Racy Reds: Romantic Wines That Will Seduce

“Grape Press” is a regular magazine column in which we recommend wines to suit various occasions and price points.

Whether it’s a love affair with the grape or choosing that fine bottle to share with someone special, only fools rush in.

Champagne is often the first choice to whet just about any appetite, but its high acidity can be tough on stomachs, especially when served as an aperitif without food. Rosé wines can make for a cheerful mood, but not a lot of them are sold in China. As stock moves slowly, many are sadly out of condition by the time they are sold. While there are plenty of whites that make attractive partners, this month we’re focusing on that quintessentially Chinese color: red. But if you want to impress your date, don’t necessarily go for the well-trodden. Grand Cru Classé red Bordeaux may have a price tag that turns heads, but it is rarely seductive on the palate, especially when young.

This month’s wine selections are all hearty reds with plenty of body and staying power – lush, plush and what even wine professionals would term “sexy.”

ONE TO QUAFF
2008 Mitolo Jester Shiraz, McLaren Vale, South Australia
(RMB 340, Links China)
Available at Danieli’s, Centro
Dark ruby in color. The nose has seductive blueberry and black cherry fruit with a hint of oak. Full-bodied, dry with medium acidity, chewy medium tannins, well-balanced alcohol and impressive length.

ONE TO DRINK
2007 Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Domaine Vieux Télégraphe, Rhône, France
(RMB 600, Mercuris)
Available at Maison Boulud, Phrik Thai
Deep ruby in color. The nose has rich strawberry and red cherry Grenache fruit with some darker black fruits and beautiful oak. Dry, full-bodied, medium acidity, robust tannin, high alcohol and excellent length.

ONE TO SAVOR
2007 Tommasi Amarone della Valpolicella, Veneto, Italy
(RMB 905, EMW)
Available at LMPlus, Ristorante Sadler
Amarone is about as sexy as wine can get. Deep ruby with a gorgeous nose of dried red cherry and cranberry fruit with myriad spices. Dry, full-bodied with coating high tannins, high alcohol, medium-high acidity and wonderful length.

Edward Ragg is co-founder, with Fongyee Walker, of Dragon Phoenix Wine Consulting, China’s leading independent wine consultancy and education service (www.longfengwines.com). They write for the world’s wine magazines and several publications in China.

Click here to see the February issue of the Beijinger in full.