A white Rioja and a classic Merlot are my top buys this week – along with a bonus red for bargain hunters. I have also rounded up the best bottles from new supermarket promotions and a reminder of the offers finishing this week.
2020 McGuigan Classic Merlot (£5.35 at Sainsbury’s)
Once again Australia’s McGuigan operation shows how to produce reliable red wine at a great price.
While not the most textured wine, this Merlot provides tasty medium-bodied plum, cherry and red currant flavours with good acidity quite firm tannin and a toffee and cinnamon background.
2019 Vina del Cura Rioja Blanco (£5 at Tesco)
Unlike Rioja’s reds, white wines from the region’s local (Viura) grape often disappoint. Here, though, is a great value version you can buy with confidence.
It provides zesty pear, melon and white peach flavours ably supported by apple and grapefruit acidity but neatly wrapped in a light, floral, spicy body.
2019 The Fire Pit Cabernet Sauvignon (£7.49 at Bargain Booze)
If any of you have a Bargain Booze nearby, I suggest dropping in for this nicely crafted South African Cabernet that, I think, ticks all the right boxes at a really attractive price.
Dark yet aromatic, it is centred around blackberry and cherry flavours but also offers good acidity, firm tannin and a background of oregano, black pepper and vanilla.
Current promotions
At Tesco
A new promotion started at Tesco last week and is expected to run until 8 March (although one or two offers end a week earlier). My highlight among the offers is:
- Finest Pecorino (Down to £6 until 8 March)
At Waitrose
A new set of offers also started at Waitrose last week, running until 2 March. I think this one represents particularly good value for money:
- Puklavec & Friends Sauvignon Blanc & Pinot Grigio (Down 25% to £6.59 until 2 March)
At Morrisons
The latest set of discounts and multi-buy offers kicked off at Morrisons last week. These will run until 16 March but the usual geographic restrictions on multi-buys may apply. This wine from The Best range was a winner for me:
- The Best Alsace Gewurztraminer (Down to £8 until 16 March)
And if you want to make the most of the promotion at Morrisons, why not join us for our next Uncorking MidWeek online tasting on 10 March, when we’ll be tasting six more wines from The Best range at Morrisons.
At other retailers
Promotions continue at Sainsbury’s and M&S but offers at Asda and Co-op end this week. See my Top Tips post from last week for promotion details and my top picks.
Meet Aldi’s new arrivals in our post on Thursday, and join us for a look at changes to existing favourites that grace their shelves.
