From this morning, Sainsbury’s are repeating their 25% multi-buy discount when you buy six or more bottles; the deal runs until 6 December.
As the reductions are on top of any current promotions, today’s focus is on those “double discount” wines.
My recommendations are split into three parts; party wine, everyday house wine and special occasion bottles.
Three prices appear next to the name of a wine. To the right is the list price; the middle one is the longer running promotional price that applies until 8 December while the left hand figure shows that “double discount multi-buy” price I mentioned.
Multi-buy prices do not apply in Scotland, to “Convenience” branches anywhere, if you buy fewer than six bottles – or beyond 6 December.
That’s covered the legals, I think, but do check in store if you are in any doubt
As ever, where it has been possible to provide pictures, you merely need to click on any of the bottles shown for an enlarged image to help you pinpoint the wine on a crowded shelf.
Party Wines
The smooth and relatively complex 2015 Boschendal Jean Garde Unoaked Chardonnay (£4.50/£6/£8) has pronounced acidity, peach centred fruit and a neat touch of vanilla.
Three bottles of that white and three of the red in the next paragraph, could cost less than £25 – a fantastic price for the quality they represent.
Vanilla also features in 2014 Pasico Bush Vine Monastrell Shiraz (£3.56/£4.75/£6.50) where it neatly embellishes the lively herbal, blackberry fruit and the clove and mocha influences that underpin it.
Everyday House Wines
Quite clear, I think, why albarino has become such a cult wine when you savour the mellow, white peach depth that 2014 Taste the Difference Albarino (£5.25/£7/£8) displays and the firm green apple acidity that accompanies it.
Sticking with Spain the substance and fresh acidity of 2014 Taste the Difference Marques de Almeida Ribera del Duero (£5.25/£7/£8) shows why it is popular especially when, as here, the wine has bright cherry, blackberry and cassis style fruit and a twist of concluding tannin.
If, however, you want a change from Spanish wines, a (virtual) visit to California would allow you to enjoy the blaeberry and damson fruit of 2013 Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel (£6/£8/£10) with its good acidity and tannin balance and depth – courtesy perhaps of the petit sirah (sic) in the mix.
And for Special Occasions.
Fish at Christmas time seems tailor made for Chablis and especially the light and bright 2014 Chablis Premier Cru Selection Domaines Brocard (£10.87/£14.50/£16) with its clean and fresh lemon centred backdrop and the prickle of apple based acidity that sits alongside it.
Sticking with France, here is a really well made Chateauneuf du Pape.
The mellow, grenache dominated 2013 Famille Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape Les Sinards (£14.25/ £19/ £22) provides minty cherry fruit with lively sweeter spice components and rides out on an attractively contrasting savoury edge.
Alternatively step up the syrah/shiraz constituent and move across to South Australia for something from a top producer there who has added roussanne (rather than the more conventional viognier) to the blend.
Full ripe and rich, 2011 D’Arenberg The Wild Pixie Shiraz (£11.25/£15/£17) has powerful cherry and blackberry fruit with chewy tannins that, nevertheless, are amply counterbalanced by firm acidity.
I am bringing forward the usual Saturday post by 48 hours because Lidl launch their new promotion tomorrow and I wanted to give you the earliest possible heads up. It includes a lovely Icewine at an unbelievable price.
