Europe and the New World come together for you today – and both representatives are currently on offer.
One is a slightly different version of primitivo – and that is not just a reference to its organic status.
The other is New Zealand sauvignon blanc where definite efforts have been made to ease the intensity for which Marlborough is, deservedly, famed
Taken together, they reflect the moving canvas that is modern winemaking.
Long may that pursuit of fresh ideas continue, especially when it brings us wines as good as the pair being featured today.
Once again, pictures and hyperlinks are included where possible to make it easier to track down the wine in question.
This is the New Zealand option.
2022 Tukituki Sauvignon Blanc (£7.50 – down from £8 until the year-end – at Asda):
I first recommended this white wine four years ago but the quality it delivers has not dimmed in successive vintages.
As readers of MidWeeker Pauls’ contributions to our Comments section will know, its typical NZ sauvignon properties are softened by blending.
Those “guests” include small portions of less assertive varieties like gruner veltliner and pinot gris.
Bright and soft, the result has, as its main feature, textured apple, peach and pea shoot flavours.
These combine well with the lime and grapefruit acidity on display yet still provide more gentleness than many Marlborough offerings.
NB:- The Asda website does not seem to have caught up with the reduction their PR folk tell me started last week so, to avoid confusion, no hyperlink this time .
… And 20% off its partner just now.
2023 Casa Roscoli Organic Primitivo (£7 – instead of £8.75 until 2 December – for Tesco Clubcard holders):
Although science has proved zinfandel and primitivo to be the same grape, the attention devotees have lavished on the variety has been greater in California.
Nevertheless, Puglia’s young winemakers are on the case and, increasingly, distinctive and versatile examples of primitivo are being produced.
This, for instance, is not Italy’s fullest example but is a very pleasant option that packs a definite punch and is great value at this discounted price.
It is a young wine with rich bramble, plum and fig flavours at its centre.
These are accompanied by soft tannin and traces of vanilla within a liquorice and slightly earthy background.
Since there is no post this Thursday, join me again next Monday when we examine another duo of Top Tips.
18 responses
The Primitivo will be an even better bargain from tomorrow, as it’s included in a buy 6 25% discount deal.
Hi it looks like tesco also have 25%off 6 or more! That would bring the organic primitive down to an almost continental £5.25!
Welcome aboard David and many thanks to you and Chris for the “heads up” on the promotion. Other MidWeekers will be very grateful to you both for this early alert.
Picked up a bottle of Asda TukiTuki today (thanks) and saw an array of handy discounts.For lovers of “pure” NZ Sauvignon Blanc Asda Extra Special Awatere Valley had £1.75 off and I bought a bottle of Rosso di Montalcino as a Xmas treat Normally £17 with a very useful £3.50 off.
Anyone interested in how the Autumn Budget 2024 will affect wine duty changes will find my comprehensive post in the previous “Stars from the East Lidl”.
Just one example -a 15% abv bottle of wine will have a duty and VAT element tax burden of £4 from Feb 2025,which represents a 49% increase in tax over 18 months.
Hello Brian .. all …
That Casa Roscoli Organic Primitivo at 8.75/7 down to 5.25 on the double-dip looks to be a very good buy. Organic too, that usually attracts a slight premium on original pricing of such wine as well, yeah.
Tesco look to have entry level, old-world reds well covered these days with a selection I’ve been having in preference to some usual Sainsbury’s/Lidl/Aldi purchases. The Clubcard/25% double-dip is so attractive for a 6 bottle, rack top-up.
Look at these prices … Vista Castelli Montepulciano d ‘Abruzzo 5.50/4.12 and Eglise Saint Jacques Bergerac 7.50/5.62. Mucho Mas Tinto Vino 8.50/7/5.25
Unfortunately the Palais St Vigny Côtes Du Rhône is 5.45 so cant figure in the 25% missing out on inclusion by only 5 pence! But still well cheap!
For something sweeter-spot the very well regarded Guigal Estate Côtes Du Rhône ….13/10 so 7.50 I’d say was worth a punt. Syrah to the fore in that cuvée.
Then tasty whites … Kleine Zalze Chenin Sauvignon 8/6 ,Tesco Finest Floreal 8/6 , Paul Mas Reserve Viognier 10/7.50/5.62 , Paul Mas Sauvignon Blanc/Souvignier Gris 10/7.50/5.62, And then some bubbles with Mucho Mas fizz at 7/6/4.50
Do the adding together thing of 6 bottles and divide by 6, the average spend per bottle can easily run out less than £36 in total.
So, given the vast area of ‘Buy X get 25% off’ offers at so many supermarkets yet again this year in the run up to Christmas perhaps wine is actually not that much more expensive than in other countries after all? I would also dare to suggest the range here is far greater than many wine-producing countries elsewhere in Europe and beyond.
My intention (attempted before, but never sustained) is to try and drink better quality wines less often. On the basis that, certainly in the past, it was always promoted that the duty & tax take was proportionally less % on a dearer bottle than a cheaper one my overall spend could remind the same, I would be drinking better wines, and consuming less alcohol.
As I say, I have never managed to get to this ideal scenario yet. Why not? The tempting reviews and recommendations from Brian and MWW contributors and the irresistible urge to always try something different! Anyone tried Waitrose Lost & Found Sousao Portuguese red recommended in last week’s Saturday Kitchen yet? Or what about the Plaimont produced Saint-Mont in Tesco on a current Clubcard discount?!!
Hello Keith,
The Sousão Portuguese Red is outstanding and the Plaimont Sant-Mont is excellent.Does that help?
Have you tried :
The Wine Society G&L ( George and Leonidas) Malagousia, Kintonis 2023 12.5% £8.95
This dry Greek white wine from the modern Kintonis winery in the eastern Peloponnese is sapid*,youthful, energetic and a great introduction to the Malagousia grape, which was saved from extinction in the 70s by a Greek Professor of oenology.
The vines are at 700m altitude and grown on northern slopes above the Corinthian Gulf, which mitigates the effects of climate change.The future of wine making in warmer Mediterranean climates is already here.
My main criticism of many Greek whites is that they can be floral bombs; like being doused in four different Jo Malone perfumes.
No such worries with this wine’s clear lemon zest and apricot flavours with a touch of oregano crisps.Well balanced acidity and a unexpected medium length finish.
I prefer this to the TWS own Greek white ( same winery) and it offers “very good value”.(Jancis Robinson)
* Don’t moan,I did give you all fair warning!
Here is my review from October on MWW comments section:
“Hot news.
I was very impressed by the quality and value of Waitrose & Partners Loved & Found Sousão 2022 14% £8.99. Port like,plum and dark chocolate.
Richard Smith from the Wine School of Cheshire( recommended) last night introduced eight of us to a cracking selection of Portuguese wines from TWS,Waitrose and Tanners.
I know that it is not an aperitif, but I wanted to bring it to the notice of MWW members as I expect it to fly off the shelves.”
Er….You saw it here first!!!!
Sounds a fascinating grape and fascinating wine. I’ve added it to my TWS wish list. Thanks too for the heads up on the Sousao and the Plaimont Saint Mont. I’m intrigued to know whether it’s essentially the same wine as TWS Saint Mont Les Vignes Retrouvées with the same attractive blend of Gros Manseng, Petit Courbu and Arrufiac.
PS should have said more, now I remember, why I gave mention to the Tesco Guigal Estate Côtes Du Rhône at £13 down to £10 with the Clubcard but £7.50 on a buy 6 …
I’d already seen the ”same” bottle, well almost, who knows about the vintages when some of that information is missing, available at TWS at £11.95 and considering the promo’ write-up grabbed my attention enough to put a bottle in my basket already, for my next order.
It does seem to have maximum provenance when it comes to aspects relating to it being more syrah (a bit of Crozes-Hermitage going on here) than is usual with GSM bottles and this current interest in reds from the summers of 2021 onwards, in respect of the southern Rhône and Roussillon.
Because at this discount it is so relatively cheap, £7.50 for what it is I’ll have several bottles. Pleased I spotted it. Big bold roasted beef or venison stew will have to be the order of the day. Comparative big reds from Gigondas and Chateauneuf de Papes command lots of money for the Xmas table bottles. It seems it is a very big item that should work well with the turkey too.
Good call Eddie and from a good producer too.
Here,here!
Guigal’s single vineyard Rhone Reds are in the price stratosphere.But this is his cheapest Côtes du Rhône blend and is great value.Over 3 million bottles a year are produced, but it is a skilful blend of GSM.Unusually aged in bottle for 18 months before release.The drinking window on the TWS 2021 vintage at £11.95 is until 2030.The only thing terrible about this wine is the long standing unimaginative naff label.
Brian … problematic of course insomuch as now Tesco no longer have it on their website and none to see on the shelf at 3 branches visited!! And if they did have it at the price of 13/10/7.50 we would all be getting run over in the stamped … never mind.
I looked to see what the appraisal was if anything in the André Dominé ‘Wine’ bible and there’s a lovely smiling pic of Marcel Guigal with the caption … can well smile … his cellar in Ampuis is full of liquid treasure! I bet it is.
So as not to miss out even at the higher price of 11.95 it’s back to the original plan of getting some from TWS. I like the thought that the emphasis for this CduR is on syrah. Pure syrah Crozes and Tain-Hermitage often seem not suit the majority palate when New World shiraz is preferred, but tempered in a cuvée the accolades for the Ampuis come thick and fast wherever we might look.
On a more prescient note with regard to your recommendation here of the Casa Roscoli Organic Primitivo I’ve just opened my bottle to try and will say … a very enjoyable glass for my personal taste and super value too. Masses of brambly and cherry fruit with a somewhat rustic kicker. Maybe organic means honest, in no way artificial or mishandled. I’ve aerated a second taster glass and think it will be perfect for a antipasti meat plate. So back to it
Hello Eddie,
Just noticed Majestic are selling the Guigal Côte du Rhône 20/21 at £9.99 mix six.
PPS.
I also received from Majestic- on mailing list- a £10 discount voucher off any six bottles of still wines etc.Unfortunately cannot be used in Scotland and Wales but OK in England up to November 18th.Thus reducing to the Guigal to £8.33.- which seems a bargain to me.
Good call Paul … thank you. The Wine Society bottle comes tomorrow so I will know if I want to “invest”! My nearest Majestic is a 40 mile round trip but since I haven’t shopped there in a couple of years a trip out to see what else might take my fancy could be an advantage. Ta!
Just to complete the story then … TWS 2021 Guigal CduR bottle came and has been drunk already! It was excellent though I can imagine some would prefer less alcohol than its 14.5%. But at price point £11.95 it fully meets expectation. Being able to have it from Majestic at £9.99 when we mix 6 it starts to be quite a deal if we can get a voucher to use as well. I have £5 off a £50 overall spend so it just becomes even cheaper when I will make a purchase from them.
The Majestic offering does say is 2020 or 2021. Given it can certainly be a bottle for laying away for a couple of years at least, if we can wait, then either is probably acceptable. If both vintages were on the shelf I’d take 2 + 4!
More Crozes/Tain-like Syrah than typical GSMs of the CduR from areas to the south, the tannins are silky already and the black fruit is distinct. No oak getting in the way. No reason to decant. It is very drinkable now but that alcohol is powerful and it may be a detractor to some; it shouldn’t be guzzled. It’s very strong. So we need to make sure its pairing with food is correct. A hearty French beef stew jumps up. I did a very rich Hairy Bikers recipe of Sardinian lamb and fennel with orange, chilli and garlic in white wine with added herby duck mince. The strongest of European cheeses would work as well. Terrific red wine for the money.
Really helpful stuff, Eddie., keep up the good work both on the details behind the wines and your guidance on the retail scene.