YORK - FEBRUARY TASTING WINE OF THE MONTH
The wine name: Heida
Vintage: 2024
Producer: Maison Varone
Region: Valais
Grapes: 100% Heida
ABV: 13.5%
Price: £26
Stockist: Yorkshire Vintners
Tasting notes: Heida doesn’t get out much — most of it stays happily tucked away in Switzerland — so when a bottle turns up on our table, it feels a bit like spotting a rare alpine creature. This one is bright, fresh, and wonderfully self assured. Clean fruit, a confident structure, and a finish that hangs around just long enough to remind you it was something special. A quietly stunning Swiss charmer. If you see it, don’t hesitate.
Leeds - FEBRUARY TASTING WINE OF THE MONTH
The wine name: The Society's Exhibition Rioja Reserva
Vintage: 2020
Producer: La Rioja Alta bodega
Region: Rioja
Grapes: 100% Tempranillo
ABV: 14%
Price: £18.50
Stockist: The Wine Society
Tasting notes: A smooth and exotic Exhibition-label bottling from La Rioja Alta. The 2020 is classic displaying full and rich savoury notes, with gentle spice making this traditional-style Rioja so appealing. This comes from the famous La Rioja Alta bodega, whose wines are known for their finesse as well as depth of flavour. Released only after long ageing in barrel and bottle. This results in a complex, lengthy wine with fine, delicate texture
BINGLEY - FEBRUARY TASTING WINE OF THE MONTH
The wine name: Liatiko
Vintage: 2024
Producer: Lyarakis
Region: Crete
Grapes: 100% Liatiko
ABV: 13.5%
Price: £15
Stockist: Majestic or Chez Vin
Tasting notes: From high in the Cretan hills comes one of the island’s most characterful native grapes: Liatiko. Grown at 650 metres, where cooler mountain breezes help the fruit retain its freshness, this “queen” of Crete shows its charm straight away. Aromas of dark cherry and wild berries lead into an intense yet beautifully balanced palate, framed by fine tannins and a juicy, expressive finish.
It’s a wonderfully versatile food wine too — equally at home with pizza and pasta as it is with fish cooked in rich red sauces. A delicious reminder of how exciting Crete’s indigenous varieties can be.