Pepperjack Shiraz 2021 from Barossa, Australia is a robust offering that is reflected in its strong 14.5% ABV. Pepperjack, since its inception in 1998 with Barossa Shiraz, has evolved, originally catering to an exclusive clientele in bars and restaurants before broadening its reach and acclaim. The 2020 vintage received favourable reviews, with James Button of…
La Vieille Ferme Rosé is a blend of Cinsault, Grenache and Shiraz/Syrah. Despite its modest 3.6 rating on Vivino, it comes recommended by the Telegraph newspaper and proved to be a pleasant discovery. The wine has a floral aroma and the taste distinguishes itself with its dryness, a quality that isn’t always associated with rosé…
Fiona Beckett from the Guardian Newspaper has an article on Australian Shiraz. In the 1990s, her favourite red wine was Australian shiraz, admired for its voluptuous, ripe and smooth qualities. However, tastes evolved and these wines became known as too sweet and jammy. However, recently, at a wine tasting, Fiona was impressed with the quality…
Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, until 11:59pm on 13 December 2023.
The Masso Antico Negroamaro from Salento, Puglia, comes with a reputation that sets high expectations. Awarded a gold medal at the Gilbert & Gaillard International Challenge 2021 and rated 4.1 on Vivino, not to mention its IWSC bronze, this organic wine certainly has a lot to live up to. Upon uncorking, the first thing that…
An article by Nicky Rampley-Clarke in the Evening Standard looks into the diverse world of Portuguese wines which come from 55 different regions and almost 200 indigenous grape varieties. The most well-known regions include Douro, Minho, and Dão, each offering unique flavours and characteristics. Portuguese wines are generally made from indigenous grapes, giving them a…
Ravenswood, once a revered producer closely linked with the renowned winemaker and owner, Joel Peterson, has seen a series of transitions. Initially acquired by Constellation for $149 million, it was later bundled with other brands and sold to the large wine conglomerate, Gallo, in 2021 for $1.7 billion. It’s essential to note that while the…
This 2017 Reserva, from Bodegas Riovinsa, previously won a bronze medal from the International Wine Challenge, where it was described as having notes of herbs, tea leaves and red cherries. It was also a Bronze Winner at the 2023 Decanter World Wine Awards. Since its establishment in 1926, the winery has been operated by three…
If you’ve been visiting the wine shops over the past month, you may have noticed something peculiar. Despite the recent duty hike, not all wine prices have gone up. In some instances, like at Asda, prices initially remained stable, with a few wines experiencing a, greater than duty change, surge much more recently. Meanwhile, The…
Montagne Saint Emilion, produced by Armand Chaperon, has garnered attention with its impressive awards, including the IWSC Bronze Medal, IWC Bronze Medal and Decanter World Wine Awards Bronze in 2023. With such high expectations, it’s easy to see why I was keen to give it a try. The wine was even compared to the much-admired…
Carménère, originally cultivated in the Médoc region of Bordeaux, France, is part of the Cabernet family. It derives its name from the French term for crimson, “carmin”. Despite its French origins, it’s not frequently found in France today, with Chile boasting the world’s largest plantations of this grape variety. The 2020 vintage of ASDA Extra…
This nutty, white wine is from Italy’s Veneto region. Soave is renowned for its delicate smoothness and freshness and it is made primarily with Garganega grapes forming a minimum of 70% of the blend. There are two Soave classifications – Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) and Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG). The DOC…
Originating from the Mosel region of Germany, this fruity Riesling has a refreshingly crisp flavour despite its low alcohol content of 8.5%. The honey-like sweetness is balanced by the acidity that together provide a lengthy finish. This medium-to-sweet wine ranks amongst the top 25 German Rieslings in the UK on Vivino, with an impressive score…
ASDA Extra Special Rueda, a wine crafted from Verdejo grapes sourced from Spain’s Rueda region, is a hidden gem due to its relative obscurity. This dry, sharp and citrusy wine offers great value for money and a pleasing depth of flavour. Its qualities have been recognised in the IWSC 2022 with a bronze award, and…
Originating from Maule, Chile and made by wine maker Héctor Urzúa Pistas, this wine offers a blend of black wood, tobacco and a hint of vanilla. It’s a rich, dark, silky smooth and pleasurable drink that fulfils the marketing descriptions. It’s produced by Concha Y Toro, the well-known mass producer of wine. However, don’t let…
Asda has a promotion, buy 6 or more save 25%. In England and NI. Until midnight 30/7/23.