Wines of the week

Nuts and nougat

Sainsbury’s, Taste the Difference Reserva Cava Brut Nature, Catalonia, Spain 2017. £9, Sainsbury’s, alc 12%

Made for Sainsbury’s by Codorníu, this vintage Cava is great value. Bready citrus aromas with a touch of honeyed peach, then a vibrant citrus palate with nuts and nougat. Super fresh, with focused acidity and brisk bubbles.

Autumn leaves

Aldi, Winemaster’s Lot Barbaresco, Piedmont, Italy 2018. £17.99, Aldi, alc 14% Winemaster’s Lot is the new super-premium Aldi brand and this is one of the best of the 10-wine range: elegant notes of fresh cherry, autumn leaves and earthy minerals, supported by firm tannins and bright acidity. The Amarone 2018 (£19.99) is also a top buy.

Indisputable value

Ulysse, Sauternes, Bordeaux, France NV. £18, The Wine Society, alc 14.5%

Sold in bottles and half bottles, this is blended from three vintages—2014, 2015 and 2016 —and is made by a top Sauternes producer whose name the society can’t reveal. It’s not especially complex, but you can’t dispute the value. Creamy, warm orange citrus fruit, 112g/l residual sugar.

Freshly cut grass

Cloudy Bay, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2021. £22.99–£26.99, Cambridge Wine Merchants, Clos19, Fareham Wine Cellar, Frazier’s, Laithwaites, Majestic, alc 13.5%

There’s no denying the consistency of this iconic wine. This is a vintage to enjoy now, with a weighty, fleshy palate of gooseberry, freshly cut grass and sweet grapefruit.