The hidden jewels of the North
Hello Club Members!
This week is shaping up to be a good one so far and as always, I have planned so much! Cafes to visit, restaurants to try, wine bars, and jazz..must schedule in some sleep too.
I am still out and about in the big city up North, so today’s post is slightly shorter than usual but I can’t wait to share with you my discoveries next week. And I promise, there will be more wine involved than usual.
If you have missed any part of our journey so far, why don’t you head to our Home page where you can find reviews, tips and our favourite wines, all in one place.
Today’s mood calls for ….
Some jewels from the North
That vineyard trip last weekend seems so far away now but I never shared with you our wine choices after harvest. I wanted to get something that friend hasn’t tried; something slightly unusual, something that won’t jump off the shelf, unless you have tried it before.
El Jardin De Ana Godello, this gentle, peaceful white from Galicia was the perfect start to the evening (after the usual glass of Crémant of course). Albariño might be the most famous grape variety from Spain but Godello can be every bit as good.
Lightly perfumed with jasmine and chamomille, it has a touch of creaminess to it. But those zingy tangerine and grapefruit flavours will make this wine so lively and fresh and will leave you wondering why you never heard of it… The wildflower aromas and minerality bring so much calm to the glass, it is hard to imagine now that this variety almost died out 50 years ago, until, luckily for all of us, has been rescued and replanted.
And the price? £10.50/bottle but only £9 with Tesco Clubcard, which makes this hidden gem an amazing discovery on a Friday night.
(Available at Tesco’s nationwide )
Name: El Jardin De Ana Godello
Origin: Monterrei, Galicia
Grape: Godello
ABV: 12.5%
Notes: Perfumed with jasmine and chamomille, aromas of grapefruit and tangerine. Great minerality, concentrated aromas, long finish
Price: £10.50/bottle or only £9 with Clubcard
Recommend with: This one is great as an aperitif or just to enjoy with friends but a good choice to go with seafood
Where: Tesco’s nationwide
More whites from the North?
Northern Italy, Veneto provided our second bottle and as someone said in the past, it was a delightful dance of flavours in the bottle.
This Soave Classico has so much richness and complexity, way more than you would expect from a bottle that is only £8.25! Crafted primarily from 100% Garganega grapes with notes of ripened peaches, green apples and a touch of almond. A surprising hint of nutmeg was very much welcomed!
It is quiet and reserved at the same time, but not afraid to stand up when it has something worthwhile to say. Charming, confident and elegant; an overlooked Italian masterpiece for wine enthusiasts.
Name: Tesco Finest Soave Classico Superiore
Origin: Veneto, Italy
Grape: Garganega
ABV: 13%
Notes: Ripened peaches, green apples, almond blossom and a hint of nutmeg. Dry, great minerality, rich and complex
Where: Tesco’s nationwide, £8.25
I hope you don’t mind waiting for my usual post about, well, wine. I still have a few more places to visit, and some more wines to sample but I will be back on Tuesday and will share it with you all.
But I let you on a little secret: champagne is way cheaper up North!
Next time…
City stories, discoveries, that champagne up North and I still need to tell you the story about the fruity red!!
Have a grape weekend!
The 4pm Club