A New Year’s ‘steak n’ potato’ dinner was a great match with this southern Rhone wine. Bbq thick cut ribsteak, sweet potato and sauteed brocolini.

This Grenache blend is pleasing black currant and black pepper on the nose and the red plum note emerges with more time in the glass. The palate is dry with a touch of acidity and abundant but silky tannin. The flavours are plum and black pepper spice. A short length, but pleasing finish. Great to dive right back into another bite.

Good value overall, and priced well at $19.

Not a wine to enjoy over two days unless you like the peppery notes – they seem to get more pronounced.

Are you team Chardon-nay or team Chardon-yay? This was a heated, but lighthearted discussion about the ‘love it or hate it’ grape.