There are literally thousands of wines available in UK retailers, so, how on earth do know what’s good, bad or indifferent and what represents good drinking and value for money. Well unless your a wine expert, you’ll probably rely on one of six general criteria:
1. Price, 2. known brand/winemaker, 3. the label, 4. country, type or varietal (grape) 5. recommendation or finally 6. simply by ‘trial & error!
Given the on-going cost of living impact, price is an obvious one, but it can be completely misleading as cheaper wines, sub £8.50 per bottle are most certainly not all bad, the same applies to £20+ per bottle, they’re not all automatically good. The brand and/or wine make can be a great guide, but you do need some wine knowledge. Labels, these tend to vary bewteen trendy to traditional, however in the main these only really help shelf stand-out. Country/Type/Varietal, again a good guide, but you also need some wine knowledge. Recommendations are always worth taking and finally trial & error says it all!
Made from Corsican Nielluccio & Sciacarello blended with Rhône reliables Grenache & Syrah. A lovely smoky, mid-weight wine with lots of dark, wild berry fruit over grainy tannins.
ABV 13% - Available £18.95 @ https://www.yapp.co.uk
Bold, complex and smooth, with a strong tannin structure creating a great first impression, with an intense yet balanced blend of dark fruit aromas with notes of toasted oak and a smooth finish.
ABV 14.5% - Available £10.00 in major multiples, inc. Sainsbury's & Morrisons.
Bold, Velvety, Deep, meat was made for Carnivor. A boldly blended Zinfandel which s a captivating complement to red meat, layered with notes of dark cherry, blackberry jam, and perfectly toasted oak. 100% Zinfandel. ABV 14.5%. Available £10.50 in major multiples inc. Sainsbury's & Morrisons
A beautiful golden-yellow body with fine, persistent bubbles from the Bordeaux region. A sparkling wine offering a fresh and balanced palate, with notes of yellow fruit and toasted brioche. Grape Varieties: 70% Sémillon, 30% Cabernet Franc. ABV 12%. Available £11 in Ocado
Perfectly balanced with a long, fruity and floral finish, this Sauvignon Blanc is superb on its own or with light appetisers and is a brilliant partner for festive starters such as smoked salmon and horseradish canapés. ABV 11.5% - Available £9.99 in Waitrose.
A Pinot Noir offering delightful aromas of black cherry, strawberry and plum. Medium in body with soft tannins, this wine pairs perfectly with grilled salmon and roasted pork tenderloin.. ABV 13.5% - Available £12.00 in Sainsbury's.
A classic southern French rosé with berry fruits on the nose, a hint of pomegranate, and a smooth finish with just a hint of nutmeg spice. ABV 12.5% - Available £8.50 in major multiples.
A generous red wine, full and smooth with an intense aroma of aromatic essences blended with mild spices. Elegant berry fruit aromas make it wonderful to pair with richer flavours without overpowering roast turkey. ABV 14.5% - Available £8.00 in Ocado.
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