Offbeat bargains star at Waitrose

While the Co-op focus on some classic areas (see previous post), the current Waitrose promotions contain some unusual wines – but ones even the less intrepid can buy with confidence. See which of these highlights tick boxes for you.

Although these discounts are due to end on 14 April, the judgements on the wines themselves should hold good for at least three months from the time of the post.

Click on any of the bottles shown for an enlarged image to help you find the specific wine on a crowded shelf.

 Not many people know about this.

Priorat, just west of Barcelona, is not on everyone’s radar but its powerful and intense reds reflect the local slate-and-quartzite terroir brilliantly – but are seldom available at this price.

2013 Pedra Viva Priorat (£8.99 instead of £10.99) offers concentrated and textured mulberry fruit with cherry centred acidity and a sensational robust, herby, mineral finish.

 A Lovely White from Nearer Home

English wines may be equally unfamiliar but this is a great price for an aromatic white from “Chateau” Dorking.

The apricot and orange fruit of the lightly textured, non-vintage Denbies Surrey Gold (£7.83 – down from £9.79) is neatly supplemented by hints of clove and underpins it all with fresh tangerine based acidity.

Dessert Wine with Acidic Balance

My final “off the beaten track” wine is a fantastically smooth and mellow sweetie from Jurancon in South Western France; wine in this style would often cost nearer to £20.

Here though – at less than a tenner – is the floral and creamily textured 2011 Chateau Jolys Cuvee Jean (in 50cl bottles and down £2 from £11.99) with its layered peach and orange fruit flavours that are perfectly                                                           counterbalanced by fresh citrus acidity.

 Normality restored – sort of

Argentina’s Mendoza region and malbec would score well in any word association exercise but here is one of that region’s whites.

Although 2014 Santa Julia Chardonnay (£5.99 – instead of £7.49) opens with textured pineapple flavours, it quickly develops pear and greengage influences pepped up by zippy lemon based acidity.

 Finally something orthodox but brilliant

2012 Waitrose Reserve Shiraz (£8.99 instead of £11.99) delivers classic South Australia shiraz with soft, ripe blackberry fruit and appealing, earthy depth.

It builds on those components though with touches of star anise and all spice, a well judged tannic edge and cherry and raspberry freshness too.