Astrological Wines

Despite millions turning to their daily horoscopes, I stopped reading mine years ago; not liking the tone of the predictions. Whatever your views on traits inherited at birth, there appear to be common characteristics relating to zodiac signs.
With Pisces ruling this month, we have had a watery time, in more ways than one. So, with tongue in cheek, exploring wines and grape varieties associated with zodiac signs, seems fitting.
The zodiac can be linked to many natural objects, grape varieties being one of them, each having individual personalities. When considering the organic yearly cycle, the different vintages, and the birth of a wine, viticulture and astrology are natural partners.
Aquarius – born leaders, original thinkers, trend setters; Aquarians are also down to earth homebodies. Cool, restrained, eccentric Riesling seems perfectly matched, with good acidity, some minerality, and characteristic tar and petrol aromas. Hugel & Fils Jubilee 2007, £20, with white peach, quince and grapefruit flavours, is perfect for detached, intellectual Aquarians.
Pisces – the embodiment of water, adapting to its surroundings, moving with the tides; bringing to mind malleable Chardonnay, growing well wherever planted. I suggest Louis Jadot Meursault 2008 Burgundy £24, or notoriously difficult Pinot Noir, a sensitive red variety suited to dreamy, poetic Pisces. Louis Jadot Les Suchot 1er Cru Vosne-Romanée, 2006, £45 is worth the outlay.

Aries – fiery and adventurous, hardy and outgoing, with a penchant for trying new things, Aries is naturally attracted to exploring spicy, ruby red wines. Concha y Toro’s ‘Gravas del Maipo’ Syrah 2007, £56, with its forward heat, spicy pepperiness, and minty character, suits this lively, demanding sign.
Taurus – this strong-willed earth sign has a grounded sensibility, craving comfort. Unlikely to move once they’ve established roots, Taureans lean towards tried and tested favourites. Try a reliable wellbalanced Bordeaux, Cháteau Domeyne, 2010, £18, or more rustic Marques de Riscal ‘Riscal 1860’ Tempranillo, £9.
Gemini – unsurprisingly, contradictory, opinionated, on the move, always gravitating towards something different. This duality conjures up Waimea Estate Pinot Gris 2012 Nelson, £13.50, a New Zealand wine blending Old World techniques with New World pioneering methods. Likewise, Sauvignon Blanc from down under, Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough, £18.50.
Cancer – hard on the outside, softies inside, forming close bonds with others; but don’t upset them. Reminiscent of...Pinot Noir! Joseph Phelps Vineyards Freestone Pinot Noir, Sonoma County 2010, £32 will suit. To bring out the softer side, botrytis affected Semillon, producing luscious sweet wines, will crack Cancer’s hard shell nicely. Try Keith Tulloch Hunter Valley Botrytis Semillon 2011, £20.
Leo – always the star of the show, embracing the finer things in life; hence, a recommendation for Cabernet Sauvignon. Trefethen Family Vineyards Napa Cabernet 2008, £50, offering great value; sure to win over Leo, with its stable reliability and persistent blackcurrant, cedar and cigar-box style.
Virgo – down to earth, rarely seeking the limelight. Hard working, organised, and friend to all, Virgo likes nothing more after a hard day than unwinding with refreshing, undemanding, and low maintenance Sauvignon Blanc. The ‘Justine Barbou’ Domaine des Corbillieres, £16 will perk up the spirits. Another Loire favourite, Cabernet Franc, adding backbone to many great Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignons, fits the bill perfectly with its restrained, smooth berry flavours; around £12.
Libra – natural leaders, requiring balanced, harmonious relationships; like Riesling, which needs a balanced combination of acid, sugar and texture. Trimbach 2011, £12 provides consistent quality. Crowd pleaser Chardonnay, so eponymous it is ordered by name, like Libra, lubricates and pleases many social situations. 2011 Errazuriz Max Reserva Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley, £10, is an undemanding New World wine, balancing fruity ripeness with steely restraint.
Scorpio – can be tricky, taking time to warm to others, like the Sangiovese grape, often bitter when young, gaining fragrance with age, as with 2001 Conti Capponi Villa Calcinaia Chianti Classico Riserva, £59. Also suiting Scorpio’s intensely complex, paradoxical nature, is deep, dark, mature Zinfandel, with high alcohol levels, aromas of dried fruit, burnt rubber and pepper.
Sagittarius – outgoing, generous and bawdy, Sagittarian’s honest, direct nature suits straightforward Ridge Geyserville Zinfandel 2010 Alexander Valley, £22, with its silky texture, dark berries and flowers. “Sangiovese” means “blood of Jove”, and as Jupiter rules Sagittarius, Brunello di Montalcino 2008 Banfi, £24, with its liquorice and chocolate is a full bodied alternative. Adventurous Sagittarians will be tempted by versatile, exuberant Viognier. The 2008 Condrieu la Doraine Domaine Etienne Guigal, £50, is rich and unctuous, yet approachable.
Capricorn – stubborn patience and perseverance mark these late bloomers attracted to scaling new heights, romantically, socially and physically. Juicy 2010 Pulenta Gran Malbec, Mendoza, Argentina, £26, with its New World flair, tempered by Old World restraint, should impress. Alternatively, Nebbiolo, Italy’s pride, will suit those patiently waiting for the 2007 Barolo, Casina Bric 460, Vergne, Piedmont, £35, to reach its peak.