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.
16 responses
I do like a Vernaccia, as you say, it’s not that common here. I’ll definitely pick up a bottle from Waitrose. Thanks Brian!
Well worth seeking out Lisa – and this is a good price (by today’s standards)
I drank the cleanskin Shiraz last weekend after buying from Laithwaites. I would definitely recommend. Lovely wine and a definite bargain.
Thanks for the confirmation of my thoughts David. I thought it was fantastic at under £10 but the offer ends in a couple of days.
Just a quick heads up, it’s currently cheaper to buy the Primitivo now in England if you purchase 3 with a Morrisons More Card, as there is 30% off.
Good call Mike – it was unclear when the promotions started but I knew its 1 March price. Typical and sound example of the style.
Thanks I like the freshness and value of many Italian white wines, good to have a new one to try. I’ve just enjoyed the Loriato Trebbiano di Romagna also from Waitrose which you recommended back in 2020. In my opinion the 2023 vintage is also good and it has a pleasant savoury note to the finish, although the price has risen from £7.49 to £9 (purchased on offer though).
Good to know that a five year old recommendation still holds good Rebecca. – so, thanks for updating us. Trebbiano appears in so many forms that it is hard to spot the good ones – but when you do the wine can be excellent.
Have patronised again Laithwaites for 6 x Cleanskins which are now en-route & eagerly awaited.
Way way above my usual price ceiling, even at half price, so will sip modestly to stretch my pocket money out.
Regards all for much valued recent knowledge and the many recommends I’ve followed.
I don’t think it will disappoint. It disappeared fast in my household which means either good news or a leaky bottle – and I favour the first.
None in stock.in Surbiton’s Laithwaite’s so I also ordered 6 Cleanskins which will delivered on Wednesday. Apparently they have several Cleanskins in stock so I’ll have a look at the website.
I’m lucky to have family near McLaren Vale in Australia and often try the clean skins when over there. The quality and price can vary enormously without much correlation between the two.
I’ve had some absolute bargains at £4-£5 and some pretty dank liquid at twice the price.
It’s a bit of a lottery.
Thanks Ken and welcome to the Comments section. As you say, you have no idea what you will get but clean skins are a bit like buying a lottery ticket – only more fun.
Hello Brian
Oft’ said as I have no store access to Waitrose so will have to pass on their Vernaccia di San Gimignano at the moment unfortunately. I’d have it if I could get it easily and so cheaply, as I used to take the one Sainsbury’s offered … but now don’t … that was a quite lovely version for not a lot of money.
TWS have one but it’s £20 a bottle. Vernaccia di San Gimignano Vigna ai Sassi Riserva, Simone Santini 2022 so way out of my price range. But that gives an indication perhaps as to the possible highest provenance of a wine that mostly sells for a very fair price especially on its home turf in Tuscany. A place once seen never forgotten and they are rightly proud of their ”own grape” and their historic town.
But there’s a thing in this country. Someone determines we shall not have it! Especially enjoyable rarities. Sainsbury’s dumping it is a real disappointment. I was at times buying for less than a fiver on a double dip. Then it’s gone without so much as a by you leave!
PS …
Went to Morrisons and got the Best Primitivo for just over £6. 30% off buy 3. Opened a bottle to try/to aerate … Very acceptable, big, fleshy dark fruit, fresh on the palate, balanced, enjoyable and if not so extraordinary/distinguished wholly acceptable for the money. Feel it will go beautifully with some Italian, herby, beef ragu and pasta for tea. Maybe the Castellore at Aldi just shades it but really that’s a hair splitter. They are terrific bottles in the true spirit of MWW… I love them both … forza Italia …
Yes that sums up my view exactly. Not a classic but nice soft red with enough muscle to handle, as you suggest, beef or rich pasta dishes. Great value at £6.