News and views | 12 good wine buys at Waitrose

News and views

12 good wine buys at Waitrose

Waitrose is the latest to offer a 25% deal off wine and champagne if you buy six bottles (12 online) The deal runs until midnight on November 5th and excludes gift packs and spirits.

Here’s what I think are the best and most interesting deals - at the discounted deal. I wouldn't necessarily buy them at the full price.

WHITES

Pujalet 2012 Pays de Gers (11.5%) £5.49 down to £4.12 (258 branches and online)

Not much has been heard of Pays de Gers recently but it’s a great bargain which should massively appeal if you’re a Sauvignon-drinker. Bright, fruity and crisp it would make great party drinking.

Montgravet Chardonnay 2012 Vin de France (12%) £5.99 down to £4.49 (248 branches and online)

A smooth unoaked chardonnay that should satisfy even white burgundy lovers (well, not great white burgundy but the basic stuff). Good for creamily sauced pasta or chicken.

Domaine Balland-Chapuis 2012 Coteaux du Giennois (12.5%) £9.99 down to £7.49 (168 branches and online)

If you like Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé but don’t want to pay the going rate for them (now around £12-14 a bottle) this lesser-known Loire Sauvignon Blanc is a great alternative. For raw and simply cooked seafood, grilled fish and goats cheese.

Wither Hills Chardonnay 2011 Marlborough New Zealand (14%) £10.15 down to £7.61 (250 branches)

Like big, creamy chardonnays? Here's a good one with a couple of years' bottle age. Try it with crab, scallops, roast chicken or even the Christmas bird.

Astrolabe Province Pinot Gris 2012 Marlborough New Zealand (13.5%) £17.99 down to £13.49 (48 branches and online)

I probably wouldn’t pay the full price for this rather gorgeous lush New Zealand Pinot Gris but it’s well worth a punt with this discount especially if you like Thai food for which it would be the perfect match

REDS

Montgravel Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2012 £5.99 down to £4.49 if you’re buying 6 bottles 13% (186 branches and online)

An unusual wine - a Bordeaux blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from well south of Bordeaux in the Languedoc but better than almost all Bordeaux at the price. Good everyday drinking with homely fare like shepherds pie or a hotpot

Gerard Bertrand Syrah/Carignan 2010 Minervois £8.99 down to £6.74 13% (260 branches and online)

A more typical Languedoc red, big, dark and inky with rich brambly fruit. One for a cold night and a steak pie or beef casserole.

Marques de Calatrava Organic Seleccion Reservada Tempranillo 2011 La Mancha £8.99 down to £6.74 (279 branches and online)

A soft mellow Rioja-style organic red at a cheaper-than-Rioja price. Great value for an organic wine. Would be good with roast lamb or hard cheeses like Manchego.

Mount Rozier Merlot 2011 Stellenbosch £9.99 down to £7.49 (247 branches and online)

I picked this elegant Bordeaux-style red out as my wine of the week the other week and here’s another chance to pick it up at a good price. (See the other recommendations in that post for other good buys)

Enira Bulgarian Red 2009 Thracian Lowlands £11.99 down to £8.99 14.5% (20 branches and online)

You might baulk at the idea of paying this much for a Bulgarian wine even on this deal but it’s really quite exciting - the sort of sweet, mellow aged red to drink with some exotic Ottolenghi-ish lamb dish. If you’re a Chateau Musar fan you’ll love it.

FIZZ

Ayala Brut Majeur NV champagne 12.5% £29.99 down to £22.49 (138 branches and online)

Not the cheapest fizz out there but a respected house that’s showing really well at the moment. Elegant and creamy. A good pre-Christmas lunch or dinner party bottle.

SWEET

Chateau Les Sablines 2011 Monbazillac (13%) £8.99 (for 50cl) down to £6.74 (247 branches and online)

Monbazillac is from the same part of France as Sauternes - and made in a similar style - but you’d never get Sauternes at this price.

You may also like to check out my recent post 8 good wine buys at Sainsbury's

 

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