25% off at Sainsbury’s again – from today

Today sees the start of another of Sainsbury’s immensely popular “25% off promotions”. It runs until Saturday 27 August.

As before, to maximise the value you secure, I have highlighted a group of double discount wines that were already on promotion when this latest offer began.

So, three prices appear next to the name of a wine. To the left is the list price; the middle one is the slightly longer running promotional price that applies until 30 August while the right hand figure shows that “double discount multi-buy” price.

Multi-buy prices do not apply in Scotland, to “Convenience” branches anywhere, if you buy fewer than six bottles – or after 27 August but do check in store if you are in any doubt.

As usual, click on any picture for an enlarged image that will help you track down the wine on crowded shelves.

A brace of Italian Whites

At their best Garganega grapes from the Verona region produce excellent weighty, nut and greengage white wine but we more frequently encounter them in everyday versions of Soave – sometimes, as here, rewarding us with an extra notch of quality.

Savour, then, the mellowness to 2015 Taste the Difference Soave Classico (£7; £5.50; £4.13 and 12%) that surfaces in the wine’s red apple substance and the herbal, savoury edge that underpins it – yet never compromises its fresh lime centred acidity.

Heading further south

For a little more weight, texture and all-round food compatibility, seek out the verdicchio grape from Central Italy’s Marche region – along the country’s eastern seaboard.

Like the Soave, lime components are also evident in 2015 Taste the Difference Verdicchio Classico (£8; £6; £4.50 and 13%) but here they are supplemented by green apple touches that add a distinctly zingy prickle to the wine’s perfumed peach fruit.

Now for a couple of Rosés

Provence is  probably the rosé capital of the world, producing versions of great delicacy that work brilliantly with food, as this blend of five grapes –ranging from syrah and grenache to the white ugni blanc – delightfully testifies.

Enjoy the delicate, aromatic, strawberry fruit that 2015 Baron Gassier Provence Rosé (£10; £9; £6.75 and 13%) brings to the party, embellished as it is by vibrant acidity and a contrasting savoury (but never harsh) edge.

Ratchet up the sophistication    

Done well, few grape varieties produce better rosé than pinot noir – pale, delicate, raspberry centred yet with substance too – and when coupled with Loire based acidity the results can be exceptional, if expensive without promotions like this.

See what I mean with the long, clean mouth-feel of 2015 Les Caillottes Sancerre Rosé (£13; £10; £7.50 and 13%) which also has classy and subtle strawberry fruit but accompanies it with ripeness, depth and a suspicion of sweetness

Now for two good examples of fizz

With cava quality a tad patchy at the moment, Codorniu have changed the fermentation process in several ways in this cuvee and I think it works rather well – giving the result more perfume, substance and, I fancy, an extra touch of sweetness.

I was especially impressed by the cocktail of fruit influences in Codorniu Cuvee Barcelona Brut (£13; £9; £6.75 and 11.5%) – lemon, tangerine, orange, even raspberry aromas and still counting – and the way they all mingle with the wine’s depth and bold acidity.

... and of course Champagne

Blanc de Noir is becoming more common and Sainsbury’s have sold good versions of it for several years now. Here there is a blend of 60% pinot meunier (which adds richness ) and 40% pinot noir which adds structure and aromatics.

Exuberant with sharp acidity Winemakers’ Selection Blanc de Noirs Brut  Champagne (£20; £16; £12 and 12%) complements that zippiness with a rounded lemon biscuit  backbone to provide excellent champagne for £12 a bottle.

Finally to a summer red

Latest French wine laws sidestep the established appellation rules to allow produce from several different regions to be brought together to create carefully balanced wine (like this one) that often represents especially good value.

Although 2014 Bouchard Ainé et Fils Pinot Noir (£7.50; £6; £4.50 and 12.5%) will not win prizes for sophistication, it does bring us gentle cherry and raspberry fruit with an edge of nutmeg, firm acidity and a nicely made illustration of entry-point pinot.