National Barbecue Week runs through until Sunday so I have selected a clutch of well priced reds from the current round of Tesco promotions that should work well with those juicy burgers and two tone (pink and black) bangers.
Although these promotions expire on Tuesday, my judgements on the wines themselves should hold good for at least three months from the date of the post.
Click on any of the bottles shown for an enlarged image to help you pinpoint the wine on a crowded shelf.
South Africa’s take on shiraz
Shiraz tends to complement hearty meat nicely but here is an impressive one from South Africa rather than its spiritual Australian homeland.
There are some quite dense flavours to 2013 Boschendal 1685 Shiraz(£7.49 – instead of £8.99) but note how well its fresh acidity and firm yet balanced tannins mingle with that concentrated blackberry, raspberry and chocolate backbone.
Southern France joins the party
Syrah (as shiraz is known in Europe) is also featured in this cultured red from the western end of Languedoc.
2013 Chateau de Fauzan Minervois (£6.99 instead of £8.99) has mint and herb flavours to underpin its plum and raspberry fruit but an excellent acidic counterbalance thanks to the way cooler nights around its vineyards slow down the ripening process.
Don’t ignore Rioja though
Lamb with plenty of rosemary makes almost any barbecue that bit more stylish and what better complement to lamb than a quality Rioja with the extra maturation time that reservas receive?
Despite its aging in American oak, 2010 Finest* Vina Mara Rioja Reserva (down £2 to £7.49) still delivers bright but soft and balanced cherry based fruit to jostle with the cinnamon and vanilla touches that sit alongside it.
…. Or classic port territory….
Nowadays Portugal’s Duoro Valley produces great value table wines as well as all those brilliant ports.
Although this red is no longer on promotion, the rounded smoothness and powerful framework of 2013 Finest* Douro (£6) suits these occasions well – as do its aromatic soft fruit flavours enlivened with acidity and spiciness.
But, if a classy white is essential
Grilling fish on the Barbie calls for something clean and fresh but with structure too.
In that case how about 2013 Villa Maria Private Bin Chardonnay (£7.49 instead of £10.49), which has a polished, vanilla centred elegance to add complexity to its measured soft, orange tinges and hints of peach?
