As the end of the positive cornucopia of “Buy 6” offers approaches, it is time to switch away from core wine ranges – for now.
For the moment, value seeking demands a laser beam rather than the searchlight approach required to gather the half dozen bottles needed to qualify for a discount.
So, I have chosen two European Top Tips which still have almost a week before their current offers end.
One provides a very kindly priced but classically configured Rioja.
The other is a poster boy for “non Rhone” viognier that punches well above its £8 price tag.
As is normal here, pictures and, in one case, a hyperlinks are provided to guide you straight to the right wine on shelf or web page.
First the Rioja
2021 Finest Vina del Cura Rioja Crianza (£7.50 – instead of £8.50 until 4 September – for Tesco Clubcard holders and 14% abv):
This is a consistent and reliable Spanish red, made by an acclaimed producer, that reflects exactly how classic Rioja should taste and represents great value with its current discount.
It features supple cherry and strawberry flavours supported by fresh acidity.
Tobacco, vanilla and coconut touches complete the picture and add to its overall attractiveness.
Here is the link to the retailer’s website … https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/316796265
Then the “Poster Boy” White
2022 Best French Viognier (£8 – instead of £9.50 until 3 September – at Morrisons and 12.5% abv):
Viognier can be a tricky grape but thanks to the efforts of Languedoc’s acclaimed Badet Clement operation, this example positively sings.
Despite relatively subdued aromas it powers up nicely to exhibit mouth-filling peach and orange flavours.
These are partnered by lively, tangy acidity delicately balanced with just a touch of savouriness.
After today’s focus on £8 wine, Thursday sees us step up to the lower end of the “sweet spot” price points with a handful of Friday Treat options.
18 responses
Morning Brian and a happy bank holiday Monday to everyone. Love a good Viognier so might just seek that one out, but I can’t help thinking that label is sooooo reminiscent of Majestic’s ‘Definition’ range label before the recent update!
Oh yes so it is! Mind you I do think that the latest Majestic one is a big improvement. Once you get past the label, though, I think that you will approve of the content of this Morrisons bottle – and certainly hope so.
Morrisons are currently running one of their “buy six save 25%” offers, too.
£6 a bottle would really be tempting.
Go for it Alf. I do not think it will disappoint.
Many thanks for your Viognier tip Brian. I was wondering what to pair with our big fat tuna steak tonight and hastened off to Morrisons after catching up with today’s posting. With the price reduction and the 25% off for 6 bottles, £6 was truly amazing value for this full rich wine, although I must admit my now sadly diminished tastebuds could not identify peach and orange tones. Took me back to the £10 Condrieu I found at Aldi last Christmas. Keep up the good work.
Just some background information on Brian’s rightly acclaimed Rioja producer above.
The Murúa family, owner of Bodegas Muriel in Elciego (Rioja Alavesa) purchased in 2010 Bodegas Eguia – as on the bottle label.It was next door to Muriel’s facility.In Spain it is sold with an open hand on the label and Egia is Basque for “truth”.
Muriel is a combination of the family name Murúa and Elciego village.
Muriel supplies the Co-op with the Vina Gala basic range and Muriel Rioja which also represent good value.
Thanks for that Paul, I personally think ‘Vina Del Cura’ is probably the best value Rioja (Crianza, Reserva and Gran Reserva) from any of the high street supermarkets. This one is very authentic, made in a traditional style, think it’s 100% Tempranillo, fragrant, with hint of sweetness, made with American Oak, but the strawberry still shines along with some bright acidity to keep it tasting fresh. At the offer Price of £7.50 it’s a very good buy.
Hi Brian. Last Monday you praised the “sensationally good” Cigales Crianza, from Aldi, even at £9.99
Thought your readers might like to know it is now reduced to £8.99, so even better
Morning Brian … all …
On the basis of cost averaging, taking both these recommendations as not being particularly expensive vis that ”£8 is the new £5.99” I was thinking about a cheaper purchase to go with either/both of them to give 2 bottles added together for less than £16.
And quite a lot less than that in the case of the rather decent sounding Rioja that attracts me very much, especially at the discounted Clubcard price of £7.50, until the 4th September.
Last week in Tesco I got 25% off two separate trips, completely spent up now on multiple purchasing for a while, including your new French grape offering Floreal, yet to try. I missed out on a couple of things I would have liked to get so I made up the order with a minimum price bottle in the buy 6 deal that’s £5.50, it came up at the checkout as an unbelievable £4.13. (that gives some massive headroom on affordability of another bottle that in this case was the Les Terrasses Cabernet Franc).
And this Tesco bargain? Spoken about favourably before in the recent past I recall by one of our usual friend contributors here, he will possibly read this and identify himself, I was in for one to make up numbers. It’s the entry level Vista Castelli Montepulciano D’Abruzzo!! Our friend here was right!
First opened-wasn’t sure. Ordinary … not harsh … drinkable … we get what we pay for … but wait … a day … improving … more time …and I finished the bottle after it had been open 48 hours without nothing more than its screw cap fixed, and it was a totally different, improved proposition! I mean it won’t set the wine world alight but like Tesco’s other gem the Bergerac Eglise St-Jaques it just works and we feel good about ourselves for following advice and buying something easily worth twice the money.
Maybe these cheaper-end wines are more forgiving than expensive, delicate, complex offerings can be if left too long, and we can get away with more. Can only speak as we find …
PS At today’s price of £7.50 for the Rioja and £5.50 for the Italian we are well inside with my price averaging number of £16!!
They seek him here, they seek him there,they seek him everywhere.
Some call him “Hawkeye” or “Scoop” Davies.
Patience is a virtue and to be fostered by the discerning!
Glad you enjoyed my bargain basement recommendation.
It was him! I knew he would own up.
As Baroness Orczy might have said:
“They seek him, they seek him there.
MidWeekers seek him everywhere.
Is he in heaven or an abstemious hell?
That lauded and blessed Scoopernal”
Can anybody here comment on how well the Vina del Cura compares with ASDA Extra Special Marques del Norte Rioja Reserva (my go-to value Rioja, currently on offer for £8, reduced from £9). The 2019 was very good, and great VFM for a reserva IMO. I believe Brian has previously recommended it. Thanks.
Dave Cronin is the Spanish guru and I will ask him to respond but many thanks Mark for, I think, your first post here – but forgive me if I am be wrong.
Hi Mark
I remember when the ‘Marques del Norte’ first appeared in Asda a few years ago now and it caused a storm, with the store selling out as soon as it appeared on the shelves and rightly so, it is a very good and more importantly authentic tasting Rioja, this has around 70% Tempranillo with some Mazuelo (Carignan) and Garnacha (Grenache). The Tesco ‘Vina Del Cura’ is 100% Tempranillo and also tastes authentic, remember the one Brian mentions here is a Crianza, so it’s younger and will be different to the Reserva, I have tasted the Reserva and Gran Reserva in both versions and my preference is usually the Reserva.
Which is best, hard to decide , both excellent for a supermarket Rioja and both are true to the style, for me personally I just and only just prefer the Vina Del Cura (or Vina Mara as it used to be called). Another one to consider is Aldi’s Baron Amarillo which is slightly cheaper and again tastes like Rioja should taste.
Hope this helps, let us know what you think.
Terrific reply Dave. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Many thanks for your comprehensive assessment Dave, I’ll give it a try.
Do let us know how you get on Mark. Always good to try two bottles side by side (sip for sip) if the budget allows. The good thing with Rioja is that it will keep for a couple of days at least so you can (a) keep intake under control and (b) see how they compare 24 and 48 hours respectively after opening.