Menu of the Month July: WIN a case of wine worth over £200
This month we have an exclusive giveaway of a 12-bottle case of wine from WineTrust to match each course of our Menu of the Month for July
The wines have been carefully chosen by WineTrust Master of Wine Nick Adams, and with such a mixture of ingredients in our menu, Nick has selected wines to complement the combination of goats' cheese and roasted vegetables with the spicy dressing in our starter; salmon served with a sweet, very green mayonnaise flavoured with summer herbs in our main course, and a sweet and tangy dessert wine to complement the sharp, distinctive taste of gooseberries in Delia's one crust gooseberry pie.
These wines are part of the WineTrust list, sourced by experts, for people who want to enjoy, and not worry about wine. Find out more at winetrust100.co.uk. To be eligible you must sign up to receive our newsletter, see below for more details.
Delia's starter looks a lovely dish - with a nice spicy edge to it. This needs a punchy, dry white that maybe also has a slightly spicy note to it, or a crisp, rosé with a bit of "bite" - so two suggestions.
The Greek Malagousia may not be familiar but it has wonderful texture and style - dry with exotic fruit flavours, with notes of dried apricot and mango. Quite rich, but in no way heavy. The Rosé is from the Loire Valley's last (eastern) outpost and is a delight. Made from a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay, it is dry with bold, English Summer Pudding berry flavours - really crisp and fruity with a hint of pepper.
Salmon is a real classic, which captures the mood of summer. This pairing cries out for a classic weightier dry white wine (not least with the Mayonnaise accompaniment). I feel we need to go the Chardonnay route here, but not too oaky or heavy.
The Chablis is an absolute classic from a small family owned Domaine. Bone dry, with pristine citric and stone fruit qualities, along with a fine chalky note - a classic partner to this sort of fish dish.
The Casas del Bosque Reserva Chardonnay from Chile's cool climate Casablanca Valley is richer than the Chablis, but still measured and balanced, with more tropical fruit notes. It will work particularly well with the mayonnaise element in this dish.
Gooseberries are one of the country's great, often forgotten fruits (they make fabulous jam). With their sharp, tangy green fruit character you need a sweet and tangy wine to complement. The Muscat de Rivesaltes from Domaine Cazes, in the South of France, has lively exotic fruit flavours, notes of rosewater and elderflower and a nice texture to go with the semolina element.
The WineTrust 12-bottle mixed case has summer very much in mind, with a skew towards white wines, rosés and lighter and juicier styled reds, with a couple of interesting sweet wines - not least the gently sparkling light bodied very fruity Moscato from Australia - Innocent Bystander. The mixed case will include one of each of the following wines:
Whites: Malagousia Domaine Gervassiliou; Chablis Domaine Collet; Casas del Bosque Reserva Chardonnay; Pinot Grigio Ponte Del Diavolo; Amalaya Torrontes Riesling
Rosé: Les Volcans Cotes Dauvergne Gamaypinot Noir Rose; Chateau la Moutete Grand Reserve
Reds: Lawsons Dry Hills Reserve Pinot Noir; Calbuco Merlot; Les Archeres
Sweet: Muscat de Rivesaltes Domaine De Cazes (half bottle); Pink Moscato Innocent Bystander (half bottle)
This giveaway is open to all members who receive our newsletter, and who are registered with a UK postal address (if you don't receive our newsletter you will need to sign up here before July 31st 2016 to be eligible for the prize draw). There is no entry form to fill in, by clicking to this page you have been entered automatically. The winner will be chosen at random on July 31st 2016.