CHAMPAGNE BRUT NV BY PHILIZOT (£12.99, 75cl) 12% ABV
Blend: 33% Pinot Noir, 33% Pinot Meunier, 33% Chardonnay
Producer: Philizot
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Nice bright aroma. Really refreshing. Fair taste. A very good price for this.
CREMANT DU JURA 2009 (£6.99, 75cl) 12.5% ABV
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Region: A.O.C. Jura, France
Producer: Les Grands Chais
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Nice lemony aroma. Just off-dry and very easy to drink. This wine is great value and interesting.
PROSECCO SUPERIORE D.O.C.G. VALDOBBIADENE 2011 (£6.99, 75cl) 11% ABV
Blend: 100% Glera
Region: D.O.C.G. Conegliano Valdobbiadene, Veneto, Italy
Producer: Cantina Colli del Soligo
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Pear on the nose and on the palate.
FREEMAN’S BAY SAUVIGNON BLANC 2011 (£5.49, 75cl) 13.5% ABV
Blend: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
Region: Marlborough, New Zealand
Producer: The Wine Fusion
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Catty nose, but not very aromatic. Pithy, grapefruity. NZ SB Lite, but it is at a lite price.
BORDEAUX BLANC 2011 (£4.19, 75cl) 12% ABV
Blend: 70% Sauvignon Blanc, 30% Semillon
Producer: Benoit et Valérie Calvet
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
The smell’s a bit like plastic. Truly revolting taste. No, No, No.
Yuk
MÂCON-VILLAGES 2011 (£4.99, 75cl) 13% ABV
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Producer: Cave de Lugny
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Very little aroma. Typical and pleasant and astonishingly good value.
TORO LOCO ROSÉ 2011 (£3.59, 75cl) 12% ABV
Blend: 100% Bobal
Region: D.O. Utiel-Requena, Spain
Producer: Covinas
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Sweet cherry nose. Nice taste. Bright acidity, nice fruit. Cannot say fairer than this for £3.59.
TORO LOCO TEMPRANILLO 2011 (£3.59, 75cl) 12.5% ABV
Blend: 100% Tempranillo
Region: D.O. Utiel-Requena, Spain
Producer: Covinas
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Red fruits on the nose. Fruity, with some liquorice. A great little party wine but won’t stand knowledgeable scrutiny. Sometimes the scrutiny just involves chucking it down their throat. NB there are two red Toro Locos and this is the cheaper, less good, one.
BARON AMARILLO RIOJA RESERVA 2006 (£5.99, 75cl) 13.5% ABV
Blend: 100% Tempranillo
Region: D.O.Ca. Rioja, Spain
Producer: Bodegas Senorio de Hueda
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Lovely America oak on the nose. Really very appealing. Nice taste as well. This is great!
MINARETE RIBERA DEL DUERO D.O. ROBLE 2010 (£5.49, 75cl) 13.5% ABV
Blend: 100% Tempranillo
Producer: Bodegas Vina Buena
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
This may be “roble” (=oaked) but the nose is pure fruit and very inviting. Savoury taste. Not bad at all, for the price. The alcohol is pretty warm but it’s only admits to 13.5%.
BORDEAUX SUPERIEUR 2010 (£4.99, 75cl) 13% ABV
Blend: 40% Merlot, 60% Cabernet Sauvignon
Producer: Benoit et Valérie Calvet
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Light, fruity claret. Stalky and dry taste. The price is about right.
ESTEVEZ CABERNET SAUVIGNON CARMENERE 2012 (£4.99, 75cl) 13.5% ABV
Blend: 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 35% Carmenere, 15% Syrah
Region: Valle de Maule, Chile
Producer: Quinta de Maipo
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Very interesting nose. Eucalyptus and mint. This carries through on the palate. Nice, but with a slightly stalky finish.
CAMBALALA FAIRTRADE PINOTAGE 2012 (£4.99, 75cl) 13.5% ABV
Blend: 100% Pinotage
Region: Western Cape, South Africa
Producer: Wellington Wines (The Wine Fusion)
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Very pale red. Almost no smell. This is sweet cherry juice. Good for young girls who think they don’t like red wine.
GRAPEVINE MERLOT 2011 (£2.99, 75cl) 13% ABV
Blend: 100% Merlot
Region: La Mancha, Spain
Producer: Bodegas Lopez Mercier
Availability: Core range, on shelf nationwide now
Dreadful smell, but then I saw the price. The taste is pretty gross as well. About as bad a wine as I have tasted in the last five years. Jeez!
Yuk