The usual duo of Top Tips for you today — as I know that a single good-value discovery is seldom enough!
One of the recommendations involves a crisp, aromatic white that takes a familiar grape and gives it a slightly unusual (and distinctive) blending playmate.
Its companion here is a rich, generously flavoured red that punches well above its modest price point.
Neither will make your wallet or purse sweat, yet both deliver the kind of quality that would often cost you appreciably more.
Both are High Street wines but, between them, underline that tasty bargains are still out there if you know where to look.
To help you find the today’s choices on crowded shelves, pictures (and, where possible, hyperlinks) accompany the specific recommendation.
Starting with the white
Which wine should I buy? … 2024 Fairtrade Torrontes Chardonnay
Why should I buy it? … Although we know what to expect from chardonnay, you will see that blending it with Argentina’s torrontes grape makes an enormous (and very agreeable) difference. So, you may need to ready your taste buds for that variety’s trademark heady, tropical fruit exuberance.
What does it taste like? … A peachy and floral fragrance leads the way into a generous yet lively palate of grapefruit, zesty lemon and nectarine. Crisp acidity provides a refreshing background, while the smooth, unhurried finish adds lingering hints of lemon curd.
Where, how much and what abv? … £5.60– down from £6.10 until 10 March – at the Co-op and 11.5 % abv – but the discount might not apply in Scotland
A great version of a reliable red.
Which wine should I buy? …2024 Exceptional Primitivo Puglia
Why should I buy it? … Because, once again, Asda’s Exceptional range works its magic. This time it’s with Italy’s primitivo grape (called zinfandel elsewhere). Examples from Puglia are usually dependable, but this eases everything up a notch at a gentle price.
What’s it like? … Deep in colour – indeed, almost black – it opens with spice and fruit aromas before delivering smooth cherry, damson and loganberry flavours. Firm tannins hold everything together, while butterscotch, anise and vanilla weave their way through it all, alongside discernible and persistent acidity
Where, how much and what abv? … £7.07 in Asda, and 13.5 % abv
Hope to see you again next Monday – but, meanwhile, call into the MidWeek Wines Guild sister site for excellent wine thoughts on Thursday and Saturday.
12 responses
Both great recommendations ,Brian.
The Co-op one is a proper bargain.I suspect that a bit of Chardonnay was added to the Torrontes to give a little more recognition for buyers.Goes really well with Asian food.
There is nothing primitive about the Asda Primitivo, yet another Asda cracker- excuse the schoolboy pun!
I would recommend people checking out Keith’s latest piece on our sister site.Unusally both your wine and music appreciation will be enhanced!
There are indeed a number of exceptional wines for the price in Asda’s Exceptional range – the Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon, the Dão just to name a few. It’s a sign of the times with wine that Asda have had to increase the prices of these Exceptional wines over the weekend. The Primitivo is now £7.50 on the website.
Thanks for the plug for my wine and music piece on the MidWeek Wines Guild site Paul. Just wished I’d known about the new Reggiano Lambrusco Secco 11% £8.00 in M&S £8.00 for it. A much more appropriate wine for Verdi (born in Parma in Emilia Romagna) than my choice of the more expensive Franciacorta associated with Milan in Lombardy where he premiered so many successes!
Hello Keith,
I too, have gladly recommended the Asda Dâo several times in the past.I have not tried the latest vintage as yet, but it needs careful scrutiny as this is what Victoria Moore , Wine Critic-whose opinion I value had to say- “Plus, for anyone who follows me in the Telegraph, STEER CLEAR of the Extra Special Dão 2022 Portugal. I recommended the brilliant 2021 a few months ago but Asda has switched producers for this vintage and the bottle of 2022 that I tasted was truly terrible.”
With that Caveat Paul I agree in the latest iteration it wasn’t the ideal recommendation then
The 2021 was indeed excellent but, like you, I have not tried the 2022 – and should not be in a hurry to do so I guess.
Keith it’s interesting that you mention that Asda have increased the price of the primitivo by 50p. Many years ago they received some bad press about this because at the same time they were doing the 25% deal off 6 bottles they were ramping up many of their prices by 50p. Strangely enough the 25% deal was on last Friday when I visited.
Following on from my comments after last Fridays visit to Asda. I note that the Extra Special Dao that we have been told to avoid has been replaced by an exceptional from 2023. Additionally the Extra Special Barbera D Asti is now an exceptional one
Nothing like a few superlatives to promote own label wines – Extra Special, Exceptional, Finest, No.1, The Best …… They’re all at it
The Co-op’s “Irresistible” is a rather nice one – more to do with customer perceptions than comparative positioning. Top marks to Sainsbury’s, though, “Taste the Difference” conveys the message well without overt superlatives.
The Co-op’s Irresistible is very hard to spell in reviews.It seems they have ditched the Truly that used to be in front of Irresistible.
I always thought it sounded like a song from Chitty Chitty bang bang.
You know- truly truly scrumptious!
You really feel that third “i” in the name should be an “a” – or is just me?
Ah! That is a helpful omen and I will try that “Exceptional” version. Many thanks, Andrew, for pointing it out.