Liverpool Life: Wine: Sparkles take tinge out of tennis defeat

EVER the optimist, I was hoping to celebrate a British win at Wimbledon... armed with a lovely glass of sparkles I chink-chinked Andy Murray’s victory in the first set.

But by the time rain stopped play on Sunday afternoon, I realised that perhaps I had been a little hasty to celebrate.

Nevertheless the bubbles in my glass fizzed regardless. And very lovely they were too.

Elyssia Gran Cuvee Brut (RRP £19.99, from Freixenet and available in various outlets) combines traditional Macabeo and Parellada Cava grapes with Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

It had lovely floral aromas, honey and a touch of rich stone fruit. Those flavours lingered on the palate too, in a nice clean finish.

I’ve taken quite a liking to Cava from Penedes – another one I tried a couple of weeks ago was Jaume Serra Brut Reserva Gran Seleccion (RRP £12.99, Tesco – down to RRP £4.99 from July 18 to August 15) which is a blend of Macabeo, Xarello, Chardonnay and 20% Parellada.

Dating back to 1647, the Jaume Serra winery sits on top of a hill which slopes down to the town of Vilanova i La Geltrú and the Mediterranean coastline.

Pale yellow in colour with green highlights, it is aromatic with fruity notes.

Before the rain came, I dared to take a glass into the back garden. When the rain came I went back inside – the al fresco trip lasting five minutes.

It has a sister, Jaume Serra Rosé Brut Reserva Gran Seleccion (also redced during the same dates) which is a blend of 80% trepat and 20% pinot noir.

ALSO in my glass... another wine from the Plaimont Producteurs co-operative in south-west France. Last week I told you about Tesco Finest Saint Mont... now I’ve also tasted Le Passé Authentique 2010 from the hills of Gascony. Made specially for Waitrose (£9.99) it is a wonderful blend of Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu and Arrufiac. Very refreshing, it is full of citrus and tropical fruit flavours.

Talking of the south of France, a wine exclusive to The Co-operative has won a trophy at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2012 for the “Best Red Languedoc-Roussillon Under £10”.

Made by award-winning winemaker Catherine Delaunay, Les Jamelles Reserve Mourvedre 2011 is described as deep violet in colour with an “alluring nose of fresh red berry fruit”.

Ben Cahill, Category Buyer for wine at The Co-operative Food, says of the wine: “The ideal accompaniment to grilled meats and sausages, this fabulous, well-priced French red is a great summer wine for al fresco drinking and barbecues.” It is available at selected Co-operative stores on offer at £5.49 (down from £6.99) until 24 July inclusive.

MEANWHILE... did you know that some of us are a miserly bunch when it comes to taking wine to dinner parties.

I know this thanks to a survey conducted by Majestic Wine. It revealed that 2% of people admitted to taking a wine less expensive than they would buy for themselves... and 6%would take a wine they have lying around the house.

But some people – 46% in fact – take a wine they know works well with the food being served.

The survey also revealed that Sauvignon Blanc and Cabernet Sauvignon are the favourite tipples at parties.

So there you go.