Soon enough Kato and I will be off to explore more of Portugal – and do Kato's March Painting Classes in Portugal – so these will be the last wine picks till April. Enjoy! You can also find my past wine recommendations here.
Next month we will be announcing details of our 2021 TOURS. Maybe in time for a wow! surprise for your Valentine.
Many thanks for your support. May your life be always happy, and may you never be without a full heart – and a wet mouth!
Billy
THANKS GEORGES!
Georges Duboeuf brightened our lives with bright red wine and even brighter labels. He made Beaujolais the go-to wine when the mood was lively and fun. And he elevated Beaujolais Nouveau night into one of the world’s best parties. Ask anyone who attended my backyard bashes. Starry nights for sure.
Georges passed away early in January, and by pure coincidence, his Village-Beaujolais is currently on sale. So why not grab a few bottles, some brie, a baguette – and toast the man who brought us so many fun times. Lightly chill the wine, pretend you’re having a picnic . . . and slay anyone who says the wine is “a bit light”.
GEORGES DUBOEUF 17 Beaujolais-Villages 122077 $14.95 ($12.95 till Feb 2)
MY KIND OF SOFT SMOOTH RED
Soft, smooth reds are not my thing as most of them are doctored to impress. Shades of processed food. The wine below however, delivers a refreshingly humble edition of smooth – think Euro café wine. The kind you want to keep drinking. So be warned! Sure to put a shine on your Winter nights. Lightly chill.
EL ABUELO 18 Almansa, Spain 524520 $9.95
PORTUGUESE HOUSE RED
Below is one of the largest selling red wines in Portugal. The locals like the rustic, no-nonsense style and low price ($3 over there). I like it too for the same reasons. It’s medium-bodied and very gulpable when lightly chilled. And partners well with almost any food. I particularly like the absence of the contrived/sweetness in most New World wines in this low price category.
BACALHAO 18 ‘JP’, Azeitao, Setubal, Portugal 286195 $8.75
SOUTH OF FRANCE DOES MERLOT
Occitanie is the old name for the South Western part of France now called Languedoc-Roussilon. This wine could not be more Merlot – yummy to drink with rich flavours and heartwarming feelings. Perfect for winter. But, what I like is the tangy dryness that tempers the niceness. And makes for a good food partnering. Think Merlot with a French tang. Or should that be twang!
JEAN CLAUDE MAS 18 Merlot ‘Les Tannes en Occitanie’, Sud de France 582783 $12.75
BARBERA AGAIN
Just in case you’re running low, Bertani Barbera is on sale – again. You can never have enough Barbera! So much vitality – the ultimate Italian red. Pass the pasta.
BERTANI 16 Barbera, Piedmont, Italy 348680 $14.05 ($11.55 till Feb 2)
YOU MUST TRY THIS AMAZING ITALIAN WHITE!
No lecture this time on the greatness of Italian whites because there is no time to lose. Those in the know are already out there grabbing all they can find of this ‘absolutely delicious’ wine. An amazing amount of character without heavy richness or high alcohol. Guaranteed to bring on a good mood.
IL POGIO GUERRIERO 17 Falanghina ‘Beneventano’, Campania, Italy 10950 Vintages $15.95
