Wines of the week

Three restrained Shiraz for warmer weather

For those who love Syrah/Shiraz, but find the typical big and boisterous Aussie Shiraz just a little too much, here are three slightly more restrained versions….

Les Cornuds, Vinsobres 2013, La Famille Perrins

In its original French home on the slopes of the Rhône valley, Syrah is often blended and its wild pepper notes tempered with plumy Grenache, as here in this emerging area of Vinsobres. A lovely, balanced, lip-smacking blend of fruit, restrained spices and wild herbs from the renowned Perrin family.

£8.99, Co-op stores; £13.95, bbr.com

Charles Back Stonedance Darling Shiraz 2014

From a Fairtrade concern in South Africa’s Western Cape region, this is a much more full-bodied, straightforward wine, with robust plum and blackberry flavours, lots of peppery spice and a good, long finish. When warmer weather eventually arrives, this is a great wine for lamb or other red meats on the barbecue.

£10.00, Marks & Spencer

Hacienda Zorita Natural Reserve Syrah 2011

Spain, like South Africa, is not normally known for its Syrah, but this is a grape that can be grown in many parts of the world. Hailing from the central Castilla-La Mancha region, intense, luxuriant dark fruit flavours remain balanced and structured, with oak ageing delivering a little bit of pepper. Savour with a really good rib-eye steak or hard, aged cheeses.

£19.99, ocado.com