Another extensive Waitrose promotion began recently and includes two stylish champagnes – one of them discounted by £10 – along with five wines under £7; one of them offering especially good value at less than £5.50.
Although the prices quoted expire on 28 June 2016, the wines will still be drinking well for a month or two beyond that.
As usual, click on any bottle for an enlarged image to help spot the wine on a crowded shelf.
Wise winemakers from the East
Excellent winemaking techniques in Romania – like bottling direct from the lees – shows us just how good entry point pinot grigio can be (but, regrettably, seldom is!)
The aromatic 2015 Martisor Pinot Grigio (£5.49 instead of £7.49 and 12% abv) has gentle peach and red apple fruit with appreciable richness and substance – but with sufficient acidity to provide vitality and freshness.
Meanwhile, back in Italy.
Cortese grapes are ideally suited to Piedmont where skilled producers manage to combine reliable acidity with real delicacy – partly because of its proximity to cooling coastal influences.
With as good a version as I have seen this year at this price, 2015 Benturina Gavi del Commune di Capriata d’Orba (£6.99 instead of £9.49 and 12%) demonstrates the effect well by bringing us white wine with graceful lemon fruit and subtle tangerine hints yet a smooth mineral edge to provide contrast.
.… and to Argentina’s signature white
Tilimuqui is one the world’s biggest and best known Fairtrade projects and here does an excellent job with Argentina’s famous white grape Torrontes – a close relative of muscat, as its perfumed aromas indicate.
Smooth and floral, 2015 Tilimuqui Single Vineyard Torrontes (£6.39 instead of £7.99 and 12.5%) delivers delightful rounded, nectarine fruit with neatly balanced lemon and green apple acidity to keep everything lively.
Moving colour but not continent
Over the Andes, Chile’s Colchagua Valley is often feted for the excellence of its merlot but here it concentrates on a carefully matured version of the country’s trademark red grape – carmenere.
Enjoy in particular the floral but vanilla influences of 2015 MontGras Reserva Carmenère (£6.74 instead of £8.99 and 13.5%) with its medium bodied plum and bramble fruit, supporting acidity, hints of cinnamon but only modest tannin.
Going home with a grape variety
Carmenere was, of course, originally an important grape in Bordeaux – before beginning its life in the New World – but back home it has largely been supplanted by merlot and cabernet sauvignon or blends of the two like this.
Herbal and soft 2014 Les Chartrons Bordeaux £6.39 instead of £7.99 and 12.5%), offers typical red cherry and bramble fruit but with skilfully balanced acidity and pleasingly mild tannins along with those green pepper aromas so typical of the region.
Best of the Rest
Here are some other really enjoyable wines from the promotion that the discounted prices make especially good value for money.
- Smooth, oak edged with touches of banana – 2015 Morgenhof Chenin Blanc (£8.99 instead of £11.99)
- Soft and textured with plum and bramble fruit – 2014 The Cubist Garnacha (£7.99 instead of £9.99)
- A loganberry and cherry Margaret River blend – 2014 Vasse Felix Filius Cabernet Merlot (£9.99 instead of £12.99)
- Delicate and strawberry centred – Canard Duchene Brut Rosé Champagne (£20.99 instead of £27.99)
- Fresh and lemon centred yet rich – Louis Roederer Brut Premier Champagne(£29.99 instead of £39.99)
