Young Tempranillo and Romanian White

This post is essentially a look around the current market for well priced wines that punch above their price point and its content covers much the same ground as the former Best of the Rest item.

As before, hyperlinks are included where the retailer’s website gives more details of a particular wine.

2018 Rock and Roots Organic Tempranillo (£5.25 – instead of £6.25 until 28 January at the Co-op and 13% abv):

While much attention (rightly) goes on carefully aged Spanish reds (Reserva etc) we often overlook some tasty but great value young versions.

Here is an example of the point with juicy cherry and bramble centred fruit with good acidity, smatterings of chocolate, baking spice and dried rosemary but still youthfully firm tannin.    

2018 Wine Atlas Feteasca Regala (£5.25 at Asda and 11.5% abv):

Satisfying anytime wines like this outstanding value Romanian white often go under the mainstream radar, so it was brilliant to see it win gold in the Decanter awards. Follow this link to the Asda website.

Mild in alcohol with an edge of sweetness, it has vivid, medium bodied and perfumed apple and peach fruit with good lime centred acidity and a really long finish.  

Continuing the Canny Drinker Alerts

The first 2020 wine promotion in Morrisons is still in progress and runs through until 28 January in most cases.

There are well over a hundred items in total with discounted prices but not all of them will be in all stores – and multi-buys do not apply in Scottish stores.

It largely features branded wine but here are six wines from the list that I have enjoyed and think you might too.

• 2019 Zarper Sauvignon Blanc Gran Reserva – Down from £8 to £6.50
• 2018 Morrisons The Best Trentino Pinot Grigio – Down from £7 to £6
• 2017 Wolf Blass Gold Label Chardonnay – Down from £15 to £13
• 2018 Sorso Montepulciano D’ Abruzzo – Down from £6 to £5.50
• 2018 Carta Roja Pura Jumilla Organic Wine – Down from £7.50 to £6
• 2016 Gerard Bertrand Les Aspres Reserve – Down from £10 to £8

Footnote.

If your Christmas Moneybox has a little to spare, this Morrisons promotion also includes an impressive Brunello – down from £38 to £35 but its intense mineral edged plum and cherry fruit makes it well worth the money.

Availability may be an issue for 2012 Il Poggione Brunello di Montalcino (14.5%) but you will not regret grabbing some if you get the chance.

I do have a list of stores where it is available so email me if you want help to find one near you.

By the Way

Did you know that there are now walking holidays themed around English vineyards?

No, neither did I but MidWeeker John did – and has kindly provided a few details about what is on offer in Sussex, Dorset and the Cotswolds.

Fuller details are available by following this link.

Remember, under the new arrangement for briefer but more regular posts, this will be one of three posts this week.

Wednesday sees a detailed look at what to drink for Burns Night while Friday gives you headline recommendations from the new Lidl Wine Tour.