So here we are in September. The holidays are coming to an end, evenings are drawing in and the weather is changeable. There is plenty to look forward to though. It’s the season for some of our favourite British produce; plums - spotlighted with roast duck in this month's wine and dine recipe, apples and blackberries are all ripe and ready, which makes it crumble time!

Plenty of events to look forward to as well with The Proms, Roald Dahl day and the York food festival all taking place. Hopefully we will still enjoy some family lunches with a little September sun and if not, then a good old Sunday roast is on the cards.

This is my favourite time of year for eating lamb, when it has developed a better flavour…. all the better for absorbing more robust flavours. Seafood stews such as Mouclade from La Rochelle or Caldeirada, its Portuguese cousin, are just the thing as our waters are teeming with fish and shellfish. Staying a bit closer to home, try using Gurnard for home-made fish and chips.

Our wines of the month are suited to all these types of foods, so head to our wine and dine feature, grab a glass of one of these corkers and get cooking!

Warwick Estate First Lady Chardonnay, Stellenbosch, South Africa 2020

Stellenbosch is around 50km to the east of Cape Town and started producing wine almost as soon as it was founded in 1679. Named after the Cape’s first governor, Simon van der Stel, it was strongly influenced by the Calvinist traditions of the Dutch reformed Church and welcomed the Huguenot protestants fleeing religious persecution in France. They brought with them a wealth of winemaking knowledge and techniques, giving rise to an enviable reputation for their wines.

The Warwick Estate, founded in 1964, is nestled on the lower slopes of the dramatic Simonsberg mountain. The proximity to the ocean, coupled with vineyard altitudes between 270 and 350 metres, provide perfect conditions producing world class fruit.

Taste: An un-oaked, lively chardonnay, full of tropical fruit such as pineapple and lemon. Fresh acidity and a lingering, creamy finish.

Try: With poached chicken in its own broth with lots of fresh green veggies and a dollop of lemon mayonnaise.

£15.10   SEPTEMBER OFFER £10.08

Bodegas Bardos Verdejo, Rueda, Spain 2022

Rueda is an oasis of white wine production in a region dominated by red wine. Famous reds, such as Toro, Ribera del Duero and Cigales are all within a stone’s throw. A vast, featureless area of nearly 32,000 acres with scorching hot summers, freezing cold winters and poor soils make it sound quite unpromising for wine production. In fact, these conditions, added to altitudes between 600 and 800m, are perfect for producing white wines with wonderful fresh, aromatic qualities.

Verdejo is the star grape of Rueda. Originating in the arid areas of North Africa, it is ideally suited to the harsh conditions. Recent advances in wine making technology, such as cryomaceration, temperature-controlled fermentation and night harvesting mean that old style, clumsy, heavily oxidised wines are a thing of the past. Modern Verdejo offers wonderful aromatics, flavour and freshness and is a more interesting alternative to Sauvignon Blanc.

Taste: Vibrant aromas of lemon citrus, apple and white peach with touches of gooseberry and fennel. Crisp, vibrant acidity, with citrus and white stone fruit. Added minerality on the precise, linear finish.

Try: With all sorts of grilled or fried fish. A Niçoise salad with fresh grilled tuna or a plate of delicious Chipirones fritos (deep fried baby squid) would be perfect.

£13.90   SEPTEMBER OFFER £10.40

Castello Banfi Col di Sasso Toscana IGT, Italy 2022 

Banfi is a family concern, started in 1978 by John and Harry Mariani from New York. By combining state of the art technology with the very best traditions of the area, they are now among the most highly respected producers in Italy, with a portfolio that encompasses some of the most desirable Brunellos, as well as Super Tuscans and wines from all over the north of Italy.

Col di Sasso is a nod to some of the celebrated Super Tuscans. Using their example they have combined Cabernet Sauvignon with Sangiovese to produce a delicious wine at a price that belies its quality.

Taste: Intense aromas of Morello cherry, black plum and blueberry with underlying delicate spice. Ripe and round with silky smooth tannins and a core of further black fruits and subtle smoky tones.

Try: Perfect with plates of mixed salamis and air dried hams, or roast lamb.

£15.90   SEPTEMBER OFFER £12.80

Umbrele Pinot Noir, Cramele Recas, Romania 2022

Cramele Recas was a state-run enterprise for many years, poorly run and with scant regard for quality. In 1991, following the fall of Nicolae Ceausescu, it was reborn as an Anglo-Romanian business led by Phillip Cox.  After a programme of investment in technology, rigorous application of modern winemaking practices, and an Australian winemaking team, the winery is now hailed as one of the leading producers in Central Europe and they are at the fore front of the re-birth of Romanian quality wine.

Taste: Attractive aromas of red and black cherry with floral overtones. Soft, smooth, and supple on the mid-palate with delicate tannins that underpin more plush red cherry, strawberry, and raspberry fruit with a touch of black pepper spice.

Try: Chilled down to around 16°C it makes a good partner for fish and chips with tartare sauce. Or try with a seared and roasted fillet of pork. Serve with crisp gnocchi, broad beans, spinach and lemon butter.

£12.60   SEPTEMBER OFFER £9.59

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