Planning your weekend wine choices – or well-priced midweek options?
OK, then stop searching and “lend me your ears” – well eyes actually!
Here are two classy Italian options and both are on serious discounts right now.
There is also a great value Bonus Choice but it does involve moving pretty smartly.
The main items open with a crisp, refreshing white that’s perfect for drinking on its own – or as a reminder that the summer wine season is not too far away.
Its companion red will transform your Sunday roast or any weekday meat dish.
These aren’t just good wines; they’re smart buys that’ll make you look like a savvy wine person without breaking the bank.
So, let’s dive into why these bottles deserve a spot in your shopping trolley.
As is normal here, pictures and hyperlinks are provided where possible to guide you straight to the right wine on shelf or web page.
Quite a rare UK Visitor
2023 Acinaia Vernaccia di San Gimignano (£8.49 – instead of £10.49 until 11 March – at Waitrose and 12.5% abv):
This Tuscan white, from a respected producer, uses the crisp and racy vernaccia grape that is not often seen in the UK.
Opening with aromas of soft fruit, it exhibits clear and fresh greengage, apple and melon flavours.
These are ably supported by firm acidity and a mineral and quinine influenced texture.
A more familiar option that continues to please.
2023 Best Primitivo (£7 – instead of £9 – from 1 March in Morrisons Scottish stores and £7.50 south of the border -13.5% abv):
Our new alcohol duty hits the base price of this Puglia red but, happily, the upcoming discount cushions the blow.
The variety is a longtime favourite here in the UK and a “safe” choice in Italian restaurants.
The wine itself delivers juicy damson and loganberry flavours with fruity aromas.
Citrus acidity, proportionate tannin and traces of both aniseed and minerality complete the picture of a consistently reliable grape variety.
BONUS ITEM
2022 Cleanskin Langhorne Creek Barossa McLaren Vale Shiraz (Half price at £9.49 until 26 February at Laithwaites and 14.5% ):
Australia’s wine industry regularly uses “clean skins” (without brand labels) to clear excess wines at much reduced prices.
Here shiraz from three top South Australia regions is blended to create an excellent example of the variety at, currently, a sensational price.
Dark and lingering, it provides dense bramble, black cherry and damson flavours.
These appear in partnership with balanced tannin, gentle acidity, star anise and mocha influences with a rich underlying background sweetness.
Thursday’s post also looks at less expensive wines with solutions to the question “Which six wines for £50 should I buy at Sainsbury’s”. So, let’s meet again then.
