3 Tasty, Affordable Reds – Guess Where?

Lots of gentle fun is poked at the supposed up-market image of Waitrose but the company also works hard at the inexpensive end of their formidable range – as illustrated by these three wines from their promotion that starts today.

If there is no store near you, I have found their online service to be prompt, reliable and very professionally run.

This latest promotion, incidentally, runs through to 18 April 2017.

As usual, click on any bottle for an enlarged image to help spot the wine on a crowded shelf.

 Bojo recovers its Mojo

Rising burgundy prices and great recent (possibly climate change induced) vintages are putting Beaujolais back centre stage and here is a great value, first level version that is exactly what everyday “Bojo” should be.

Light and juicy, Cuvee Vignerons Beaujolais (£5.83 – instead of £7.29 and 12% abv) has a floral (peony) opening, raspberry, sour cherry and pomegranate fruit -unfettered by tannin, but supported by a mint and truffle background.

Another name from the past

Staying in France, we move to that twin-site appellation in Languedoc – Fitou – where a recent increased reliance on grenache rather than carignan seems to have pushed up quality nicely – especially with the inland half of the region.

Enjoy then the concentrated, ripe plum fruit of 2015 Madame Claude Parmentier Fitou (£5.99 – instead of £7.99 and 13%) with soft tannins and an almost citrus acidity that lead invitingly into a clove and mocha depth.

A real grape for today however

Finally with this trio, we focus on a French grape that has benefitted enormously from crossing the Atlantic – malbec – but this version is from Chile not Argentina.

With classic floral, loganberry and chocolate influences, 2015 Valdivieso Malbec (£6.79 – instead of £8.49 and 13.5%) is lovely wine at a great price made all the more attractive by the gentleness of its tannin and acidity and by the concluding cinnamon influenced savoury edge.

Great Options for Mothers Day

Here are a couple of options for those of you looking for suitable wines for this Sunday.

Rosés are blooming for mother

If the weather is anything approaching spring-like, one of those savoury (food-friendly) Provence rosés may be just the thing but, in honour of the occasion, add extra opulence by choosing a magnum rather than a bottle.

With a background that makes me think of rhubarb and custard, 2016 Baron Gassier Victoire Elegance Côtes de Provence Rosé  (£20 for a Magnum at Sainsbury’s and 13%) is an appealing example with melon and crab apple fruit and a spicy finish that keeps a firm grip on any sweetness.

A special treat from (possibly) her favourite star

Television specialists say that, for many mothers, Friday nights would be incomplete with a certain Dublin born talk show host – who also happens to be behind “much better than usual” celebrity wine.

So, the gooseberry centred 2016 Graham Norton’s Own Sauvignon Blanc (£8.99 at Majestic in Scotland and when you buy a (mixed) case of six elsewhere – and 12.5%) could work brilliantly on Sunday providing grassy, grapefruit, tangerine and white peach textured fare with typically piercing Marlborough acidity.