A new Sainsbury’s promotion starts today (and runs until 22 November) tempting customers with reductions of up to £4 on over 50 wines – and discounted prices that start at £4.25.
Below are, in my view, three of the highlights.
Best of all, another “25% off if you buy six” promotion also starts today (but ends on 13 November) and it applies to almost everything – including the discounted prices in this new promotion.
Just a couple of caveats though – these multi buy promotions do not apply in Sainsbury’s convenience branches or in Scotland (where the law prohibits them).
A red price shows the effect in this promotion if you secure the double discount.
As usual, click on any picture for an enlarged image to help you find the bottle in a crowded display.
A Positive Effect of Climate Change?
With South Africa so often stealing the headlines for chenin blanc, it is easy to forget that this was originally a Loire grape – and (possibly because of climate change) versions produced there are becoming really tasty again.
Consider, for instance, the apple centred texture of 2015 Chenin Blanc Trésor de Loire Cuvée 845 (£6 – instead of £7 and 11.5% abv – down to £4.50 with the double discount) with bold lime and grapefruit acidity to lift its ripe melon and white peach fruit and an unusual touch of liquorice on the (otherwise all-spice centred) finish.
Great Wine from a Great Guy
Marlborough has several outstanding producers but Peter Yealands is especially remarkable – successful mussel fisherman, deer farmer, eco warrior and creator of excellent sauvignon.
Judge that last point for yourself with the smooth, floral but slightly minty 2015 Peter Yealands Sauvignon Blanc: (£7 – instead of £8 and 13% or £5.25) centred as it is around tangerine vibrancy and apricot centred ripeness with accompanying hints of ginger, basil and grassiness.
Stellar Rise for an Intense Red
In about 30 years Ribera del Duero wines have shot from being practically unknown to becoming a serious rival to Rioja’s red wine supremacy. The climate there encourages super concentrated flavours but its cold nights also keep balancing acidity high.
Intense and aromatic, 2011 Condado de Haza Ribera del Duero (£13.50 – instead of £15 and 14.5% or £10.13) has beautiful black cherry and elderberry fruit with touches of vanilla, clove and cocoa, slightly chewy tannins and firm acidity that counterbalances those tannins perfectly.
Best of the Rest |
Not a “grey area” At All
With the floral and peachy Italian style of pinot grigio at every turn in supermarket aisles, it is good to find a well priced example of the grape’s alter ego – the serious and stylish pinot gris – even if we have to cross the world to find it.
Seek out, then, New Zealand’s 2015 Freeman’s Bay Pinot Gris (£5.69 at Aldi and 13%) with its savoury edged pear texture, grapefruit acidity and touches of peach and honey to give ripeness and contrast.
Everyday Bordeaux (Part 2)
Appellation laws mean that Entre-deux-Mers is forever associated with white wines but several inventive and dedicated producers there are raising the “red wine bar” bar significantly with offerings that over perform the humble classifications they carry.
One such is the floral and unoaked 2014 Haut-Vignoble Bordeaux (£7 at M&S and 12.5%) with its bright, ripe cherry and red currant fruit, limited tannin and hints of clove, vanilla, eucalyptus and cola that support it.
Part 3 – next week – brings you a kindly priced Bordeaux white as well as a red.
