VICTORIA MOORE
Show someone you care with a delivery of one of these gorgeous but affordable wines
Top wines to share at home over the bank holiday, or send to friends and family
At this time of year, I’m usually thinking about wines to drink with friends and family. After all, even those who don’t celebrate Easter still have a long bank holiday weekend to enjoy. This year, I’m instead looking at bottles to share with those around you at home that might also be easy to send to those you wish you could see.
One of the barriers to sending wine as a gift is the cost involved – either in delivery charges or minimum order price. So, I thought I’d start with a trio of wines from Tesco, all of which can be ordered as part of an online grocery order (providing a slot is available, of course). Tesco has some really fab wines at the moment. One is Finest Côtes du Rhône Villages 2019 (£8), a gorgeously luscious and aromatic red that reminds me of baked raspberries. Finest Ebeia Ribera del Duero
2018 Spain (£12) is also excellent: a full-bodied, oak-aged red, made using the rioja grape tempranillo, but more mighty than a rioja. My third choice from Tesco is DV Catena Cabernet Franc Historico 2018 Argentina (£12). Argentina is famous for its malbec, but a few producers like Catena are showing just how well it can do cabernet franc, too. The Argentinian style is much richer and plumper than any cabernet franc you might have tasted from the Loire: this is a solid, cushioned wine, a bit like crimson velvet.
Another good option for delivery is Majestic, which has a minimum order value of £50. Bear in mind, though, that you get much better value for money when buying six bottles or more, as Majestic’s single bottle prices can be high. Ignore the cheesy name, because Majestic’s own-label rioja, Definition Rioja Viña Majestica Rioja 2014 Spain, is superb (£13.99 for a single bottle or £11.99 as part of a mix-six case until 20 April, then £10.99 until 3 May). If you’re after a splash-out red, Yalumba The Cigar Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 is gorgeously perfumed and fleshy (£13.99 for a single bottle or £11.99 as part of a mixsix case until 20 April, then £10.99 until 3 May). By the way, all the reds I’ve mentioned so far would be great with seasonal roast lamb.
Lastly, consider the half-bottle. The paradox of them is that they’re as exciting to receive as they are inexplicably untempting to buy. But, you can spend less and drink better – if you drink in moderation, you could have a glass of white as an apéritif, then a red with dinner. Half-bottles are also ideal for trying new wines – you can feel free of the tyranny of dregs that don’t taste as good as they did on first opening. Tanners (tannerswines.co.uk), Lea & Sandeman (leaandsandeman.co.uk),
The Little Fine Wine Co (thelittlefinewinecompany.co.uk), Fortnum & Mason and The Wine Society (thewinesociety. com) all do halves well. One that’s a serious treat is Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc 2018 (£16.50, Fortnum & Mason, or £14.45, thewhiskyexchange.com).
These are good bottles to share, or send to those you wish you could see