AUGUST  & SEPTEMBER WINE BLOG – Quality Reds & Delicious Whites

Fancy 3 delicious whites and 3 quality reds to see you through to the autumn equinox then look no further than this magic selection below. Apart from my normal wine haunts I have included wines from Majestic and Waitrose which means a special trip if you are located in Scotland.

Yali Wetland Sauvignon Blanc 2012 Rapel Valley – Majestic £5.99 (if you buy 2 bottles)

Yali is a very reliable producer from Chile and their Wetland Sauvignon Blanc is a great example of a quality wine at a brilliant price. This has all the Grapefruit, lime and grassy flavours you would expect from a new Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but it also has a touch of peachy fruit. It has crisp citrus flavours and a  refreshing gentle acidity and a zingy finish. This an excellent Sauvignon Blanc, for either an aperitif or just for drinking - who needs an excuse at this price! (don’t mention this to the anti-alcohol lobby or they might put a sales ban on it). Fantastic value – even at the normal price of £7.49

Peter Lehmann Shiraz 2011 Barossa Valley – Majestic £8.79 (if you buy 2 bottles)

If you love shiraz, especially Aussie shiraz then you should choose Peter Lehmann. Known as the 'Baron of Barossa,' you can’t really go wrong with any of his offerings. This classic Shiraz has been selected from some of the best vineyards in the region. Ageing in French and American oak for 12 months gives this wine great dept and of course vanilla overtones. Plenty of oomph and spice on the palate, concentrated blackcurrant and bramble fruit as well as hints of mocha and dark chocolate. This is a big wine with loads of rich fruit, complexity, buckets full of flavour and a great finish. It goes well with anything from a barbeque and its powerful flavours compliment grilled sirloin, roast lamb or perfectly pink duck breast. This a wine to decant and drink now or lay down for another 2 or 3 years. Normally on sale at £10.99.

Mont Gras Reserva Sauvignon Blanc 2012 - Waitrose - £6.99

Made from quality grapes sourced from Chile's cooler climate Casablanca Valley, this Reserva Sauvignon blanc is a delicious, juicy and crisp Sauvignon Blanc. It is pale straw yellow in appearance with aromas of citrus fruits combined with intense flavours of asparagus, green olives and some fresh grass notes. It is fermented and left to mature on the lees which gives it a lovely complexity and flavours which last. Mont Gras is a quality producer and if you make a trip to Waitrose before 10 September you will not be disappointed at £6.99. This wine is a fantastic partner to smoked fish or a light chicken salad.

Telegraph Station Pinot Noir 2012 – Tesco £5.49

*** Star Buy***
Loved by some and ignored by others this Pinot Noir from South Eastern Australia is a winner in my opinion. Last year it was awarded a bronze at the International Wine & Spirit Challenge. Enough said!!! This fruity red wine is a beautiful example of a new world pinot, with  light summer fruit flavours and a definite taste of cherries. Unlike cheap French pinot noir you won’t find any vegetal overtones with this wine. Normally retailing from Tesco at £10.99 it is on special until early September. Fantastic with lamb chops and for this price it’s a definite bargain.

Hardy's Nottage Hill Chardonnay 2012 – ASDA £5.00

Interested in an old fashioned Aussie Chard then Hardy’s Nottage Hill is a great choice. It is full bodied, dry with loads of rich tropical fruit and melon flavours. There are subtle oak characters which give it a well rounded elegant finish. If you are in the ABC camp (anything but chardonnay) then leave this beautiful big wine alone. If you still appreciate tropical flavoured white wine then you canny whack it at £5.00 per bottle. Down £3.00 on the normal Asda price of £8.00 or Tesco at £7.98.

La Consulta Reserva Malbec 2012 – Morrisons £7.99

Fancy a big mouth filling wine which is something a bit different from shiraz or cabernet sauvignon then try this classic Argentinean Malbec from Morrisons. It’s powerful wine with blackberry fruit and  lots of character. Although 2 years old and aged in oak for 9 months this wine deserves cellaring for another 2 or 3 years to be at its best. Alternatively open a bottle a few hours before drinking and you will enjoy this Reserva quality wine. Goes brilliantly well with steak and other red meats. Down from £9.99 La Consulta will impress you, if you are tempted to buy.