York Festival of Food and Drink preview

11:13am Saturday 6th September 2008

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In this week’s Tipping’s Tipples, MIKE TIPPING looks forward to the York Festival of Food and Drink, and recommends three wines from a featured supplier.

YORK Festival of Food and Drink kicks-off in just under a fortnight. If I listed all the events of interest to winebibbers in the drinks programme, it would take up far too much space, so it’s probably easiest just to log on to the festival website (www.yorkfoodfestival.co.uk).

But I will mention that on September 24 at the Guildhall, there is a “Wine on the High Street Tasting”. I didn’t get to the same event last year, but I’ve heard good things about it. It follows the format of a trade-style tasting. Visitors are given a glass on arrival and are then free to wander from table to table, tasting whatever takes their fancy. One of the stores represented is Waitrose and coincidentally the supermarket chain has some good offers on wine this month.

There are nearly 50 wines this year in Waitrose’s annual New World Wine Showcase. It’s easily the most interesting of the supermarket wine promotions, and a great opportunity to re-stock the wine rack.

If you don’t fancy the trip over to Harrogate (the nearest branch to York), the wines are also available through Waitrose Wine Direct (www.waitrosewine.com). I’ve picked a white, red and rosé out from the selection, which are on offer until September 28.

You won’t believe how much flavour can be packed in to a white wine until you try D’Arenberg “The Hermit Crab” Viognier Marsanne 2006. This crisp, utterly delicious McClaren Vale blend of Rhône varietals has honeysuckle aromas, with perfumed notes of apricot, nectarine, ginger, mustard, petrol and a mineral rich, long finish.

Montes “Cherub” Rosé of Syrah 2008 has a beautiful, spring meadow freshness, and does a great job of retaining the characteristics of the syrah. So much so that this rosé, from the Colchagua Valley in Chile, almost tastes like a red. Pulsing with forward cherry and strawberry flavours, spiced with crushed nettle, a twist of lemon and a sprinkling of black pepper, this wine will delight even those who claim not to drink pink.

Staying with the syrah/shiraz theme, fans of the powerful Aussie-style take on the grape will like The Hedonist Shiraz 2005. It may not conjure up many surprises, but it’s good drinking whatever, with fine tannins, forest fruit flavours, dark chocolate, coffee and vanilla. It doesn’t skimp on the toasted oak either.

D’Arenberg “The Hermit Crab” Viognier Marsanne 2006, £6.74 down from £8.99 at Waitrose 19/20.

Montes “Cherub” Rosé of Syrah 2008, £6.74 down from £8.99 at Waitrose 19/20.

The Hedonist Shiraz 2005, McLaren Vale, £8.99 down from £11.99 at Waitrose 17/20