A first sight, there is little that Rheinhessen in Germany and South Eastern Australia have in common.
But that is not quite true – and goes beyond neither being obvious “go to” wine regions.
For instance, both of them are tackling nature based challenges – significant climate change in Germany and managing extreme heat and variable rainfall in SE Australia.
In addition, winemakers in both areas are trying to move on from outdated assumptions about their wine styles.
Another common bond – of course – is that each of them provide today’s Top Tips.
But that’s because of a third link between them – both regions frequently offer great value for money.
Enough talk of links, though, let’s move on to clinks (of glasses sampling both wines).
The images provided and – where available – a hyperlink should help you to find them in crowded displays.
First to Germany
2023 Chosen by Majestic Riesling (from £7.99 at Majestic and 11% abv):
Despite excellent options like this from the innovative winemakers of Germany’s Rheinhessen region (and all my exhortations) riesling remains a hard sell.
However, this offering really should change minds – not least because the variety’s trademark kerosene aromas are reduced to subtle by-standers.
In addition, any initial sweetness is quickly supplanted by ripe apple, mango and grapefruit flavours.
These are ably supported by an invigorating prickle of lime acidity and just the right degree of herbal depth.
And now for the red
Kooliburra The Reprobates Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon (£5.99 at Aldi and 14%):
The “South Eastern Australia” wine area covers a vast 130,000 sq km.
It was designed to expand blending opportunities geographically and, in the process, help boost budget level wines.
Obviously, such a broad brush can rob wines of terroir and regional subtleties.
Nevertheless, the flexibility it provides really does help create great value, everyday reds like this.
This example’s smooth, medium bodied texture wraps itself neatly around the soft damson, cherry and olive flavours it contains.
These combine well with the modest tannin, good acidity and suggestions of allspice, graphite and minty chocolate on display here.
NB: Also available, I believe, in 1.5 litre versions.
Pop by again on Thursday when I take a look at some of the slightly more expensive offerings just arriving in Aldi stores to sit beyond the red being considered today.
13 responses
Thanks for the recommendations, Brian.
Having a palate which is much more suited to big bold reds, the attraction of riesling has been something of a mystery to me until the last few years when I have enjoyed Australian versions when visiting my wife’s family in New South Wales. I am making up for lost time now, though, and so will give the Majestic a go.
Agree that Clare Valley and Eden Valley versions are more that a bit special. You will find this one is a little sweeter but, in my view, with enough balancing acidity to offset it.
Don’t buy much in Majestic anymore, as I don’t like being forced to buy 6 bottles to get a decent price. But next time I’m buying from there, I’ll definitely stick a bottle of this in the box! But I do love a Riesling petrol bomb!
Understand the point (and, of course, the “buy six” policy does not apply in Scotland) but I guess that Majestic would say that a “discount” for multiple purchases is not unusual.
I agree that I’m put off by Majestic’s selling x 6 policy. I’m sure it loses many customers who are tempted to try something different – such as this Rheinhessen Riesling. No wonder supermarkets are dominating the everyday wine market!
As I suggested to Lisa, it is a tricky balance for Majestic to strike. Buying in half dozens is becoming more common now with the increasingly frequent supermarket “25% off when you buy six” promotions. Don’t forget the tasting bar that is available in most Majestic stores – adding a “try before you buy” element to their proposition that supermarkets seldom match.
Perhaps people would like more the current Asda’s Buy three 25% off which I think Majestic needs to copy.
Riesling has an undeserved unpopularity,but one advantage is that can be a bargain.
Step forward Asda’s Extra Special excellent Austrian Riesling which is just over £8,but factor in the offer and well!
It converted many of the Riesling naysayers in my local community wine club and they are ferocious in their judgements.
Majestic used to make you buy a dozen, I recall, before it was reduced to six.
I don’t find buying six bottles any hardship at all! And don’t the supermarkets offer similar deals?
JerryW, the difference is that supermarket prices are often already decent before the 25% off, when Majestic’s rarely are. As one can often also double-dip at supermarkets due to clubcard etc discounts, the Majestic proposition can rarely compete. For similar reasons I don’t often buy from the Wine Society, even though their pricing is good – although I do go there for the odd special bottle (free delivery even for just one bottle) and Beaujolais, where I feel they are unmatched.
Thus far Brian interesting comments concerned more with pricing than what’s in the bottle. So within reason ”does price matter” is important to punters.
I have made two separate, multiple purchases of late from Majestic to get their lowest of prices offered. Useful to me because I knew what I wanted to stock the shelf with an old favourite but added a couple of other stand-alones to make up numbers, to try out, and have at their cheaper money in a mix 6 deal. I do this same thing at all the big supermarkets.
But affordability of a certain bottle is not the same as value-for-money, and only relates to what we have in our pockets to commit towards a multi buy. I’d suggest that spending £9.99 for a bottle of this Riesling is a better way to go first at Majestic than spending £47.94 on 6 bottles just to get the deal price! So in truth it’s a personal choice as to how we all approach affordability.
After that we are into a totally different scenario that relates to, in this case, is £9.99 good value for our Riesling. Surely that is the main fundamental. If we like what we find then go back and have the 6 bottle price deal to stock up!
And of course we are speaking here only about the difference of £2 a bottle in any case! There are those who will say, life is too short … etc ….
It brings me to what you will write to us about this coming Thursday with the new Aldi bottles and the money they want for THEM, based perhaps more importantly the quality in the bottle and not affordability!
Off to Aldi today to get your recommendation here of the Australian Kooliburra red, almost a first for me when it it comes to avoiding Oz Shiraz but at £5.99 for a wine hobbyist it won’t break the bank just to try it out.
We were served a Majestic wine at yesterday’s lunch at my daughter’s home. It was the Rumanian Pinot Noir, Incanta, available at £7.99 (mixed six price). It was served slightly chilled, but could be served a few more degrees cooler. Thought it a lovely light berry fruited fresh wine. I preferred this to (from memory) the £6.99 Waitrose Blueprint Rumanian PN.
I do enjoy browsing in Majestic, and occasionally, if passing, I drop in to see what is on their tasting counter. Slightly shamelessly, am happy to taste wines and chat to staff, even though not intending to buy anything on the day. I assume that because I spit out and engage in conversation, I am regarded as an amiable enthusiast rather than just looking for free drinks? The layout reminds me of the old Augustus Barnett days where real finds and bargains could be found. Indeed, a few years back, in our local Majestic, I made up my six by adding a bottle of a 2019 Domaine les Yeuses Syrah Vin de Pays d’Oc Les Épices, that just looked quite classy. After trying it and being most impressed went back and to buy 6 more, and was delighted that it was reduced to clear at just £6.99! These are the days I live for! Although (schoolboy error) the last bottle, kept for a “special occasion”, was past its best by 2024.
You can get bargains and real quality at Majestic but you need to know where to look.A good start would be Brian’s Riesling above ,but I must add a personal favourite of mine that- wait for it -has gone down in price.
La Garnacha Salvaje del Moncayo 2020/21 14%abv £8.99 on mix six, is a wonderful example of high altitude freshness and old vine elegance.
Full bodied but heart warming and a slight suggestion of sweetness which is more to do with high alcohol levels and glycogen.
Some of Majestic’s Chosen range also offers good value.
Eddie makes a good point about affordability versus value for money and, to be honest, I’m rather tired of random high prices of particular wines in supermarkets in order to make their multibuy offers look enticing. This is why I added a comment a few weeks ago in support of Waitrose and their regularly changing selection of wines on offer which allows you to try out single bottles over time when you believe the price is right. But in my quest to explore the ever-expanding world of wine I also find The Wine Society and a local independent wine merchant attractive for single bottles given their carefully curated selections of wine and fixed prices which you can either take or leave. And of course the level of expertise on offer is further VFM.