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This week’s top tips and current promotions
As we are being encouraged to travel more on two wheels, it seems appropriate that this week's top tips include a summery white from Chile's bike-loving wine producer. I also bring you news of current offers at Waitrose and Asda, plus an aromatic Australian red for £5.
2018 McGuigan Classic Cabernet Sauvignon (£5 at Asda):
Asda currently has two McGuigan reds around this price. This is the one I would recommend though, despite being slightly dearer.
It has aromatic cherry and red plum fruit with touches of cranberry, firm acidity, pleasingly soft tannin and herbal depth with baking spice elements.
2019 Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier (£6 – instead of £7.50 until 16 June – at Morrisons):
Chile’s Cono Sur operation has a long history of sustainable working. Workers travel to the vineyards by bike (hence the name of this range) and over 1000 “pest control” geese roam among the vines.
This wine is a bit special too with floral-influenced mango and apricot fruit, good mandarin centred acidity and a welcome savoury finish.
Current promotions
At Waitrose
The latest Waitrose wine promotion is now in full swing. Below is a selection of bottles that, I think, are worth a look before the promotion ends on 30th June.
- Cune Barrel-Fermented Rioja Blanco (Drops to £7.99)
- Mud House Sauvignon Blanc (Down from £9.50 to £6.99)
- La Piuma Orvieto DOC (Drops from £7.99 to £5.99)
- Gable & Grace Chenin Pinot Grigio (Down to £5.99)
- Norton Winemaker's Reserve Malbec (Drops to £9.69)
- Waitrose Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Down from £9.99 to £7.49)
- Heredad del Rey reservada Yecla (Down to £5.99)
- Errazuriz Estate Pinot Noir (Drops from £9.49 to £6.99)
- The Botham 80 Series Cabernet Sauvignon (Down to £7.99)
- LeftField Rosé Hawkes Bay (Down from £11.99 to £8.99)
- Valdo Oro Puro Prosecco Superiore (Down from £13.49 to £8.99)
At Asda
Promotions also continue this week at Asda and, from Wednesday, the following wines are all on offer. Discounts are expected to run until 15 July.
- Brancott Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (Drops to £7)
- Campo Viejo Rioja Reserva (Down from £11 to £8)
- Extra Special Pouilly Fumé (Drops from £12.50 to £11)
- Languedoc Blanc (Down from £7 to £6)
- Extra Special Premier Cru Champagne (Drops to £19)
Look out for my next post on Thursday which includes my tips for summer rosé.
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Brian Elliott
Brian Elliott is an established wine journalist, taster, judge and writer with a weekly column in Scottish newspapers.
Comments
6 Comments
Since lockdown started, I have been using, for general groceries, Morrisons’s Click & Collect service – which seems to have readily available slots and is very safely organised (unlike our local Waitrose!). I have been quite impressed with their “Morrisons The Best” range, especially as they are often on offer. Their Alsace Pinot Gris was particularly liked and their Soave decent. I have tasted better Finos, but their example at £4.85 is very acceptable and has been much enjoyed with patio lunches in the sun! I guess Head Wine Buyers come and go and Morrisons have a good one at the moment? Will try the Cono Sur Bicicleta Viognier.
Agree with you Richard on two points in particular – Morrisons are seriously underestimated and Mark Jarman is doing an excellent job. Personally I preferred Palo Cortado (£6.25) to the Fino but that may not be your style of sherry.
cono sur is usually acceptable. We are drinking a CS pino noir on special offer from Sainsbury’s & its slipping down nicely.
HI Frances – and thank you for getting touch. You are spot on with that Cono Sur pinot noir – excellent fare at its current price
The Bicicleta Viognier from Morrisons is *really* good, at that price… full of tropical fruit. Bought six, very pleased i did ..
Hi Jerry … Thanks for getting in touch and I am glad that the viognier works for you. Like you, I was impressed by the depth and range of the fruit on display here which is much better than some of the blander entry point versions that miss the point about the variety – and the peachy viscous content that it needs to deliver.
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