June is prime time for discovering wines that deliver both quality and value without demanding deep pockets or specialist knowledge.
This week’s selections span two countries, four grapes and several styles, yet share one common thread: genuine drinkability.
Each has been chosen with the season of the year in mind — wines that reward rather than overwhelm on a warm evening.
The pair of Bonus Items are from the Loire Valley – currently near the top of its game – while two hail from further afield.
As ever, pictures and (where possible) hyperlinks are provided to aid your search.
Starting with a White
Which wine should I buy? 2025 Chosen By Majestic Côtes de Gascogne
Why should I buy it? Colombard rarely gets the credit it deserves. Too often relegated to a back-seat blending role or to bulk distilling for Cognac and Armagnac. However, it can produce genuinely characterful, aromatic whites when handled well — and South West France, which uses it here and where it thrives, consistently does exactly that.
What does it taste like? Announced by an orange blossom perfume and underpinned by a light, crisp texture, this delivers apple, pear and gooseberry flavours. Sharp grapefruit acidity provides the backbone, with sherbet and tangy lime marmalade adding a lively finish.
Where, how much and what abv? From £8 at Majestic; 11% abv.
Then a trip to Sicily
Which wine should I buy? 2025 Taste the Difference No. 53 Frappato
Why should I buy it? When it comes to modern wine drinking, people are increasingly turning to lighter reds with less oak and lower alcohol — and frappato is one of the varieties answering that call most stylishly. Sainsbury’s have spotted the moment perfectly, and at this price, so should you.
What is it like? Pale in colour with a smooth, delicate character, this summertime red (best served cool) opens with vibrant strawberry and raspberry flavours before cherry joins in. Firm acidity keeps everything lively, with red currant, mint and a gentle pepperiness completing the picture.
Where, how much and what abv? £7.75 (down from £9 until 9 June with a Nectar card) at Sainsbury’s; 12.5% abv.
BONUS ITEMS
Given that summer officially starts today, this Top Tip Bonus Item looks at a region with wines ideally suited to the season but which are too often overlooked.
Currently, France’s Loire Valley is producing some of its most exciting wines in years, benefiting from a run of warm but not excessively hot summers.
These have brought freshness and ripeness into a happy and, I hope, sustainable balance.
Its reds, as well as whites, are tailor-made for summer drinking — light enough in alcohol and bright enough in character to suit the season, yet never insubstantial.
The two chosen examples sit in the £12-14 bracket where genuine quality begins, and – while the Vouvray carries a gentle sweetness – its lively acidity and aromatic complexity comfortably keep everything in check.
So, let’s begin
2024 Les Terrasses St Nicolas Cabernet Franc (£10 – down from £12.50 until 13 July with a Tesco Clubcard and 12% abv):
Vegetal and green pepper aromas introduce a textured, savoury red wine that exhibits distinctive cherry and raspberry flavours alongside bitter chocolate and cocoa elements.
These are underpinned by lively acidity, minimal tannin and lingering traces of paprika, herbs and red pepper.
2024 Pierre Brevin Vouvray (£13.75 at Ocado and 11% abv):
Honey on the nose leads into a viscous, off-dry white wine displaying ripe pear and red apple flavours, rounded off by a brisk twist of acidity.
Its concluding influences include suggestions of orange marmalade and chamomile.
More Top Tips await you next Monday so don’t forget to call in then. It will – as ever – easily repay the effort.
6 responses
Just a suggestion but for wines where grapes not stated, it might by be nice to include this information where possible. Thanks.
Fair point, Bruno. I think the only one missing this time is for the Vouvray and that is 100% Chenin Blanc
The Frappato’s an excellent spot Brian. I found this when researching good deals when had Sainsbury’s had their 25% off offer last week (sadly it’s ended for now). This wine paticularly interested me with the the high temperatures we were having. I was looking for a red that was light and easy to drink in the sunshine and it didn’t disappoint at all. Everything that you said in your review is correct plus with the added gimmick of the label letting you know when the bottle’s chilled enough. A delightful and fun wine that I’ll be getting more of in the hope that we’ll have the weather to complement it this summer.
Great to have you onboard the Comments section Mark and I welcome your optimism about the weather. I like your description of this as “fun wine” because at entry point levels that is exactly what it is. An offering that does not take itself too seriously yet does its job with aplomb,
Thanks Brian, I’m glad to have contributed to your excellent reviews. As well as the Frappato, I’d also recommend another “New” wine in the same series (TtD Discovery no. 55), Custoza from near Lake Garda. Again good value at 7.50 (from 8.50 until Monday). It’s certainly worth checking out for those who enjoy Italian whites.
Not tasted that yet but will try to do so. Thanks for the heads up Mark …. Brian