Behind the Label with Vernon Banham of Jarrolds – November 2024
This month, let’s dive into the fascinating journey of Malbec—a grape that evolved from a secondary Bordeaux variety in France into the flagship wine of Argentina, the largest wine-producing country in the Southern Hemisphere.
Originally, Malbec was a prominent grape in France, especially up until the mid-1800s when a devastating aphid infestation, known as phylloxera, swept across Europe.
November Wine of the Month - Red
2021 Yalumba Samuel’s Collection Bush Vine Grenache Barossa Valley, Australia
Yalumba wines were founded by Samuel Smith over 170 years ago and are still proudly independent, predominantly made from Grenache the workhorse grape of Rioja and the Rhone, it also has a little Shiraz and Mataro added to balance the wine perfectly.
This food-loving wine is medium bodied but deeply rewarding, the term house wine does not do it justice. But you could call it your go-to wine as it works with many dishes. The lingering delicate spice and berry fruit flavours of plum cake, dark cherry and rhubarb live long on the palate.
Normal price: £19 - Wine club price: £15
November wine of the month - White
2023 San Silvestro ‘fossil’ Gavi del Concure di Gavi - Piedmont Italy - 12.5% vol
A timeless classic and the best-known wine made from the Cortese grape, as a variety, it is not very robust but the hillsides which surround the town of Gavi provide the very best conditions to obtain the best from this variety. The rich soils of the vineyards are well known also for the abundance of fossils from where this cuvee takes its name.
This crisp white wine shows incredible mineral, zesty and floral notes, with a hint of spice. Prominent mineral characters linger on the deliciously mouthwatering finish.
Can be enjoyed with fish, chicken, or vegetarian dishes with equal pleasure.
Normal price: £16.30 - Wine club price: £13