Given alcohol duty and other upward pressures, £8 has become a “sweet spot” for presentable everyday wine – and even then you need to be selective.
In effect, though, it has replaced the £5.99 price point we became used to not so long ago.
So, it is pleasing to feature a pair of wines that actually start with a “6” in today’s post.
That is unlikely to be repeated too often so let’s make hay while the sun shines, guys.
Yes, I know cheaper wines are on sale but those appearing here are always wines I feel comfortable recommending (admittedly, sometimes with a caveat).
Value remains more important than price and I will continue, stubbornly, to resist any “race to the bottom”
Adopting my traditional format, images and, where possible, hyperlinks accompany the assessments of the wines.
Revisiting an old friend
2021 Animus Douro (£6.49 at Aldi and 13% abv):
Not quite as sensational as those earlier vintages, this still provides an enjoyable, great value Portuguese red table wine.
Given the Douro Valley’s expertise with port – and the sweetness that involves – it is mildly surprising to find pronounced savouriness here.
Nevertheless, there is certainly slate-centred minerality at work as a background to this wine’s medium bodied raspberry and damson flavours.
The picture is completed by the good acidity, firm tannin and the traces of mint, baking spice and chocolate that accompany those fruit centred constituents.
And a great summertime option
2022 Louis De Camponac Sauvignon Blanc (£6.25 – instead of £7 until 22 April – for Tesco Clubcard holders and 11% abv):
No mistaking the typical sauvignon aromas with which this light, balanced “in the garden” wine opens.
Perhaps because there is trebbiano in the blend, those sauvignon influences do taper off as – on the palate – saline or other savoury elements emerge.
However, sauvignon does subsequently make its presence felt with grassy, green apple flavours and fresh lemon acidity.
Perhaps, since this is French wine, I should have used that country’s usual name for trebbiano (ugni blanc).
The next post (on Thursday) reveals another expedition by “Operation Trawlerman” to try to find wines unfairly relegated to Supermarket bottom shelves.
2 responses
Animus Doura Reserva 2021, bought 07 July 2024. With minutes to the store closing (Sunday), as a “gold” reviewed red, appeared an obvious choice. Had forgotten I’d bought this once before. Both times, straight down the sink. A thin, tasteless, alcohol beverage, not worth drinking for anyone who either prefers a full bodied or high taste, fruity red
I am sorry to hear about your disappointment Guy – it is always a downer when something fails to match our expectations. Since this was the second bottle you have tried (and assuming that the vintage was correct), this does not seem a “rogue bottle” issue. Animus does have many friends and when in top condition is a good example of inexpensive Portuguese red wine. A clue might come from your reference to “full” as this was billed in the post as medium bodied and, if you bought more than one of them, do ensure you take back any unopened ones.
Apologies, though, if what was written here proved misleading and I hope you find the full and fruity red you are seeking – Portugal does have a good number of them.