 (pictured left) and Eekhoring Rooi 2018 (pictured right), are best for those hoping to broaden their horizons
BROADEN YOUR HORIZONS
Picpoul de Pinet 2018, Grange des Rocs, £8.70, lescaves.co.uk
The Guildford-based independent has closed its shop but the home-delivery service continues. A 15 per cent discount applies to NHS workers. Try this crisp, lively white made from the Picpoul grape in the Languedoc region in southern France.
Eekhoring Rooi 2018, £17, redsquirrelwine.com
This brilliant online wine specialist is one of my go-to places for something properly off the beaten track. Founder Nik Darlington has a nose for the good stuff, like this great red, not too heavy but full of juicy berry fruit flavours. It’s a blend of Cinsault, Shiraz and Pinotage and comes from the trendy Swartland region in South Africa. Stash some in the wine rack now.
Helen recommends stocking up on Domaine Les Filles de Septembre Rosé 2019 (pictured), as the days get warmer
Domaine Les Filles de Septembre Rosé 2019, £11.25, Yapp.co.uk
Warmer days are coming for sure, so make sure to get ahead and stock up on the rosé. This salmon-pink Southern French example is a peach — all red berry fruits with a citrus twist. It is made from a cocktail of local grapes including Cabernet Franc, Cinsault, Grenache Noir and Syrah.
Helen suggests pairing comfort food with either Castellore Italian Pecorino 2018 (pictured left) or Terre di Faiano Organic Primitivo (pictured right)
FOR PAIRING WITH COMFORT FOOD
Castellore Italian Pecorino 2018, £4.99, Aldi.co.uk
Aldi are still delivering online wine orders by the case, although you might have to wait a few extra days to get your hands on it. This juicy Italian white from the Abruzzo region, which is made from the Pecorino grape is incredible value. There’s a slight creaminess to it, making this a great match for a comforting helping of fish pie.
Terre di Faiano Organic Primitivo, £7.49 (normally £9.99), waitrosecellar.com
For now you can still get wine delivered via Waitrose’s online wine cellar. On offer, this one is the perfect accompaniment to hearty family meals like lasagne: an organic Primitivo from Puglia in southern Italy, made using dried grapes giving it extra oomph. Just what we need right now.
Helen revealed wines such as Vacqueyras Les Christins 2015 (pictured left) and Finc a Calvestra, Merseguera, Bodega Mustiguillo 2017 (pictured right) can still be delivered for celebrations
DON’T FORGET TO CELEBRATE
Vacqueyras Les Christins 2015, Famille Perrin, £15, marlo.wine
You might not be able to see friends on their birthdays but online retailer Marlo delivers fine wine by the bottle, gift-wrapped and with personalised message. Can be pricy, but there are relative bargains, like this bramble-fruit red. Free delivery on orders over £150.
Finca Calvestra, Merseguera, Bodega Mustiguillo 2017, £21.95, bbr.com
Berry Bros & Rudd, one of London’s oldest wine merchants, may have closed the doors of its shop in historic St. James’s but it is still delivering nationwide. This organic white from a family producer in Valencia in Spain is made from the local Merseguera grape, it’s all grapefruit and herbs. Stunning.
Helen said Black Chalk Classic 2016 (pictured) is a particularly good sparkling wine, made from a blend of classic champagne grapes
Black Chalk Classic 2016, £35, blackchalkwine.co.uk
Don’t forget we have a great vineyards on our doorstep . This particularly good sparkling wine is made from a blend of classic champagne grapes — Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier — the wine spends a little time on lees and in oak barrels to add weight and complexity.
Helen suggests Pinkster Gin 3l (pictured left) and Verdant Gin 70cl (pictured right), for those who want something strong
WANT SOMETHING STRONGER?
Pinkster Gin 3l, £100, pinkster gin.com
Some still sniff at wine in a box — but it might just be the best thing to happen to gin. Yes, it’s gin – and a really lovely pink one infused with fresh raspberries no less — available in a 3-litre bag in a box. Not exactly cheap but delivery is free and it contains 100 serves so it’ll keep you in good spirits for ages.
Verdant Gin 70cl, £35, verdantspirits.co.uk
Founded by ex-Formula 1 executive Andrew Mackenzie, this Dundee-based distillery has switched its production line over to making hand sanitiser to distribute, free of charge, to the local community. Aside from that the gin is excellent, unashamedly juniper-led with a serious whack of citrus. Serve with plenty of ice and a thick slice of lemon peel.
Helen recommends pairing Chapel Down Chardonnay Vodka (pictured) with tonic
Chapel Down Chardonnay Vodka, £32, chapeldown.com
Vodka made from wine grapes? This beautifully packaged spirit is made by one of the leading English wine producers and is clean and pure without a hint of burn on the throat. Mix with tonic or make a vodka martini, your call.
Helen advises those who aren’t drinking to try Slange Var 50cl (pictured left) or Aecorn Bitter 50cl (pictured right)
For when you’re not drinking
For the lunch break
Slange Var 50cl, £3.75, slangevar.com
This refreshingly good non-alcoholic tipple is made from water from The Trossachs in Scotland mixed with honey, limes and ginger. Its name means ‘good cheer’, and certainly kicks taste buds into action. Add sparkling water.
Before dinner
Aecorn Bitter 50cl, £19.99, aecordrinks.com
From the people who brought us Seedlip, the world’s first non-alcoholic ‘spirit’, this is their take on a booze-free aperitif. Basically it’s a bit like Campari, so predominantly bitter but with lots of orange fruit flavours. Mix with soda or sparkling water like an alcohol-free Spritz, garnished with a slice of orange, or sip it over ice.
Helen’s new book, The Knackered Mother’s Wine Guide, is out now (£8.99, Bluebird)
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