Wines of the week: Lucero Syrah 2008; Knappstein Clare Valley Riesling 2010; Chapel Down NV Reserve Brut
Terry Kirby selects the best bottles to buy
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Lucero Syrah 2008
An exceptionally well-made, cool-climate, slightly oaked Syrah from Chile's Casablanca Valley that tastes and feels much more like a big northern Rhône wine than a wild New World Shiraz. Really sumptuous, intense flavours of black fruits, dark chocolate and pepper, together with a good, long finish make this a wine to savour with roast lamb, particularly if studded with garlic and anchovies. £15.99, Marks & Spencer
Midweek meal
Knappstein Clare Valley Riesling 2010
Yes, there is a lot of petrol and just some floral notes on the nose here, but that is what lovers of Aussie Riesling like and they tend to do it best in the Clare Valley. Plenty of crisp lemon-and-lime flavours that tingle the palate and make for a wonderfully clean and refreshing wine perfect with prawns, crab cakes or light chicken and pork dishes. £9.49, majestic.co.uk (as part of a minimum purchase of six bottles); £10.50, slurp.co.uk (2011 vintage)
Bargain basement
Chapel Down NV Reserve Brut
An excellent deal on a wine previously recommended in this column that can now be snapped up for 25 per cent off, ideal for stocking up for the festive season. Multi-award-winning, made in Kent by the méthode champenoise and full of bright, green-fruit flavours, it is a fabulous example of the remarkable sparkling wines being made in England. £12.74, Waitrose (from Wednesday to 8 November; normally £16.99)
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