Reviews

  • Fairtrade Organic Malbec

    Fairtrade Organic Malbec

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    I first encountered the Fairtrade Organic Malbec during a wine tasting I hosted, but with the 2022 vintage. Its atypical profile made a strong impression on me and it became one of my picks for its nuanced character, which stood out against the typical Malbecs. The 2023 vintage, now at 12.5% ABV compared to the…

  • Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva

    Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva

    , , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    I recently came across and purchased a newly listed wine at Aldi, the Baron Amarillo Gran Reserva (2014 vintage), with a brown label and gold mesh. This wine is produced by Pagos del Rey, part of the Felix Solís group, one of the largest family-owned wineries globally. It different to the Criadores de Rioja produced…

  • The Traitor Red Blend

    The Traitor Red Blend

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    As I write this, a new season of the hugely popular show The Traitors is captivating audiences on UK TV. Possibly by coincidence, Majestic has introduced a new Chilean own-label wine range intriguingly titled The Traitor, complete with its own fascinating backstory: The legend of the Añañuca flower tells of a young indigenous woman from…

  • Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir

    Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Coming from the coastal San Antonio region in Chile, Cono Sur 20 Barrels Pinot Noir is made using traditional Burgundy vinification methods. This wine is aged in a mix of foudres and partially new oak barrels, adding depth and complexity to its character. This 2021 vintage has earned considerable acclaim, receiving 93 points from Tim…

  • Bruce Jack Pinotage Malbec

    Bruce Jack Pinotage Malbec

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    This South African red wine from the Breedekloof Valley in the Western Cape is a more unusual blend of 70% Pinotage and 30% Malbec. Pinotage is a grape that tends to produce wines that polarise opinion, but I find this wine to be a standout example. It opens with a lovely smoky aroma, complemented by…

  • Waitrose No.1 La Val Albariño

    Waitrose No.1 La Val Albariño

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    I very briefly mentioned this wine in the Waitrose Autumn Press Tasting and it warranted closer exploration. Produced by the Spanish winery Bodegas La Val, this 2023 vintage Albariño is made without oak, offering a clean and expressive character. The most intriguing aspect of this wine is how its profile transforms so dramatically as it…

  • Belle France Bordeaux Rouge

    Belle France Bordeaux Rouge

    , , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    This bottle of Belle France Bordeaux Rouge, purchased as part of Aldi’s Wine of the Week promotion, represents excellent value for money and is almost certainly sold at below cost to get customers into stores. Priced at £9.99, and reduced to only £4.99, which is quite a bargain for a Bordeaux. The wine is a…

  • Domaine Philippon Frères Chablis

    Domaine Philippon Frères Chablis

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    I first encountered Domaine Philippon Frères Chablis at a Lidl press wine tasting and was impressed enough to seek it out again. My aim was to confirm that the version available in shops matched the quality I initially experienced. This Chablis, with an ABV of 12.5%, comes from Burgundy and is made from 100% Chardonnay…

  • Deluxe New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

    Deluxe New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

    , , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    I first discovered and enjoyed this wine during the Lidl Winter Wine Tours press tasting and decided to try it again to explore in more detail. Produced in the Awatere Valley, this 2022 Sauvignon Blanc (12% ABV) is part of the Lidl Deluxe core line. From the winemaker signature ‘Priyanka K’ on the front label,…

  • Royal Tokaji Late Harvest

    Royal Tokaji Late Harvest

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    The 2021 vintage was a particularly great year for Tokaji wines and this Royal Tokaji Late Harvest showcases a wine from this year. Founded as a joint venture between about 62 local wine growers and international investors, including the celebrated wine author Hugh Johnson, Royal Tokaji has a mission to restore and preserve the quality…

  • Cap Maritime Pinot Noir

    Cap Maritime Pinot Noir

    , , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Tesco has introduced another noteworthy addition to its wine range as part of its, previously mentioned, continued focus on premium offerings. Cap Maritime Pinot Noir, imported by New Generation Wines, is also available through select independent wine merchants. This South African wine comes from the Upper Hemel-en-Aarde Valley in the Cape South Coast region. The…

  • Specially Selected Rioja Reserva

    Specially Selected Rioja Reserva

    , , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Aldi’s Rioja can be a bit confusing due to their approach to branding. They produce many wines under the Baron Amarillo label, which is just a white-label name and not tied to any specific producer. Under this name, Aldi also sells other Riojas, including those I mentioned during the Autumn/Winter press tasting. Two excellent options…

  • No.1 Margaux

    No.1 Margaux

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Having initially tried this wine during a press tasting, I was keen to revisit it at leisure to gain a fuller appreciation and ensure its consistency over time. Waitrose No. 1 Margaux, 2021 vintage, is a new addition to Waitrose’s wine range. This blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, with an ABV of…

  • Muga Rioja Reserva

    Muga Rioja Reserva

    , , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Muga is one of the most iconic and traditional bodegas in Rioja. Situated in the historic railway quarter of Haro, the capital of Rioja Alta, Muga is renowned for eschewing stainless steel tanks in favour of time-honoured methods. The bodega even operates its own cooperage, creating barrels from a variety of oak sources and carefully…

  • The Best Alvarinho

    The Best Alvarinho

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Another gem chosen by my wife, one I might never have stumbled across (the wine, not wife) otherwise. This 2021 vintage from Casal de Ventozela in northern Portugal has a 12% ABV. Although the ‘Vinho Verde’ mentioned on the label might suggest a lighter style, don’t be misled, this wine delivers remarkable depth and character….

  • Adnams Crémant de Limoux

    Adnams Crémant de Limoux

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Crémant has gained attention in recent years, due to the growing popularity of Crémant wines as an affordable alternative to Champagne. Produced by Maison Antech, this Crémant is a 70/30 blend of Chardonnay and Chenin Blanc with an alcohol content of 12% ABV. The production process follows the traditional method, the same method used to…

  • El Enemigo Cabernet Franc

    El Enemigo Cabernet Franc

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    From Tesco’s Autumn Winter Tasting, it became clear that Tesco are focusing on adding more premium wine offerings. This shift and market conditions has encouraged some wine producers/importers, who once avoided supplying supermarkets, to reconsider, with Tesco now starting to compete more with retailers like Majestic and independent wine shops. With this in mind, I…

  • Deluxe Pinotage

    Deluxe Pinotage

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Pinotage wine often flies under the radar, and this particular Deluxe Pinotage from Lidl is especially elusive as it isn’t listed on Lidl’s website. The Pinotage grape was first cultivated in 1925 through the crossbreeding of Pinot Noir and Cinsaut by Abraham Izak Perold, the inaugural Professor of Viticulture at Stellenbosch University. Known for its…

  • M&S Collection Amarone della Valpolicella

    M&S Collection Amarone della Valpolicella

    , , , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    The M&S Collection series is their premium wine range, designed to elevate their offerings and showcase winemaking craftsmanship. Among these, the Amarone della Valpolicella 2021 is, so far, my favourite in the collection. This wine, produced by Cantine Giacomo Montresor, a winery with roots dating back to 1892, comes in at 14.5% ABV. While on…

  • Terra Organica Prosecco

    Terra Organica Prosecco

    , ,

    ·

    By

    Simon

    –

    Terra Organica Prosecco is an organic and vegan-friendly Prosecco, notable for being the first of its kind to eliminate the traditional foil cap, a decision aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and waste. It is made in small batches by the family-run winery led by winemaker Claudio Galosi. The prosecco features a low alcohol content…

Follow

Recent

Tags

25% Off Wine Aldi Amarone Argentina Articles Asda Australia Biodynamic Bizarre Blog Books Bordeaux Cabernet Sauvignon Carménère Cava Champagne Chile Climate Change Coop Decanter Duty English Wine Europe Events Food France Furmint Germany Glossary Greece Headaches Health Hungary Iceland IGT Italy IWSC Jeroboams Laithwaites Legislation Liberty Wines Lidl Low Alcohol M&S Majestic Malbec Marketing Merch Merlot Morrisons Naked Wines News New Zealand Ocado Offers Organic Past Tastings Pinotage Pinot Grigio Pinot Noir Port Portugal Prices Primitivo Prosecco Regulations Reviews Ribera del Duero Riesling Rioja Ripasso Rose Sainsbury's Saperavi Sauvignon Blanc Scotland Selfridges Shiraz Sicily South Africa Spain Sparkling Supermarkets Sustainable Tax Terroir Tesco The Wine Society USA Valpolicella Vegan Virgin Wines Waitrose Welsh Wine What to Buy White Wine Art WineGB WIne Glasses Zinfandel