Born and Italy and based in Amsterdam, trained sommelier India Donisi started her wine blog #Winespicegirl in 2020 to add some spice to the wine world. By infusing humor and sensuality into a predominantly serious field, she strives to make wine more inclusive and reach a broader audience. India travels the world in search of the best wines and the stories behind the bottles, and loves to share her discoveries with you. In her inaugural column for Mind Jump Magazine, India selects wines to toast new beginnings for king and country.
On the 6th of May 2023 we celebrate the coronation of King Charles III and his wife Camilla as the Queen at Westminster Abbey. The last monarch to be crowned in England was Queen Elizabeth II, in 1953. This was exactly 70 years ago. A coronation is an event that doesn’t happen often, so if this isn’t an occasion to open up a spectacular bottle of wine, then I don’t know what is!
Not sure on which bottle to pop on this festive occasion? I’ll give you three options you can’t refuse. Can’t choose? Then how about all three?
Over the top
Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV Salmanazar, £825;
Wally’s Wines & Spirits, Los Angeles, delivery nationwide $2,000
http://Waitrosecellar.com
Wally’s Wine & Spirits – Established in 1968 as a World-Class Fine Wine, Spirits, & Food
Specialist. Shop, Dine, Events, Catering and Consignment | Wine-Searcher
Celebrate the royal way! Make sure you, your family and friends or your company will never forget this event by toasting the Coronation and the long weekend with this Bollinger Special Cuvée Salmanazar. This bottle contains the equivalent of 12 standard bottles, serving over 70 people. Large wine bottles are named after biblical kings and prophets of ancient Israel and Babylon, and the Salmanazar in particular is named after the Assyrian kings. Bigger-size bottles don’t only come in handy for parties but they actually enhance the quality of the wine. The larger the bottle, the slower the oxidation process. This prolongs the aging potential and maintains the freshness of the wine. In the case of Champagne, the bubbles acquire a certain finesse.
What to expect?
Bollinger Champagnes always have a touch of maturity due to their choice to age the base wine in oak barrels and the high percentage of Pinot noir found in the blend. Full-bodied and rich, this is a Champagne that combines fresh flavours of citrus with a complexity of spices, smoky notes and freshly baked bread. If this is your pick, make sure to serve the Champagne on the right temperature (between 6°C and 8°C) and have a skilful sommelier
open the bottle to avoid a disaster.
Picnic in the park
Gérard Bertrand ‘Clos du Temple’ Organic Rosé 2019, Languedoc
Majestic Wines, £169.99 Mix Six, £188.99 per bottle
Mr D, Miami, delivery nationwide, $156 per bottle
http://Majestic.co.uk
Gerard Bertrand Languedoc Cabrieres ‘Clos du Temple’ Rose, France 2019
Spring is in the air! If you will be toasting in the park, you might want to go for a bottle (or more) of rosé. Of course, the occasion doesn’t call for an everyday rosé so I have picked the Clos du Temple by Gerard Bertrand. This wine has been rewarded best rosé in the world and it’s not difficult to understand why. The stunning bottle holds a pale coloured rosé made from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault, Syrah, Viognier and Mourvèdre. Old vines and a fully biodynamic vineyard and winemaking process.
What to expect?
Elegance and grace, this rosé should be savoured like a fine wine. Best enjoyed on its own or try some salmon with it. Take your time to unravel all the layers. Ripe fruit, such as apricots, dances together with flowers and a touch of white pepper; in the back some darker notes from the oak.
Long live England
Nyetimber Classic Cuvee, Single Bottle, Marks&Spencer, £29 special offer
Wine Cellarage, NYC, case of six bottles, $384
On a day like this there is nothing wrong with being a little nationalistic. A great way to celebrate the nation is by bringing out a toast with one of the best English sparkling wines on the market. The Nyetimber classic cuvée is the flagship wine of the winery located in the rural heart of the South of England. A traditional blend of Chardonnay, Pinot noir and Pinot meunier. The grapes are grown on south-facing vineyards, creating the ideal conditions for optimum ripeness and complexity.
What to expect?
Due to its elegance and delicacy, this sparkling wine is the ideal aperitif at any occasion. It is also a match made in heaven for seafood. Even though it is a gentle wine you will find lots of complexity because of a longer cellar ageing – around three years. The wine will give you flavours of honey and almond, baked spices and pastries.
If you like bigger bottles, this wine is also available in magnum and make sure to try out their rosé too.
#Winespicegirl
