A new Co-op promotion is currently under way and runs through until 4 October offering the customary mix of well made, fairly priced, dependable wines; here are three from the list that appealed to me.
As usual, click on any picture for an enlarged image to help you find the bottle in a crowded display.
Rocky Valleys get serious
The Valdepenas region (literally Valley of Rocks) used to be just an area for light, simple red wine but, nowadays, it also makes serious fare from classic grape varieties like this nicely made tempranillo.
Enjoy then the soft, ripe, cherry and plum fruit in 2009 Anciano 5 Year Old Reserva (£5.99 – instead of £7.99 and 13% abv) and the firm acidity but muted tannin and vanilla, cocoa and cinnamon components that support it.
Unexpected but welcome too
Just as Valdepenas is not the biggest name in Spanish wine, the same can be said about Australia’s Victoria state – but the reputation of this cool and diverse region is rising fast.
See why from the great value, full, textured and concentrated 2015 The Unexpected Red (£4.99 instead of £5.99 and 14%) with its chewy tannins, rich bramble and loganberry fruit and accompanying touches of black pepper, aniseed and plum stone.
On your bike for reliability
No recognition problems though for Chile’s familiar and ever reliable Bicicleta range that – like many other sauvignons from those parts – is softer, deeper and riper than, say, versions from Marlborough.
That ripeness point is reinforced by the white peach elements of 2015 Cono Sur Bicicleta Sauvignon Blanc (£5.99 instead of £6.99 and 12%) but the wine still delivers a burst of crisp, green apple and grapefruit acidity.
3 responses
Hi Brian
I was in The Co Op yesterday picking up a few more bottles of the excellent Trapiche Pure Malbec which is superb value at £5.99.
I actually picked up the Unexpected Red while I was there but didn’t buy it. maybe I should have?
I have tasted the Anciano and as you say it’s a fruit forward softish Tempranillo and again good value at £5.99.
At that price, it is an excellent example of new world reds. Details of an interesting Spanish red will be out on Monday by the way …… Brian
I saw the Unexpected Red in the Coop today but didn’t buy. Good value at £4.99/14%abv. Bought more of the Trapiche Pure Malbec – amazing value at just a £1 more.
I appreciate that most Australian wine is imported into the UK in bulk and bottled locally. I always wonder why no one mentions this. I personally have no issues with it as it saves on shipping and provides good value for this segment of the market. But nobody talks about it and the labelling can be a bit obtuse often just a postcode to where it is bottled (M44 6BD Kingsland Wines Manchester). Maybe it just does not matter?