There are many wines perfect for summer, available in the supermarkets 🛒. This spring, there was the regular busy schedule of tastings, in which each of the supermarkets showcased their new ranges. As usual, these highlighted many wines 🍷 🍾 at good value prices with some real stand-outs among them. Everyone will have their own personal picks, so here are two recommendations from each of the tastings I went to. I could have included many other wines and styles, like Vinho Verde, Assyrtiko or some of the English wines, but that'll be for another time! 😋
Specially Selected Crémant du Jura - £8.99Always one of the best value sparkling wines in UK supermarkets, this remains a fabulous alternative to a Blanc de Blancs Champagne, made from 100% Chardonnay. There's mouth-watering acidity and well-balanced fruitiness with notes of creamy lemon curd, green apple and white peach.
Cambalala Specially Selected Rhône Blend 2021 - £6.99This delicious blend of Grenache Blanc, Roussanne and Marsanne shows plenty of texture and depth. With notes of peach, cream and herbs, good acidity and a hint of salty lemon on the long finish, this will go well with many fish or chicken dishes.
Extra Special Dão 2021 - was £6.75, currently on special offer at £6.25This is a blend of three Portuguese varieties - Aragonez, Touriga Nacional and Jaen. The result is a fresh, vibrant red wine, full of ripe blackberry, cherry and raspberry notes, a touch of herbs, soft tannins and quite a long finish. Time for the BBQ - so bring out the lamb chops, sausages and spicy chickpea fritters!
Extra Special Uco Valley Malbec 2021 - £11Malbec is always popular in the UK and this example, made by Bodegas Norton, is a great choice from Asda. It's saline and mineral with a lick of liquorice on top of blackberry, spice and violets. For those who still like a juicy steak in the summer, this mouth-watering red wine works well!
The Hidden Vine Vinho Branco 2022 - £8.25Portuguese wines offer great value for money and this one is no exception. A blend of five grapes from the Douro region, this is full of fruity joy and interest with green apple, citrus, stone fruit, herbs and a hint of lemon ginger cream. The vibrant acidity makes this a good accompaniment to creamy cheeses, as well as Portuguese salt cod and fish pies.
Viento de Invierno Mencia 2021 - £8.25This fresh Spanish red, from vines over 80 years old on the slate soils of Bierzo, is fresh and juicy with black cherry, morello cherry and raspberry notes. Try it with chicken, veal or mushroom dishes, but it would also go with many Spanish cheeses like Manchego.
Myrtia Moschofilero Assyrtiko Dry Rosé 2022 - £10A 50-50 split between the two indigenous Greek grape varieties, this fresh and aromatic, dry rosé makes an interesting change from many other rosés you can find at the supermarkets. Great with halloumi or feta cheese-based summer salads.
Cintu Île de Beauté Rosé 2021 - £11Another unusual rosé offering from M&S, this Corsican blend is savoury and citrussy with white peach and pear notes too. Chill it well and enjoy on its own or with Asian noodle dishes.
Fête des Flaveurs Picpoul de Pinet 2022 - £10Imagine relaxing by the sea in the south of France! Well this crisp, refreshing taste of a Languedoc summer with fresh citrus notes tinged with a sea breeze and a little hint of apricot, might help! Great with seafood, of course!
Morrisons The Best Gavi 2022 - £9Fun, fresh, tangy and summery with notes of crunchy green apple, green pear and lemon. Perfect with creamy pasta dishes or soft Italian cheeses.
Taste the Difference Jurançon Sec 2021 - was £8, currently on special offer at £7Another fresh, crisp white that's a little bit different. Made from Gros Manseng & Petit Manseng, two grapes native to South-West France, this is fruity and floral with attractive citrus aromas and juicy ripe fruit notes on the palate (apple and a hint of tropical fruit). Great for spicy food with Asian flavours, or as an aperitif.
Taste the Difference Sainte-Victoire Provence Rosé 2022 - £14If you're after a classic Provence rosé, but baulk at some of the high prices on offer, then this might be the answer. It's certainly pretty in pink, floral on the nose and delivers delicious red berry and pink grapefruit notes on the palate with a hint of spice. Queen scallops anyone?
El Jardín de Ana Godello 2021 - £10Made by well-known Rías Baixas producer Martín Códax, this is a lovely example of one of my favourite grapes, Godello. It's fresh and aromatic with scents of wild flowers and chamomile, while the palate shows zingy citrus fruit plus touches of pear and cream (despite being unoaked), a hint of herbs and a mineral finish.
Les Terrasses St Nicolas de Bourgeuil 2022 - £9.50If you want a light, fruity red for summer drinking that you can chill for 20 minutes in the fridge, then this is it! Made from 100% Cabernet Franc, it delivers juicy berry notes, a touch of cherry, a slight earthy and crisp, green character plus a hint of spice on the finish with light, refreshing tannins. Enjoy with cold cuts of red meat, turkey or cheese.
Altos de Torona Albariño 2022 - was £14.99, currently on special offer at £11.99A delicious example of the Albariño grape from its Galician homeland. With citrus and orchard fruit notes, a saline zing and good acidity, this is a brilliant pairing for fish, seafood, mild cheeses and many other dishes.
Dominique Piron Beaujolais Villages 2021 - was £12.99, currently on special offer at £9.99A juicy Beaujolais for summer, also best served slightly chilled, this is made from 50-year-old vines, so has plenty of concentrated fruit flavours while still remaining light, supple and very quaffable! Great for red wine lovers at a picnic.
🥂 🥂 Enjoy your summer! Cheers! 🥂 🥂
