
Having recently enjoyed this wine at an Asda press tasting, I decided to purchase a bottle to experience it in a different setting. This wine comes from South Africa. Pinotage originated in 1925 as a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut and was developed by Abraham Izak Perold, the first Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. It’s usually known for its typically deep colour and bold flavour. The 2022 vintage of ASDA Extra Special Pinotage has a lighter colour than is typical. On the nose, there is a hint of blackcurrant but it is pleasantly devoid of the volatile acidity…

Following on from my previous two posts on wine offers, I have come across a great reduction on Villa Maria Taylors Pass Sauvignon Blanc that I found to be ‘the best of them all’ at the Hatch Mansfield (importer) tasting and is one of my picks. It’s currently on offer, only at Asda, for £13, reduced from £16. The Private Bin Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough is also currently on offer at Asda for £8 (down from £10.50). I reviewed this wine separately and found the latest vintage to be excellent, also making it one of my top picks.

Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 24 July 2024 until 11:59pm on 28 July 2024. See the Spring Summer Press tasting for tips on what to buy.

A Which? investigation has found that Tesco is the cheapest supermarket for branded wines if you have a Clubcard. An analysis of prices for 15 branded wines at major UK supermarkets (Asda, Morrisons, Ocado, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Waitrose) from 1 February to 30 April 2024 revealed Tesco’s Clubcard discounts made it the most affordable, with a total cost of £108.43 for the basket. However, without a Clubcard, Tesco’s prices were the highest at £120.67. Asda was the second cheapest overall at £111.16 and had no loyalty scheme requirements for discounts. Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Waitrose also offer member-only discounts, but data…

The Wine Atlas Île-de-Beauté Rosé, 2023 vintage, comes from Corsica and is produced by Vignerons D’Aghione. It features a blend of Niellucciu, Sciacarellu (20%), Syrah (10%) and Grenache (50%), with a 4-month maturation period and an 11% ABV. The wine is a IWC Bronze Medal Winner 2024 and is a new wine in the Asda Wine Atlas range. It has a pale colour that appears darker in the wider-than-normal bottle. On the nose, it offers great floral aromas, which are both inviting and delicate. Despite the bottle’s claim of a delicious citrus palate, the taste is more characterised by redcurrant,…

Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, from 24 May 2024 until 11:59pm on Wednesday 29 May 2024.

In May 2024, Asda held a press tasting showcasing a variety of wines, perfect for Spring and Summer days. While the focus was primarily on wines ideal for warmer weather, there were also a few bold reds to complement BBQs. One of the highlights of the event was the re-launch of the Wine Atlas range, featuring five new wines. This range is designed to offer different and high-quality wines at an affordable price, with bottles priced between £6 and £7. Although keeping costs low is Asda’s key aim, quality is not compromised. In 2023, Asda wines were recognised with an…

Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, until 11:59pm on Monday 6 May 2024.

Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, 6 bottles or more, until 11:59pm on Monday 1 April 2024.

Asda has 25% off wine, on £5.50 per bottle or more, until 11:59pm on Sunday 25 February 2024.

This a red blend from the Tejo wine region of Portugal formerly known as Ribatejo until its rebranding in 2009, now named after the Tejo River. It’s produced by Falua Sociedade de Vinos. The blend includes Castelão, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Syrah. The wine gained a Bronze Medal at the 2023 IWSC and the Decanter World Wine Awards and it has a respectable 4.1 rating on Vivino. Aesthetically, the bottle immediately captures attention with its striking label graphics, a nod to the wine’s assertive character described as ‘Fierce, gracious and untameable.’ On the nose, the wine greets with an…

Despite not holding the more prestigious DOCG designation, this wine makes a subtle statement by mentioning Valdobbiadene, it’s origin, on its label — usually only done for Prosecco of the DOCG category. Contrary to what one might expect, ‘Extra Dry’ in this context always refers to a subtly sweet flavour profile. Valdo Prosecco DOC Extra Dry surpasses expectations set by its modest 3.6 score on Vivino. Having in a pale straw yellow hue, it entices with a nose that mixes floral notes with the crisp, fresh scent of apples. The taste is reminiscent of sherbet, offering a fizziness that adds…

This Argentinian Malbec from the Uco Valley in Mendoza, a 2020 vintage produced by Bodega Norton, Argentina, was awarded a Bronze at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2023. The wine has aromatic scents of violets and liquorice on the nose and displays a typical Malbec purple hue. Its French oak ageing and 14.5% alcohol content contribute to a well-rounded, smooth and full-bodied profile. Upon tasting, the palate is met with rich blackberry fruit flavours, complemented by a subtle spiciness that enhances its complexity. It’s slightly more tannic and fruitier than some other Malbecs, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing.…

The Barossa Ink Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 is made by Grant Burge in Australia. This 2021 vintage, with a blend of Cinsault and Petit Verdot, offers a unique twist to the traditional Cabernet Sauvignon. It has been rated 4.0 on Vivino, reflecting its quality and popularity among wine lovers. The 2020 vintage of this wine was commended by the International Wine Challenge. This has a dark, purple-edged appearance, indicative of its full-bodied nature. On the palate, it presents a mix of blackcurrant, mint and dark chocolate, creating a rich flavour profile. Compared to a traditional Cabernet Sauvignon, it is less tannic…

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 Decanter highlighting its ripe blackcurrant notes and balsamic freshness, leading to a peppery, plummy finish. This new vintage has gone down well, securing a 3.9 rating on Vivino and earning a spot among Vivino’s top 24 South Australian Shiraz wines in the United Kingdom. I…

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 wines. The flavour is peachy/nectarine, offering a fresh and fruity experience that works well both as a standalone drink and as an accompaniment to food. This rosé is available at several major supermarkets in the UK, including Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Iceland, Morrisons and Asda. There…

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 and reasonable pricing of mid-priced Shiraz noting their superiority over Malbecs in the same price range. The abundance of Shiraz in Australia, a result of an oversupplied market since China imposed import duties in 2020, has benefited the markets such as the UK, Australia’s top…

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 strikes you is the colour—a youthful and thin hue that suggests a relatively young vintage, although the bottle doesn’t specify the year. The bouquet is advertised as intense, but I found it less so, lacking the robustness one might expect from a Negroamaro, a grape…

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 distinct, full-bodied and fruit-filled flavour. They are also under-appreciated so offer great value for money. The recommended wines are:
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Nearly a third (32%) of UK consumers say they have already used AI for alcoholic drinks advice. More
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In 2026, 72% of consumers now think wine knowledge is essential to appreciation, up 20 percentage points on 2025. More
Rías Baixas wines reached more than 107 countries in 2025 and exports represented 31 per cent of the denomination’s total sales. More
Light Strike Can Cause Wine Degradation in Just One Day. More
People actively adjust their wine choices depending on who might see them. More
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UK wine production reached 124,377 hectolitres that year, meaning the UK accounted for roughly 0.05 per cent of world output. More
For Crémant, grapes must be harvested by hand and the wines must undergo at least nine months’ ageing before release. More
In 2024, the UK was the second-largest export market for Champagne globally, after the United States. More
Local UK bottling of wine represents about 40% of imported wine. More
Around 1% of people, typically severe asthmatics, have a sulphite sensitivity. More
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Only about 0.02% of Australia’s landmass is dedicated to vineyards. More
In 2024, New Zealand produced only 1% of the World’s wine. More
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In 2024, the UK was South Africa’s largest export market, with 40% of total exports. More
In 2024, the United Kingdom imported 22.3 million bottles of Champagne, a decline of 12.7% compared to the previous year. More
Larger Champagne producers source grapes from as many as 80 different vineyards throughout Champagne. More
Champagne houses and growers collectively produce around 300 million bottles annually. More
In 2025, the Champagne region was home to about 2,124 Champagne houses and approximately 19,000 growers. More
Provence is one of the leaders in the conversion to organic viticulture, with 61% of vineyards certified. More
8% of the South Africa’s grape production is Fairtrade-certified. More
Up to 80% of wine aroma compounds come from grape skins. More
Glycerol is the third-largest component of most dry wines after water and alcohol which is why they so often feel ‘smooth’ or ‘silky’ in the mouth. More
Humans are more than 400 times more sensitive to bitter than sweet. More
Humans can detect the earthy molecule geosmin at about 100 parts per trillion and camels are so sensitive to it they can locate damp ground from roughly 50 miles away. More
During the phylloxera crisis of the nineteenth century, 90% of Europe’s vineyards were destroyed. More
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In 2025, in the UK, Yellow Tail held the top position with sales, marking a 9.8% increase over the previous year. More
In 2024, the UK was the second-largest wine importer in volume and value. More
In 2024, the UK was the fifth-largest wine-consuming country globally. More
In 2025, global wine consumption continued its downward trend, estimated at 214.2 million hectolitres, the lowest since 1961. More
In 2025, online alcohol sales had a 20% increase in value over five years. More
In 2025, the number of UK vineyards rose to 1,104 and wineries to 238, with land under vine expanding to 4,841 hectares, a 510% increase since 2005. More
Moët Hennessy alone commands nearly 46.66% of the Champagne market, with the top three producers together holding about 61%, and the top five controlling over 72%. More
In 2024, the Champagne market was worth roughly €3.92 billion. More
In the marketing year 2023/24, white wine accounted for roughly 55% of Spain’s output, whereas red and rosé together made up about 45%. More
In the UK, 92% of wine is consumed within 48hrs of purchase. More
The majority of wines, 95%, use commercial rather than wild yeast. More
Between 0.5 and 10 litres of water, per litre of wine, are needed for cleaning during winemaking. More
Machine harvesting can achieve up to 100 tons of fruit per day vs 1 ton for a human. More
In Germany, 2025 was the smallest wine vintage since 2010. More
The majority of vineyards, 90% in 2019, are farmed with heavy chemical interventions. Only 6% are organic. More
90% of low and coastal areas in south Europe and California will no longer be able to produce good wine by the end of the century. More
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