Winter Reds

I’ve found a positive spin: at least we have an excuse to indulge in some thumping winter reds again. A big bold shiraz on a summer’s day is a guaranteed hangover in a glass. But on a wet wintry evening, it’s like lighting a fire in your belly and toasting a marshmallow on top.

Penfolds Bin 28 is a great example. Having previously won ‘Red Wine of the Year’ at the annual International Wine Challenge, the most recent release – the 2006 vintage –doesn’t disappoint, picking up another Gold at this year’s awards.

Widely regarded as one of the most enduring and popular of Penfolds’ Bin wines, Penfolds Bin 28 is loved because of its intense fruit definition, ripe fleshy palate robust structure and generous heaps of flavour. It’s full of spice and dark liquorice –with a vodka cranberry chaser on the finish.

A showcase for warm-climate Australian Shiraz, it’s good to drink young, but has a reputation for improving with mid-term cellaring – that is, if you have the patience.

One thing’s for sure, it’s a lot more consistent than the British weather. Forget the winter blues though; we’re all about winter reds.

Penfolds Bin 28 2006 is priced at £12.99 and is available from Majestic and Tesco.com.