GREAT JANUARY END OF MONTH WINE BARGAINS

If you are getting near the end of your Christmas wine stock you have just a few days to snap up some New Year bargains wines. The red and white wines I am recommending, are relatively well known styles but are priced at low low prices at Tesco, Morrisons and the Coop. If you want to enjoy them, you’ll need to get down to your nearest store this weekend to capture these fantastic bargains.

 Rioja Gran Familia – Spain – Tesco £5.24

This is a lovely ruby coloured Rioja aged in oak casks for 8 months. It is smooth, fruity and medium bodied with light tannins and an excellent complex finish. Ideal with lamb or pork or simply to drink on its own. Fantastic value at only £5.24

St Hallett Barossa Shiraz – Australia 2008 - Coop £7.00

St Hallett produce one of Australia’s top shiraz called St Hallett’s Old Block Shiraz which retails at around £30 per bottle. For St Hallett, and pretty much everyone in South Australia, 2008 was a hot and productive vintage. The grapes used to produce this wine in 2008 were normally found in wines at twice the price. It has the classic rich, ripe, red and black-fruit flavours, with hints of spice and a smooth oaky finish which makes this is a smashing full bodied red. You can also find this wine in Waitrose under its own label at £9.99. The following 2009 is highly recommended by Oz Clarke ‘This reminds me of why we liked Barossa shiraz so much in the first place: deep black plum and blackcurrant fruit, some black chocolate and liquorice to add both depth and an attractive nip of bitterness, and a surprising but altogether delightful whiff of mint.’– Say no more.

Carmen Reserva Especial Chardonnay – Chile 2012 - Tesco £5.00

A golden yellow, quality Reserva chardonnay from Casablanca Valley in Chile. This is an intense full bodied chardonnay offset by soft tropical fruit. The complex and mouth filling New World style has light oak characteristics and a beautifully persistent finish. Definitely worth at least a tenner and shouldn’t be missed.

Signal Post Chardonnay, South Eastern - Australia 2013 – COOP £4.99

A brilliant medal winning wine which normally sells at around £8.00.  The tiny addition of 4% viognier to this great chardonnay makes all of the difference.  It has notes of fresh peaches balanced by a crisp refreshing finish. Fabulous to drink on its own but has the elegance to enjoy with sole Veronique or haddock mornay. You will love this dreamy, pear juice themed wine and simply must take advantage of this rock bottom deal while it lasts.

Nobilo Marlborough Limited Release Sauvignon Blanc - New Zealand 2012- Morrisons £5.49

Regularly recommended by me, Nobilo is an excellent example of a New Zealand sauvignon blanc at a brilliant price. This straw coloured wine is well balanced in both fruit and acidity and has a distinctive grapefruit flavour. It is crisp and zesty with a refreshing finish and a distinctive bouquet of tropical and citrus fruit, gooseberry and passion fruit. It is good on its own and goes perfectly with fish, prawns and smoked salmon. A potential downside is that the wine is imported into the UK in bulk and then bottled in England.

McWilliams Hayfield Verdelho – Australia 2011 - Tesco £4.49

This is a light, white citrusy wine with a hint of tropical fruit from one of the Ozzy giant producers, McWilliams. The grapes come from South East Australia and have produced a relatively simply, zingy white at a bargain basement price. This wine goes well with fish and chicken but it doesn’t have the easy drinking style to enjoy on its own. If you are looking for something cheap to enjoy with a light meal this could fit the bill.