An article by David Williams in The Guardian Newspaper explores the intricacies of finding value in wine, noting that there is no simple formula linking price to quality. However, Williams highlights several factors that can affect the cost of wine, such as vineyard practices, equipment and the inherent qualities of the vineyard itself.
Despite the challenges, he points out that great value wines can be found across various regions and price points. Here’s a summary of the wines mentioned along with their prices and suppliers:
Tesco Finest Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Signargues, Rhône, France 2022: Priced at £8.50, available at Tesco. This wine is noted for its spicy-brambly character and is highlighted as a top pick from Tesco’s Finest line-up for its value.
Asda Extra Special Dão, Portugal 2021: Available for £7.50 at Asda. Portugal is celebrated for offering the best value in wine, with this red being particularly characterful and elegant.
AA Badenhorst The Curator White Blend, Swartland, South Africa 2022: Priced at £9.99, available at Waitrose. This white blend is lauded for its balance and is part of South Africa’s offering of excellent value wines.
Château Cantemerle, 5ème Cru Classé Haut-Médoc, Bordeaux, France 2019: This wine is available for £43 from tanners-wines.co.uk. It’s recommended as a value choice among Bordeaux’s cru classé wines, known for its elegance.
Charles Heidsieck Brut Réserve Champagne, France NV: Priced at £44.99, available at laithwaites.co.uk. This Champagne is praised for its combination of patisserie richness and acidity, offering great value for its quality.
Hidalgo Pastrana Manzanilla Pasada Sherry, Spain NV: This sherry ranges from £14.50 and is available from thewinesociety.com, majestic.co.uk, and Waitrose. It’s highlighted as a particularly good value fortified wine, offering depth and quality far beyond its price point.
