MAKE a gala night of it for the Oscars tomorrow with this impressive line-up of labels. Forget those winner-revealing gold envelopes on Oscars night – open any of these top tipples, all of which have scooped awards at international wine competitions, and you're sure to be thrilled with the results.
Waitrose Brut Special Reserve Vintage 2005, France (£24.99, Waitrose)
Every stylish party should start with a glass of champagne, so why not make it the critics' choice? A shimmering straw yellow with a toasty, nutty nose, it's rich and fruit-forward, with ripe, lemony notes, a creamy edge to the first-class fruit and impressive length on the finish.
Rioja Reserva Imperial 2012, Spain (£22.99, Majestic)
Cited as one of the best Rioja reservas around, this is a rich, powerful red that deftly balances deep, plummy spice, toasty vanilla, tobacco and savoury mulberry fruit. Velvety smooth with a lengthy finish, it's deliciously complex and deserves your best decanter. Otherwise, open a couple of hours before tuning in to Tinseltown.
Yealands Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2017, New Zealand (£11.95, greatwesternwine.co.uk)
A pungent style of sauvignon blanc, intense blackcurrant leaf and grassy aromas meet an elegant, polished palate of passion fruit and herbaceous flavours. Behind the scenes, the wine is shaped by specific vineyard parcels - one warmer site which lends the wine its expressive aromatics, and a cooler, coastal block gives the wine its minerally backbone and length.
Robert Oatley Signature Series Margaret River Chardonnay 2015, Australia (£9.99, The Co-operative, in store only)
An exemplary Margaret River chardonnay in a bright and refreshing style, this well crafted mix of ripe peach, nectarine and green apple flavours is gently oaked, with a pure, minerally palate and subtle hints of spice and vanilla for complexity.
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