In this week’s post I focus on three great value bottles from three different supermarkets. You will also find highlights from the latest Waitrose wine promotion which kicked off last week, and a reminder about Sainsbury’s 25% off promotion which finishes tomorrow.
2019 Finest Passerina (£7 at Tesco):
I have spoken before about the impressive white wines emerging in Italy from re-discovered grape varieties. Passerina, from Abruzzo (where it does really well) is another one.
Here it delivers pear, quince and sour plum flavours with savoury and spicy edges, firm acidity, and a hint of tropical fruit. Find it online here.
2019 Gold Label Merlot (£6 – instead of £7 until 5 October – at M&S):
The current discounts at M&S are shrewdly positioned to offer wine that (temporarily) sits just between their new Classic range and the “This is” budget line.
Included in the promotion is this red from Languedoc. Its bright cherry and raspberry flavours are supported by mocha and baking spice depth, good acidity but only gentle tannin.
Top Tip Bonus
A little extra on the Top Tip front this week as I have been particularly impressed by this wine – that forms part of the current Waitrose promotion (details below).
Despite sitting a little beyond the normal Top Tip price point (even when on promotion) this is excellent Chianti made in quite a modern style yet exhibiting many of the genre’s traditional characteristics.
Smooth and mature, 2016 Sagrato Chianti Riserva (£7.99 instead of £10.79 until 13 October at Waitrose) has rich cherry and plum flavours with good acidity but modest tannin and touches of vanilla and star anise
Current promotions
At Waitrose
A new Waitrose promotion began last week and will run until 13 October. Here are some of the highlights it contains.
- The Botham All-Rounder Chardonnay (Down to £5.99)
- Yealands Reserve Gruner Veltliner (Drops to £9.99)
- No.1 Cederberg Chenin Blanc (Down to £7.99)
- Villa Blanche Pinot Noir (Drops to £6.74)
- Apothic Red Winemaker’s Blend (Down to £8)
- Waitrose Maipo Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (Drops to £7.49)
- Barbadillo Solear Manzanilla (Down from £10.99 to £8.99)
- Waitrose Brut Special Reserve Vintage (Down £3 to £22.99)
At Sainsbury’s
The current ‘Buy 6 or more and save 25%‘ offer ends tomorrow. See the website for the wine (and Champagne) included but do note, the promotion isn’t available in Scotland.
MidWeek Zoom tasting
Remember, we now have confirmed details about the wines being tasted at our first Uncorking MidWeek event next week. They appear on Wine Events Scotland’s website – as do details of how to book.
Tune in again on Thursday when I review several versions of Picpoul available on the High Street.
