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Wine on a Dime: Bargain Priced Sicilian White plus Pinot Noir for £7.49
For today’s post, I return to the question of prices.
The reasons for the recent steady climb are well rehearsed, and we do need to get used to a new wine price “sweet spot” – more about this on Thursday.
Occasionally, something tasty will emerge at an unexpectedly low price but be warned … all that glitters is not gold.
Today, however, there is some “gold” to report in the shape of a pleasant but, obviously, straightforward white wine.
It could be a useful “house wine” for many people’s houses.
Its fellow featured wine is a bit dearer but also great value for money when set in the context of what it contains and what its rivals cost.
I hope they both tickle your taste buds too.
As is normal here, pictures and hyperlinks are provided where possible to guide you straight to the right wine on shelf or web page.
Romania scores again
2021 Sorcova Pinot Noir (£7.49 – instead of £8.49 until 31 October – at Waitrose and 12.5% abv):
Burgundian and New Zealand pinot noir prices are riding high, so the discount on this well-crafted Romanian version is especially welcome.
Floral but with an attractive fruity aura, it delivers medium bodied raspberry and plum flavours.
These are skilfully supported by minimal tannin and lively acidity coupled with suggestions of cinnamon and dried herbs.
And for that potential “House white”.
2021 Organic Pinot Grigio (Currently £4.99 – instead of £7.25 – at Morrisons and 12%):
As I have said before, retailers’ determination to offer some £5 wines so often leads to seriously reduced quality.
However, this (admittedly uncomplicated) Sicilian white is a decent bottle indeed.
With a floral nose and balanced texture, it delivers mango, red apple and ripe melon flavours.
Its attractive supplementary components include orange centred acidity and lively citrus zest.
After today’s focus on the less expensive end of the wine world, take a step up to my Friday treats and two steps up to my Sunday Best selections when we meet again on Thursday.
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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
I drink white wine, my wife less so, therefore I tend in discussion to focus more on reds we both drink together.
My enjoyment of white these days comes mainly as an aperitif so I tend to look for more substantial, well characterised wines to fit that bill, so it’s Euro-staples like Grüner Veltliners, Rieslings and Loire Sauvignon and Chenin Blancs that engage me most, more than southern hemisphere stuff.
But whether your Sicilian Pinot Grigio recommendation here Brian would give me what I prefer I’m not sure however, WOW!, how cheap is this bottle you mention? It really is worth its position of ”house wine for a while” at that money, for chucking about!! So I’m going to shop Morrisons and have some. Organic as well eh?
But I notice elsewhere in the wine press a bottle that is being talked-up is one that I already mentioned last week in an email relating to Morrisons’ and their current Buy 3 for £21. Villa Maria Private Bin SB
https://groceries.store.morrisons.com/products/Villa-Maria-Private-Bin-Sauvignon-Blanc/104729904
It’s being said that this might cost as much as £12.50 depending on where it’s being bought. Shelf price at Morrisons is £11, but buy 3 and it’s £7. Now that is A DEAL especially if you are already a fan.
A word about another white that has impressed me a lot this last week where retail availability is very limited.
Remember the Romanian Zana Pinot Noir making a big splash? Well, there is a Zana Sauvignon Blanc too that I have to say is a cracker exhibiting the best traits of both top class NZ-SB and Loire top-drawer examples like Sancerre. Unfortunately I don’t spot it yet in one of the big five supermarkets but it IS on a deal … at Ocado! Therein lies a bit of a limitation, but lets hope Sainsbury’s start selling it too, then we are into a different ball game.
https://www.ocado.com/products/zana-romanian-sauvignon-blanc-594763011
Thanks Eddie. Villa Maria sauvignon is always pretty reliable so £7 is a good price and, if the Zana sauvignon matches its sister pinot, that should also be well worth investigating.
The morrisons orgznic pinot grigio is no longer available
Thanks, John, for the tip off. I believe that is the case online but the wine should be available in some of Morrisons bricks and mortar stores.
Couldn’t let this go without mentioning Sorcova Pinot Noir, I remember first buying this a few years ago (maybe 2019/20) and I think it was just under £5 at Waitrose, which was at the time, stunning value for money, I got my hands on a few then and I’ve regularly bought it since as I think, even for £7/£8 it’s still very good value. Tastes pretty good as well, in some ways better than some Pinot’s two or three times the price. Cramele Recas Winery in Romania does turn out some pretty decent wines, and most, are reasonably priced.
I am with you Dave on the delights that Cramele Recas provide in both red and white wines, and several have won awards too. Often when I particularly enjoy a Romanian wine, I find their name in the small print on the label.
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