Pick something a little different in the drinks aisle
My favourite dozen bargain picks from lesser-known grapes now sold by leading supermarkets.
France: Waitrose Petit Manseng 2019 Cave de Gan Jurancon STAR BUY
Clear winner in the tasting for quality – it was one of the higher priced wines in our tasting – but definitely worth the money. Loved its attractive peachy fruits, juicy lime and honey notes, hints of spice and fleshy succulent well-rounded palate. £9.99, Waitrose
Italy: Masseria Pietrosa Verdeca 2020 Cantina San Marzano
Verdeca is a rare white grape from Taranto in Puglia which deserves to be more widely planted. Loved its floral hints, creamy texture and such vibrant acidity, considering its southerly origin from the heel of southern Italy.
£7, reduced from £8.25, until 27 June, Morrisons
Portugal: Vinho Verde 2020 Consulvinus
STAR VALUE
Clear winner in our tasting for value. Loved its subtle melony nose, vibrant zesty limey palate, refreshing spritz ( just a touch), sweet sour notes with dry finish. Made by Joao Maria Ramos and attractively packaged in flute bottle.
£6, Morrisons
Portugal: Loved & Found Arinto 2019 Casa Santos Lima
Arinto is one of Portugal’s oldest white grapes, which originated from Bucelas near Lisbon. Very lemony, lime and grapefruit flavours, pronounced high acidity with a bright finish – from Lisboa region. £7.99, Waitrose
Greece: Assyrtiko 2020 Filos Estate
For the price this is an interesting introduction to assyrtiko. I have certainly had plenty of better assyrtikos from Santorini, but not at this price. This comes from high altitude 625 metre vineyards in Amyndeon in north west Greece – grassy herby, sweet sour notes with a clean dry finish.
£6.99, Aldi
Italy: Pecorino 2020 Castellore STAR VALUE
Most popular in a line-up of supermarket pecorinos from the Chieti province of Abruzzo in central Italy. High scorer for its crisp zippy dry style with taut lemon fruits, vibrant acidity and clean dry finish. £5.49, Aldi
France: Picpoul de Pinet 2018 Paul Mas
Acceptable example of Picpoul de Pinet from Languedoc in southern France from well-known producer Paul Mas. Peachy fruits, clean, zippy and moderate finish.
£7.50, Co-op
Italy: Pecorino 2020 Botte dei Conti
Lidl’s pecorino from Chieti province is very different from Aldi’s with less crispness and zip, but sold at the same price. It would suit those who like a slightly softer sweeter style.
£5.49, Lidl
Italy: Soave 2020 GOOD VALUE
The cheapest in our tasting, a wine which stood its ground amongst higher priced bottles, it won the great value under £8 award at the International Wine Challenge. Acceptably lemony, sherbet notes, lightly creamy nutty palate, moderate finish.
£4.25, Morrisons
Spain: Albarino 2020 Paco & Lola
From a relatively new co-operative in Salnes valley founded 16 years ago. They buy from numerous tiny plots across 200 hectares in the Rias Baixas region of Galicia. Initially very citric with pear-skin notes, rich succulent palate, good finish.
£12, Tesco (£10 clubcard)
Germany: Jungle Winzer Pinot Blanc 2020 Frank Est
From the southern Baden region of Germany, this pinot blanc has more breadth of texture than you would find in Alsace, where it also grows. Appley, rich mouthfeel with a hint of spritz to freshen the palate.
£7.99, Lidl
France: Alsace Gewurztraminer 2020
STAR VALUE
Good price for an Alsace gewurztraminer. Sweet spicy flavours, lychee and mango fruits, rich mouthfilling characterful wine – but do note this is not so suitable as an aperitif as it has some sweetness. At its best well chilled to enjoy its freshness – served alongside Chinese noodles and prawns, salmon or fruit dessert.
£8.75, Morrisons