36 8 DECEMBER 2022 PIERPAOLO PETRASSI Partner & Master of Wine International Wine and Spirits Competition (IWSC) Wine Supermarket of the Year 2022 Wine list Food&Drink S CAN T HI S CODE TO S HOP T HE WI NE S OFFER OFFER OFFER OFFER OFFER Hubert Brochard is a fourth-generation family run business dating back to the 1900s. For this wine, Sauvignon Blanc grapes are sourced from vineyards on the best hills of villages around Chavignol, and used to create a classic, elegant Sancerre with white fruit aromas, and pure citrus and mineral avours. Great with seafood or soft goat’s cheese. GIFTING BOTTLES Hubert Brochard Sancerre £19.99/75cl (selected stores) Frei Brothers Cabernet Sauvignon SAVE £4 £14.99/75cl (was £18.99) Pol Roger Brut Réserve NV SAVE £8 £43.99/75cl (was £51.99) Courvoisier Cognac VS SAVE £7 £26/70cl (was £33) Maybe I’mbiased, but I always think drinks gifts are some of the nicest you can receive. They don’t have to be something you would usually buy yourself and best of all, you can enjoy sharing them. Classics such as a fine Cognac or a good Champagne will always go down well, or if you want something a little bit di erent, look for a wine or spirit that has a bit of a story to it (like the King’s Ginger, below). If buying for a wine lover and you know what they like, it can be fun to choose a variation on that – the same grape but from a di erent country, perhaps, or a less well-known wine froma region they like. Never feel intimidated if you’re choosing for someone who knows a lot about wine – despitemy job, I’malways delighted and flattered when someone goes to the bother of choosing a bottle for me, and I thinkmost wine lovers would say the same, too. And remember that the drinks specialist in your local Waitrose store will always be happy to help you choose a bottle – just ask next time you’re shopping. The warm, sunny days and cool, breezy nights of California’s Alexander Valley are perfect for ripening elegant reds. Here, there’s juicy freshness (from a portion of whole berry fermentation) with aromas of cassis and summerpudding fruit. Aromas of cedar and tobacco leaf align with velvety, integrated tannins, making it ideal with rich meat dishes or braised vegetables. Founded in 1849, Pol Roger is blended from 30 still wines and spends a minimum of three years in the deep cellars beneath Épernay, northern France. Full and rich yet fresh, and beautifully balanced with great depth of avour, it’s loved by those who prefer a richer Champagne style. It exudes class and is ideal for special occasions such as Christmas and New Year gatherings. A rich, smooth Cognac with ne depth of avour, hints of oak, and subtle fruit tones, made mainly from Fins Bois Cognacs. Legend has it that Napoleon Bonaparte took cases of Courvoisier with him into exile in the 1800s, hence the sobriquet ‘Le Cognac de Napoleon’. If you’re looking for a festive drinks gift, our wine expert has some excellent ideas El Dorado 12 Year OldRum SAVE £10 £29.50/70cl (was £39.50, selected stores) The King’s Ginger Liqueur SAVE £4 £20/50cl (was £24) El Dorado is an exceptional rum for the price. It’s packed with delicious avours of caramelised exotic fruits sprinkled with demerara sugar. Ripe, rich and elegant, this is so smooth that it’s wonderful sipped slowly over ice, and also works well in a variety of cocktails. The King’s Ginger Liqueur was specially formulated by Berry Bros & Rudd in 1903 for King Edward VII, to ‘energise His Majesty during rides in his new horseless carriage’ – a Daimler. This rich, zesty, golden nectar has a spicy ginger note and is stunning in cocktails. PIERPAOLO’S EXCLUSIVE RECOMMENDATIONS For an even wider choice of wines and spirits than you’ll nd in store, order from waitrosecellar.com. You can buy single bottles, compile your own case of wine or choose from cases put together by our experts, including monthly o ers. Collect your order from your local Waitrose store, have it delivered to you, or simply scan the QR code to shop the wines Pierpaolo recommends each week. O ers end 1 January. Prices correct at time of going to print. Selected stores. Subject to availability.
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