Red Belly Black Shiraz

Thirsty work

Fancy a drink? Our drinks columnist Sam Wylie-Harris celebrates British Food Fortnight (September 17 to October 2) with some champion wines to suit our favourite foods By Sam Wylie-Harris.

A toast to the best of British.

In my seasonal diary, our rich banquet of fresh fare comes into its own this time of year, and British Food Fortnight (September 17 to October 2) is a marvellous excuse to crack open a gratifying bottle of wine, and raise a glass to quintessentially British cuisine.

County to county, supporting our local butchers, greengrocers and farmers' markets by seeking out ingredients from our green and pleasant land calls for the right grape, to complement our tasty plate.

For a sparkling start to British Food Fortnight's 10th anniversary, uncork a bottle of Kent's best bubbles, Chapel Down Vintage Reserve Brut (£17.99, Waitrose). Seafood friendly, this crisp, feisty fizz with citrus, appley notes, and a subtle toasty finish is the perfect match with Dover sole and mashed potato.

Creamy fish classics, such as fish pie or home-cooked kedgeree, suit a crisp sauvignon blanc. Song & Dance Margaret River SBS 2010, Australia (£8.49, www.laithwaites.co.uk) is a delicious blend of sauvignon blanc and semillon, with a gooseberry herbaceousness, passion fruit flavours and enough minerality to balance out the salt and smoky flavours of the haddock.

Having friends over for supper with a menu of pork belly and plenty of greens? Try a pleasant riesling with enough weight to stand up to the meat, acidity to cut the fat, and a gentleness that comes with graceful ageing. Try Annie's Lane Riesling 2006, Clare Valley, Australia (£7.99, www.binends.com) for a delicate glass with great purity of fruit and freshness.

If you prefer a red with your roast pork and crackling, or Lancashire hot pot, a soft, fruity southern Rhone blend is a good choice. Try Domaine Pere Vignal Cotes Du Rhone 2010, France (£6.99, www.laithwaites.co.uk) - the supplier, Laithwaites, has just romped home with the IWC 2011 award for Direct Merchant of the Year, and this medium-bodied red is testament to its prize picks from the grapevine.

The Wine Commonsewer: 2005 Red Belly Black Shiraz

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Good Morning Gentle Readers,

If you like Hiram Walker Blackberry Brandy then this is your wine. A thick, syrupy, medicinal, Fumey (isopropyl rights), Shiraz peppery smell that breathes well grenadine syrup.

Could you make a Singapore Sling or Tequila Sunrise with her? I guess not, then there is Mr. Walker.

For the record, there was a time when the best Tequila Sunrise* to be had (at any price) was at TWC's place.

It is getting better with air (breathing) but I'm not sure it's ever going to be worth the asking price of ten to thirteen dollars US. Simply put, there are a million good wines in that price range and in order to make this work, it would have to be your personal passion. It won't be everyone's.

Red

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