Wine from a Tumbler

Wine recommendations and reviews. No jargon, no scoring.

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25% off all wine at Sainsbury’s — six of the best value buys (May 2017)

Sainsbury’s are offering 25% off all wine, when you buy a minimum of six bottles, online or in-store. This offer runs from May 23 until June 4.

Wines that are already on offer receive a further 25% off on top, so I’ve picked out six of the best buys that have double discounts.

Sparkling

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2016 Conegliano Prosecco £6.00 (normally £10.00) 40% off The 2016 vintage of this popular fizz is another crowd-pleaser: it’s refreshing, round and fun. It’s at a superb price, and widely available, so stock up now for the summer months ahead.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Cremant de Loire £6.75 (normally £11.00) 38% off Sparkling wines from the Loire in France offer some excellent value: they are made in the same way as Champagne, but with chenin blanc as the main grape variety. This one is crisp, classy and currently at a crazy price.

White

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2016 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico £4.50 (normally £7.00) 36% off Italian whites have a knack of often balancing fruit flavours with sauvory: this one mixes lemon, lime and orange with a herbal twist. Don’t get put off by the long name; this is one to try out whilst on offer.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2016 Touraine Sauvignon Blanc £5.06 (normally £7.50) 33% off Love sauvignon blanc, but finding some of them a bit over the top? Try this one from France: it’s still delicious, but a little more elegant and more versatile with food.

Red

Comuna 2015 Malbec £4.50 (normally £7.00) 36% off This one ticks all the boxes for a wine for a BBQ: juicy, delicious, and screw-capped for easy opening. A really fun wine that is good value at £7, so it’s unbelievable value at under a fiver.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 Douro £6.00 (normally £9.00) 33% off One of my favourites in the entire Sainsbury’s range, this is a serious and classy red wine that really overdelivers for its price. Could easily be over £10 a bottle, so snap it now with the double discount.

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Six of the best value new wines at Waitrose — spring/summer 2017

Waitrose just had their latest tasting with over 150 wines: this included new vintages and brand new additions. I tasted my way around to find you six of the best value wines in the range, ranging from £4.99 to £9.99.

White

La Mariniere 2016 Muscadet £6.59 This has to be one of the best value wines in the Waitrose range. It has the complexity of wines significantly more expensive, but because Muscadet is out of fashion, it still comes in under £7.

Waitrose 2016 Gruner Veltliner £7.99 Tangy and full of citrus, this wakes your palate up. Gruner veltliner is a grape that is appearing more on supermarket shelves and this is a great introduction. The packaging looks a little cheap, but it’s perfect for a BBQ in the park.

Domaine Begude 2016 Chardonnay ‘Terroir 11300′ £9.99 Chardonnay comes in many styles and this one sits beautifully in the middle: it’s fresh, but still with a little roundness and creaminess. Great value as this would be much more expensive if it came from a more famous area of France.

Rosé

Johann Wolf 2016 Pinot Noir Rosé £9.99 Rose can often be too sweet or too intense, but this one is gentle and not sweet at all. Full of soft round fruit, it’s smooth and delicious. A food-friendly style of wine that would go especially well with spicy and hot dishes. 

Red

Cuvee Chasseur 2016 Rouge £4.99 I always look out to try each new vintage of this wine, as the 2010 was unbelievable value. 2016 is a return to form with a smooth and structured red. Impressive work from Waitrose to keep this under a fiver.

Maree d’Ione 2015 Nero di Troia £8.49 A brand new addition to impressive Italian seletction at Waitrose: a rich and round wine that is hard not to like. A great value option for a dinner party, especially with the introductory offer for £6.79 until June 6.

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9 top wines under £9 for spring

Spring is here, so I’ve picked out 9 of the best value white wines. They are listed in order of price from £6 to £8.50. These are the kind of wines that deliver fresh flavours... and that make you starting thinking of summer. 

Bargain buys

Tesco Finest 2015 Saint Mont £6.00 (Tesco) Zesty and fresh. Because Saint Mont isn’t a well-known area, yet, you can get white wines like this for incredibly cheap prices.

La Mariniere 2015 Muscadet £6.59 (Waitrose) £6.59 for a classic French wine? In Waitrose? It’s only possible thanks to Muscadet being out of fashion. Tangy citrus flavours and great for warmer weather.

Tesco Finest 2016 Gaillac Perle £7.00 (Tesco) Brand new to the Tesco range, this is a refreshing white with a hint of sparkling spritz to it. Great value at £7.

Perfect for the park

Ormarine 2015 Picpoul de Pinet £8.00 (Sainsbury’s) Fresh, fresh, fresh. Picpoul de Pinet is a place to look out for if you are after a wine that is full of citrus tang. Take a bottle of this to the park on a hot day.

Most Wanted 2015 Albarino £8.00 (Sainsbury’s) £8.49 (Co-op) A great introduction to the albarino grape variety. Give this a go if you like sauvignon blanc, but want to try something a little different.

Miguel Torres 2015 ‘Days of Summer’ Muscat £7.49-£8.99 (Majestic) A juicy white that is bursting with tropical fruit: it is a wine that lives up to its ‘Days of Summer’ name. Perfect for a picnic or BBQ.

Dinner party

Chateau Saint-Jean-des Graves 2015 Graves £8.49 (Waitrose) A crisp white, made with sauvignon blanc and semillon, that tastes (and looks) much more expensive than it is.

Cote Mas 2015 Vermentino £8.49 (Waitrose) This classy white from the south of France is made with the grape variety vermentino: it’s becoming more popular and this one makes it easy to see why.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 ‘Marques de Almeida’ Godello £8.50 (Sainsbury’s) Godello is a grape rarely seen on supermarket shelves, so try this if you are looking for something a little different: interesting, complex and delicious.

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25% off all wine at Sainsbury’s — six of the best value buys (April 2017)

SEE THE LATEST SAINSBURY’S 25% OFF DEALS HERE

Sainsbury’s are offering 25% off all wine, when you buy a minimum of six bottles, online or in-store. This offer runs from April 5 until April 9.

Wines that are already on offer receive a further 25% off on top, so I’ve picked out six of the best buys that have double discounts.

Sparkling

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference Cremant de Loire £6.75 (normally £11.00) 38% off TOP BUY Sparkling wines from the Loire in France offer some excellent value: they are made in the same way as Champagne, but with chenin blanc as the main grape variety. This one is crisp and classy; snap this up whilst it’s at this crazy price.

Chapel Down Vintage Reserve Brut £14.25 (normally £22.00) 35% off There are quite a few options for English sparkling wine on the shelves these days, but the price can stop people trying them as it’s usually similar to entry-level Champagne. At under £15 on offer, this is good value, and would be perfect to start a dinner party. 

White

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 ‘Marques de Almeida’ Godello £5.63 (normally £8.50) 33% off A really interesting wine to try if you are looking for something a little different to the norm. High quality and complex, which is especially rare to find at just over a fiver. 

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2016 ‘Wild Valley’ Chenin Blanc £4.50 (normally £7.00) 36% off Full of crisp apple and citrus flavours, with a little extra oomph and richness to it. Really over delivers on quality for this kind of price.

Red

Sainsbury’s 2013 Navarra ‘Sierra de Andia’ £4.50 (normally £7.00) 35% off Finding wine to go with curry can be a difficult match, but this juicy Spanish red wine can stand up to the heat. Good value at £7, so it’s a steal at £4.50.

Santa Julia [+] 2015 Malbec £5.25 (normally £8.00) 34% off Malbec is a real crowd favourite and it’s easy to see why with this one from Argentina. Full of dark fruit, without being too rich; this is the kind of wine that is great by itself or with food (steak).

Six more good buys at 25% off

White

Ormarine 2015 Picpoul de Pinet £6.00 (normally £8.00)

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 Albarino £6.00 (normally £8.00)

The Ned 2015 Pinot Grigio £6.75 (normally £9.00)

Red

Sainsbury’s House 2015 ‘Torla’ Rioja £3.45 (normally £4.60)

Pasico 2015 Bush Vine Monastrell Shiraz £3.75 (normally £5.00)

Comuna 2015 Malbec £5.25 (normally £7.00)

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Top buy: Sainsbury’s House 2015 ‘Torla’ Rioja (under £5!)

Sainsbury’s House 2015 ‘Torla’ Rioja £4.60

Finding good wines under £5 is a difficult task: tax and duty makes up about £3 of a £5 wine, so there’s very little left for the actual wine. I’m always tasting the cheapest wines, in the hope of unearthing a gem, but it’s very rare I find one worth recommending for a fiver. 

Sainsbury’s have outdone themselves with this red Rioja. It’s part of their basic ‘House’ label, but it really punches above its weight (and price bracket). The wine is bursting with juicy fruit and ends with a savoury twist, making it food friendly and perfect with a midweek dinner. It doesn’t have the vanilla oak or complexity you might expect of more expensive Riojas, but it is delicious and a real bargain.

This the best sub-£5 wine I’ve tried so far in 2017. Look out for it in Sainsbury’s: it’s available in 613 stores, so it should be easy to find.

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Top buy: Cimarosa 2015 Carmenere (£6.99 at Lidl)

Cimarosa 2015 Carmenere ‘Reserva Privada’ £6.99

The new wine range at Lidl has launched in stores, just as (dry) January draws to a close. There are 48 new wines, in stores from January 26, including this £7 Chilean red: it’s full of juicy red fruit flavours with a herbal twist. Carmenere is not a well known grape variety, but it has become one of Chile’s signature varieties and it has the bonus of being a fantastic wine match with spicy food. It’s rare for a red to go well with a curry, so snap this up from Lidl and crack it open next time you order a rogan josh.

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The last minute Christmas wine buying guide (under £10)

You’ve left it late? Drunk your purchases too early? This is your guide for easy-to-find, widely available, great wines that are under £10.

Sparkling

Prosecco is a group favourite and it’s hard to go past the appley and peachy Co-op Prosecco ‘Special Cuvee’ (on offer for £6.99). Champagne is rarely under £10, but Comte de Senneval Champagne (£9.99 at Lidl) tastes significantly more expensive than it is. Another great value option is the Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Cremant de Loire (on offer for £9.00), which is crisp and classy.   

...if your budget is up to £20, the Waitrose 2005 Vintage Brut Champagne (on offer £19.99) is a deluxe way to celebrate and it was the winner of the best Champagne under £20.

White

Sauv blanc is still one of the most popular grapes and The Ned 2016 Sauvignon Blanc (on offer for £6.99 at Waitrose; £7.99 at Majestic) is a crowd pleaser, at a great price. Chateau Saint-Jean-des Graves 2015 Graves (£8.49 at Waitrose) is sauv blanc too, but with some semillon added to make it rounder and smoother. For something a bit different, the Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 ‘Marques de Almeida’ Godello (on offer for £7.00) really overdelivers on value with it’s complex flavours.

...if your budget is up to £20, the Vasse Felix 2015 ‘Filius’ Chardonnay (on offer for £11.99 at Majestic) would be a perfect pairing with turkey.

Red

La Moneda 2015 Malbec Reserva (on offer for £4.50 at Asda) is relatively light for a malbec, which makes it more food friendly and it’s one of the best value wines you can buy on the supermarket shelves. The Beronia 2011 Rioja Reserva (on offer for £9.00 at Waitrose) gives you a classic style of fine wine at a bargain price. If you want something to warm you up, then the deep and rich Porta 6 2013 Lisboa (on offer for £6.99 at Majestic) is a steal.

...if your budget is up to £20, the Muga 2012 Rioja Reserva (on offer for £14.99 at Majestic) is a perennial favourite that would be excellent with red meat.

Sweet

Dessert wines aren’t always the most popular, but try a half bottle of the Brown Brothers 2013 Orange Muscat and Flora £6.99 at Waitrose; £7.99 at Majestic) for an affordable sweet ending to your meal. Another great value option is the Domaine de Leyrissat 2014 Monbazillac (on offer for £7.99 at Waitrose) that is bursting with pineapple and apricot flavours. Much sweeter is the raisin-like Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 12 Year Old Pedro Ximenez (£8.00), which is delicious by itself or drizzled over vanilla ice cream.

...if your budget is up to £20, the Fonseca Terra Prima Organic Reserve Port (on offer for £13.49 at Waitrose) is a superb option for chocolate desserts.

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The best Champagnes under £20 — UK supermarkets taste test

December is the time for Champagne offers: every supermarket is trying to get you into store with their deals. The competition has intensified so much that there’s now Champagnes under £10 on the shelves.

What better time to get all of the supermarkets’ Champagnes under £20 and try them against each other? 

The contenders

All of the Champagnes were served blind (with the labels hidden) and were tasted by 7 different people.

Aldi Veuve Monsigny Champagne £9.99

Asda Louvel Fontaine Champagne £11.98  

Asda Extra Special Louis Bernard Premier Cru Champagne £15.00

Co-op Les Pionniers Champagne £15.99 (normally £16.99)

Lidl Comte de Senneval Champagne £9.99

Majestic Definition Blanc De Blancs Champagne £19.99 (buy 6 price; normally £24.99)

Sainsbury's Winemaker’s Selection Blanc de Blancs Champagne £16.00 (normally £20.00)

Sainsbury's Winemaker’s Selection Blanc de Noirs Champagne £16.00 (normally £20.00)

Tesco Louis Delaunay Champagne £10.95 (normally £14.00)

Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne £16.00 (normally £19.00)

Waitrose 2005 Vintage Brut Champagne £19.99 (normally £25.00) 

All of the wines are easy to find in store with an offer price under £20.

Great buys

Co-op Les Pionniers Champagne £15.99 (normally £16.99) This is a classic and well-made Champagne. You can’t ask for much more at this price; on offer until January 3. “Fresh and appley...proper Champagne...would buy.”

Sainsbury’s Blanc de Noirs Champagne £16.00 (normally £20.00) This was in a richer style, which is rare under £20, and it was widely enjoyed. Great value overall and even better on offer until December 13. “Interesting flavours...rich and developed...lovely and buttery.” 

The best value buy

Lidl Comte de Senneval Champagne £9.99 The biggest surprise of the tasting: a Champagne under £10 that tastes significantly more expensive than the price tag. Lidl have really pulled a rabbit out of a hat with this one. The new packaging is smart too. “Easy to drink...balanced and sophisticated...an all-rounder.”

The winner

Waitrose 2005 Vintage Champagne £19.99 (normally £25.00) A superb deal from Waitrose here: offering an 11 year old Champagne under £20. This stood out with its extra age and added complexity. On offer until January 3, so a perfect buy for Christmas and NYE celebrations. “Complex smell...amazing depth of flavour...beautiful and toasty.”

[winefroma]

£10 Christmas wine special from Waitrose

Waitrose have sourced six different wines (and a Port) for Christmas and they are all £10 a bottle. They focus on the classics regions, such as Bordeaux and Rioja, and all of them offer great value.

These are in store and online from November 23; best to act fast as they won’t last long. I’ve picked out my favourite white and red of the bunch.

Simonnet-Febvre 2015 Chablis £10 This is a classic, crisp and classy chardonnay. Drink it by itself or pair it with anything from fish to turkey. Really great value as this wine is often around the £15 mark.

Melini 2009 Chianti Classico Riserva £10 As this has some extra age to the standard supermarket wine, it’s developed extra flavours and complexity. Cherry and spice, with just the right kind of warmth for a Christmas day.

Others as part of the offer:

La Légende de Fonréaud 2012 Haut-Médoc

Les Pierres Grillées 2014 Châteauneuf-du-Pape

Baron de Ona 2012 Rioja Reserva

Santa Seraffa 2016 Gavi di Gavi

Kopke Reserve Tawny Port

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25% off all wine at Sainsbury’s — six of the best value buys

SEE THE LATEST SAINSBURY’S 25% OFF DEALS HERE

Sainsbury’s are offering 25% off all wine, when you buy a minimum of six bottles, online or in-store. This offer runs until November 13.

Wines that are already on offer receive a further 25% off on top, so I’ve picked out six of the best buys that have double discounts.

White

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2016 ‘Wild Valley’ Chenin Blanc £4.50 (normally £7.00) 36% off Full of crisp apple and citrus flavours, with a little extra oomph and richness to it. Really over delivers on quality for this kind of price.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 Albarino £5.25 (normally £8.00) 34% off A consistent gem in the Taste The Difference range. Bursting with tangy lime and goes perfect with seafood.

Sparkling

Codorniu Rosado Cava Brut £5.06 (normally £10.00) 49% off Got a festive party coming up where you need cheap fizz? This Spanish pink Cava is just the ticket at just over £5. 

Heidsieck Monopole ‘Blue Top’ Champagne £12.75 (normally £25.00) 49% off Now is the time when supermarkets try to outdo themselves on Champagne offers, but you will do well to find a better deal than this one at 49% off.

Red

TOP BUY Sainsbury’s 2014 Chateau Tanunda Barossa Cabernet Merlot £6.00 (normally £10.00) 40% off Bursting with delicious fruit, this is the kind of smooth red wine that is perfect for winter. High quality. My top buy at the crazy price of £6. 

Pasico 2015 Bush Vine Monastrell Shiraz £3.75 (normally £5.00) 25% off This is one of my go-to bargain wines in Sainsbury’s, which used to retail at £6.50, so at £3.75 (!) it is a steal. A delicious and juicy Spanish red. 

Six more good buys at 25% off:

White

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 Marques de Almeida Godello £6.00 (normally £8.00)

Ormarine 2015 Picpoul de Pinet £6.00 (normally £8.00)

The Ned 2014 Pinot Grigio £6.75 (normally £9.00)

Red

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2014 Douro Red £6.00 (normally £8.00)

Santa Julia [+] 2015 Malbec £6.00 (normally £8.00)

Most Wanted 2014 Pinot Noir £8.00 (normally £10.00)

[winefroma]

6 of the best wines 25% off at Waitrose

Waitrose are offering 25% off all wine, when you buy a minimum of 6 bottles, online or in-store. This offer only runs until November 8.

I’ve picked out six of my favourites as this is a great time to stock up for the festive period. 

Sparkling

Jansz Sparkling Premium Cuvee £12.74 (normally £16.99) Great value, especially at 25% off, when compared to entry-level Champagnes (that are often twice this price). Tasty, classy, Aussie fizz.

Waitrose 2005 Vintage Champagne £18.74 (normally £24.99) A rich and deluxe Champagne that would be an excellent option for Christmas day. Finding a 11 year old Champagne under £20 is very rare, so buy now.

White

Chateau Saint-Jean-des Graves 2015 Graves £6.37 (normally £8.49) A great option for Christmas: a crisp white, made with sauvignon blanc and semillon, that tastes (and looks) much more expensive than it is.

Markus Huber 2015 Gruner Veltliner £8.09 (normally £10.79) If you have never tried the grape gruner veltiner then give this a go. It’s crisp and refreshing with a little peppery spice.

Red

Saint Auriol 2015 Corbieres £5.24 (normally £6.99) A classic French red that is both delicious and interesting. It’s got classy packaging too. This really over-delivers for the price.

Santa Julia 2016 Malbec £5.99 (normally £7.99) Bursting with fruit, this is a juicy red that is a real crowd pleaser. Simple, but delicious, and a bargain at under £6. 

[winefroma]

Top buy: Calvet 2014 Bordeaux Sparkling Rose (25% off)

Calvet 2014 Crémant de Bordeaux Brut Rosé £8.99 (normally £11.99)

Bordeaux is most famous for its red wines, but there’s a small amount of sparkling (or crémant) to be found in the area. This one is made from 100% cabernet franc, which makes it beautifully light and perfumed; the bubbles help give an extra smooth finish. The packaging looks much classier than the price suggests, so snap it up for under £10 whilst it’s on offer; it’s 25% off at Ocado until 30 October 2016.

[winefroma]

Top buy: Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2016 Chenin Blanc

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2016 ‘Wild Valley’ Chenin Blanc £6.00 (normally £7.00)

One of the keys to finding value in wines is to look for areas or grape varieties that go under the radar. It could be a grape variety that has gone out of fashion or a place that isn't as popular as it should be. Chenin blanc one of the world's great white wine varieties, yet it rarely gets the popularity it deserves.

The new 2016 vintage of Sainsbury's Taste The Difference Chenin Blanc is a perfect introduction to the grape. It's full of crisp apple and citrus flavours, with a little extra oomph and richness. It tastes delicious, most importantly, but it also has significantly more complexity than your standard supermarket wine.

Made by Bosman Family Vineyards in South Africa – whose wines are all more expensive than this Sainsbury's-labelled bottle – this presents incredible value at the normal price of £7. It's currently on offer for £6, so snap it up and give chenin blanc a chance.

[winefroma]

Top buy: The DRG Shiraz from Naked Wines

Daryl Rex Groom ‘DRG’ 2014 Shiraz Barossa Valley £14.99 (£39.99 normal price) This is a silky wine that’s bursting with fruit: it’s deep in colour and rich in flavour, but not over the top. This is made by a winemaker who used to work at Penfolds and it’s exclusive to Naked Wines. A perfect match for a steak (and the autumn weather).

If you are after a cheaper red when ordering, then also check out the consistently impressive Benjamin Darnault 2015 Minervois for £7.49.

Naked Wines is an interesting way to buy wine: put in £20 a month and you get access to independent and exclusive wines. You get all your money back to spend on wine, whilst getting big discounts (25-50% off), so it doesn’t actually cost anything to be a member.

Your monthly deposit helps Naked Wines support and invest in winemakers around the world. This idea ties in nicely with a new initiative called Supermarket Siesta: the idea being to swap out a few regular supermarket items for artisan products – sourced directly from the producer. If you buy all your wine from supermarkets, then give Naked Wines a try and see how it compares.

[winefroma]

25% off all wine at Sainsbury’s — six of the best value buys

SEE THE LATEST SAINSBURY’S 25% OFF DEALS HERE

Sainsbury’s are offering 25% off all wine, when you buy a minimum of six bottles, online or in-store. This offer runs from from August 16-27.

Wines that are already on offer receive a further 25% off on top, so I’ve picked out six of the best buys that have double discounts.

White

TOP BUY Sainsbury's Taste The Difference 2015 Albarino £5.25 (normally £8.00) 34% off A consistent gem in the Taste The Difference range. Bursting with tangy lime and goes perfect with sunshine or seafood.

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 Gruner Veltliner £5.25 (​normally £8.00)​ 34% off If you haven’t tried the grape gruner veltliner before, then give this one a go while it is at this price. Tastes of apples and spice.

Sparkling

Sainsbury's Champagne​ 'Blanc De Noirs' £12.75 (normally £20.00)​ 36% off This is rich and classy Champagne, which is a real treat. At this double discount price, it's a bargain price that you will rarely find for proper Champagne.

Rose

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 ‘Vinedos Barrihuelo’ Rioja Rosado £4.50 (normally £8.00) 44% off This smells of summer: it’s the perfect kind of wine to take to the park or a BBQ on a sunny day. Strawberries and lime, without being sweet or cloying.

Red

Sainsbury’s Taste The DIfference 2013 Navarra ‘Sierra de Andia’ £4.50 (normally £7.00) 38% off Finding wine to go with curry can be a difficult match, but this juicy Spanish red wine can stand up to the heat. Good value at £7, so it’s a steal at the discounted price.

Sainsbury’s Taste The DIfference 2013 Priorat £6.00 (normally £10.00) 40% off Big and bold, this is the kind of wine that needs food to soften it up a little. Great option to go with a steak.

[winefroma]

25% off all wine at Sainsbury’s — six of the best value buys

SEE THE LATEST SAINSBURY’S 25% OFF DEALS HERE

Sainsbury’s are offering 25% off all wine, when you buy a minimum of six bottles, online or in-store. This offer runs from from May 24 until June 5. 

Wines that are already on offer receive a further 25% off on top, so I’ve picked out six of the best buys that have double discounts.

White

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 Marques de Almeida Godello £5.25 (normally £8.00) 34% off A really interesting wine to try if you are looking for something a little different to the norm. High quality and complex, which is especially rare to find at just over a fiver. 

The Ned 2014 Pinot Grigio £5.62 (normally £9.00) 38% off Technically a white wine, but it has a pale rose colour to it. It’s rich and full of flavour, which makes it very different from most wines labelled pinot grigio.

Rose

Sainsbury’s Taste The Difference 2015 ‘Vinedos Barrihuelo’ Rioja Rosado £4.50 (normally £8.00) 44% off This smells of summer: it’s the perfect kind of wine to take to the park or a BBQ on a sunny day. Strawberries and lime, without being sweet or cloying.

Red

TOP BUY Pasico 2014 Bush Vine Monastrell Shiraz £3.75 (normally £6.50) 42% off This is one of my go-to bargain wines in Sainsbury’s at the standard price, so at £3.75 (!) this is my top buy. A delicious and juicy Spanish red.

Sainsbury’s 2013 Navarra ‘Sierra de Andia’ £4.13 (normally £7.00) 41% off Finding wine to go with curry can be a difficult match, but this juicy Spanish red wine can stand up to the heat. Good value at £7, so it’s a steal at £4.

Most Wanted 2014 Pinot Noir £6.00 (normally £10.00) 40% off Proper pinot noir can be hard to find under £10, so snap up this classy one from NZ whilst it is at a bargain 40% off.

[winefroma]

Six of the best value new wines at Majestic — spring/summer 2016

Majestic just had their latest tasting with almost 200 wines and spirits, which included a load of new wines and new vintages. I've picked out six of the best value wines in the range.

Prices below are when you mix six bottles in your order, which gives you the best price and the option of free delivery.

White

Waimea Estate 2015 Gruner Veltliner £8.99 Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of gruner veltliner, or can’t pronounce it, as this wine is a gem. Lemon and lime with a salty twist; crack it open for a summer BBQ.

Definition 2014 Chardonnay Limoux £9.99 This is one of my favourites from Majestic’s own label ‘Definition’ range. It is classic chardonnay that would be ideal for a dinner party. 

Also, if you are looking out for a bargain white: the ever popular The Ned 2015 Sauvignon Blanc is currently on offer for £6.99 (normally £8.99).

Sparkling

Le Berceau Piquepoul Chardonnay Brut £8.99 This is a new addition to the Majestic range: look out for it as it’s fizz that is both fresh and fun. Also, the Graham Beck is a perennial favourite.

Rose

AIX 2015 Rose Coteaux d’Aix Provence £19.80 (magnum) Rose and sunshine often go together, so this double bottle size is just the ticket for a big group or celebration. Fresh with flavours of strawberry and lime.

Red

Corolla 2013 Nero d’Avola £6.99 Italy is hard to beat for that simple wine to go with a midweek dinner and this Silician red is both juicy and fresh. Pizza anyone? 

TOP BUY Domaine Sainte Rose 2012 ‘La Garrigue’ GSM £7.49 Southern France offers up some excellent value buys and this is a real bargain for a classic and classy red. Stock up now to go with a Sunday roast.