Wine reviews
Wine has a long way to go until a non-alcoholic one can really replace the real thing. Removing alcohol also removes flavour and in my experience they often end up tasting more like grape juice than wine. However, alcohol-free sparkling wines tend to style it out a bit better than most and this relatively new …
The Found own label range from M&S is a great place for finding some of the more unusual or rarely seen grapes and as far as I know this is first single varietal Nerello Cappuccio on supermarket shelves. Normally blended with other grapes, it’s juicy and jammy and full of gorgeous cherry fruit flavours with a …
A gorgeous peachy Viognier from one of Chile’s largest family-owned producers, this one has a touch of oak – just a couple of months – to add a bit of texture & flavour. Think tropical fruits and spice, it’s the kind of white I love at this time of year. Ripe, round and warming. Just the …
Read more “Luis Felipe Edwards ‘Signature Series’ Viognier Reserva”
This is the gorgeous dry white we had on Saturday Kitchen a couple of weeks ago and honestly, it’s the kind of wine that makes my heart sing. The grape is known as the ‘little rascal’ of Piedmont (literally Arneis translates as little rascal) given it’s fairly tricky to grow. It almost disappeared in the late …
Made for the Co-op by none other than Piper Heidsieck, this award-winning own label champagne is based on a similar blend of the three classic champagne grapes (mostly Pinot Noir, with Pinot Meunier and some Chardonnay too). One of the best champagnes currently under £20 around, this is such good value. Yes, there are some …
Honestly, have a bottle of this in the house over Christmas and you’ll have the perfect thing to drink every time you have a mince pie, a slice of Christmas cake, some Christmas pudding or a plate of cheese. For my money, Tawny Port is one of the best value wines in the world. It …
We had this one on Saturday Kitchen last weekend, it’s such good value for money. From vineyards around the Medieval village of Scansano in Tuscany, Morellino is the local name for the Sangiovese grape (the same one behind the wines of Chianti). It’s Tuscan to the core with bright cherry fruit flavours and a distinct …
From Victoria’s Yarra Valley, this is just the kind of Australian Chardonnay I love. Basically it’s a way more sophisticated take on the goblets of Chardonnay I used to drink in All Bar One back in my twenties. Ripe and warm with gorgeous stone fruit flavours (think peach and apricots) and a touch of creaminess, …
I’m sorry, I can’t find a picture of the current label but no matter because the wine inside is so good! Snapped up by the buyer (nice one, Josh), this parcel is mostly Merlot with some Cabernet Sauvignon in there too. Smooth and juicy and so damn (enjoyably) drinkable.
This one’s been in the range for a while but it’s a bit of a hidden gem, a deliciously ripe Viognier from France packed with ripe warm stone fruit flavours (think apricots with a touch of honeysuckle). Cheap but still cheerful.
Normally I’m wary of really cheap wines. That’s not to say I don’t love a bargain (I absolutely do) but given that we pay £2.23 in tax on a bottle of wine, once you add in production, shipping and distribution costs along with VAT and the retailer’s cut, there isn’t much left for the wine …
From Nemea in the North Eastern Peleponnese, this gorgeous Greek red is from a winery started by two friends back in the 1980s. Made from one of the country’s star red grapes, Agiorgitiko (pronounced Aye-your-yit-ico), think juicy red berry fruits and a sprinkle of spice. Lighter than some I’ve tasted but all the better for …
Made from the (vastly underrated IMHO) Verdicchio grape, this is the kind of Italian white you want in your fridge door AT ALL TIMES. So crisp and fresh with lime fruits but with a gentle floral edge and a touch of almond. It’s unfussy but so damn delicious and drinkable. And way more interesting than …
Most of the Pinot Noir planted in the UK is used to make sparkling wine but when the conditions are right (meaning warm enough!) we’re starting to make pretty good red wines too. The winery that makes this is in Devon but the grapes are grown in Essex, a bit of a hot spot for …
When the Wilks family moved to the UK from South Africa, they hadn’t planned to make wine but the house they bought came with a vineyard. Fast forward fifteen years and they now farm their 1.5ha vineyard as naturally as possible. And the results are fabulous, from their sparkling wine to the white and rosé, …
Made from the Monastrell grape (known as Mourvedre elsewhere) in Jumilla, down in southeast Spain, this is a gloriously juicy red with smooth black fruit flavours and a touch of spice. Incredible value given that it’s organic to boot. Perfect Sunday roast red.
This gorgeous Ukrainian vodka is made from three grains – barley, rye and wheat – and is so smooth, you can sip it on its own. Do as Dima, the founder, does and serve it at room temperature alongside a selection of pickles (I’m pretty sure you get some when you order a bottle of …
This is a juicy, joyous gem of a red wine made from the Grenache grape grown on old bush vines. It manages to be both medium-bodied but stuffed full of raspberry and black cherry flavours, the kind of wine that definitely makes you think of brighter days ahead. Talking of which, it’s great with anything …
I picked this wine to go with a spicy seafood dish on Saturday Kitchen recently and it’s got all the right things going on. Lots of fruit, freshness and just completely delicious drinkability. What makes it even better is that for every bottle sold 10 plastic bottles are removed from the sea (the brand works …
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic replacement to top up with tonic over ice, this is brilliant. Created by the gardeners and cooks of Pythouse Kitchen Garden in Wiltshire, it’s made from a blend of botanicals picked from their own kitchen garden including hops for dryness, rhubarb for tang, ginger for heat and fennel seeds …
Kombucha is simply fermented tea known for its gut-friendly properties and this one is a collaboration between Suffolk-based brewers Adnams and L.A Brewery, a local micro-distillery run by foraging fanatic Louise Avery. Louise gets her inspiration for her blends by going for a walk and seeing what’s in season, in this case elderflower, rhubarb and …
Much as I love a perky passionfruit-loaded Sauvignon Blanc, my real love is for this rather more elegant style so typical of the Loire Valley, especially those from Touraine. Think citrus with a dash of the florals and you get the idea. Bright, fresh and crying out to go with anything from the sea beside …
Bordeaux might be one of the most famous wine regions in the world but it’s not all leathery old clarets and decanters. This one, made from the Merlot grape with some Cabernet Sauvignon (a classic Bordeaux blend) is packed with plum fruits and a touch of spice. Simply delicious.
The Beaujolais region’s granite soils and warm climate suit the Gamay grape perfectly, producing medium-bodied wines with juicy black cherry and blueberry fruit flavours just like this one. Happy enough on its own or with a plate of charcuterie. Sausages & mash a good shout, too.
From one of just a handful of wine estates in Spain to have Vinos de Pago status, this is a very smart blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Tempranillo grapes. It’s aged for a year in small oak barrels then for a bit longer in the bottle before being released. Big, bold and very, very …
Made from really old vines grown in one of the highest spots in the region, this 100% Garnacha is rich and plump with plenty of bramble fruits and a generous sprinkle of spice. Definitely calls for a fire, a bowl of stew and something binge-worthy on TV.
Made from the Gros Manseng grape grown in South West France, this is all pear and spice and all things nice in the glass with extra oomph thanks to the wine being aged on its lees for a while before being bottled. I paired this recently with spicy pakoras on Saturday Kitchen and I loved …
Get past the massive piano keys on the label and inside is a really well made wine, a blend of organic Tempranillo and Syrah grapes grown in the Castilla region in Spain. It’s not been anywhere near an oak barrel so this is all about the fruit: juicy raspberry and black cherry flavours with super …
Packed with autumnal fruit flavours – think ripe plums, berries and a touch of spice – this is just the kind of cosy red I’m wanting right now. Made from Shiraz grapes grown in the Breedekloof region it’s got real warmth but without being heavy. Brilliantly done by Bruce, it’s made from Fairtrade certified grapes …
A gorgeous, crisp Godello (that’s the name of the grape) from Valdeorras (meaning Valley of Gold) in Galicia, up in the northwest corner of Spain. The steep terraced vineyards mean there’s altitude, giving the wine extra freshness and zing balanced with flavours of ripe white fruit and a mineral touch. Put this with roast chicken …
This juicy Primitivo is new to the Tesco range, made by one of the top cooperative producers in Abruzzo, halfway down the back of Italy’s boot. It’s warm here which suits the grape perfectly, bringing out warm black fruit flavours – black cherry, blackberry and a touch of sweet fig. Cracking value and one to …
If ever there was a red wine style made for the summer months it’s Fleurie, a glorious summer berry fruit-loaded red from one of the Beaujolais region’s 10 Cru villages. Made from the juicy Gamay grape this one’s particularly lovely, light on its feet but with plenty of flavour and just the right amount of …
Vintage champagne is rarely cheap but this one, from one of the more under the radar Champagne Houses (and the second oldest in the region) is a relative bargain. Made from a classic blend of champagne grapes it’s the extra age that gives this one its edge, all honey and toasted nuts with a streak …
Okay, so here’s what you really need to know about this wine. It’s made from the Montepulciano grape and comes from Abruzzo, the calf of Italy. It’s typically smooth and juicy and stuffed with black fruit flavours with a kick of spice to boot. The kind of wine you want an enormous glass of if …
It’s an English wine! In a bag in box! And it’s brilliant! Honestly, I’m going to be drinking this all summer long. Made from the Bacchus grape, it’s got the freshness of Sauvignon but not as in-your-face and the bag in box format boasts a carbon footprint 10x lower than glass. Once opened, it’ll stay …
One of my favourite wines currently on the English wine scene, this rich, complex, toasty, nutty, citrusy sparkler is SUCH a treat. Made from a blend of mostly Chardonnay, along with some Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier all grown in Hampshire vineyards on prized chalky soil, it’s aged for around three years on its lees …
This is one of those reds that practically orders you to sit down, eat, chat and generally chill your boots. Made from organic grapes grown mostly in vineyards in Mendocino County, just north of Sonoma County in northern California, it’s full of smooth blackberry and plum fruit flavours wrapped in spice and a warming dollop …
This organic white really is the bees knees, full of gorgeous ripe tropical fruit flavours with a touch of butter and honey. And though the flavours are big, the wine is brilliantly balanced with freshness and fruit in equal measure. Some of the wine is fermented in oak barrels too, adding a gentle spiciness to …
There are now lots and lots and LOTS of gorgeous English Sparkling wines to choose from but finding a good one for under £20 is a bit of a challenge (making sparkling wine via the traditional ‘champagne’ method i.e. with a second bubble-inducing fermentation happening inside the bottle is a relatively expensive business). This is …
Made from the Pinot Noir grape this is the pink take on one of the Loire Valley’s best known wines. From the gorgeous bottle shape to what’s inside, I absolutely loved this when I tasted it at the recent Tesco Press Tasting. Honestly, it beat lots of other Provence rosés hands down on deliciousness. Lighter, …
A properly good Riesling from a great producer in the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, it’s bright, bold and bone dry with gorgeous lime fruit guaranteed to shake up the taste buds. Brilliant with anything fresh and spicy like Thai or anything herby & chilli-flecked.
Talk about message in a bottle. This one comes in a Frugalpac, otherwise known as a cardboard ‘bottle’ made with 94% recycled paperboard. It’s way more sustainable than glass (lighter to transport, completely recyclable) and what’s inside is a lovely, juicy, slightly-earthy-in-a-good-way Italian blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot grapes. Win win, in other words.
Meaning ‘cherry’ in Spanish, the Cereza grape mostly found in the Mendoza region in Argentina produces wines that look more like dark rosés or light reds. And this one really does, as Dawn says, taste of cherry cola and thyme. A gorgeous summer red, stick it in the ice bucket on a hot day and glug …
If you’ve never stuck your nose into a glass of Zibibbo before you’re in for a real treat! Think peaches sprinkled with apple blossom and you get the idea. It’s such a fabulous grape variety and if ever there was a time to be drinking a wine like that it’s now. Seriously made for summer.
Although it’s impossible to ignore those beautiful puppy dog eyes on the label, we all know it’s what’s inside that counts. In this case, a brilliant juicy red made from a classic Southern French blend of grapes. Full of bright berry fruits with a touch of spice, this is quite happy on its own but …
Macedonia might not spring immediately to mind when thinking about what wine to have tonight but honestly, Smederevka is a real mouthful. Not just the name, but the flavours of the grape including peach, apple and a touch of lime. Refreshingly different and dangerously drinkable. Quite the best combination.
Created just four years ago, One Gin has sage as its key botanical and given than I love a) gin and b) sage it’s no surprise I love this particular one. But not only does it taste good, 10% of all profits go to fund clean water projects around the world. As well as this …
One of the wines in a new range in M&S called Found, featuring little-known grapes from some of the places best suited to growing them. This particular one is made from the little-known Ribolla Gialla (pronounced ja-lah, meaning yellow in Italian) grape, from northern Italy. It’s got a bit of peach, a lot of citrus …
Brilliantly earthy red made from Tannat, the star grape of the Madiran region in South West France. There’s both Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc in there too, so lots going on – black cherry, a touch of coffee and a kick of spice. Absolutely made to go with slow roast lamb.
Perfectly perky white made from a blend of Colombard with the aromatic Sauvignon Blanc grape. And they work brilliantly together, the Sauvignon adding a real citrus lift. Works with or without food but to get the best out of it add salty snacks at the very least.
One of Plaimont’s many strong points is rescuing little-known grape varieties from obscurity and this particular blend includes the Manseng Noir grape. It brings lots of juicy plum and raspberry fruit to the Merlot-based party. Refreshingly different.
This is made from a cocktail of local grapes including Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu, Petit Manseng and Arrufiac and it’s one of those whites that instantly adds a spring to your step. So fresh and perky with white peach and citrus fruits, all it needs is a plate of smoked salmon and you’re set.
This Fairtrade red comes from one of the best spots in South Africa for so-called Bordeaux Blends. It’s mostly Cabernet and Merlot but there’s a bit of Cabernet Franc and a dash of Malbec in there too. The result is big and earthy with buckets of black fruits and plenty of texture and spice from …
Bandol is a small sub-region in Provence first made famous by its big reds made from the Mourvedre grape. But it’s the region’s fairly in-your-face roses like this one that are a real delight. You can pay around £30 a bottle for some (hello, Domaine Tempier) or you can snaffle a relative bargain like this …
This pre-mixed Pink Grapefruit Margarita can’t fail to perk you up. For a start, the colour is joyous. Then there’s the taste, a hit of tequila and orange with a whack of pink grapefruit (add a squeeze of fresh lime juice for extra zing). This comes in a recyclable pouch that fits through the letterbox …
From Chile (think natural fruit bowl) comes this tropical fruit-loaded Chardonnay and honestly it’s just what we need right now. From the Leyda Valley, a cool coastal spot which clearly suits Chardonnay down to the ground. A proportion of the wine is aged in French oak barrels adding a bit more oomph and flavour to …
I love Chenin Blanc, a much misunderstood grape that can do anything from dry to sweet to sparkling. Here it is on cracking form, all fresh and citrusy with a dollop of pear fruit flavours. Made from Fairtrade grapes grown in the Breede River Valley in South Africa’s Western Cape, it’s normally £7.50 but currently …
South Africa’s Swartland region is stuffed with lovely wines but this one almost didn’t happen. The old bush vines were due to be pulled up (Cinsault isn’t the most fashionable of grapes right now) but happily they weren’t and we get to drink this raspberry fruit-filled, lightly spicy red for a relative song. Lovely with …
Normally £6.50, it’s currently on offer at £6 but it’s a steal either way. Crisp, fresh and moreish, it’s made from the Verdicchio grape in one of the best bits of the Marche region for this particular grape. Expect ripe lemons with a touch of the florals. Fabulously food friendly, too – chicken, fish, bowl …
This went down a storm recently on Saturday Kitchen (served with the most delicious duck ragu I’ve ever eaten). Made from a blend of northern Italian grapes, the wine is fermented on the leftover skins of grapes used to make Amarone. This adds considerable weight and flavour to the mix and it’s gorgeous – bright, …
I’m having a bit of a moment with Italian reds (my new book is set partly in Italy) and at the moment I’m hankering after the cherry pop of Chianti. This one’s slicker than your average Chianti Classico at under a tenner, perfect when there’s a plate of pasta in front of you. Properly great …
If your taste buds are feeling done in after the festive period, this is the kind of white to shake everything back into focus. A crisp, bright white with buckets of citrus and a touch of green apple fruit about it from Greece. Yes, I said Greece. It’s got a groove, etc.
If you’re looking for something to sip with mince pies and Christmas cake – and frankly at this time of year, who isn’t? – this is the one for you. Made by one of the leading sherry producers, it’s like liquid molasses. Made from partially dried PX grapes, with its naturally concentrated sugars it definitely …
If you want baby Champagne at Prosecco prices, this is it. From the Bourgogne region, it’s a blend of mostly Pinot Noir with a dollop of Chardonnay, Gamay and local grape Aligote and the result is like just-crushed lemon biscuits in a glass. Properly good value for money and the winner of this year’s Great …
One of the highlights of my day job is being a wine judge for the International Wine Competition and we’ve just finished eight days of solid tasting to find the latest crop of medal winners. This wine was already a favourite so I’m thrilled that it won, when tasted blind by a whole panel of …
New to the shelf in the last few weeks, expect to see a LOT of pink Prosecco from now on. Actually it’s been around for years, just not labelled as Rose (Italian laws didn’t allow it). Now you can as long as the blend has at least 15% of the Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir in …
I used to visit this particular producer many years ago when I was a supermarket buyer and always loved the wines from this beautiful spot in Chile’s Colchagua Valley. The reds have an almost chocolate-y character to them, smooth and rich and so, so more-ish. This one’s gorgeous, all black plum fruit and gentle spice. …
This is part of Lidl’s latest Wine Tour so if you see one on shelf, grab it because it won’t be around for long. It’s a sweet wine from South West France, made from late harvest grapes (rather than noble rot like Sauternes). Naturally sweet but not at all cloying, it goes brilliantly with blue …
Well, hello winter-friendly white with your gorgeous plump stone fruit flavours. I love the peachy Viognier grape but this Californian take on it is something else. Not to mention cheap as proverbial chips. Honestly, you can’t drink this and not feel just a little bit more sunshine-y afterwards. Especially good with at least half a …
Big but not scary, this is a fire-lit-slippers-on kind of red, warm and welcoming with loads of bramble fruit flavours and a touch of spice. Made from the marvellous Malbec grape, this is from its first home in France (Argentina is more of a second home, even if it does really love it there). Fantastic …
The Catena family have been making wine in Argentina since 1902 and they’re really good at it. They make wines with altitude, pioneering the development of vineyards in higher altitude spots across the country. And this wine, made by fourth generation vintner Laura Catena and chief winemaker Alejandro Vigil, really shows off Cabernet Franc’s best …
Pinotage is the love-child of the Pinot Noir and Cinsaut grapes and is one of South Africa’s most distinctive reds. I say distinctive, but for some it’s more marmite in a love-it-or-hate-it kind of way. But this one’s pretty impossible not to love with its earthy black fruits, generous sprinkle of spice and alcohol that …
Think of all the autumnal fruits – apples, pears, quinces – all squashed in a glass and that gives you some idea of what to expect from this gorgeous Chenin Blanc. From a top producer (and a real pioneer of organic and biodynamic wine production) this organic white is an absolute steal at the price …
Beronia is a producer based in Rioja (their reds are lovely) but they loved the white wines from Rueda so much they built a winery there too. This is more at the grassy end of the Verdejo spectrum rather than the riper peach fruit end and I love it. Great value and makes a properly …
This is such a bright take on the Verdejo grape, it positively dazzles with fresh citrus along with gorgeous white peach flavours. The grapes are picked at night to lock in flavour and although it’s generally fresh and light, there’s some weight to it too. Smarter than your average and great with food, roast chicken, …
Founder Bethan Higson created this ingenious ginger switchel when, pregnant a few years ago, she couldn’t find anything interesting to drink in place of her usual glass of wine. It’s based on an old ‘shrub’ recipe – namely apple cider vinegar, honey and ginger – and she’s fired it up a little with a touch …
Currently on offer (it’s normally £7.79) this is an outrageously good value Pinot Noir from Romania. It’s really juicy and fresh with lots of brilliant berry fruit flavours, the kind of wine that makes you smack your lips after drinking it. Worked a treat with mushroom lasagne, especially the one made by Yotam (as I …
Viognier is a peach of a grape, capable of producing wines with lots of ripe tropical fruit flavours. This one, from the Languedoc in southern France, is bright and juicy with buckets of apricot fruit flavours but also just the right amount of zip to keep it light (some can feel quite heavy and a …
Made from the perky Barbera grape at the top of Italy’s boot, this gorgeous supple red from an old established producer is all cherries and gentle spice. It’s the kind of wine that makes you want to eat food, especially anything with a tomato sauce. Pasta, meatballs, margarita pizza…you get the idea.
This is a southern French cocktail of grapes including Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre and the resulting blend is gently spicy, a touch earthy (in a good way – think rosemary and smoke) and has got buckets of black fruit flavours. Just add hot dogs.
This glorious white is made from grapes grown in Puglia, down in Italy’s heel. It’s absolutely delicious (think mango with a twist of honeysuckle), is suitable vegans and it’s made using sustainable organic farming methods. Gorgeous label, too. Try it with roast chicken. Twiglets work too.
If you’re looking for a juicy, raspberry fruit-filled not-too-tannic red, this is it. From one of the ten top quality Beaujolais Crus (named villages that produce some of the best wines in the region), this is at the lighter end of the Beaujolais scale. Soft, silky, you get the picture. Made from the Gamay grape …
Made from a blend of Melon de Bourgogne (the grape behind Muscadet) and Chardonnay, this perky Loire white is delightfully light on its feet (it’s a friendly 12% abv). I love Loire whites, not least because they’re usually really good value. This isn’t exactly cheap but you’d probably pay a lot more for it if …
Another pink from Kent but this time with bubbles. It’s made in the same way as champagne (fermented in the bottle for a second bubble-inducing time) from a blend of the three classic champagne grapes and when you stick your nose in the glass you get a face full of strawberries and cream. Fantastic value …
The couple behind this wine have been making rosé from their vineyard in Provence for years so they know what they’re doing. And they’ve made this one, from the Pinot Noir grape grown in Kent, very much with Provence in mind. Pale with delicate red fruits and a streak of freshness, it’s a real taste …
Set up by two friends fed up with being served a bad Bloody Mary, this comes pre-mixed with all the gubbins including a shot of Amontillado sherry. There’s soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce for added umami and plenty of Tabasco to spice it up. Talk about canned heat. Actually, I can’t quite bring myself to …
Named after the founder’s WhatApp group chat ‘The Huns’, this is one of the sassiest wine brands to hit the shelves for a long time. There’s a white and a rosé in the range (with a sparkling rosé to come) and the wine is properly good, sourced from a great producer in South Africa. Made …
This is seriously cool, bringing together Chardonnay grapes from two of Australia’s hottest cool spots. The first is Clare Valley in South Australia and the second is Margaret River in Western Australia. It’s a white peach and nectarine-filled dream with subtle spice and plenty of flavour. Just add a plate of roast chicken and you’re …
This gorgeous blend of Cabernet Sauvignon from two different regions brings together the frankly outrageous fruit from the Clare Valley with the mint & velvet luxury of grapes from the Coonawarra. It’s the kind of red that makes you want to sit on the sofa and stay there. Beautifully mellow with buckets of blackcurrant fruit …
Currently on offer with a whopping £4.50 off the normal price, this is a really fantastic traditional method (meaning made in the same way as champagne) sparkling wine from the cool climate of Tasmania. It’s a classic blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier and manages to stuff both subtle red fruits and broken …
Made from a grape called Lledoner Pelut in the Languedoc, nicknamed by Domaine Jones’ winemaker Katie Jones as Hairy Grenache owing to the hairy leaves on the vine. It’s a bit like Grenache – juicy, smooth – but lighter in style. Still packs a whack of alcohol at 14% but it’s more a loveable little …
Amaretto is my guilty pleasure. Okay, one of them. I love it over ice or poured into hot chocolates to make them that little bit more, er, warming. But my favourite way to drink it is in an Amaretto Sour. To make it put 50ml of Amaretto in a blender and add 30ml of lemon …
Viognier can be quite a plump-tasting grape but this one’s been made from grapes harvested at night (cooler temperatures help the grapes keep their fresh fruit flavours) so it’s more apricot-like than full on tropical fruit. I featured this one on Saturday Kitchen at the weekend which meant I got to drink it for breakfast. …
If you like lime cordial, you are going to love this. Made from the Vermentino grape, it’s so bright and fresh with bags of citrus fruits and a touch of the florals too. From Sicily, it’s one of those wines that asks for nothing more than a handful of salty snacks to bring out its …
This brilliant organic red from Italy’s heel, Puglia, comes in what is best described as a giant paint tin. Basically it’s a bag in box except in a tube so it’s fully recyclable. A juicy, fruit mash up of local grape Negroamaro along with some Primitivo and Cabernet Sauvignon too, think black cherries and spice …
Well, this is lovely. Not just the wine (fresh, floral and a joy to drink) but the story behind it. The distributor, Berkmann, normally supplies the restaurant trade with wines. But with the on-trade temporarily shut down they’re offering wines for sale from their website with 12.5% going to Help4Hospitality, a fund supporting the hospitality …
I mean, this wine is basically a guilty pleasure bottled. Made from dried grapes, think alcoholic fig juice along with flavours of caramel, raisins and chocolate thrown in with enough alcohol to make your cheeks pink. Pour it over ice cream. Drink it in the bath. No judgement here.
I swear it’s not just the cats in spacesuits that make me love this wine so much. OK, maybe a little. But the wine inside is fantastic, one of the most bright, juicy, joyous (not to mention more-ish) reds to have around at the moment. From the Languedoc, it’s made mostly from the Grenache grape …
One of the brightest stars on the English sparkling wine scene, Black Chalk is the brand created by winemaker Jacob Leadley. This one’s made from a blend of Hampshire-grown grapes including all three of the classic champagne varieties. A small part of the blend is fermented in oak barrels adding a bit more oomph. But …
Former winner of Scottish Gin of the Year, this is one for anyone who likes their gin on the juniper-y side. Made in a distillery in Dundee by ex-Formula 1 executive Andrew Mackenzie, it’s clean, crisp and strong. He’s recently switched his production line over to making hand sanitiser for his local community but I …
This fruity little number played a starring role on last week’s Saturday Kitchen matched with gammon, egg and chips (star guest Anton du Beke’s idea of food heaven, apparently). And it absolutely did not disappoint, all juicy raspberry and blackberry fruit flavours with lovely soft tannins (you don’t want anything too tannic with gammon, ideally). …
The Languedoc region in southern France was making sparkling wine back in 1531, long before they were doing the whole second-fermentation trick required to get bubbles in the bottle in Champagne. The blend is quite different though, with local hero grape Mauzac taking the lead. From a great producer, this is crisp and apple-y with …
One of the last press tastings I went to before everything was cancelled was the Aldi Spring Tasting. And this was one of the standout whites for the price, nicely balanced with lemony fruit and lip-smacking freshness. It’s available online now and in stores in a couple of weeks, apparently. Stock up whilst you can …
Galicia, up in the top northwest corner of Spain, is famous for its crisp-as-clean-sheets Albarino wines. But the warm, dry Monterrei region in Galicia is where the aromatic Godello grape thrives. Made by a great co-operative (named after a famous troubadour, as it happens), this is bright with citrus and pear fruit flavours, the kind …
This is a bonkers but brilliant blend of grape varieties, ones that you wouldn’t necessarily expect to find hanging out on vines in the Riverland region in Australia. It’s big, bold and juicy with bags of blackcurrant fruit flavour and lots of warmth. Tannins like a cashmere blanket. The grapes in this blend include Tempranillo, …
This gorgeous sweetie is from Hungary’s Tokaj region, one of the oldest sweet wine-producing regions in the world. It’s a late harvest wine, meaning the grapes are left on the vine for a month or two longer than normal so they get super ripe. Think light citrus fruits with a touch of apricot and lots …
We’re more used to seeing this in red rather than pink but this is what happens when you crush Malbec grapes and leave the juice in contact with their skins for a bit. It goes pink! There’s a dash of the delightfully floral Torrontes grape in here too, adding a light floral touch to the …
Pink gin made from rosé! I know! And it’s gorgeous, properly fresh and crisp and lightly floral. Made by the same people behind the wildly successful Mirabeau brand, this is made from distilled grapes and uses local Riviera botanicals including lavender. thyme, rose petals and lemon. Looks more like a giant bottle of perfume, just one …
Ridiculously perky red from Italy’s Piedmont region, this is the brilliant Barbera grape in all its black cherry-bomb glory. Normally a pound more expensive, it’s worth trying if you like your reds with lots of flavour and a bit of bite. Gorgeous with (really) slow roast pork.
Malbec might have become Argentina’s calling card but the grape’s roots are firmly in France. Specifically this region – Cahors – in South West France where it produces wines with masses of black fruit flavours and a little (lovely) earthiness. This is a wine to drink with food, the heartier the better. Cue great excuse …
Currently on offer (it’s normally £8), this is made from a local grape called Loin de l’oeil from a region not far from Toulouse in South West France. Expect a blast of apple and grapefruit across the taste buds. Crisp and dry, just what’s called for when the kids are fed and The Archers is …
Think of Marlborough and chances are Sauvignon Blanc comes to mind. But the region is making some great Pinot Noir too, generally lighter in style than those from further south but with bright, juicy red berry fruit flavours and – like this one – just the right amount of grip. Made by the Ibbotson family, …
It’s white wine, but not as you might know it. Made from white grapes – in this case some Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Feteasca and another local grape that’s a bit like Muscat – but made like a red wine and fermented on its skins. So it has a bit of colour, hence the name, and …
Most non-alcoholic wines taste more like fruit juice than wine – and that’s the good ones. But there are a few wine-like ones around and this is one of them. Made from the Riesling grape, it actually smells grape-y, which definitely helps. And although not bone dry, it’s not too sweet either (most of them …
This is such a clever idea: a great gin made with super concentrated botanicals so that you only need a small measure to get the taste with your tonic. The bottle comes with a small silver thimble round its neck for you to use as a measure and then you just make your G&T as …
Sainsbury’s are running a huge offer across their wine range until the 15th December, 25% off 6 bottles or more. And because Möet is already on offer (£29 down from £35), buy six bottles and it takes it down to just £21.75 per bottle. Now, I know Möet isn’t an obvious choice. Actually it’s almost …
Crémant is the umbrella name given to French sparkling wine made in the same way as champagne (aka Traditional Method) but from a designated region other than Champagne. This one – as the name tells you – is from the Loire Valley in northern France and is made from a blend of Chenin Blanc and …
A bit like Prosecco but drier, this Italian sparkler is from the neighbouring region, Emilia Romagna. And it’s made from different grapes – Pignoletto aka Grechetto Gentile – so has a little more bite to it compared with Prosecco. Light and fresh with lovely pear fruit flavours, it’s a proper crowd pleaser (and at this …
Hands down the best value rosé champagne on the shelves at the moment, IMHO. It’s got all the things you want in a pink fizz – fine bubbles, a touch of toast, delicate-but-definitely-there red fruit flavours – and above all, freshness. And all for well under £20 which, whilst still not cheap, is a bargain …
Prosecco can be a bit hit and miss nowadays, not least because there’s so much of it about. But this one, especially with £1.50 off the normal price (until 12th December) is a proper Christmas cracker. It’s really light and lemony, fresh and frothy and not at all cloying (which some can be). Quality-wise, …
This is just the kind of red you need on the side in the kitchen at this time of year. Soft, juicy, warm and ripe with lovely earthy black fruit flavours, it’s from the Corbieres region in southern France and looks and (more importantly) tastes more expensive than it is. A blend of red grapes …
Finding a bottle of Italian white made from the Arneis grape on our supermarket shelves isn’t easy. But this one’s popped up in Asda and it’s a gem. Arneis almost disappeared at one stage but it’s making something of a comeback, happily. Crisp and dry with gorgeous pear fruit and a touch of almond, it’s …
When the temperature drops, I want white wines with huggable flavours. You know, more tropical fruits than sharp lemons. And this Viognier from Chile brings it with gorgeous peach and apricot flavours wrapped in sunshine. Buy this as part of the Majestic mix six deal and it goes down to just £5.99 a bottle. Together …
From Chile’s Maipo Valley, the Cabernet grape loves it here. Especially in the hands of this particular producer, one of the oldest in Chile. Packed with blackcurrant fruit flavours and gentle spice from oak ageing along with juicy velvet-soft tannins, it’s seriously good. Buy it as part of a mixed case of six and it’s even …
Proving the point that sometimes the whole is greater than the sum of the parts, this is a lime and lychee mash up. It’s a brilliant blend of three grapes – Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewürztraminer. The Riesling adds a bolt of citrus lightening, the Gewürztraminer a dollop of perfume and the Pinot Gris gives …
Gorgeous red from a great vintage, this is a classic blend – mostly Merlot, some Cabernet – from a family-owned chateau in the Entre-Deux-Mers region in Bordeaux. This region can sometimes come across as a bit too old school for some but wines like this one are a real breath of fresh air. It’s juicy …
This wine is such a wonderful blast from the past. It was on the Tesco shelves back when I was a wine buyer and was one of my favourite Chilean Chardonnays. Unapologetically bold with ripe tropical fruit flavours and a generous lick of oak, it was the kind of white I loved when the weather …
Like Chianti, only more relaxed. It’s from Maremma in southern Tuscany, where the Sangiovese grape is known as Morellino. Here it produces a slightly riper, rounder style of wine compared with the Sangiovese-based wines further inland. Currently on offer until Bonfire Night so get in there if you like the sound of it.
Gorgeous bright white from the northwestern corner of Spain, this is made from the Albarino grape and is absolutely made to go with fish. Think of it as a squeeze of lemon over the top. There’s a bucket of citrus fruit along with a touch of peach and apricot. Featured on last week’s Saturday Kitchen …
Australia’s most famous sticky, this is a sweet fortified Muscat and has to be tasted to be believed. Made from super-ripe grapes, the wine is then fortified with a little grape spirit to add oomph. Rich, sweet and unctuous, it’s gorgeous sipped with a sweet fruit pudding. Or in its own in the bath, of …
From southern France, this is all peaches and sunshine for under £6. Made by a local co-operative, they keep the wine on its lees (yeasts after fermentation, in other words dead yeasts. Lees sounds much nicer) for a couple of months to add texture and flavour to the wine. Simple but effective.
Blimey. As you know, we usually need to approach cheap(ish) Pinot with caution but this one is really smart. Sleek with earthy red fruits and a bit of spice, it comes from one of the cool spots in Chile (both in temperature and on-trendness). There’s added oomph from some oak ageing in French oak barrels …
Colder weather calls for warmer reds and this one’s a gem. Made from the Shiraz grape, the cooler region of Darling in South Africa’s Western Cape brings out its spicy side. A little rough around the edges but it works in a kind of earthy way. You have to be a member of the Wine …
A gorgeous white Rioja made from the Garnacha Blanca grape. Normally this grape doesn’t get to take centre stage but here it is, in the spotlight, looking very good indeed. With glossy citrus flavours and a hint of spice from some ageing in oak barrels, it makes a refreshing change to drink white rather than …
A bit toppy price-wise but this wine has got serious pedigree. Christian Moueix used to make wine for some of the most famous names in Bordeaux including Chateau Petrus and he’s made this one exclusively for M&S. It’s a blend of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, full of all the kind of flavours you want from …
Sarah Jessica Parker made a wine! Well, New Zealand producers Invivo made it but she helped put the blend together. And she had a hand in the (beautiful) packaging too, picking the teal blue on the label to match her favourite pair of shoes. Natch. I had to review it for the paper last week …
A charming red made (mostly) from the Grenache grape from southern France, this is warm and juicy and just what you want when the weather means we need to spend more time on the sofa for the foreseeable. With bramble fruit flavours and a kick of spice, I’m not complaining. Just add stew/good telly.
Arneis is the name of the grape and the best ones come from a small corner of Piedmont in northern Italy, called Roero. It’s a gem of a white, all peachy fruit wrapped in citrus freshness. And being a little more off the beaten track than most, it’s a bit more expensive. But it’s fabulous. …
Have you met Ms Jones? Katie bought a tiny vineyard in the Languedoc full of old vines about ten years ago and now makes some fabulous wines, including this one. Rich and dense, this tastes like squashed blackberries doused in allspice. Also: lashings of alcohol. Just what we need now there’s a bite in the …
I’m definitely still in the mood for rosé, especially when it’s such good value and organic. Made by a maestro in the Languedoc from grapes grown in a vineyard in an old salt lagoon, it’s pale with lovely redcurrant flavours and a twist of citrus. Nicely packaged, too. Sit and sip in the late summer sun …
This is from the Yecla region, tucked away in a corner of southeastern Spain. And the grape behind this wine is Monastrell, otherwise known as Mourvedre in France, capable of producing really earthy reds with buckets of black fruit flavours. This one’s a joy, full and firm with a touch of spice and smoke. Brilliant …
The first English sparkling rose to appear on the shelves at Co-op, this has been made exclusively for them by Hush Heath, an estate down in Kent. It’s a really smart wine for the money, light and fresh with a whiff of red fruits and a properly good citrus twist. Tastes even better on the …
Graham Norton really loves his wine. So much so he’s put his name to a range that’s now selling 3.5million bottles a year. Not surprising given what good value this one is. Made by a crowdfunded winery in New Zealand, according to winemaker Rob Cameron Graham gets properly involved when it comes to selecting the …
Not quite Provence but it’s from the south of France and made from a similar blend of grapes so it’s not a million miles away. About a hundred to be precise, from the Languedoc Roussillon region. And because it’s from a more run-of-the-mill region, it comes with a more affordable price tag. Which definitely makes …
It looks more like a rosé than a white but get past that and you get to the flavours: crushed biscuits, light red fruits and a big dash of citrus keeping everything fresh. Organic champagne isn’t always easy to find, certainly not on supermarket shelves at least. Absolutely fabulous.
This is a red for hot days. Or balmy evenings, at least. Made from the Gamay grape, it’s best known as the grape behind Beaujolais but here it is feeling quite at home in New Zealand’s Hawke’s Bay. Light and juicy with lots of red fruit flavours – redcurrant, raspberries – and properly fresh too. …
This is a slight more punchy take on rosé than we’re perhaps used to but the Rhone Valley doesn’t really do pale and interesting. It does bright, juicy wines full of fruit and character. This one is gorgeous, all redcurrent fruits with a twist of citrus. Makes for a properly refreshing change.
Made for Aldi by the Devon-based Lyme Bay winery, this is one of the best value English white wines around at the moment. The Bacchus grape is a bit similar to Sauvignon – aromatic, fresh, citrusy. But it’s also got more a whiff of orchard fruit about it and feels quintessentially English. If it’s your …
This is Italy’s answer to Beaujolais, a juicy, fragrant red that’s not too heavy on the tannins, long on fruit and freshness and very, very drinkable. Or smashable as someone much younger than me might say. Made from a blend of three grapes from the Veneto in northern Italy, it’s one of the reds that …
Gorgeous looking red from Spain, this is made with no added sulphur. Meaning that the winemaker hasn’t topped it up with a dose of sulphur to keep it fresh (most wines are topped up with a little sulphur at least). Made from the Garnacha grape, it’s really bright and juicy with black fruits and lots …
A bit brighter in colour than Provence rosé, this comes from the nearby Languedoc region. It’s a simple take on the style but ticks the essential boxes (crisp, clean, refreshing) with some lovely light strawberry fruit flavours and a twist of citrus. At this price, I’m not looking for a long-term relationship. Enjoy it while …
Can you remember life before Provence rosé? Me neither. Pale and refreshing, it’s pretty much the perfect thing to have in your glass on a warm summer evening. This one comes from a sub-region within the Cotes de Provence called Saint Victoire where a touch of altitude gives some of the wines a cool, crisp …
Syrah, Shiraz…same grape, just different names. This one’s from France, from down south with plenty of sun to help bring out warm bramble fruits in the wine. There’s a bit of spice too. Not the most complicated wine in the world. But it’s delicious, not to mention great value for money. Double thumbs.
You know how Sauvignon Blanc has that unmistakable herby aroma? It’ll have something of that wherever you make wine with it. But Chardonnay? It can be citrusy and crisp as a starched tablecloth or ripe as a juicy peach. It just depends on where and how it’s made. And Chardonnay from its spiritual homeland, Burgundy, …
Down at the bottom of Italy’s boot is the Basilicata region and the only red grape you’ll find there is this one. Aglianico loves the region’s volcanic soils, producing big brooding wines with bags of colour and black fruit flavours. This one’s got gorgeous bramble jam flavours with a touch of spice thanks to a …
Simpsons Estate has one of the prettiest vineyards in the country, lying on a gentle chalky slope overlooking the Kent countryside. And this unusual white is made from the Pinot Meunier grape, one of the three grapes usually found in English sparkling wines (as well as champagne). It’s rare to find it on its own …
Every now and again a wine comes along that’s such amazing value, the temptation is not to tell anyone about it in case the shelves are cleared before you’ve had a chance to stock up. But I’m hopeless at keeping secrets so here it is, the juiciest blueberry and blackcurrant-filled Italian red around at this …
Lovely Italian white from better-than-average vineyards in the Matelica region, slightly inland in the Marche (halfway down Italy’s boot, roughly). The grape is Verdicchio and it’s brilliantly light, fresh and fruity with green fruits – apple, pear – and a touch of the florals too. If you’re looking for a midweek fridge-door banker, it’s right …
Love this bright, juicy Malbec from Chile made from organically grown grapes grown on 15 year-old vines. Think blackcurrant, black cherries and spice, the latter from a little bit of oak ageing. As well as being organic, it’s also suitable for vegans. Very more-ish, just so you know.
If Sancerre is your idea of wine heaven, this is a bit like it but cheaper. The region is Reuilly, not far from Sancerre in France’s Loire Valley but the richer soils tend to produce wines with more weight to them. You still get buckets of light, bright Sauvignon characters and plenty of zip. Btw, …
Beautifully packaged Provence rosé from the chateau owned by Brad & Angelina, this is a pretty pale pink made from a classic cocktail of red grapes. Crisp, dry, delicate – it ticks all the boxes and looks fabulous to boot. Best served in the sunshine.
This is a bit of a BFG; a big, warm, friendly wine from Puglia in southern Italy. Made from grapes that are left to dry on the vine, this particular vinification method – called apassimento – adds oomph and alcohol (just to warn you this is 14.5%). Rich and concentrated, it’s full of plum and …
Made from mouldy grapes but much, much better than it sounds. The so-called ‘noble rot’ is a fungus that grows on grapes when conditions are right, leaving little sugar bombs on the vine. In turn, they make wines with incredibly rich, honeyed flavours. This one goes with pretty much any chocolate but is especially good …
A gloriously fresh white full of citrus fruits and a touch of the florals, this one’s made from the Albariño grape grown up in the northwest corner of Spain in vineyards not far from the coast. Properly good value, it’s a fridge door banker. Salty snacks essential.
Currently on offer (it’s usually £10), this gorgeous red is made by one of the big guns of the Rhone Valley, Perrin. It’s a classic southern Rhone blend of grapes including the spicy Syrah and the juicy Grenache. All black fruits, pepper and spice in a bottle that looks twice the price, this is a …
Pink gin, made from distilled Pinot Noir grapes. I know! Such a good idea. This is from Chapel Down, wine producers based in Kent (they make great sparkling wine and a lovely Bacchus to boot). Juniper is still the headline act but it’s also made with dried red fruits and rose buds. Delicious – and beautiful …
One of the most famous manzanilla wines of all, this is a real classic. Made in the traditional sherry way, namely ageing wines in a ‘solera’ system where barrels of ageing wines are topped up with new wines. There they sit, ageing under a coating of ‘flor’, a unique sherry yeast beast that helps gives …
Basically, this is pink prosecco – it’s made in the same way, from the same grape and from the same region – but Italian law hasn’t allowed pink prosecco to be a thing so you won’t find the p-word on the label. Actually, this is set to change so expect lots more appearing on the …
Like Pinot Grigio, only better. It’s the same grape actually, but this is a southern French take on it and it’s richer and riper in style than your average PG. Think melon and peach but with that same simple freshness. And it’s less than £6! Ridiculously good value. Buy some before I drink it all.
This is a pet-nat (the name comes from the French term petillant naturel, which translates as ‘natural sparkling’) wine from traditional-rule-breaking hip young winemakers (god, I sound like my mother) in South Africa’s Swartland region. The fact that the label simply says ‘Made from grapes’ gives you an idea of their approach. Basically, a big …
It’s the second week of Fairtrade Fortnight and if you want to drink to that, head to the Co-op. They’re real champions of Fairtrade wines and sales of this particular range of wines has, so far, funded a clean water facility and a secondary school in the town where the wine’s made in Argentina. It’s …
Get past the nightmarish label and you’ll find a bright, sunny wine inside. Made from the Chardonnay grape, this hasn’t been anywhere near an oak barrel and is made with what’s called ‘minimum intervention’ from the winemaker. It’s a real peach and Pull The Cork, the online retailer selling it, is offering a small discount …
Gorgeous white made from organically grown Chardonnay grapes in Spain’s La Mancha region, the producer is biodynamic (think organic but with added cosmic stardust). And the result is star bright, fresh with a bowlful of tropical fruit flavours. Refreshing, great value, delicious. Serve with olives on the side.
Talk about off the beaten track: this one’s from Bolivia. Well, M&S. But they got it from Bolivia. Compared with Chile and Argentina, Bolivia is tiny in winemaking terms but if this is a taste of what’s to come, I’m in. Normally £11 but currently on offer, it’s made from a blend of juicy Merlot …
For years Orvieto has been sitting quietly on the shelves, overshadowed by buckets of Italian Pinot Grigio. But if it’s a crisp white with simple citrus flavours you want, its worth trying a glass of well-made Orvieto for a change. From Central Italy, this one’s produced by a great co-operative made from the Trebbiano grape. …
Currently in offer (it’s normally £9), this is a brilliant juicy red made from a little known grape found in Sicily. The bright label makes it easy to spot on the shelves (always a bonus with my eyesight) and there’s lots going on in the bottle. Spice, a bit of mocha and lots of black …
Fun fact: we pay more than £2 in tax on every bottle of wine. Which is why bottles of wine under a fiver are seriously few and far between. Here’s a cracker though, a brilliant quince-like white from Saint Mont, a region in Southwest France just below Bordeaux. Made from a cocktail of local grapes …
Currently on offer (it’s normally £8.99), this Argentinian red is simple, juicy and bright. Made from the Malbec grape, it’s medium bodied with plum and blackcurrant fruit flavours and a ‘lil kick of allspice at the end. Basically, just the kind of thing to perk up a lazy midweek supper.
This is one of a range of affordable (i.e. cheaper than the big brands) new Single Malt Scotch Whiskies made exclusively for Tesco, each coming from a different region to show off benchmark characteristics. And my favourite in the line up was this one, from Speyside, with its distinctive toffee apple character. Relatively light in …
Normally £33, this is a great price for such a smart dram. It’s from the island of Islay, traditionally the home of the bigger, richer styles of whisky. Aged in new American oak barrels, its smoky, peaty edges have been softened with a touch of vanilla from the wood. Try it with a dash of …
OK, so this isn’t exactly cheap but it is so joyful. The cabernet sauvignon grape loves California, especially the region where this one comes from, the Alexander Valley in Sonoma. The climate (warm days, cool nights) and soils (gravelly) suit it perfectly. The result? As rich and smooth as Clooney. Told you it was joyful.
This is a real joy-sparker, made from Marlborough-grown Sauvignon Blanc with its Spring-like whiff of cut grass, blossom and citrus. A reminder, in liquid form, that brighter, longer days are not quite so far away. Usually £14.99 but it’s on offer at the moment, so even more joyful. Delicious with ginger and chilli-topped steamed salmon …
This is a flavoured syrup, a kind of non-alcoholic answer to Campari. With its bitter orange flavours, it makes a glass of sparkling water way more interesting as well as giving it a terrific splash of colour. And even though it’s not cheap, a little goes a long way; we’re talking a dash to a …
It’s organic and vegan so practically a health drink but most importantly, it’s delicious. Soft, juicy and full of blueberry and raspberry flavours, it’s made from the little black Nero d’Avola grape grown in Sicily. Not too serious but still lots going on, try this with roasted vegetables for the win.
This is, basically, christmas pudding in a glass. Smells and tastes of raisins, candied peel, figs and treacle with the added bonus of warming alcohol. And it goes with mince pies as well as it does a hunk of blue cheese so you don’t even have to get another glass when you move seamlessly from …
The classic white match for christmas lunch/dinner/whatever is white burgundy so this is a variation on a theme. Same grape but from South Australia’s Adelaide Hills region. It’s ripe, round and creamy with plenty of weight and flavour so it’ll take all the flavours of turkey & trimmings in its stride. And if there’s any …
Gorgeous soft, juicy french red from the Rhone, this comes in a Christmas-friendly magnum-sized bottle. It looks amazing, is great value and best of all, is the kind of wine that can handle all kinds of flavours on the plate from pigs in blankets to brussels sprouts. And if there’s any left, it’ll do cheese …
Made by a great producer, this one’s just as a good prosecco should be: fresh, light and frothy with subtle pear and citrus flavours. It’s £1 cheaper than normal until the end of December and even though there are plenty of cheaper proseccos out there, I’d rather spend £1 more and get something that doesn’t …
If only champagne will do, this is one of the best bargains on the shelf at the moment. (And having tasted around 40 in the last week alone there are some real duds out there). There’s £8 off (it’s usually £23.99) so you get a properly good quality fizz for the money, all clean and …
Love this peachy Viognier from one of the biggest names in the Rhone Valley. Ripe and round with bags of tropical fruit flavours, it’s the kind of white winter was made for. And if you can’t find any on the shelf, it’s because my mum’s bought it all (sorry). Try it with roast chicken.
A gorgeous, juicy blend of two classic southern French grapes, this is as sleek on the inside as it is on the outside. There’s a touch of the herbals to the black fruits and spice and the alcohol isn’t too crazy at 13.5%. Great value at under a tenner. One to stuff in the rack …
If you love Prosecco but want something a little drier, try this. It’s made from a nearby region in Italy, is made in the same way and has that same easy-going frothiness. But the grape used to make it is different so the result is more crisp green apple than your average Prosecco. Normally £8/bottle …
This isn’t the exact label (this one’s for the Nero d’Avola, a different grape variety) but the labels looks very similar. So, now you know what you’re looking for, here’s what to expect from the little-known Nero di Troia grape. A mouthful of squashed black fruits, a bit of spice and plenty of change from …
This started life as a small run for Adnams’ Gin-Dulgence Club and proved so popular, they’ve made more for the fast-approaching festive period. Adnams make this from their own vodka, which they then distill with six botanicals to make gin and then, finally, add quince juice. It’s got plenty of quince character, both tart and …
Half term, so: gin. This one’s made using lemons grown on the Amalfi coast and the scent of it was enough to transport me out of my messy kitchen, albeit temporarily. Wonderfully aromatic with a real citrus twist, this is crisp and clean with just enough juniper to make it feel like a proper gin …
Chilly weather calls for wine like this, with its gorgeous mellow mix of black fruits, spice and vanilla. This one is made by one of the smarter wine producers in the region and the word Reserva on the label tells you it’s higher up on the Rioja quality ladder than Crianza (meaning it’s aged for …
Essential for a negroni, and great with tonic. Just two reasons to make sure you’ve got a bottle of this brilliant bittersweet fortified drink full of herby, fruity flavours in your drinks stash. Unlike your bog-standard, this one’s made from foraged berries from the hedgerows surrounding English vineyard Bolney Estate. And a little goes a …
Super slinky white from Slovenia, this brings together the Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio grapes. And, boy do they get along! There’s a bit of gooseberry, a dash of lemon and a twist of pineapple. Really fresh but not so much it makes you suck your cheeks in, this is one easy going white. No …
If anyone tells you they don’t like Chardonnay, give them a glass of this and see what happens. Actually, I can tell you what happens. They finish the glass, ask for a top up and then when you tell them it’s Chardonnay they don’t believe you. Because this one hasn’t been anywhere near an oak …
These three grapes – Grenache, Shiraz & Mourvedre – make such a happy threesome, they’ve even got their own acronym. This particular GSM from South Australia is a joy with juicy, mellow bramble fruit flavours and a gentle kick of spice. Best imbibed on a sofa, blanket over knees, fire lit.
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