It might seem like a simple task for some people, but it is not always easy to know which wine to order in a restaurant. The choice should depend on the type of company that you are in and the type of wine that you want. We offer you some tips below to make it easier to choose the right wine.

Ask for Advice from the Sommelier

The first and easiest rule is to heed the advice from the sommelier if the restaurant has one. The sommelier is the one who understands the wines and has the perfect knowledge of what will pair well depending on the occasion, the dish and our tastes. So, there is no need to worry; if you are in doubt, ask the sommelier who will guide you well in making your choice.

It Depends on the Food

We will usually base our choice of wine depending on the dish. As a basic guideline white wines go well with rice and fish and red wines are great with meat. But it is not always that simple. You should also consider the type of meat and whether the wine is young or not. One of the important basic rules of pairing is that it is best to serve the lighter wines before the more full-bodied wines. The world of pairing is very extensive and there are flavours that pair better with a white wine while others will pair fantastically well with a rosé.

By Order

You can also choose the wines for your long lunch or dinner according to the order. The basic norm is to first have the sparkling wines which usually pair well with the appetisers. The whites will go well with lighter first courses. The rosés, the young red wines and fuller red wines pair well with meat, game or something heartier.

Depending on the Company or Occasion

It is safe to choose a well-known wine, such as Rioja or Toro, if you are having a business lunch and want to treat your guests. These wines pose little to no risk of anyone not liking it. But if you are on a date you can experiment a bit more and take your partners tastes into consideration as well.

Porta 6 2017

Porta 6 2017 is the product of the fertile vineyards from Alenquero and Cadaval, in the mountains in the North of Lisbon.

Buy Porta 6 2017

Terras de Alleu 2016

Terras de Alleu 2016 is an uncomplicated wine from Douro. Easy to drink and enjoy.

Buy Terras de Alleu 2016

The Latin American gastronomy lives one of its best moments. The gala for the 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America 2016 has just concluded and one more time, Peru wins the battle by defining a kitchen full of nuances and contrasts. This country has nine restaurants that are classified in the ranking, specifically two of them in the first and second place. Let’s see the 7 best restaurants on this list.

Central – Lima, Peru: In Central is celebrated the biodiversity of Peru. Thus, we can find Chef Virgilio Martínez who experiments and offers a menu with new ingredients that give a rise to the best of the Peruvian cuisine.

Maido – Lima, Peru: Another restaurant in Peru that heads this famous list. And it is the golden age of this cuisine, as it can also be found in Spain, with the proliferation of restaurants of this type and merges between eastern and native cuisine.

DOM – Sao Paulo, Brazil: For most of the media, it’s the most important restaurant in South America. The characteristic of the place is precisely to bring different things in the kitchen, as Alex Atala, an expunk yex Brazilian DJ says. In here, cuisine it’s innovated with ingredients such as the tucupí, a yellowish liquid from the Amazon that is extracted off of the brave manioc and that, before fermenting, is poisonous; or the priprioca, an Amazon root used for a long time by the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry.

Boragó – Santiago, Chile: It’s the best restaurant in the country and that’s big words. Along with the Peruvian, Chilean cuisine has traditionally been one of the most outstanding in South America. Chef Rodolfo Guzmán combines dishes from the traditional Andes with the new kitchen.

Pujol – Mexico City, Mexico: The fusion of Mexican cultures makes this cuisine to stand above the others. And that’s what happen with Pujol, which has been the first and second best in his country in more than one occasion.

Quintonil – Mexico City, Mexico: Another restaurant in the city and this country that is among the best in the area. They define themselves as a sophisticated place of contemporary Mexican cuisine served in a light dining room with minimalist style.

Astrid and Gastón – Lima, Peru: As you can see, Peru takes the place among the best in Latin America. In this restaurant eating is quite an experience. The restaurant’s menu consists of starters and main courses, with ceviche, and other traditional dishes.

Santa Digna Reserva Carmenère 2013

Santa Digna Reserva Carmenère 2013

Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada 2014

Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada 2014

We are in the middle of the summer and, for most people, white wine is their choice to enjoy this season. Just picture yourself in a terrace in front of the sea with a soft and fresh breeze touching your face while you enjoy a nice glass of white wine. A really good postal card for the summer. However, maybe you are not on vacation yet and the fresh breeze in your face is the air conditioner in your car or office… But, you know, dreaming is free, right?

What we can do here at Uvinum -and that will be our humble contribution to the summer dream- is to share you a list of white wines that could well be part of the picture. And for that, well, you won’t need to invest your vacation savings, because we have the best offers, the best prices and the best discounts on selected white wines.

So, while you wait for that dream to happen, you can enjoy yourself with the following wines, which for less than 9 pounds will give a touch of happiness.

1. Protos Verdejo 2015

Protos Verdejo 2015 is a wine that comes straight from the D.O. Rueda to seduce our palates with its fruity and intense flavour. It is a wine that in the nose is powerful and fruity in the mouth and has a good acidity, good balance and a complex mood.

2. Marieta 2015

The new vintage of the first semi-dry albariño of the history returns to delight with its youthful, intense, fruity and sweet taste, so we can enjoy it one more time. It is very suitable to drink it cool, especially in the hot days of the summer.

3. José Pariente Verdejo 2015

José Pariente Verdejo has been for several years one of the market references in Verdejos. An easy and versatile wine which it’s ideal for appetizers and light dishes, it represents everything for Bodegas José Pariente has worked for so long, a wish come true… and wine.

4. Ampelosaurus Chardonnay 2014

You might find the dinosaur on its label very remarkable, but it’s there for a good reason: the land where the grapes are growth and processed is located in the Haute Vallée de l’Aude (in the Languedoc-Rousillon), a benchmark of paleontology. In fact, some scientists have found a full and almost intact dinosaur skeleton along with some dinosaur eggs in the vineyards of Anne de Joyeuse.

5. Martin Codax 2015

Martin Codax 2015 it’s an outstanding, fresh and balanced wine that can be enjoyed especially well with seafood dishes and fish, in a mix that extracts the best of land and sea. Do not hesitate to try the new vintage of this delicious Albariño!

6. El Perro Verde 2015

El Perro Verde 2015, the new vintage of one of the nicest wines in the Spanish market, has come again willing to make our lunches, dinners and evenings with friends funnier and unforgettable. It offers a fresh, smooth and vibrant flavour.

7. Nosso 2015

This is a 100% Verdejo and 100% organic wine, which it is processed with totally natural procedures and treatments. Through it you will be able to enjoy the smell of the wet earth and the natural grape. It is the lack of makeup that makes this wine strong in character and authenticity. 

Nights are getting shorter and the days are getting longer again. After a cold and wet winter, we welcome this easy and fresh springtime with open arms. This free and easy mindset finds the best company in fresh wines with a long aftertaste. And so, we’re starting our quest for this type of wines. 

That’s why we prepared three first-class wines for you that fulfil these standards and moreover, show up in an outstanding price-value-ratio.

Who knows how to enjoy doesn’t drink wine anymore but tastes secrets instead. – Salvador Dalí (1904 – 1989).

Kiefer Schmetterlinge Im Bauch Rosé 2015

We start our recommendations with a wine to fall in love with. Rosé wines like this “Schmetterlinge im Bauch” (Butterflies in the stomach) made by Weingut Kiefer make a perfect match for spring and give variation to our wine routine. Because let’s be honest, we often stick to our favourites and save-bet wines. This rosé from Baden, Germany, adds to the brand’s product range named “Junge Poeten” (Young Poets) and convinces with vigour, poetry, and colour. The fresh variety quartet of Pinot Noir, Dornfelder, Cabernet Mitos, and Cabernet Carol delivers a fizzy and fruity wine and an absolutely fine taste on the palate. Fun to drink and fun to share!

Cantina Terlan Pinot Bianco 2015

The Pinot Bianco 2015 made by Cantina Terlan from South Tyrol offers lots of power and tension with fresh fruity notes of pear and quince. Since the beginnings, this white belongs to the winery’s most important wines. With its delicate and mineral character, typical for Cantina Terlan, the terroir finds its wonderful expression. An ideal white wine for fresh salads, light fish dishes and diverse antipasti. That’s how  you chink glasses on spring.

Tariquet Premières Grives 2015

Our third recommendation takes us to France, where we find the Tariquet Premières Grives 2015, a wonderful and fresh white wine. Lovely and at the same time full-bodied, this Gros Manseng dances on the aficionado’s tongue living “from the joy of  surrendering itself”. On the finish, the white wine from Gascony is deliciously long revealing fruity notes of grapes. The Premières Grives stands for an exotic but fine character and you can still welcome spring 2018 with this bottle – if you store it correctly.

Did we increase your appetite for wine? Search through our product catalogue at www.uvinum.co.uk and discover new wines in our bestsellers, recommendations, or  filtered searches.

Going green is an ever-growing trend and just something everyone should be moving to. People prefer fresh seasonal food from the local surroundings. Let’s take a look at some of the organic markets that you shouldn’t miss if you ever visit Spain.

1. La Buena Vida in Madrid is one of the best for those who prefer organic wines and homemade products.
2. From the capital, we go straight to Barcelona where all kinds of markets fill the streets on weekends. In this case, we highlight the market on the Avinguda de Diagonal which takes place every Friday. It is called Mercado Ecológico where you can find the best ecological products.
3. While in Valencia, don’t miss Godella’s Ecological Market which takes place on Saturdays from 9 to 2 pm at the Plaza de la Ermita. A wide variety of 100% green friendly food products is available.
4. If you go to Vigo you will also find these kinds of markets. The best food of Galicia reaches its peak here. During the second and last Saturday of each month, where the old Tui prison was, the Mercado de Verdura de Tui takes place. There, you’ll find products from the main Galician orchard.
5. Also, Valls in Tarragona offers a variety of products in its stores. The Mercado Agroecológico yVariedades is a place with a lot of local fresh products, traditional recipes and lots of additional activities.
6. In Bermeo, Bilbao, there are two markets. On the one hand, we have the Fish Fair which takes place from the 20th to the 22nd of May offering a broad range of fresh fish.  And on the other hand, there’s the Mercado del día Santa Eufemia which is usually held in September offering organic products and a lot of stands to stop by.
7. Still in the north, in Galicia, specifically in La Coruña, Mercanatura is one of the best known ecological markets, where you can also find lots of handcrafted products.
8. In Buenavista del Norte, Tenerife, you can also go to green markets. In this case, we’d like to highlight the farmer’s market Mercado del Agricultor held every Saturday. It brings together several producers offering the best of the local farms.
9. And near Barcelona, in Montgat, the Mercado Ecológico y Artesano is usually organised on the third Saturday of each month at the Mallorquines Square.

Honoro Vera Organic 2014

Honoro Vera Organic 2014 is a young wine made by Bodegas Juan Gil, easy and fun to drink and from ecologically sustainable cultivation. 

Eko Organic Monastrell

Eko Organic Monastrell is the result of the selection of grapes of the classic Monastrell variety from the best vineyards of the Alicante Origin Denomination.

Selection Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Organic 2014

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough Organic 2014 is a white wine from the Marlborough DO with a blend containing Sauvignon Blanc of 2014 and 13º of alcohol. 

Tequila is a very popular drink around the globe. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that consumed in moderation, it’s capable of lowering cholesterol levels, preventing diabetes, senile dementia and even strokes and seizures.  A curious fact about Tequila is that it was used in 1918 as a remedy for an epidemic flu under recommendations of doctors, and proved to be a very effective method.

Tequila is elaborated from a specific class of blue agave which contains some particular features. Keep the following tips in mind to fully enjoy this drink!

1. Choose a pure tequila: 100% Agave Tequila has a better taste and helps prevent hangovers. If you want to be sure that yours is 100% pure, pick one made by brands like Cuervo, Orendain and Sauza.
2. Tequila Añejo: Despite being a little bit more expensive, Añejos have aged for at least one year. That provides a better flavor and complexity. If you go for this kind of tequila, remember to drink it at room temperature, neat and in a tequila glass or shot glass called “Caballito”.
3. Alternate tequila and sangrita: Another option is to alternate a shot of tequila with a shot of sangrita, a traditional Mexican beverage without alcohol that helps to better digest the first shot. If you want to create your homemade sangrita just mix 1 cup of orange juice, 1 cup of tomato juice, 1 dash of lime juice, 1 tablespoon of grenadine and 4 dashes of hot sauce.
4. Taste correctly: To taste the tequila correctly you should pour a measure of the drink in a shot glass, raise it up to your eyes, look at its color, stir gently and then wait for the liquid to adhere to the walls. Then, take a sip and savor for 10 seconds before repeating.
5. Drink it with lime and salt: Contrary to the general belief, the majority of Mexicans don’t use lime and salt to drink their tequilas, but it’s an accepted way to do so. The other option is to drink it calmed and pure.
6. Drink it as a margarita: another way to drink your tequila is by preparing one of the world’s most famous cocktails. For that, you only need to mix 2 parts of tequila with half part of orange liqueur, 1 part of lime juice and half part of agave nectar and ice in a shaker. Enjoy it!

Tequila Corralejo Reposado

Tequila Corralejo Reposado

Tequila la Tilica Blanco

Tequila la Tilica Blanco

There a special places you don’t want to miss knowing if you are a fan of good food and you like traveling Italy. Today we present you 5 locations to give you an idea.

1) Romagna

Being surrounded by impressive woods, they stand out for their hospitality for about two decades now: Giovanni and Cristina welcome travelers with breakfast, homemade cakes, pies and jams made from organic fruit of their own orchard. Furthermore, their subtly sweet licors, Parma sausages, zucchini filled pasta, amaretti cookies among others. The hosts are always ready to suggest hidden, unknown places to have dinner. During mushroom season, Giovanni offers field trips to visitors from around the world.

2) Agriturismo Corte d’Aibo, Emilia-Romagna

Autumn in Emilia-Romagna means wine, truffles, mushroomes, and chestnuts. The Agroturismo Corte d’Aibo is an organic farm and vineyard, located 25 kilometers west of Bologna, in the hills of the Apennines. The vineyard produces 6 red wines and 6 white wines, made from grapes of its own backyard. The recommendation is to take a bottle of Pignoletto with lunch and a tour of the winery. The menu includes specialties like tagliatelle with ragout and risotto with truffles and Parmigiano-Reggiano such as local dishes.

3) Masseria Il Frantoio, Puglia

Before lunch and dinner, Armando Balestrazzi gives a tour around Masseria Il Frantoio, close to Ostuni. They own 4.000 olive trees – many of them planted by the ancient Romans -, a citrus orchard from the 17th century, and a Moorish style garden. Armando and his wife Rosalba bought this 500-year-old property 15 years ago and turned it into a restaurant and a hotel with 19 rooms. Rosalba takes care of the cooking, and her 8 courses lunch paired ip with wines from Puglia and different olive oils is a real challenge. One of her typical meals could consist of: pizzelle (discs of fried pasta similar to Indian puris) with fresh tomato sauce, zucchini and shrimp fritters, green beans, baked goat cheese with saffron and pear jam, homemade pasta laganelle with zucchini and carrots, roast lamb with potatoes, garden salad with fresh almonds and rose petals, and lemon pie.

4) Le Campestre, Campania

After living in Belgium for decades, the Lombardi family returned to Italy to build up organic Agroturism. Le Campestre is a farm with rooms and a restaurant, a property located in the region of Campania Alto Casertano, that is famous for its olive oil, the buffalo, goat chees and its rustic breads. Meals are served on a terrace overlooking the nearby valley and mountainsides. The guests stay in simple rooms and participate in the daily tasks of the farm, such as the olive harvest. They also offer vooking classes.

5) Bio Agriturismo Valle Scannese, Abruzzo

Gregorio Rotolo is famous for his cheese: round blocks of pecorino, flat ashlers of aromatic stracchino and tender ricotta, each of them with a distinctive green and silver label. Gregorio and his family hava a biodynamic farm, more that 1.500 sheep and agroturism. The location is excellent, on the edge of the Abruzzo National Park, it is run by the family itself and has 17 cozy and comfortable rooms, and the food is wonderful.

Quota 29 Primitivo 2012

Quota 29 Primitivo 2012: a red wine with Salento DO with the best bunches of 2012 primitivo and 14º of volume of alcohol. 

Cantine San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni I Giganti 2012

Cantine San Marzano Primitivo di Manduria Sessantanni I Giganti 2012:  red wine from Puglia DO with primitivo of 2012 and 14.5º of alcohol. 

If you’re looking for some inspiration to design a healthy and delicious menu this spring, be sure to read these recipes with wine.

Starter: Mushrooms in White Wine Sauce

This recipe, ideal for 2 people, has the delicate flavour of mushrooms complemented with a touch of white wine without overpowering their taste. Mushrooms strengthen the immune system, being rich in selenium.

Ingredients:

• 400 grams mushrooms
• 1 large clove garlic
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 1/2 tablespoon flour
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt
• 1 cayenne pepper
• Chopped parsley

Elaboration:

1. Remove the bottom of the mushrooms with a knife, place them in a bowl with water to remove the dust. Drain them, dry them with a kitchen towel and cut them in halves.
2. Crush the garlic clove, peel it and chop it into very small pieces.
3. Heat a pan with oil, add chopped garlic until golden, chilli and mushrooms. Stir-fry them for 1 minute, add the flour and mix until getting a smooth consistency.
4. Pour the wine and half a glass water to the mix. Season to taste and cook over medium heat for 20 minutes stirring occasionally.
5. Turn off the heat, sprinkle with chopped parsley. Mix and serve.

Fillaboa 2013

Fillaboa 2013 is a white wine that perfectly match this recipe made with mushrooms.

Main course: Spring Risotto

The spring risotto is prepared with mushrooms and lime beans. It is a simple option to prepare and quite healthy for 2 people. Lima beans have a very low fat content, they are rich in fibre, carbohydrates and vegetable protein.

Ingredients:

• 100 grams rice
• 100 grams spring mushrooms
• 50 grams lime beans
• 50 grams shelled peas
• pea pods
• 1 leek
• 2 white asparagus
• 1 tablespoon “Fino” or “Manzanilla” wine
• 1 teaspoon truffle oil
• Water
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Oregano
• Chopped parsley

Elaboration:

1. Peel the asparagus and prepare a broth with the peelings, pea pods, water and salt. Strain and reserve.
2. Chop the leek into thin pieces, place them in a saucepan and bring to fry with an olive oil spray. Add the mushrooms and stir-fry.
3. Add the rice and lime beans and continue sautéing. Pour the wine and let it reduce a little.
4. Gradually, add the broth previously reserved, season to taste, add a drop of truffle oil and stir constantly for 15 minutes. If necessary, add a little more broth.
5. Add the peas and chopped asparagus. Season with a pinch of oregano and a drop of truffle oil. Cook for a couple of minutes.

Juan Gil 12 Meses 2013

Juan Gil 12 Meses 2013, Juan Gil 12 Meses 2013, the new vintage, can be a great companion for a risotto like this.

Dessert: Grilled Peaches with wine sorbet

This dessert is an excellent choice for hot afternoons; peaches are rich in vitamin C, A, B1 and B2. The wine sorbet proposed give them a unique flavour.

Ingredients:

• 4 peaches
• 4 eggs
• 90 grams sugar
• 3 dl red wine
• 50 grams butter
• Honey
• 1 cinnamon stick

Elaboration:

1. Heat a pan with the wine and 2 tablespoons sugar until reducing the mixture. Put away from heat, place in a container and into the freezer. When frozen, prepare a sorbet by chopping ice and reserve cold.
2. Preheat oven to 180 degrees. Wash the peaches, cut them in halves and remove the bones. In a baking dish with a few drops of honey, place the peaches and 50 grams butter. Bring to oven for 20 minutes.
3. Reserve the peach juice, mix with the egg yolks and 1 teaspoon sugar. Bring this mixture to water bath for 10 minutes and reserve.
4. Serve the egg cream with a few teaspoons of the prepared sorbet and the grilled peaches.

Ferreira Branco

Ferreira Branco is a fortified wine that goes great with desserts.

* Images: Uvinum and Javier García (flickr)

When you walk through Rome it is best to put aside the idea of pub to discover wine bars. In Rome wine bars may have different styles and one of the qualities they have is that if you try a good wine, you have the option to buy a bottle and take it home.

1. Il Goccetto, Via dei Banchi Vecchi 14:

This wine bar open since 1983 has a rustic style and it’s located in the centre of Rome. Here you can see the best wines of Italy and some foreign covering the walls, the owners have made efforts to promote natural wines and affordable prices. They have 800 different wine brands for sale, mostly Italian and French.

2. Il Piccolo, Via del Governo Vecchio 74:

This is a small wine bar with seating for 16 people maximum in winter, but in the warm months they place tables on the street. It has remained a family business for 4 generations, they have a happy hour and offer buffet style food.

3. Vino al vino, Via dei Serpenti 19:

Located in near the forum, they offer a wide variety of terroir wines and its walls have different wine choices. Poached eggs have excellent reputation.

4. Ristorante Roscioli, Via dei Giubbonari 21:

The Roscioli restaurant, located just around the corner from Forno, has a luxurious style. Although called restaurant, it also serves as bakery and wine tasting club. They serve “spumanti” to accompany every meal, and offer wine sales and tastings led by sommelier Alessandro Pepe.

5. Casa Bleve, Via Del Teatro Valle 48/49:

At Casa Bleve you can enjoy wine choices you would not find elsewhere. It has a stained glass roof worthy of admiration and it was created in the early 1970s. It combines the best food and wine in Rome.

6. Palatium Enoteca Regionale, Via Frattina 94:

This regional “enoteca” was created to promote the history, traditional producers, a selection of wines from the best wineries and culinary wonders of Lazio. The menu changes with the seasons and they also sell local products to take away.

7. Enoteca Cavour 313, Via Cavour 313:

At this wine bar near the Colosseum you can enjoy the predominantly wooden decoration with bottles on high shelves. It works as a restaurant, where you can see a blackboard with the daily menu, and at the same time it is a wine bar with a counter at the entrance.

Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre 2011

Allegrini Palazzo Della Torre 2011 is a , a red wine with Veronese DO made with rondinella and sangiovese of 2011.

Cusumano Benuara 2012

Cusumano Benuara 2012 is a red wine from the Sicily DO which blend contains syrah and nero D’Avola of 2012 and 14º of alcohol strength. 

*Image: from_the_sky (flickr)