Red, red wine

Red wine drums up lots of connotations, all of them positive, from Garth's point of view.  

It wasn't always that way. When he wrote the song Red, Red Wine, Neil Diamond intended to doff his hat to the virtues of red wine as a replacement for a lost love, but UB40's version almost put me off red wine for life. Unlike most music fans of the day, I could never abide the whining pitch of Ali Campbell and listening to him singing the song was worse than any hangover I inflicted upon myself at university.

As winter draws in, my palate changes. I tuck away some of the white wines and the pinot noir and reach for something with a little more weight, hence this month's emphasis on heavier red wines. Before Environment Canterbury's unwanted ban on open fires, I loved sitting in front of roaring flames with a glass of red in my hand. Now I gaze at a radiator and if I hear a crackle, it's not a twig snapping but an air bubble in the system that needs to be released.

You might be surprised to find a sherry in the mix. As a petulant teenager, I was occasionally dragged to a family function at the Dunedin Club where sherry was served as a compulsory accompaniment to soup. Sunday lunches at home as a child always began with my elderly relatives enjoying a pre-lunch sherry, medium or sweet. I am certain my great-aunts and great-uncles would have given their false teeth to have tried the Nectar Pedro Ximenez 'Dulce' Sherry reviewed here. It is stunningly good value and simply delicious.

Morambro Creek Shiraz 2007 - $26.99-$28.99

This award-winning shiraz hails from the beautiful Limestone Coast in South Australia. The nose is slightly musty with a hint of the full fruit that is to come. The palate is full of black fruit flavours, complemented by a lengthy savoury finish. Well-balanced and drinking nicely.

Available: Cashmere Cuisine, 18 Colombo Street

The Black Chook Shiraz Viognier 2008 - $19.99-$21.99

From the McLaren Vale in South Australia, this blend is deep in colour and very agreeable. It is fruity; slightly sweet and juicy with a generous full body and lovely tannins. If you like your big red wines to be velvety smooth, try this.

Available: Super Liquor Papanui

Craggy Range Te Kahu 2008 - $28.99

I am an unapologetic fan of Craggy Range, which consistently produces classy wines. Te Kahu is a blend of merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon and malbec from the prestigious Gimblett Gravels area in Hawke's Bay. It is a lovely, dark red wine with a hint of anise on the nose. There are dark fruit flavours and, for a Bordeaux blend that is youthful, it is drinking very well already.

Available: Vino Fino

Château Lamartine Cahors 2005 - $29

Made in the Lot Valley, this wine is 90 per cent malbec and 10 per cent merlot and from 30-year-old vines. The dazzling deep-red colour is the first thing I noticed, then a savoury nose with a suggestion of blue cheese. This wine is all about mouth feel. It's soft, warm, fruity and the tannins leave a lingering clinging sensation that I loved.

Available: Mediterranean Food Company,Tuam Street

Sherry has never been as good as this, at least not for me. This is dark and brooding and the flavours are extraordinarily good. Dates, figs, caramel and prunes in abundance, with a silky smooth texture. I recommend this as a wonderful wine to drink with a good, stodgy winter pudding.

Available: Vino Fino