Rioja v Claret (From The Northern Echo)

Rioja v Claret

2:57pm Thursday 28th August 2008 in

• Skip social links
• Print
• Email
• Comments(0)

Wine is of course a matter of taste and there are many types of Rioja and even more of Claret.

The Rioja this week, from Ramon Lopez Murillo, is a “reserva” aged for at least three years - in oak for one year or more.

It’s five years old now and in my opinion just right for drinking, preferably with red meat or game. It’s 13 per cent alcohol and rich in fruit and soft tannins and is on the shelves at Aldi for £4.99.

The claret has the denomination Medoc, indicating that the part of Bordeaux it comes from is the west bank of the Gironde - usually the northern part or Bas Medoc.

The label just says Medoc 2006. It actually comes from the good company of Calverts.

It’s 12.5 per cent alcohol and is termed a chateaux selection. The blend is 60 per cent cabernet sauvignon and 30 per cent merlot, which gives an elegant aroma of crushed raspberries and ripe cherries.

The label recommends that it‘s drunk with turkey or lamb. This one is also from Aldi at £4.99.