This week’s good value buys include a smooth and delicate Italian white and a rich red from the Port-producing Douro Valley.
2018 The Best Verdicchio (£6.50 at Morrisons and 12.5%):
The Marche region of Eastern Italy seems ideally suited to the subtle yet versatile Verdicchio grape. Its best versions – like this one – seem to come from the Castelli di Jesi zone.
Smooth and typically delicate, this has fresh lemon acidity balanced with savoury touches. Its apple centred backbone contains hints of tropical fruit.
You can find it here on the Morrison’s site (although the product description doesn’t appear to reflect the current vintage or the wine’s promotion to “The Best” status)
2017 Vila Real Rabelo Red (£6 at the Co-op and 13%):
Portugal is a regular source of great value wine and this red from the Douro Valley illustrates that point well. It uses the Touriga Nacional grape which plays a major role in so many of the region’s classic ports.
It has ripe cherry, plum and loganberry fruit, good acidity, firm tannin and hints of vanilla and cinnamon. Look out, too, for the unusual cork stopper.
Follow this link to find it on the Co-op website.
Wine Royalty to the Rescue
Asked to nominate the UK’s top wine guru and Jancis Robinson will head most lists. Here, however, she has done a fabulous job assembling details of independent wine merchants prepared to deliver to self isolators and the like.
Head across to her website to find one near you. And do remember these guys whenever normality returns – many have excellent wine lists and magnums full of good advice too.
We’ll be back on Monday with alerts about promotions starting next week.
