3 Best wines from the High Street
2023 Irresistible Pinot Grigio £6.50 – for members, instead of £7.50 - at the Co- op
This Italian outrider for Europe’s 2023 vintage is terrific with all the vivacity and complexity much pinot grigio lacks. Its orange blossom aromas lead us nicely into light bodied, melon, peach and tangerine flavours that are accompanied by fresh lime acidity and bold hints of something tart like greengage.
2022 Extra Special Touraine Sauvignon Blanc £7.75 – instead of £9 until 27 March – at asda
While new World sauvignons can be intense, versions from the variety’s Loire Valley spiritual home (like this) tend more towards subtlety and restraint. The downside comes at the checkout but the current discount makes this a sound example at a great price. With excellent clarity and sophisticated sauvignon aromas, it features gooseberry, apple and juicy nectarine flavours enlivened by energetic lemon acidity supported by herbal and grapefruit pith influences.
2022 Señor del Castillo Tempranillo £4.35 at Sainsbury’s
Bottom shelf wines are often dull but not this one, which is kept modestly priced in Scotland by its lower (11.5%) alcohol. Opening with berry aromas, it is everyday wine delivering textured cherry, plum and aniseed flavours with good acidity, firm tannin and touches of cola, fudge and menthol.
ON-WINE SHOPPING 2020 Wakefield Estate Cabernet Sauvignon £12.95 at www.slurp.co.uk
It’s a while since I featured full throttle cabernet sauvignon from South Australia like this. Combining (in almost equal parts) fruit from two distinctly different sub-regions, its skilled winemakers capture exactly the ripe, concentrated flavours that helped establish the state’s reputation with cabernet. Dark and smooth, the result brings us lingering, blackcurrant and cherry flavours combined with sharp acidity (but limited tannin) and suggestions of aniseed, menthol and cedar.
★ Brian Elliott is a wine writer, judge and founder of www.midweekwine.co.uk. Promotions can change at short notice, so shoppers should enquire if prices differ.