There are telltale signs that winter is coming. Birds fly south, creepy-crawlies move inside, and your puppy dog’s coat becomes a lot thicker.  For me, I switch to red wine. I know the rule is to drink red wine when you are eating red meat and drink white wine when you are eating white meat, but I’m not very good at following rules. They are really just guidelines anyway. It depends on individual tastes and I’m more of a white wine in warm weather, red wine in cool weather type of girl. So when the sun gets lowers in the sky, I reach for the reds.


This weekend I had an excellent red wine called Trapezio Vino Tinto. It is a 2007 blend of Malbec/Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon, from Mendoza, Argentina. The wine is smooth and rich without overpowering fruit flavours. Named for the trapezoid shape of the winery, it is a deep purple in colour. It has spent 6 months in the barrel and a further 16 months in the bottle resulting in a well-rounded wine with a long finish. I got my Trapezio from Ralph’s Wines which is based in Appleford, Abingdon. It cost £12.50, and goes perfect with a grilled steak.


Lee Isaacs, branch manager of the Oxford Wine Company’s store on Botley Road, has his own autumnal suggestions. First, he recommends the De Chansac Carignan from the South of France. He says,”It has deep berry and spices on a medium bodied palate that leaves you feeling warm, satisfied and tingly! The best thing is it’s only £7.99.”


For something that is a touch more serious, Lee suggests the Conan the Barbera from Italy. Not only does it have a great name, but according to Lee “It is big and mouth filling with raisin fruits, some sweetness and a spicy liquorice feel. This wine calls for a big leather arm chair, roaring fire and nice company.”  It costs £15.75.

 

Andrew Cashin, the General Manager of the Ashmolean Dining room has a new autumn favourite, the Artazuri Garnacha from the Navarra region in Spain. He says it tastes of spice, pepper with notes of strawberry and fennel, a “must try” for £18.

Upcoming events:

  • We are in the midst of London Cocktail week. It finishes on Sunday, 14 October so there is still time for the workshops, master classes and tastings across the capital. Visit http://www.diffordsguide.com/london-cocktail-week

  • Monday 15 October, 8PM- The Oxford Alcademics is going to taste the range of Jim Beam bourbons at Raoul’s on Walton Street. This is free to anyone interested in learning more about the spirit, and attendees are entitled to a 30% discount on drinks the rest of the night. My suggestion is get there early.