Between Two Worlds

[Beachfan]

I enjoy fruit forward wines, I don't mind ripeness if the wine isn't flabby, but I dislike oak.

Any recommendations?

[Jancis Robinson]

Good question. It's getting increasingly difficult to find completely unoaked wines but how about inexpensive Cotes du Rhones? The 2001s are looking especially good at the moment - just bursting with fruit.

Roughly speaking there is a certain price level below which you can be pretty sure that oak barrels haven't been used - but you can't be sure that the winemaker hasn't been dabbling with oak chips or inner staves - both of which imbue an oaky flavour without the cost of barrel maintenance.

Most completely unoaked wines are relatively inexpensive. You could also try less expensive Spanish reds from a reliable importer.

As for fruity, unoaked whites - what could be more delicious than a R**sling?