This week’s recommendations include a Bulgarian Merlot blend from Lidl’s Christmas Wine Tour and a crisp Sauvignon blend just £5.50 at the Co-op. My usual round up of offers and discounts is also included below, scroll down for details of new promotions at Waitrose, Co-op and M&S.
2020 Yamantiev’s Kaba Gayda (£5.99 at Lidl while stocks last)
Lidl’s Christmas Wine Tour is now under way with its usual array of tempting goodies including, of course, Champagne. Also included is this nicely crafted, Bulgarian red blend of Merlot, Cabernet and Rubin.
Medium bodied with a trace of mintiness, it delivers loganberry, damson and mulberry flavours with firm tannin, good acidity and touches of nutmeg, plum stone and a coffee-based savouriness.
2020 Rock & Roots Organic Verdejo Sauvignon Blanc (£5.50 at the Co-op)
Sauvignon is not the obvious grape for this organic white’s hot, home region in Spain but this blend with Verdejo, works well.
Crisp in style but light in body, it has melon, peach and gooseberry flavours supported by gentle lemon acidity and a background reminiscent of pear drop sweeties.
Current offers and promotions
At Asda
The current offer at Asda is expected to end this weekend. Look out for this reliable red, one of our top picks back in September:
- Extra Special Montepulciano d’Abruzzo (Down to £5.50 until 12 December)
At Waitrose
A new promotion started last week at Waitrose and is expected to run until the end of the month. This 2.25 litre box represents good value with a £5 saving:
- When in Rome Nero d’Avola box (Drops to £19.99 until 29 December)
At M&S
A new promotion also started last week at M&S, running until the new year. Look out for this smooth Australian red, one of our long-standing M&S favourites:
- Lock Keepers Reserve Shiraz (Down to £6 until 2 January)
At Co-op
Check your local store for the latest offers from Co-op which include this red made by a reliable Chilean producer:
- Indomita Gran Reserva Carignan (Down to £6.50 until 14 December)
At other retailers
Offers also continue this week at Sainsbury’s and Morrisons. Check last week’s post for details.
The penultimate window on our “MidWeek Wines Mini Advent Calendar” opens this Thursday to reveal my recommendations for Christmastide white wines.
2 responses
Hi Brian,
I’d like your take on boxed wines.
My favourite French wine is Cabalie from Laithwates but it’s getting pretty expensive. However it now come in a box at the equivalent of £7.50 a bottle which is almost “give-away”.
What do you think? How long does it last? Any “pros & cons”?
Thanks,
Fred
Hi Fred … Boxed wines have improved appreciably in recent years both in the quality within them and the technology used to preserve quality. Waitrose “When in Rome” red, for example, is first rate. I have not tasted the particular wine you mention in its boxed form but instinct says it is well worth trying out – especially over Christmas when a “House Wine” aways open makes sense ….. Good luck … Brian