Category Archives: Drinks Reviews

Friuli, Italy Aldi. £6.99 Looking for a bargain, delicious, sparkling white this Summer?  Head to your nearest Aldi for this lively and zesty Italian fizz, bright and juicy, sparkly and fruity.  It’s a clever find from Aldi, produced in north eastern Italy, from the little-known Ribolla Gialla grape, and, to my mind far superior toContinue reading “Aldi Specially Selected Ribolla Gialla NV”

Italy Tesco   £7.50 A steal of  white wine, from the Garganega grape, produced in the Soave region in the foothills of the Dolomites, in north-east Italy. Bright and polished, packed with stylish peach flavours, and hints of almonds; elegant, stylish, a true bargain, from one of the best co-operatives in the region, Cantina di Monteforte.Continue reading “Tesco Finest Soave Classico Superiore 2021”

New Zealand Asda        £9.50 This is, without doubt, one of the very best red wine bargains I have come across recently.  The Asda buyers have done a brilliant job, finding this simply sublime, silky and velvety Pinot Noir from New Zealand’s South Island.  Seamlessly elegant,  and perfumed, with juicy cherry and raspberryContinue reading “Asda Extra Special North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2020”

Piemonte, Italy Sainsburys  £12.00 Nebbiolo is the grape that makes the famous Barolo wines; this clever, silky baby Barolo is a brilliant example of a softer, more affordable version. It’s simply delightful, mid-weight, with seamless elegance, silkily smooth cherry and plum fruit, floral notes, and delicate tannins; it would grace any table this Summer –Continue reading “Taste the Difference Discovery Collection Langhe Nebbiolo 2022”

Languedoc, France Co-Operative. £8.15 The perfect look and taste for Summer… sleek and elegant in look, delicate and pretty in style. There is more to southern French Roses than Cotes de Provence; move slightly west, to Languedoc country, and you’ll find some true gems, such as this.  With its shimmery whisper-pale pink hue, and itsContinue reading “La Petite Laurette du Midi Rose 2022”

Co-op.    £6.65 (37.5cl) Sherry has made a welcome revival in recent years, championed by the ever-growing number of tapas and sherry bars around. But whilst the drier styles are thriving, sweet sherry is still, far too frequently,  loitering on the shelves. For the ultimate in luscious treats, indulge in this decadently sumptuous nectar. Pedro XimemezContinue reading “Irresistible Pedro Ximenez Sherry”

£9 As we drift slowly into milder weather, with hopes of summer evenings and bbqs on the horizon, it’s time to think pink ( not that Rose shouldn’t be drunk all year round, I’m a great fan); this one is prettily peachy, with gentle scents of raspberries and meadow flowers. Soft and balanced, with vibrant,Continue reading “Tesco Finest Cotes de Provence Rose”

 £8.00, Marks & Spencer M&S have one of the best value ranges of lesser known wines on the market, and I haven’t tasted one I haven’t liked yet. All under £10, and championing countries and grape varieties previously unheard of or misunderstood. The Feteasca Regala is elegant and delicate, an aromatic, local grape variety thatContinue reading “‘Found’ Feteasca Regala”

Lidl  £6.49, Puglia, Italy Rose isn’t just for Summer, it’s a great all year round drink, especially with mildly spicy food, and also, to my mind, silly as it sounds, pink food – sweet prawns, succulent salmon, the fleshy flavour of tuna, even ripe, scented strawberries, marinaded with basil and black pepper.  This one is fromContinue reading “Negroamaro Rosato 2021”

Aconcagua, Single Vineyard Morrisons.    £10.00 The Aconcagua mountain is the highest in the range of the Andes, bisecting Chile and Argentina.  This juicy red is Chilean and produced from a single vineyard, Roca Fuerte, which enjoys the cooler climate of high altitude, and the cold breezes drifting in from the Pacific, hence fresher styleContinue reading “The Best Pinot Noir, Chile”