Over a hundred wines began a three week price reduction yesterday or this morning and here, for me, are the “must buy” components for a happy drinking Easter holiday.
To underline the strength of the Finest* premium brand, its wines make up about a quarter of the total promotions list but a much higher proportion of my top choices.
This promotion also coincides with Tesco’s extra 25% offer for drinkers outside Scotland when they buy any six or more bottles; so, with that multi-buy offer, some of these wines drop to a mere £4.50.
The 25% reduction is as well as the discounts shown here – not instead of them.
A sophisticated alternative to Prosecco.
Winemakers in the western end of Languedoc use the local blanquette grape to produce sparkling wine that is a notch drier – and has a touch more alcohol – than many proseccos.
2012 Finest* 1531 Blanquette De Limoux (£8.99 instead of £10.99) has fresh and lively lemon fruit and an appealing mineral edge to its substance and texture.
Fresh, Tasty and Trendy
While thinking about the Languedoc area, pick up a bottle of 2014 Finest* Picpoul de Pinet (£5.99 – instead of £7.99). Suddenly it has been spring boarded from a simple companion to the local oysters to a wine you see everywhere. Enjoy in particular the bright, racy lemon and green apple flavours and the texture that underpins them.
Rehabilitating riesling (a continuing campaign!)
Surely no one still doubts how good classy riesling is these days?
If so, introduce them to 2012 Finest* Tingleup Riesling (List price – £9.99) – made by the celebrated Burch family in Western Australia; it is smooth, weighty and brilliantly fresh with exuberant and zesty lime based fruit.
An old favourite that keeps on delivering
I have long enjoyed this seriously neglected red but 
2013 Finest* Teroldego (List price £7.99) is from an especially good vintage up there in Trentino.
The wine combines intense cherry and plum fruit with twists of herb, liquorice and mocha and skilfully balanced tannins.
Do not miss this brilliant red
Great syrah and the Northern Rhone have a magnificent marriage as emphatically illustrated by 2012 Cuvee D’Automne St Joseph (£9.99 instead of £14.99).
Its soft and velvety plum and bramble fruit is a joy especially as it is supported here by gentle tannins, well judged acidic balance and a subtle concluding mineral edge.
…… and the final round up.
Here are a few of this month’s other Tesco promotions I also consider reliable value for money and suggest you take home to try:
2014 Brancott Estate Sauvignon Gris (£7.85 instead of £10.49) – Like good sauvignon blanc with extra depth.
2014 Peter & Peter Riesling Trocken Mosel (£5.99 instead of £7.99) – Bright with lime centred sharpness; perfect for riesling refuseniks!
2012 Rocca Alata Valpolicella Ripasso (£7.99 instead of £13.99) – Impressive acidic balance behind explosive raspberry fruit.
Plus the continuing reduction to £15.99 of the beautifully balanced Finest* Premier Cru NV Champagne (down from £19.99)
Click on any of the pictures for an enlarged image to help you find the wine on a crowded shelf.
Although these promotions are due to end on 21 April, the judgements on the wines themselves should hold good for at least three months from the time of the post.
