Wine to buy now
Searching for an easy drinker or a fine wine to surprise your palate? Zürich-based writer Chandra Kurt presents her selection of bottles to uncork, share or add to your cellar in 2022.
Apéritif
Perlwein Fritz Müller, Müller-Thurgau, Trocken
Rheinhessen, Germany
You might find that this lightly sparkling number becomes your best friend. It revives the palate like spring water with an added hit of fresh fruit. Very refreshing indeed.
Costs: €8
Apéritif
Blanc de Noir 2016, Extra Brut, Tom Litwan
Aargau, Switzerland
Swiss biodynamic fizz-maker and wine-maker Tom Litwan creates oenological highlights that are well worth discovering. This is a precise and delicate pinot noir.
Costs: €35
White
Riesling 2018, Tenuta San Leonardo
Trentino, Italy
The Guerrieri Gonzaga family launched this charismatic riesling a few years ago. A noble, elegant alpine white with minerality, freshness and citrus notes.
Costs: €35
White
Zieregg 2015, Ried, Weingut Tement
Südsteiermark, Austria
Spontaneously fermented and aged for up to 24 months in burgundy barrels, this Weisser Burgunder is pure pleasure. One of Austria’s great whites, it can be kept and aged for years.
Costs: €55
White
Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Accendo Cellars
Napa Valley, California
A collector’s item. Biodynamic with hints of jasmine, honeysuckle and green apple. The best sauvignon blanc from the former owners of California’s Araujo winery.
Costs: €55
White
Dézaley Grand Cru 2020, Récolte Choisie, Patrick Fonjallaz
Lavaux, Switzerland
Pure, mineral, rich chasselas from the Unesco-protected Lavaux region. Keeps for decades and spoils the palate (well) with notes of candied apricots and honey.
Costs: €40
White
Piemme 2018, Fattoria Le Pupille
Tuscany, Italy
Elisabetta Geppetti’s new limited-edition bottle. Pure petit manseng with notes of chamomile, white flowers and alpine herbs. A rich finish. Decant and serve in big glasses.
Costs: €89
White
Cadran 2020, Château Monestier La Tour
Bergerac, France
This blend of sauvignon blanc, sémillon and muscadelle is a pure vin de soif (easy drinker). Serve very well chilled. You’ll find that a case empties in no time.
Costs: €12
White
Bacchus 2019, Kit’s Coty, Chapel Down
Kent, England
I always surprise my guests with this tropical white from the UK. Very aromatic with lychee and peach aromatics. Named after the Roman god of hedonism and wine.
Costs: €30
White
Skerpioen 2020, Eben Sadie
Swartland, South Africa
Eben Sadie is a visionary wine-maker. He creates South African wines with unique profiles and characteristics. This blend of chenin blanc and palomino is vigorous with a salty, dry touch.
Costs: €45
Red
Ipsus 2016, Caggio, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Tuscany, Italy
The second vintage of the new Tuscan star of the Mazzei family. Worth the vertiginous price tag. Full-bodied and of great intensity, it’s rare, limited in production and as good as it gets.
Costs: €300
Red
La Quinta 2019, Podere Giodo, IGT
Tuscany, Italy
Top oenologist Carlo Ferrini creates lesser-known Tuscan gems. This pure sangiovese red is fragrant, fruity and charismatic.
Costs: €40
Red
Colledilà 2018, Barone Ricasoli, Chianti Classico Gran Selezione
Tuscany, Italy
This new Tuscan brings out all the complexity of the sangiovese grape: you’ll taste gooseberries and black cherries.
Costs: €50
Red
Jiménez-Landi 2019, El Corralón
Sierra de Gredos, Spain
Blueberry and blackberry notes. A biodynamic blend of grenache and syrah from vines between 15 and 70 years old and about 650m above sea level.
Costs: €14
Red
Sancerre 2018, Charlouise, Vincent Pinard
Sancerre, France
This pinot noir might even convert devoted lovers of burgundy to the delights of the Sancerre region. The wine is powerful, with notes of cherries, black tea, cloves and pepper.
Costs: €42
Red
Kistler 2018, Pinot Noir
Sonoma Coast, California
This is one of my favourite pinot noirs from California. It sings with understatement, finesse and fruitiness. For those who know it, this is California’s answer to Chambolle-Musigny.
Costs: €89
Red
Trousseau 2019, En Treize Vent, Château d’Arlay
Jura, France
If you like barolo, cabernet franc or gamay, then it’s worth trying a trousseau. Decant and enjoy the floral and spicy bouquet. This historic estate is well worth a visit too.
Costs: €16
Red
Pinot Noir F 2015, Domaine Paul Blanck
Alsace, France
Elegant, dense with aromas of red cherries and chocolate. From the Fürstentum Grand Cru terroir, this is a good red to accompany poultry dishes or terrines.
Costs: €26
Red
Blaufränkisch 2019, Rosi Schuster
Burgenland, Austria
New-generation wine-maker Hannes Schuster created this ravishing, energetic red. Deep, spicy, ripe blackberries and juniper. Spontaneously fermented. My new house wine.
Costs: €14
Red
Rodríguez & Sanzo 2018, Whisba
Castilla y León, Spain
A wine for whisky lovers – the grapes are aged for 18 months in whisky barrels. A flashy, extroverted treat with a concentrated fruity punch. Good for strong palates.
Costs: €25
Red
Abouriou 2018, Domaine du Haut-Planty
Loire, France
The result of 24-month oak ageing, this is a punchy, volcanic red with notes of sour cherries, raspberries, wild herbs and mint chocolate. An oenological outsider but many will adore it.
Costs: €21
Dessert wine
Ruby Port, Niepoort
Porto, Portugal
This fresh, young and expressive port is superbly quaffable and is a pleasure for long winter nights, and never becomes too sweet or cloying.
Costs: €10
Dessert wine
Adorado de Menade, Solera
Castilla y Léon, Spain
An unusual sherry-style fortified white. Funky, complex and spicy with a saline finish. A blend of palomino and verdejo that’s perfect if the nights are cold and long.
Costs: €50
