7 good wine buys from Waitrose

I was going to recommend an English sparkling wine this weekend (what else with THE wedding of the year?) but came across some other good deals at the Waitrose tasting this week I thought you might want to pick up as well

First of all, the fizz:

There’s 25% off the Leckford Estate Brut 2013 which brings it down to £19.99 - a decent price for English sparkling wine these days. It’s made from the classic champagne blend of chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier but, intriguingly, comes from grapes grown on Waitrose's own farm in Hampshire and is made at Sussex sparkling wine specialists Ridgeview. I wouldn’t say it was quite as good as the Ridgeview wines - yet - but it’s a classy sip and perfect for watching the royal wedding (with a few smoked salmon sandwiches I suggest)

6 other good wine buys from the current Waitrose promotion (which runs until June 5th.

Reds

Chateau Pey La Tour 2015 14.5% on offer at £7.49 until 05/06

A lush, posh-looking claret from an excellent vintage. Well worth snapping up if you’re a Bordeaux fan

Remy Ferbras 2016 Ventoux 14% on offer at £5.99

Simple, gluggable Côte du Rhône-ish red from neighbouring Ventoux. Good midweek glugging or with a charcuterie plate.

Santa Julia Malbec 2017 Valle de Uco 13% on offer at £6.99

Another bright, breezy glugger - slightly lighter than your usual Argie malbec but gutsy enough to stand up to a barbecue. Wouldn’t pay the full price for it though (£9.39)

The Cubist Garnacha 2017 Catalayud 14.5% on offer at £7.99

Big rich lush porty red that you’ll like if you’re a fan of passito wines or off-dry Californian reds like Apothic (though it's not as sweet as that). Would be good with barbecued ribs. Handsome bottle too. Note website is still showing the 2016 which I can't vouch for not having tasted it recently.

Whites

Les Andides Chenin Blanc 2017, Saumur 12.5% on offer at £6.99

A crisp, fresh dry Loire chenin - think muscadet or picpoul rather than South African chenin blanc. Perfect for seafood like fresh crab or prawns. Note website is still showing the 2016 vintage.

Laurent Miquel Vendanges Nocturnes Viognier 2017 Pays d’Oc 13% on offer at £6.99

Classic rich apricotty fruit from one of the best viognier producers outside the Rhone. Try it with a korma

And - of course - gin!

There's also a gin promotion on at Waitrose with several top gins discounted from their usual prices. But take care to check the prices elsewhere. With £8 off Gin Mare is a good buy £31.50 and Daffy's at £29 but Silent Pool at £35 isn't much cheaper than other retailers are charging despite the claimed £4.50 saving. I'm also a big fan of the Audemer Pink Pepper Gin (on offer at £36) which is a bit cheaper than elsewhere.

If you found this post helpful and would like to support the website which is free to use it would be great if you'd make a donation towards its running costs or sign up to my regular Substack newsletter Eat This, Drink That for extra benefits.

CONTRIBUTE HERE