I have been selected as a member for the 4th panel of the ALDI wine club. An exclusive tasting panel made up of ALDI shoppers with a passion for wine. This is my sixth review…

Philippe Michel: Crèmant Du Jura, Chardonnay 2012

Wine Fairy alert!!!! I may have slipped up here. I was saving this particular bottle for a week on Sunday (23rd to be exact) as I’m doing a charity trail trekking event on Saturday (63 miles in under 30 hours). This was supposed to be my celebratory drink at the finish line! Where did it all go wrong? Al’ tell thee….

Saturday morning arrived too soon, I had my final big training walk to do in preparation for the forthcoming weekend. So the walk was refreshing, the sun was shining, there was crispness in the air and the scenery was grand. Having got up at the crack of dawn the walk was done by 11.30 which now left me with the task of shopping for food that would not only excite our taste buds but satisfy the hunger that had suddenly entered into our systems. It had to be a little something as it was a special lady’s birthday today too so there could be cake (my inner wine fairy is in the cupboard searching for candles) – so off I went!

The table was an overwhelming site with freshly cooked breads (still warm), homemade pate, a selection of tempting meats and a dish filled with beautifully coloured olives (all purchased from our local Farm Shop!) 

I set the table along with wine glasses when I suddenly thought that maybe today should be celebrated with fizz? (Instantly my inner wine fairy was giving me a pat on the back!). So back went the glasses and out came the flutes! Now as fizz goes, I have a list I tend to stick to which steers more towards Prosecco mainly because I find that most sparkling wines/champagnes are a little harsh for me, which is not what my inner wine fairy needs to hear.  

The food is a hit, not to mention a welcome surprise after our long walk. The sun was shining so we filled our plates and headed out for some well deserved alfresco dining! It’s funny how a little sunshine coupled with good food and banter can instantly make you feel on top of the world. The Chardonnay was perfect, it tasted just like champagne, dry but not too intense. Appley flavours filled my mouth (Appley is not a word, and should only be used in Yorkshire context) and was then replaced with the mild hints of tropical goodness.  As all wine fairies know there has to be plenty of bubbles and this didn’t disappoint, my guests were suitably impressed, however, for me it would appear that it was too dry. My inner wine fairy slumps and hiccups her way to the medicine cabinet to unfortunately get the Rennies :(

Price Point is reasonable at £7.29 per bottle. In fact, scratch that it’s a reet good deal! This sparkling wine will see you right for any occasion and let’s face it, blindfolded you wouldn’t know the difference between that and champagne, so you’re quid’s in. As my wine fairies know, I love a certain packaging that Aldi do, but I’ll go all out and say that this one gives it a run for its money! The bottle is very dark which instantly makes the beautifully scrolled gold lettering and contrasting vibrant pillar box red label detail stand out (a definite head turner).  In a nutshell it looks the part.

Serving Tip from the Yorkshire Wine Fairy: For me any good fizz whether sparkling wine, champagne or processco should be enjoyed with special foods, foods of choice as I call them – your favourites!  We always associate these types of drinks with special occasions well why not have a bottle just because the sun is shining, or because it’s a Saturday? Or better yet...why not try this Chardonnay because the Yorkshire Wine Fairy said so?! Decide for yourself, could it give your favourite champers a run for its money?

Duncan is out topping up his tan and trying to walk in a straight line, think someone has been sniffing the bubbles for too long…‘Na then Wine Fairy, does tha have any of tha bread left. I’m feeling a tad drunk, too much sun tha knows’...that sun can cause problems! Until the next time my wine fairies...

I have been selected as a member for the 4th panel of the ALDI wine club. An exclusive tasting panel made up of ALDI shoppers with a passion for wine. This is my fifth review…

The Exquisite Collection: Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, Limestone Coast 2013

Well my wine fairies, it’s been a busy week in Yorkshire. So what better way to unwind than with a nice glass of wine and home cooked food. Not feeling fantastic due to the early signs of a cold, I can’t make my mind up on what I actually fancy food or wine wise (my inner wine fairy is slumped in a chair, tissues at the ready, contemplating Covonia and Strepsils).

So after staring into the fridge for what seemed like forever, I opt for food that doesn’t require a lot of faffing around! Into the slow cooker goes a beautiful piece of beef. Now what to do for the next 8 hours………It’s not long before the house is filled with beautiful aromas, beef (just like nan used to make), roast potatoes with rosemary, honey glazed roasted carrots. My sense of smell has not left the building yet so my taste buds are excited. Tonight’s wine is an Australian Cabernet Sauvignon, it’s all ready and on the table, opened and ready to pour. It’s 7.30pm, time to plate up this hearty meal.

I try the beef which just melts in my mouth - my inner wine fairy lets out a happy sigh and pushes me in the direction to take a mouthful of wine. It’s quite a light wine, but has good legs (to my surprise my wine fairy is up! She has a spring in her step and wants a little more – for medicinal purposes of course), so without further ado I oblige – after all what kind of a wine fairy would I be if I didn’t help a friend in need? The wine is rich in flavour (which I like), with deep purple fruits which linger in my mouth. Its smooth velvety texture compliments the beef without being overpowering. I would say that this is a medium bodied wine, and is easy to drink.

Price Point is a steal at £6.49 per bottle! This is a good wine for entertaining at home. The packaging is once again a favourite of mine in trademark Blue and Gold.  For me I think this is one for buying in bulk, in fact here at YWF HQ we are considering this as a Christmas wine cellar filler!

Serving Tip from the Yorkshire Wine Fairy:

Well if like me you’ve had the week from hell, and all you want to do is get cosy and snuggle up (whether with a loved one or a bottle), then this would be my choice. I instantly felt relaxed and chilled out with what can only be described as a feel good wine and feel good comfort food (like Christmas Day, when you know you’ve eaten far too much and need a little power nap). Whether you have this with a traditional Roast Dinner or Cottage Pie, this wine will put a smile on your face.

The wanderer has returned from the pond with some colour in his feathers! “Na then lass, I’m in the mood for a nightcap. Any chance of a small glass?!” hmmmm, he’s only been back two minutes! Until next time my Wine Fairies...eat, drink and be merry!

I have been selected as a member for the 4th panel of the ALDI wine club. An exclusive tasting panel made up of ALDI shoppers with a passion for wine. This is my fourth review…

Côtes De Provence: Rosé

Getting into holiday mode I've decided that tapas is on tonight's menu! I love being able to have a spoonful (or two) of various dishes, and its a fantastic way to experience an abundance of different flavours all in one sitting!

On the drinks menu we have the Côtes De Provence Rosé (my inner wine fairy is currently packing her bags and leaving the building!). Why? Well I've never been a Rosé fan - I've always felt that it's a wine that doesn't know what it wants to be, so I tend to stay clear. So here I go on a new adventure to experience the the unknown grey area of pink!

Our table is set! Chorizo, spicy beef, potato bravas, lamb koftas to name but a few. My plate looks delightful! Exciting. Can I say the same for my glass?...... Yes I can!

This smooth, subtle rosé has wonderful hints of strawberries and grapes. It feels to have spicy aftertastes too but that could just be the food, either way it's a winner and I'm impressed! My palette is just an explosion of flavours, all enjoyable and making me quite giddy (my inner Wine Fairy has not only unpacked, but she too is now in holiday mode).

Price point is a surprise at £5.99 per bottle (I thought it would be more). The packaging is the classic exquisite collection look. Very elegant and the blue and gold against the pink looks eye catching.

Serving Tip from The Yorkshire Wine Fairy:

Get your maracas ready, it's tapas time! Cook all of your favourite dishes and bring them to the table, trust me this wine can handle them! Make sure this wine is enjoyed with your favourite peeps (like the films, all sat around a big table, laughing, crying, having fun but most of all just making memories)

Duncan the Duck is currently sunning his feathers in the cotes de pond, so Sven the Stag has stepped in. "This wine reminds me of myself... Refined, smooth, elegant ....." Hmmm think I prefer the duck!

Until the next time my wine fairies...

I have been selected as a member for the 4th panel of the ALDI wine club. An exclusive tasting panel made up of ALDI shoppers with a passion for wine. This is my third review…

Venturer: Cotes De Gascogne 2014

Having read the label on the wine it says ‘a great match to white fish’ - any excuse to have my trademark fish curry! The kitchen is filled with a wonderful aroma. I love this dish as its very light and full of flavour, if not a little spicy. The weather has been atrocious of late so tonight’s tea just might put a smile on this little fairy’s face.

The wine is suitably chilled so I pour myself a glass (well, it would be rude not to!) whilst the curry is in its final stages. Instantly I can taste the sharp citrus flavours, it’s very lemony (if that’s a word). I plate up the food and sit down to eat. Taking a mouthful of curry I wash it down with a sip of wine. It does work really well and seems to intensify the flavours even more…I’m in heaven.

Now here it comes...for me this wine is to be enjoyed with food. Its flavours were too sharp for my palette on its own, I almost found it sour. If you’re like me once a bottle is opened in our house it’s very rare that it is unfinished (anyone from Yorkshire knows, it’s there to be drunk and to be enjoyed). On finishing my tea I put the bottle back into the fridge, so as you can imagine my inner wine fairy was slightly confused, disorientated and shaking her head at me at this point.

The following evening whilst I was on my own, I decided to have what was left of the curry with another glass – once again I thoroughly enjoyed it, but couldn’t drink it once I had finished my meal.

Price point is good at £4.79 per bottle. The packaging was simple yet elegant in cream and gold, but still looked the part.

Serving Tip from The Yorkshire Wine Fairy:

Get your receipe books out and be adventurous – might I suggest a trademark fish curry of your very own? Whatever fish dish you decide upon, it will be a good accompaniment.  

Obviously every wine can’t be on your top ten, and unfortunately for me as enjoyable as it was with my meal, it was simply too sharp on its own. Why not try it yourself? Duncan on the other hand…‘Aye up lass, it’s not like you to leave a drop! Is tha feeling ok?’…....Cheeky Duck! Until the next time my wine fairies...