THE Mediterranean is a geographical marker for fine food and wonderful wines.
Theirs is a culture of family values, enjoying food together and respecting wine by drinking it with a harmonising meal choice.
You can buy wine online with your weekly shop, but if you're looking to improve your standard of living and make informed wine purchasing decisions, other websites, such as an online wine club, can ensure you choose the perfect selection.
To bring some of the culture into your life, cook up some inspired dishes native to Greece, Spain, France, and other Mediterranean countries. Baked sea bass stuffed with lemon and basil, dressed with a tomato salsa is a particularly popular dish. Such a refreshing and light dish would match a bold, aromatic white wine beautifully. Stay clear of lighter whites and go for a South African Chenin Blanc; Spice Route's stunning and affordable 2010 Chenin Blanc, for example, with its notes of peach and tropical fruits would be spot-on for enhancing this meal experience.
When choosing a meat dish however, opt for something light and low in fat, representative of an authentic Mediterranean choice. Try a full-bodied red with a meal of beef carpaccio accompanied by rocket, parmesan a generous drizzle of olive oil. A South Australian Shiraz should do the trick here. For about £10 you can find a particularly outstanding wine of this kind, Rolf Binder Hales Shiraz Barossa 2008.
A nice Savingy-Lés-Beaune, a classic complimentary Pinot Noir French wine may be a bit steeper on the pocket but offers a luxurious alternative. For a decent bottle, expect to pay from £25 to £30, with readily-available opulent bottles costing in the region of £60 to £70. This is definitely one for making an impression, a special event or a romantic meal would suit this selection to a tee.
Try a traditional French Ratatouille; a bold mixture of vegetables and herbs that would imply a white wine, but in this instance try a light-hearted red with soft tannins and enough acidity to stand up to the richness, highlighting all the individual nuances of flavour. A vibrant Spanish Rioja, perhaps Vina Cerrada Rioja Tempranillo, for the tiny price of about £7, would work well; perfect for beef or lamb and some meaty fish.
A traditional Mediterranean specialty, Lamb Moussaka is a dish that brings to mind family eating, bottomless plates of delicious food and bottles of red wine. Nothing brings family together more than great food and terrific wine. For this dish push towards Old Vine Zinfandel Lodi from California, this is a wine that balances richness with acidity, and handles a little spice well. The price is perfect for the quality, at around £8.95 and hits the spot with such a wide range of foods.
Dessert wines are often intimidating but undeservedly so. A great introduction is Sauternes, trying the Castelnau de Suduiraut Sauternes 2002 would be a great starting point. It's wildly versatile for most desserts or cheese and has a wonderful flavour and balanced sweetness; a terrific accompaniment to a classic French Clafoutis, a rich Greek Baklava, or a timeless Italian Tiramisu. Beyond its taste and appliance with food, it can become a great talking point and a delightful addition to a special dinner party or wine tasting evening.
To finish, a dinner party favourite: a perfect bowl of Spanish Lemon Sorbet with fresh raspberries and chopped mint, finished with a generous splash of cava. Given the sorbet's expected sweetness, a dessert wine would be too overpowering, instead try a sharp Cava. Codorniu Pinot Noir Brut Rose Cava hits the right notes and adds colour, sharp acidity and interest to your simple but stunning dessert.
