Time, folks, for our weekly look at good value, modestly priced wines in UK supermarkets.
To qualify, they need be of above average quality for the price point – and, sometimes, are substantially so.
If selecting them can also coincide with a short-term discount, so much the better.
Happily it does so this time for both of the wines under scrutiny.
The images and hyperlinks provided should help you to find them in crowded displays.
First to New Zealand
2023 Wairau Cove Merlot (£7 – down from £8.50 until 6 October- with a Tesco Clubcard and 13% abv.):
Wairau Cove is Tesco’s brand name for wines from one of New Zealand’s biggest producers and in this case involves merlot from Hawke’s Bay in the North Island.
The idea behind the brand is to create a range of approachable wines at accessible prices – and, with this offering, it does so rather well
It delivers a pleasant, soft medley of red berry flavours—cherry, plum, and raspberry—complemented by warming spice notes and hints of caramel and nuttiness.
With minimal tannins, the overall result is medium-bodied red wine suitable for immediate drinking pleasure while maintaining enough structure for food pairing versatility.
Make sure you get the right Vernaccia
2024 Acanaia Vernaccia di San Gimignano (£8 – down from £10 until 11 October – at Waitrose and 12.5%):
Italy has several grape varieties called “vernaccia,” but the San Gimignano version is arguably the best.
This harmonious blend in this 2024 Acanaia bottling certainly demonstrates the careful winemaking and viticultural expertise that often characterises Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
It offers an appealing bouquet of orchard and stone fruits that fits cosily with its rounded, quince, honeydew melon, and ripe apple flavours.
In addition a bright thread of lemon acidity runs through it, to provide a backbone that accentuates those flavours and ensures a clean, refreshing finish that invites another glass.
The next post (on Thursday) is the regular review of Lidl’s latest Wine Tour – but with a bit of a twist.
6 responses
Somewhat belated I’m getting around to commenting on the Vernaccia di San Gimignano here. I always look forward to seeing what Brian is recommending on a Monday morning but, on this occasion, my initial thought was “I think I bought this wine recently although have yet to drink it”. I have just dug it out as it seemed timely to try it. I find it a clean well-made wine, with distinct aroma and taste of apple. For me the acidity helps to maintain its freshness and make it distinct from relatively bland versions encountered in the past.
Interestingly I see that I paid £8.49 for my bottle purchased a few weeks ago, at the time it claimed to be discounted from £10.49. I checked earlier today on the Waitrose app and it now listed as claims ‘Reduced to Clear’ and ‘Temporarily Unavailable’ so any chance of finding another bottle seems rather slim.
The real question I would like to know is whether in fact I was drinking the same iteration of this wine as Brian. He headlines it above as ‘2024 Acanaia Vernaccia di San Gimignano’ but my bottle (remember, it was bought within the last month) is clearly labelled 2023. Does it matter? Is consistency through subtle blending more important here than any possible year on year variation?
Hello Keith,
All sold out today in Chester Waitrose.
I wonder if Brian or anyone else has tried Lidl’s Macinatico 2023 Vernaccia di San Gimigano £8.99.Bamfield gave it 91 points and it says it is in store now.Seems like it might be a good swap?
I did try an earlier vintage and here are my notes about that…
“2022 Vernaccia di San Gimignano (Lidl): Tuscany, Italy: 12.5%: Citrus acidity; pink grapefruit; texture; peach finish; smooth; lively acidity; herbal; savoury edge; crisp; complex; fresh; greengage: melon.”
I sense that consistency between vintages is important, Keith, and the rule with this type of wine rather than the exception. I tasted the 2023 vintage back in February and here are my notes:
2023 Acinaia Vernaccia di San Gimignano (£8.49 – instead of £10.49 until 11 March – at Waitrose): Italy: 12.5%: Aromas of soft fruit; clarity; mineral edge; texture; pithy; greengage; grapefruit; apple; firm acidity; fresh; vibrant; rounded; melon; quinine.
Vernaccia di San Gimignano as a white is excellent but have you tried Vini di Fillipo’s red Vernaccia di Cannarra? Maybe unavailable in the UK but if driving close to Cannarra, Umbria, stock up to the gunwales!
Thanks Jane and welcome aboard the comments section. Really good to have some sound advice on where to find top rated wines when overseas.