Fine red wines (From York Press)

Fine red wines

10:45am Saturday 15th October 2011 in Tipping's Tipples By Mike Tipping

As York prepares to celebrate all things French, this week in Tipping’s Tipples, wine writer MIKE TIPPING selects some fine reds perfect for eating with le rosbif

Not satisfied with knocking England out of the Rugby World Cup, it seems the French are intent on invading this fair city of York. However, these Gallic invaders will be welcomed open armed as York hosts a week of events to commemorate the role of French airmen based in the city during the Second World War.

The French In York week, co-ordinated by the Yorkshire Air Museum, starts this Monday. With a French theme in mind, I’ve picked three reasonably priced clarets to toast the occasion.

Claret is the old British wine trade name for reds from Bordeaux. But did you know Bordeaux is France’s largest wine region in both production and hectares of vineyard, producing around 750 million bottles of wine yearly?

Try the following with your “rosbif” on Sunday. All three are from the 2009 vintage, which was considered excellent.

Bristol-based wine merchant Averys has its own-label claret, a good value one too. Averys Pioneer Range Bordeaux Red 2009, is a blend of mainly merlot, with cabernet franc and a little cabernet sauvignon. It is earthy, ripe and structured with cassis, violets, cedarwood and spice.

Waitrose stocks Dourthe Montagne Saint-Émilion Reserve 2009, made with merlot and cabernet sauvignon. It is impressively smooth and balanced with cherry and plums on the palate, vanilla and oak spice.

Or if you are a Laithwaites customer, there is Château Grand Jean, Bordeaux, 2009. This is another velvety, merlot dominated creation and quite concentrated too. Expect flavours of damson, raspberry and vanilla.

Averys Pioneer Range Bordeaux Red 2009, £8.99 from Averys (averys.com) 18/20.

Dourthe Montagne Saint-Émilion Reserve 2009, £9.99 at Waitrose 17/20.

Château Grand Jean, Bordeaux 2009, £9.49 from Laithwaites (laithwaites.co.uk) 16/20.

* The team at Derventio Wines, in Malton, is celebrating the opening of its new tasting room with a “fine wine tasting”, this Thursday. You will be able to taste Champagne Louis Roederer, Cloudy Bay and some Grand Cru Saint-Émilion among others. Tickets cost £15, including canapes, but booking beforehand is essential. Telephone 01653 693196 for details.