New Waitrose promotions started last week and I have picked out two that particularly merit attention. One of them is just perfect if you have forgotten the brilliance of well-made Beaujolais – or have never known!
Although these promotions end on 15 September, the judgements on the wines themselves should hold good for at least three months from the time of the post.
Click on any of the bottles shown for an enlarged image to help you pinpoint the wine on a crowded shelf.
Beaujolais to Treasure
Sixties red drinkers loved it, then pricing levels and, crucially, too much indifferent wine reduced demand to a trickle but this solves both problems – with beautiful wine and a price label just over a fiver.
Seek out then the floral and agreeably light Beaujolais Cuvee des Vignerons (£5.19 – instead of £6.99) with its bright, lively, cherry and raspberry fruit, fresh acidity and balanced hints of mint and chocolate.
Treasure as yet undiscovered
From somewhere trying to restore its reputation to an area that has never been fully appreciated – Spain’s La Mancha, and some of its delightful Tempranillo.
Given an hour to breathe, the rounded and herbal 2013 Marques de Calatrava Tempranillo (down £3 to £5.99) opens up into an attractive cherry, sloe and blackberry centred red with touches of mocha, firm acidity and a well-judged tannic edge.
Coming Soon
The 3 September sees the launch of the latest French Collection from Lidl – remember last year’s headline-grabbing “Claret Offensive”? If you are not already signed up, put your email address in the box at the top of the page to get my recommendations from this new Collection straight into your Inbox – and receive them just an hour or so before the promotion goes live in Lidl stores!
