I have reminded MidWeekers before about the excellence available in your local Co-op but the current promotion underlined another of my themes – £1 off an already well priced wine is more valuable than a spurious half price offer. Take a look to see what I mean.
Although the discounts shown here end on 21 June, the judgements on the wines themselves should hold good for at least another three months from this post.
Click on any of the bottles shown for an enlarged image to help you pinpoint the wine on a crowded shelf.
An on-trend white.
Forgive the mix of nations but “Green” Spain’s albarino is the current vin du moment, delivering fresh white wine that accompanies seafood almost as well as a squeeze of lemon.
Enjoy then the zesty but rounded 2014 Most Wanted Albarino (£6.99 instead of £7.99 and 12.5% abv) with its firm citrus acidity, textured red apple, grapefruit and tangerine flavours and the savoury touches on which it concludes.
White burgundy at a great price
While Burgundy’s Cote d’Or may have the sophistication, Maconnaise brings you freshness and delicacy in volumes – as this brilliant white from thereabouts clearly illustrates.
Creamily textured with hints of butter, 2012 Henri Clerc Pouilly Fuisse Vieilles Vignes(£12.99 instead of £14.99 and 13%) uses balanced acidity, lemon edged suggestions of apricot and appealing nutty, clove centred depth to show precisely why it is an absolute snip at £13.
A deserved award winner
Step aside from the promotions for just a minute to celebrate an award winning white from the Co-op which is centred around a grape from Southern Italy that almost became extinct a few years back.
Large as life now, though, the soft and floral 2014 The Co-operative Truly Irresistible Fiano (£6.99 and 12.5%) brings us fresh, green apple acidity and quince centred depth all ably supported by savoury spices and hints of white peach that add attractive complexity.
And so to a red
Despite its merlot majority shareholding, the cabernet influences come through loud and clear in this Bordeaux blend – minty blackcurrant elements from cabernet sauvignon with suggestions of plum and bell pepper from the mere 5% cabernet franc contribution.
With firm tannin and classic green pepper aromas, there is real Bordeaux typicity about 2014 Chateau Vieux Manoir (£6.49 instead of £7.49 and 13% ) with its plum and cassis fruit topped off by aniseed, chocolate, eucalyptus and nutmeg and a touch of acidity.
To end on a sparkle
Wimbledon fortnight is close now so what better time for an £11+ discount on a Lanson champagne. With its pinot led assemblage that was originally designed with UK drinkers in mind this one still hits the spot; advantage Black Label.
There is real freshness and vitality to Lanson Black Label Champagne Gift Pack (£23.32 instead of £34.99 and 12.5%) with lemon acidity to enliven its rich and rounded orange elements and a delightfully contrasting nutty, toasty finish. Perfect summer champagne.
