My weekly Top Tip feature is your hugely successful “pathfinder” through the maze of confusing (and, sometimes, less than impressive) bottles that furnish modern day wine aisles.
It pinpoints exactly those wines I consider represent exceptional value for money that are both tasty and dependable.
Such guidance will be increasingly valuable as prices start to climb through 2022 – as I fear they will.
And, this morning, the first Top Tip of “Astronomical Spring” points you towards an offering from South Africa’s ever reliable Bruce Jack.
Then it goes across the Atlantic for an excellent version of one of France’s Rhone Valley’s star white wines.
As one extra bit of assistance, pictures are provided to help ensure that you are buying the correct wine.
First up is a red
2020 Bruce Jack Shiraz (£6 – instead of £7 until 22 March – at Sainsbury’s):
South Africa’s Bruce Jack seldom disappoints, and this satisfying red certainly maintains his high standard.
Rich, bold and intense, it delivers ripe, blackcurrant and dark cherry flavours smoothed by a touch of oak but embellished by traces of chocolate, vanilla, liquorice, Black Forest gateau elements and concluding white pepper spiciness.
And to Chile for a white
Indomita Viognier Gran Reserva (£7 – instead of £8 until 5 April – at the Co-op):
Chile’s wine growing areas are extending and, despite their latitude, northern areas like Elqui and Limari are currently producing excellent wines from high altitude or coastal vineyards.
Here, though, we see the quality Bio Bio’s southerly outpost can attain with, in this case, the Rhone Valley’s viognier white grape.
Perfumed and textured, it provides ripe mango, peach and apple peel flavours with counterbalancing tangerine acidity and an early savoury bite.
STOP PRESS
Presumably, with an eye to Sunday’s Mothers’ Day (a big sales time for prosecco), Sainsbury’s have reduced the price of their Edizione 789 Di Mondelli Prosecco to £5 (from £6.25) for a four day period.
You may have to hurry though as the deal ends tomorrow and may even do so today for any online purchases.
Join me again on Thursday for a review of the Supermarket promotions scene that will surely whet your appetite for Monday’s next pair of Top Tips.
2 responses
Hi Brian, Been impressed with Bruce Jack wines, especially for what they are, in his words he wants to ‘ modernise the image of wine consumption to the masses’ and I think he does that with his budget range of affordable wines, great value at £6. The Indomita is lovely as well, another winner from the Co-op.
Agree about both wines Dave. Bruce Jack deserves his accolades since he has stuck to that aim despite all the problems the South African wine industry has had over the last two years.