When I tasted a host of Swig bottles in order to shortlist my final six, it became increasingly clear that the wines formed a perfect dinner party trail. I didn't set out to achieve this aim, but as they fell into place it became obvious I was missing a sweetie and, then, there it was read on for a gripping story below. Whether you buy this month's wines as stand-alone cases or the mixed case, you will be in seventh heaven, but I would urge you to trial the wines in true dinner party format and, to that end, I have suggested dishes in my write-ups, too. It's no surprise that gastronomes Swig are always aware of the food-matching abilities of their wonderful wines!
Cheers!
Matthew Jukes
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How it works
This collection is available to buy online via Swig's website, or give them a call on 0800 0272 272 and quote "MoneyWeek" to benefit from exclusive MoneyWeek savings and FREE UK delivery.
Prices and savings below are based on ordering a case of 12 bottles. You can also buy a mixed case, which allows you to try every wine (twice!) and, offering the best saving per bottle, is the most popular option with MoneyWeek readers. You'll enjoy FREE UK delivery on all orders. Offer ends 28 March 2019.
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MOST POPULARMixed Case - two of each bottle
£16.88£13.75 per bottle / £165 per case, saving £37.60
The mixed case offers two bottles of each wine in this offer, and we've negotiated a little extra discount on this case, making it the best way to sample every wine at a very attractive price!
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NV Perle de Saint-Michel, Domaine Michel Bedouet, Loire, France
£15.95£12.50 per bottle / £150 per case, saving £41.40
This is a fantastic find and it sums up just how interesting and rewarding cleverly-chosen, sparkling wine styles are in France, outside of the citadel of Champagne. This 100% Chardonnay is silky, creamy, pinpoint accurate and incredibly good value. Served blind, I am certain that most people would say it is a Blanc de Blancs Champagne, but no - it is from the gorgeous Loire Valley! A beautiful, seamless aperitif, this is the wine to get your juices flowing in preparation for a fabulous feast.
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2017 Le Grill de Mas Cristine, Ctes du Roussillon, France
£15.50£12.95 per bottle / £155.40 per case, saving £30.60
Initially, I loved the quirky flavours brought about by this Vermentino/Macabeu blend and so I made my notes and then cracked on with another wine. Its allure stuck in the back of my mind and so, curious about the evolving flavours, I went back to it just as my wife was serving up a Thai green chicken curry for dinner. We both tasted it with her creation it was sublime. So while this is a silky, seashell, lime and mint-imbued beauty, it turns into a shimmering diva with complicated flavours and can transform a Jukes curry night into a Michelin-starred event with ease!
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2016 Red Claw by Yabby Lake, Chardonnay, Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, Australia
£22£17.50 per bottle / £210 per case, saving £54
You may have come across Yabby Lake before because it is one of the most famous estates in Australia. Red Claw is the second wine', made with the same care and attention as the big ticket labels but with a more immediate drinking window. This sensational Chardonnay is lush, layered, classy and indulgent and it is drinking now. Shaped like a curvy Saint-Aubin, this is a heavenly wine and it is rich enough to tackle all main course fish and poultry dishes. Swig is the UK agent for Yabby Lake, so if this wine presses all of the buttons, hook up with the rest of the portfolio.
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2015 Chteau de Durfort, Corbires, France
£14.95 £12.50 per bottle / £150 per case, saving £29.40
I remember buying the 2010 vintage of this wine back in 2012 and it was almost identical to this 2015 vintage in richness, gloss and length. The flavour defies belief not least because it is made from Syrah and Grenache but it looks more like a swaggering claret than it does an earthy Corbires. Polished, densely fruity and nicely seasoned with French oak, this is a simply brilliant wine and an epic match with roast lamb or beef.
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2017 Chteau Gigognan, Vignes du Prieur, Ctes-du-Rhne, France
£15.95£13.50 per bottle / £162 per case, saving £29.40
This powerful Rhne lacks something found in most tannin. It is rather oddly missing, which is great news. Youthful, vibrant and stuffed with plum and mulberry fruit, there is a decent lick of acidity here which brings tension to the finish, but there is no austerity, dryness, astringency or oakiness. This makes Vignes du Prieur a goddess in the glass with no hard edges and I would drink it with duck or venison for a beautiful combination. It's worth pointing out it is indecently well-priced, too.
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2016 Chteau Lafon, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France
£16.95£13.95 per half bottle / £167.40 per case, saving £36
Situated in an enclave of the most famous sweet wine of all, Chteau d'Yquem, and also drawing on fruit from a vineyard next to Chteau Rieussec, this little-known estate has epic quality raw materials and, in 2016, frost reduced the crop to around a half the usual yields which makes this a particularly concentrated wine. I tend to drink as much Sauternes as humanly possible, knowing full well that this is the finest value sweet wine style on earth. If you are not yet up to speed with the joys of this historic wine style, then I am hoping that this temptress will get you over the line!
PLACE YOUR ORDER NOW via Swig's website, or give them a call on 0800 0272 272 and quote "MoneyWeek" to benefit from exclusive MoneyWeek savings and FREE UK delivery.
Terms & Conditions: Offer ends 28 March 2019. Free delivery on all orders of 6 bottles of wine or more, otherwise £12.50 + VAT. Orders placed before noon will normally be dispatched within 48 hours. Payment can be made by credit or debit card over the phone or online.
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