MAY 2014 - Best Rioja of The Year

Just enjoyed the well heralded Decanter top red of 2013 Faustino I Gran Reserva 2001. It's a fantastic wine with a vibrant garnet colour,  beautiful fruit and a sophisticated complex flavour. Intense aromas of spices, new wood and leather. Velvety smooth with light tannins, a background of vanilla oak and a brilliant finish.

This subtle wine definitely benefits from careful decanting a couple of hours before sharing with your best friends over good food. It goes particularly well with lamb or lighter meats.

If you want to impress nip into Asda at £12.98 and Sainsbury's at £18.00. I spotted some in Makro at £15.95 including vat. Scoring 97 out of 100 you just can't go wrong with this stunning Rioja. Highly recommended for sharing and dining.

MAY 2014 WINE BLOG – May Day

Holiday Weekend Reds & Whites

There's a bit of heat in the air, the sun is shining and the May day holiday is imminent. Fancy something special for the weekend then look below for some fab wines in the £5 to £15 range. Don't forget to email this to your phone as a reminder when shopping.

Reds

On the wine front, you really can't go past Rioja for flavour and value. Remember to decant the wines below as they may be carrying a sediment.

 Morrison's have Lagunilla Gran Reserva 2006 on special just now for £8.99. Make sure it has a black label and not a blue label which is the reserva. 2006 was a good to very good year in Rioja.

A Rioja from Tesco's finest range is Viña Mara Reserva Rioja 2008 at around £8.50. This is a gold medal winning wine which rich and complex and you have to look at the back label to see the word Tesco.

If you want to impress go for the Faustino I Gran Reserva 2001. Sold by Asda at £12.98 and Sainsburys at £17.99. This was declared by Decanter magazine as its top red wine of 2013, so it can't be bad. This is a subtle and sophisticated wine which is just brilliant. As an alternative Faustino V is good but avoid the Faustino VII.

Travelling to the new world and a veering little off piste try a Carmenère from Argentina or Chile (2012 or older) Asda have Cono Sur and Majestic have Errazuriz Carmenère which are both quality Chilean brands and won't disappoint at around £8. You could also try Chilean Sangiovese by Mayu at Asda, which is a really good, smooth red and not too expensive at only £5.50.

You can really go left field at Aldi where their medal winning Toro Loco (Crazy Bull) Reserva 2010 from Spain is only £4.99. The Reserva has a black label and is predominantly made from the Tempranillo grape, but more importantly 6 months ago Olly Smith selected this wine as his red wine of the week.

Whites

If you are looking to impress on white, try a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc or a Viogner from Australia or Chile (Viogner sits somewhere between Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc and has a lovely floral character).

Tesco have Wairau Cove Sauvignon Blanc 2012 on special again at around a fiver. I really like this branded wine which has a beautiful zesty flavour and goes perfectly with smoked salmon. They also have a lovely sauvignon blanc from Chile which is younger but has much more fruit, Tesco Finest Tapiwey Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2013 at £5.99. Cono Sur have an excellent Viogner in their Bicicleta range for around £7.50 at both Morrisons and Asda.

On the other hand if you are looking for an excellent citrusy chardonnay from down under nip down to Asda for the Jacob's Creek Reserve Chardonnay 2012 from Adelaide Hills. Recently identified by Decanter magazine, as an excellent wine from one of the best  Oz major brands, you just can't go wrong with this peach of a wine.

Whichever wine you choose this weekend and into the month of May enjoy and drink sensibly (of course).

MARCH 2014 WINE BLOG – Bargains at Under a Fiver

Its been a while since my last blog and it was hinted that I had gone into hibernation to recover from the 90 days of continuous West of Scotland rain. Well the lighter days and the improving weather  have cajoled me into searching out a few bargains for my friends and followers.  I have found four crackers which are unbelievably priced at under a fiver. Wine experts and connoisseurs proclaim that there is nothing worth drinking at under a tenner – well this selection has blown them out of the wine lake. Two of the reds and one white are own label but are IWSC Silver medal winners

Toro Loco Tempranillo Superior , Spain  - 2012 Aldi  - £3.69

Toro Loco means Crazy Bull. Yes a Crazy Bull of a wine at the crazy price of £3.69. I came across this wine when I was accosted by friends in Aldi who insisted that I try this wine. I couldn’t believe the price nor the quality. Made from Spain’s most popular grape Tempranillo, grown near Valencia. Tasting like a full bodied Rioja, Toro Loca has cherry fruits infused with pepper and cedar wood. It is smooth and dry with a good finish. It benefits from decanting or opening an hour or so before drinking. Enjoy this red with tapas, at your summer barbecue or simply mid week with mince and tatties or steak pie. You would be crazy to overlook this bargain basement wine.

ASDA Wine Selection Chilean Chardonnay, Chile - 2013 - £4.50

Here’s another Silver Medal winning wine from the Asda Wine Selection range. This Chilean Chard is from the 2013 vintage and although young, it is velvety smooth & fruity and bursting with creamy, pineapple and tropical fruit flavours followed by a touch of oak and a decent finish. This is a white to really savour with fish or pasta or simply drink on its own when well chilled. As James Martin says repeatedly on Saturday Kitchen, , “ A bit of a bargain”.

Asda The Wine Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek, South Australia - 2012 - £4.98

As mentioned before this Cabernet Sauvignon is from Asda’s Wine Selection range and is a beautiful wine for the price. If you are worried about serving own label, you can pour this into a decanter and tell your friends it is a Silver Medal winner at three times the price. It is a full bodied red from Langhorne Creek, one of the up and coming wine growing  areas in South Australia. This red wine has a beautifully fruity nose with a complex flavour of eucalyptus and deep cassis. You can savour a lovely soft feel in the mouth with just a touch of tannin. Definitely a wine for all occasions, priced at only £4.98

Wolf Blass Winemakers Selection Chardonnay, Australia – Morrisons - £4.69

A golden coloured young chardonnay with good fruit and acidity. A beautiful fruity noses is followed by flavours of melon, peach and tropical fruit. There’s a nice touch of fresh acidity which leads to an enjoyable citrus finish. This wine should be well chilled and drunk either on its own or with a succulent chicken breast. Sold be Morrisons at a rock bottom price for chardonnay this is an Aussie Beaut. The one downside is that it is imported in bulk and bottled in the UK.

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.

WHAT TO DRINK AT CHRISTMAS 2013 & NE’ERDAY 2014

CANAPÉS & BUBBLY

Whether you enjoy tasty canapés, hand cooked  crisps or mixed nuts you can’t let Christmas or New Years day go past without a glass or two of bubbly. Some nibbles and a glass of Prosecco is the perfect way to give everyone a lift, whet the appetite, and get the festive food orgy underway.

Great news is that quality Prosecco is plentiful at under a tenner and you can buy a double silver medal winner from Aldi at £7.29. Good Prosecco is not just as dry as champagne and it has a hint of fruitiness. Go Italian with a Bellini made from Prosecco and peach juice or French by making a Kir Royale by adding a little splash of Crème de Cassis liqueur.

If you want to push the boat out, then go traditional and serve well chilled champagne. Most supermarkets have their own brands at around £15 per bottle or you could jump up to a Grand Marque such as Veuve Clicquot or Taittinger which are excellent champagnes for around £35 with Lanson Black Label, Piper Heidseick and Pommery in the £22 to£30 price range. If you are looking for something which is almost as good as champagne at around a tenner, why not try Jacobs Creek chardonnay pinot noir which is a brilliant methode champenoise from Oz and it won’t disappoint.

STARTERS

My rule for starters is always to serve white wines which are dry and light. A good sauvignon blanc from New Zealand, a chenin blanc from South Africa or a viognier from Chile or Australia are good New World choices. Sauvignon blanc with its’ dry minerally flavour and a touch of citrus, is ideal with smoked salmon, prawns or cured meats. Closer to home try a steely Sancerre from the Loire or choose an Italian option by going straight for a Gavi di Gavi and avoid an inconsistent pinot grigio.

To serve something really special on Christmas day, you can dig a bit deeper into your pocket and go for a clean and light chardonnay from Burgundy such as Rully, Mercurey or Montagny. Mâcon-Villages produces a softer style lower price with Macon-Lugny a favourite.

MAINS

Main courses at Christmas mainly fall into two categories roast turkey and the rest. Looking at wine options to go with roast turkey, chipolatas, pigs in blankets, rich gravy, sprouts, roast potatoes, cranberry sauce and sundry accoutrements raises quite a challenge. Normally you would associate white wines with white meats but with all those strong tastes going on at once, you need something with a fuller body. Why not go for something special from the Burgundy or the Rhone Valley such as Chateau Neuf Du Pape. Try 2006, 2009 or 2012 which have been hailed as exceptional years. If you like something a bit lighter with a touch of oak and vanilla, why not try my favourite of Spanish Rioja, especially a Reserva or a Gran Reserva which are smooth, rich and complex. If you have a penchant for Italy a Chianti Classico could fit the bill.

If you have opted out of roast turkey and enjoy a juicy steak or a nice rich steak pie New World reds will provide that mouth filling rich fruity flavours which compliment red meats. Why not seek out a cabernet sauvignon from Chile or Australia, a Malbec from Argentina, a Pinotage from South Africa or a weightier Shiraz from the Barossa Valley, Australia. You could go off-piste with a Carmenère from Chile or Argentina which is the new up and coming grape with lots of flavour and round soft tannins. Returning to Europe a smooth Barolo, Amarone or Primitivo from Italy can provide a soft full bodied alternative or a big wine from the Rhone - Vaqueyras, Crozes Hermitage, Gigondas or the heavy weight St Joseph.

PUDDINGS

There is nothing better to go with puddings than a sweet white wine. Top of the tree comes the almost unaffordable Beaumes de Venise or Sauternes from France or an Ice-wine from Austria or Canada which are best served well chilled. The ripe, unctuous sweet flavours offer a complex compliment to most desserts. Alternatives from Oz are available and I recommend the Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora. If you are looking for something different go no further than a chilled bottle of Asti Spumanti. You’ll be surprised how well this goes with sweet desserts such as pavlova or sticky toffee pudding.

CHEESE & AFTERS

When the digestive system starts to cope with the previous courses there is always room for a nibble from the cheese board with a bunch of ripe red grapes. Wines to follow are really a personal choice depending on the cheeses available. A glass or two of a full bodied red wine or rich tawny port can finish the meal perfectly. There are a number of very good Port houses which offer a range of tawny, LBV or vintage ports which will do the job. You really can’t go wrong with Noval, Taylor’s or Cockburn’s ports which are widely available.

TO FINISH

If you have not succumbed to that warm, cosy after meal siesta in front of the TV, then there’s always time for another port or a warm, smooth and mouth filling malt whisky. If like me you prefer smooth, round whiskies with a sweeter aspect opt for a dram from Scotland’s most northerly distillery in Orkney, where a 12 year old Highland park will do the job nicely. A hearty Glenfarclas 15 year old from Speyside, a smooth lightly peated 12 year old Bunnahabhain from Islay or an even lighter 12 year old Aberfeldy from the Highlands are superb alternatives. If you want to push the boat out and have deep pockets there is a wide selection of great malts which have matured well into their teens and early twenties. Three that top my list without being overly expensive are 18 years olds from Smith’s Glenlivet, Highland Park or Glenfarclas.

SOME WELL TRIED & TESTED RECOMMENDATIONS

BUBBLY

Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG - Top Bubbly Recommendation
Prosecco di Conegliano-Valdobbiadene is the DOCG title given to the finest Prosecco wines made in the Veneto wine region of north-eastern Italy. This a fine example of Prosecco which won silver medals at the 2012 and 2013 Wine & Spirit International challenge. Aldi £7.29

Jacob's Creek Chardonnay Pinot Noir Brut Cuvée, Australia – NV

Made with bottle fermentation, this bubbly is almost as good as champagne.  Normally sold at £10.00 it is currently available at Sainsbury and Asda for around £7.00

WHITES

Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Chardonnay, Limara Valley, Chile – 2011
Top White Recommendation
A gold medal winner was declared the best chardonnay in the world (under £15) this year. Available from both Tesco and Morrisons at £9.99 and £11.99

Viña Mayu Sauvignon Blanc, Elqui Valley, Chile - 2012

A cracking Sauvignon Blanc with savoury grassy and zingy gooseberry flavours Available at Asda at £6.98.

Cono Sur Bicicleta Viogner, Chile - 2012

A Chilean stunner at a genuinely discounted price from Morrisons for only £4.99. Beautiful fruit, rich flavour and a good finish make this wine worth double the price.

Wairau Cove Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand - 2013

A cracking, crisp dry white packed with gooseberry fruit aromas and passion fruit flavours. Very young but will improve with a few months cellaring. Tesco £6.24

Errazuriz Wild Ferment Chardonnay, Casablanca Valley, Chile – 2011

A favourite of mine this beautiful chardonnay is unbelievably well balanced, with subtle tropical peach, apricot and melon peach. Subtle oak characters, a touch of acidity and a great finish. Available at Majestic for £10.39 (on offer)

Hardy's Nottage Hill Chardonnay, Australia - 2012

An old fashioned Aussie Chard which is full bodied, dry with loads of rich tropical fruit and melon flavours. Lovely big chardonnay available from Tesco at £5.49 or Asda at £6.00

REDS

Faustino I Gran Reserva Rioja, Spain – 2001  - Top Red Recommendation
This impressive Rioja came first in Decanters Top 50 reds. It is a sophisticated wine and a magnificent Rioja. Pale Victoria plum in colour with a mahogany rim and complex aromas of plums and raspberries combined with hints of cedar, vanilla and spice. This superb wine is smooth and velvety on the palate with a hint of vanilla on the finish. Asda £13.00 Sainsbury £13.99

Asda Wine Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek, South Australia - 2012

This own label is a silver medal winner and worth 3 times the offer price of £4.98. Pour this into a decanter and tell your friends it’s a medal winning wine which has a lovely fruity nose with complex flavours of eucalyptus, deep cassis with just a touch of tannin.

Stella Bella Shiraz, Margaret River, Western Australia - 2008

A smashing Ozzie red for a special occasion. A dark chocolaty shiraz with loads of fruit, a touch of Viognier to soften the tannins and a great finish. Available from Alliance Wines in Beith for around £18.00 (sold by the case)

Peter Lehmann Shiraz Barossa Valley, Australia – 2011

A full bodied and rich Ozzie red which is ideal for steaks, beef and venison. This classic shiraz has concentrated blackcurrant and bramble fruit as well as hints of mocha and dark chocolate. Available for £8.79 at Majestic, when buying 2 bottles as part of a mixed case

Montes Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon, Chile - 2009 

A very sophisticated full-bodied wine with lots of berry fruits and hints of tobacco and vanilla and a delightfully long finish. Available at Morrisons and Tesco online around £13.00

Lagunilla Reserva Rioja, Spain – 2008

Classic Rioja with deep strawberry fruit, vanilla and a good finish. Tesco online at £6.50

Viña Mayu Sangiovese, Chile –2011

A lovely soft, medium bodied, red wine has a touch of peppery spice and a satisfying finish. This great medal winning wine drinks well on it’s own or with almost all meats. Asda £6.98

DESSERTS & PORT

Brown Brothers Orange Muscat & Flora 2009 Australia
Great sticky to go with desserts, priced around £7.50 for a half bottle at Waitrose & Ocado

Asti Martini Spumanti, Italy – NV

An excellent medium sweet bubbly to go with pudding. Asda £6.00 and Tesco £6.99

Noval Late Bottled Vintage Port, Portugal - 2007

Intense, rich, dark, red port with ripe aromas of cherries and blackberries – Tesco & Ocado

Taylor's 10 Year Old Tawny Port, Portugal – NV

A rich, mellow old tawny port with an intense complex nose from years of ageing in oak casks. Widely available.  Tesco £19.30, Majestic £20.00 and Selfridges £25.99

Cheers for 2014. Enjoy and drink sensibly.

 

NOVEMBER EXTRAS - TWO CRACKING REDS

Sainsbury Taste the Difference Barolo 2009 - £15.49

Having a special dinner party or just want to spoil yourself, well look no further than the mighty Barolo. From the Piedmont northern Italy, Barolo is made from the Nebbiolo grape, which gives powerfully structured wines capable of long ageing and developing savoury characters. One of the best examples, at an affordable price, is Sainsbury Taste the Difference Barolo. The vintage on sale just now is 2009 which was also a great vintage in France, Spain and Italy.

Enjoyed at Chateau Stonefield, Taste the Difference has a fruity nose, light berry flavours backed with deep chocolaty overtones. The smooth flavour is backed by some decent tannins resulting in a beautifully long lingering finish.

Recommended by both Olly Smith and Tim Atkins of Saturday Kitchen can’t be bad for this superb wine. Tim Atkins says: Delicious Barolo, like delicious red Burgundy, is hard to find under £20, let alone at closer to £10, but Matteo Ascheri is brilliant at finding parcels of Italy's most temperamental grape that delivers flavour as well as value for money. This is a riper style (it was a warm vintage), but combines aromas of rose petal and red fruits with savoury, smoky tannins and a classically firm, even austere finish. A great introduction to the joys of Nebbiolo. Impress your guests with a Fab wine at a fab price. Normally available online as Tesco Finest at £15.99 and at Sainsbury online in England only. Definitely worth pushing the boat out and impressing your guests.

 ASDA Extra Special Beaujolais Villages Red 2011 - £5.75

The ASDA Extra Special Beaujolais Villages has won two international awards this year and deserves a visit. Don’t confuse this wine with basic Beaujolais or the Beaujolais Nouveau which is often thin watery and still fermenting when you open a bottle. Beaujolais Villages is a serious wine at an affordable price. Sourced from selected villages, this Gamay-based Beaujolais is deliciously fragrant and full of raspberry fruit flavours. It is light, smooth & fruity. Very tasty with chicken, ham, omelettes, or try lightly chilled with strawberries for a great taste sensation. Currently reduced from £6.50 to £5.75

OCTOBER & NOVEMBER WINE BLOG – MEDAL WINNING WINES

This month brings award winning wines from both the old and new worlds. Chosen from 14000 wines submitted to the 2013 Decanter International Wine competition this selection of reds and whites were all medal winners. Not only medal winners but available from a shop near you at very economic prices. Of the supermarkets Asda and Tesco came out tops in medal winning, which they won on both price and quality. Not surprisingly of their ‘finest selection’ ranges beat wines of many times their price. The list below are just some of the corkers that emerged.

 Concha Y Toro Marques de Casa Chardonnay, Limara Valley, Chile - 2011

*** Star Buy***
This gold medal winner was declared the best chardonnay in the world (under £15). It is a stunner with lovely tropical fruits and an enjoyable nutty finish. The tropical peach and apricot flavours are balanced with a touch of citrus. There is super complexity which releases lots of flavours and taste sensations with each mouthful. Concha Y Toro is one of the top growers which is available throughout the UK in both specialist and high Street stores. A definite winner which is available from both Tesco and Morrisons at £9.99 and £11.99

 Viña Mayu Sauvignon Blanc, Elqui Valley, Chile - 2012

Another gold medal winner which has been recommended by me on several occasions. This is a cracking Sauvignon Blanc with savoury grassy and zingy gooseberry flavours overlaid with a touch of peach and passion fruit. It is a prime example of quality wine emerging from Chile and is an excellent wine with a great finish. If you cant find the Sauvignon Blanc try the blended Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay which is a bit cheaper and will still be a great choice. Available at Asda at £6.98.

Waipara Hills Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand  - 2012

Fancy another top quality Sauvignon Blanc but this choice is from the south island of New Zealand, then choose Waipara Hills. This newcomer is a beautiful wine which has a distinctive bouquet of citrus fruits and gooseberries. It has a dry, flinty edge of grapefruit, topped with subtle lychee and peach flavours. Definitely a seriously dry white which won’t disappoint. Available at Sainsbury, Tesco and Tesco Online at around £10.00, it can regularly be found discounted.

Tagus Creek Shiraz-Trincadeira, Alentejano, Portugal - 2012

Recommending a Portuguese wine is a first for the Glasgow Gourmand. Voted the best regional red wine from Portugal, Tagus Creek Shiraz-Trincadeira is a smash hit. Holidaying Portugal for many years has shown that Alentejo is a much improved wine growing area producing excellent wines in a modern style. It contrast with many heavier reds from Dao and other traditional areas Tagus Creek is an outstanding blend of Shiraz and local grape Trincadeira. Although young, this wine has a fruity nose and flavours of raspberries, blueberries and a definite touch of chocolate. A little fresh on the palate this is definitely one from left field which is worth a try at around £6.00 Available at Tesco & Asda(recently in Asda at £4.50) you can’t afford to miss this.

Asda The Wine Selection, Cabernet Sauvignon, Langhorne Creek, South Australia - 2012

As mentioned before this Cabernet Sauvignon is from Asda’s Wine Selection range and is a beautiful wine for the price. If you are worried about serving own label, you can pour this into a decanter and tell your friends it is a Silver Medal winner at three times the price. It is a full bodied red from Langhorne Creek, one of the up and coming wine growing  areas in South Australia. This red wine has a beautifully fruity nose with a complex flavour of eucalyptus and deep cassis. You can savour a lovely soft feel in the mouth with just a touch of tannin. Definitely a wine for all occasions, priced at only £7.00 and often on special at Asda.

Tesco Finest Viña Mara Rioja Reserva, Spain - 2008

Rioja has been featuring regularly in my blog and this is a medal winner which has previously escaped my notice. One of the ‘Tesco Finest’ range this 5 years old Rioja Reserva is a typical red from Spain’s most prestigious area. It has been made by top Spanish producer, Baron De Ley and well aged in oak barrels. It has spice, cherry and strawberry flavours and is very well rounded with good vanilla overtones. It is made in a soft, light style and is an exceptional example of a 2008 Rioja. Selling in Tesco at £9.99 you will often see it on offer at £7.99, which cant be bad for this quality of wine.