A Top Selling Grape Meets an “Under the Radar” white – and Both are On Offer.

Handy discounts today on lively malbec and a classy Italian white.

The white wine featured today goes under the radar in much of Europe outside its native Italy.

Not so in the UK though, since a substantial proportion of the Gavi produced finishes up – and is appreciated – on these shores.

Even here, however, it is less well known than many rivals for space on mainstream wine shelves.

That is a pity since Gavi is enjoyable as light, delicate and easy drinking white that is ideal for the type of summer this one is beginning to offer.

In truth, higher up the price points, it can deliver nuttiness, complexity, minerality and the potential to age into a layered, rich treat for tired taste buds.

This time, however, the focus is on an inexpensive introduction to the style – in what I like to call a “Gateway Selection”.

If this appeals, more expensive versions should prove to be well worth exploring.

Our other Top Tips choice this time needs little introduction or amplification given the extraordinary popularity of malbec.

Nevertheless, do take a second look at whereabouts in South America this one calls home.

The images (and hyperlink for the Gavi) provided should help you to find them in crowded displays.

Starting with that Piedmont White

2023 La Luciana Gavi (£8 – instead of £10 until 6 August – at Sainsbury’s and 12% abv):

Gavi’s white wines, made from cortese grapes in NW Italy, have a crisp, refreshing character that is nicely balanced – and works especially well with fish dishes.

Classy and with fresh aromas, this example brings us – as its centre-piece – delicate apple, greengage and ripe melon flavours.

These are embellished with lively lime acidity and underpinning traces of pink grapefruit.

Here is a link to the retailer’s website … https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/la-luciana-gavi-75cl?catalogId=10241&productId=1110070&storeId=10151&langId=44&krypto=%2BNPLfZtgZmGKnq9kh4KJj2Mt9r9iy%2FVALxXJiU6PDKSUCnng2XrCmjEwGegoEyzEPVPvUB1GkaiCAiw5gGxn3%2BFq%2BvvEAUihjzrZpfQ%2BUvkVGORyfp8jIOj2VbgBzjg4zYGGejxTCn9nVBXuv3OpNacL0AB1ZZZwf2MCDULpLd0%3D&ddkey=https%3Agb%2Fgroceries%2Fla-luciana-gavi-75cl

Now for the red.

2022 Irresistible Bio Bio Malbec (£7.50 – instead of £8.50 until 13 August – at the Co-op and 14%):

In any word association exercise, “Malbec” and “Argentina” are usually reflex responses but this version is from Chile.

It is not, however, from the Central regions with their day-long sunshine but from Bio Bio – well to the south.

Not only is that valley over 250 miles from Santiago but it is cooler, windier and wetter than many Chilean wine regions.

Those conditions mean that lengthy growing seasons are possible without the altitude they would require in, say, parts of Argentina.

Consequently, there is a delightful freshness here that neatly enlivens the wine’s soft cherry, raspberry and red plum flavours.

Additional support comes in the form of a dark colour, firm acidity (but gentle tannin) coupled with medium bodied smoky, clove and chocolate touches.

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9 responses

  1. Hello Brian,
    That Gavi wine is a great wine and great price at £8.When it returns to full price may I suggest the Wine Society’s Piemonte Cortese 12% 2023.Made again by Araldica,as an alternative?
    At £7.50 is good value.
    Yes, it is not a Gavi,but very difficult to tell the difference.
    The Bio Bio Malbec is one of my standby reds and enjoyed by many friends and family members.

  2. I agree. The Aradica Gavi is a wine I come back to when I just want a clean.crisp white without the intensity of flavours of so many of the popular whites these days. Mind you, I rather like a decent partner wine from Araldica too – Araldica Barbera d’Asti Superiore.. It has that classic sour cherry taste, with low tannins but high acidity. Currently £10.99 at Waitrose but hoping it will feature as one of their discounted wines soon. Meanwhile, I see Majestic list a well-rated Araldica Barbera d’Asti for £9.99 (£8.99 in a Mix Six). It’s a slightly different bottle and not ‘Superiore’ but my understanding is that the ‘superior’ hereabouts is principally about the wine meeting a minimum alcohol level rather than an indication of quality

    1. Re: “ Currently £10.99 at Waitrose but hoping it will feature as one of their discounted wines soon” – I don’t have magic powers but delighted to report that the Aralduca Barbera d’Asti Superiore IS 20% off in Waitrose from today until 20 August at just £8.79

  3. Hi Brain
    I really rate that Malbec and for £7.50 great value, another winner from the excellent Co op selection. For me it’s a bit of a powerhouse at 14% but very easy to drink, plummy, lots of vanilla and dark chocolate but with a hint of peppercorn and herbs don’t forget to chill it slightly especially with the temp rising.

  4. I’ve not tried the Gavi yet, but bought a bottle last week while the offers were also on offer at Sainsbury’s. I’m glad I did as your review has me looking forward to it. Cheers

  5. Hello Brian

    Gone up a bit over the last couple of years Gavi prices at Sainsbury’s. I might have had this one , can’t remember, good price now at £8, but rather enjoy their Gavi di Gavi as well.

    I only have one Gavi in the cellar just now, the Aldi Castelorre that looking online seems not to be there any more but that says nothing about the reality of what doesn’t make it to the shelf at my usual branch of Aldi any time! That cortese grape is something else. Seems to be very forgiving when it comes to getting the best out of a wine making situation. I can only think that decades ago when I was first given ”farmers wine” in Casale Monferato near Alessandria, that it WAS that grape!

    I was in Aldi early yesterday and their WOTW, only until August 4th, is a South African Western Cape Sauvignon Blanc, Garden Route. A £4 reduction down to £3.99. Given I’ve been drinking a lot of quality whites of late I didn’t desperately need another white but at £3.99 it’s hard to refuse and there are a few SA-SBs and Chardonnays around from other retailers I’ve enjoyed as well, so I took a punt at a bottle.

    Remember the Lisbon rose reduced at Aldi a month or two back that didn’t seem to impress many, me included. Well this SA-SB is a different matter entirely and for £3.99 I really think shouldn’t be missed before the week is out. It is its own wine .. not Touraine nor New Zealand, so I approached it as a stand alone and didn’t draw style comparisons. Terrific light citrus fruit, balanced, nicely made for sure, sat out at tea time in the sunshine with a few olives and pesto crisps, as an aperitif, how it worked well.

    A pub would likely want a fiver at least for a medium glass of this, the proletariat can indulge a whole bottle, share it round in the garden, amongst friends, and save over 20 quid, for both value and quality!!!

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