Take advantage, if you can, of both today’s recommended wines while on promotion and it would cost you £11.99 instead of £15.54 – a useful saving of almost £4!
Otherwise, though, these wines are seriously different animals.
One has a familiar name with 100 years of history behind it and consistently produces quality and value wine in Australia.
Not only does this producer create impressive branded wines (not always a given) but – as here – they also keep up with changing trends.
Meanwhile, the other Top Tip features a Slovenian wine made by a family business that has only owned the operation in its current form since 2009.
Nevertheless, the quality of its wines quickly became apparent, as it is with this blend of two varieties that do not obviously sit together.
So, one of the joys of wine is how it can bring together things old and new and from near or far to put drinking pleasure into a glass near your elbow.
Once again, pictures and hyperlinks are included where possible to make it easier to track down the wine in question.
Top choice for reds
2021 McGuigan Black Label Shiraz (from £5.50, instead of £6.75, in places where multi-buys apply – from Morrisons and 12.5% abv)
Here, the ever-reliable McGuigan operation brings us sound shiraz ably tailored to the modern “fruit-forward but reduced texture” style.
Silky and sleek, it delivers well-defined, juicy, cherry and loganberry flavours supported by good acidity and touches of baking spice and cocoa but, as I suggest, limited tannin and texture.
And a complementary white
2021 Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio (£6.49 – instead of £8.79 until 27 September – at Waitrose and 11.5%)
Waitrose have championed this Slovenian producer for a while now and this cleverly conceived blend shows precisely why.
Well balanced and very easy drinking, it has a core of lemon, passion fruit and crunchy green apple flavours.
These are ably supplemented by floral hints, added green pepper elements and plentiful acidity to keep everything lively.
The next post (on Thursday) reveals my suggestions for a Friday Night treat to ease you into the weekend along with the latest Sunday Best option and an outline of the current High Street promotions.
2 responses
Brian,
Good to see Waitrose fighting back on the value front with the Slovenian Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio blend from Puklavec & Friends.
Lookout Lidl and Aldi!
Kind regards,
Richard.
Great to hear from you Richard. With its excellent team of buyers, Waitrose do indeed tease out some impressive wines. Around a dozen in each promotion are under £6 but, as with everyone else, some glitter more than others – but that sauvignon blend is certainly one that shines brightly.