Despite all the (often significant) challenges, there are good value wines out there if you know where to look.
This week’s recommendations — a Spanish white and a French red — are a useful reminder that neither headline seeking regions nor price tell the whole story.
The white is from Rueda – an exciting Spanish white wine region often overlooked.
Meanwhile the red, from a well-established Languedoc appellation, is crafted by a producer M&S clearly trusts – and with good reason.
Both wines reward a little thought about what you’re drinking and why.
One is best consumed with a certain youthful urgency; the other is built for a relaxed evening and a decent meal.
Between them, they illustrate rather neatly why exploring beyond the familiar with a dependable guide is so often a sound plan.
Images and, where helpful, hyperlinks are provided to guide you in your search.
Starting in Spain with the usual 4 questions
Which wine should I buy? 2025 Finest Vinas del Rey Verdejo
Why should I buy it? Verdejo is high on my list of grapes that are genuinely at their best when drunk very young, and the elevated plateau vineyards of Rueda, high in Spain’s Castilla y León region, provide its vines with conditions that are close to ideal. Here, the award-winning Pagos del Rey operation has skilfully crafted a version that ensures the variety’s youthful delights carry through all the way to your glass.
What does it taste like? Floral in character but with attractive tobacco, fennel and dried herb influences gradually emerging. Greengage, apple and melon form an assured flavour base, while flinty minerality and firm citrus acidity add breadth without losing the wine’s fresh, lively and measured structure.
Where, how much and what abv? £8 at Tesco and 11% abv.
Then moving east to Southern France
Which wine should I buy? 2023 Chez Michel Fitou
Why should I buy it? M&S’s Chez Michel range draws heavily on southern France, and this Fitou — from Languedoc’s oldest appellation — is a fine illustration of why. Developed in partnership with a respected local producer, it puts fruit and freshness ahead of weight and extraction to particularly good effect.
What does it taste like? The nose is deep and brooding with a distinctly minty lift. In the mouth, damson and cherry take the lead, with strawberry lending brightness. Those flavours all sit on balanced acidity and tannin that knows when to stop. Rosemary, eucalyptus and a nudge of orange peel weave through without overwhelming the fruit.
Where, how much and what abv? £9 at M&S stores and Ocado -13.5% abv.
Drop by again next Monday for the latest Top Tips but not forgetting to nip over to our sister site (MidWeek Wines Guild) for a look – this Thursday – at Morrisons and Waitrose and at a star duet from Austria two days later.
9 responses
I very much like the idea of looking for star dust in Austria. Quietly brilliant idea. Unfortunately my Guild article is about a ” star duet” of Austrian wines!
Must bring readers back to earth and not raise their expectations too high, but hopefully raise their enjoyment levels!
Extravagant prose duly modified Paul. Thanks for pointing it out – and the piece will undoubtedly be another great read.
I am frequently in Spain, and love traditional red Rioja.. Not so much the modern style, nor have I ever found a white Rioja I like, so I always take a Rueda off the shelf. Almost always purely the Verdejo grape I believe?
Welcome aboard the Comments Section Julian – great to hear from you. Agree that white Rioja (especially Viura dominated versions) are several steps down from the pure class red Rioja represents. Things have, however, improved over recent years (helped no doubt by changes in regulations that allow other varieties to be added). Some of the supermarket versions have proved successful in previous vintages – Morrisons Best and Co-op Irresistible have been good in the past. Alternatively, try godello if it is not already on your list. Most of all, though, do keep telling us what works well for you.
Godello is my favourite wine but very hard to find my friend who is Spanish recommended it to me
They had some in Aldi last year it was amazing and a great price for such a fine wine
Any ideas where the best places to buy it is
Good to hear from you Erica and do keep contributing to the comments section. As you say, that tasty Aldi version now seems to be sold through. An earlier Wine Tour at Lidl had Coto de Ibedo Vino Blanco which has a sizeable portion of godello. Failing that, try The Society’s Exhibition Valdeorras Godello from the Wine Society – although its is around £15 – but the Society do deliver single bottles if necessary..
Hello Erica,
Adding to Brian’s useful advice,
If you live anywhere near a Tanners Independent Wine merchant outlet- main base Shrewsbury-then I can recommend Gancedo Godello, Vino de Altura, Bierzo 2024. It is £17.90 ,but is outstanding.
Your Spanish friend may faint at the price, but interesting wines like Godello seem to be disappearing from supermarket shelves and being replaced by multiple versions of cheap Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio.
The Wine Society has a very decent Maruxa Godello,Valdeorras 2025 at £13.50 and as Brian points out, free delivery.A fellow Guild member rates this wine.
A fuller description of Tanners and the Gancedo wine above can be found in the archive section in
midweekwinesguild.substack.com
Good luck!
That Aldi Godello was excellent, you are spot on there. I suspect this might be a controversial statement but not only do I wish they would bring back the Godello I wish they would bring back the Sancerre Rosé (still on the website but to in any of the Aldi branches in my region)
Hi Nicki and thanks for joining the “Comments Clan”. I will pass on your comment to Aldi’s PR folk as it’s good to get enthusiastic views on wine that is not at the lowest end of the price range. Do keep thoughts like this coming. It’s not just me that has Top Tips – most of you subscribers have them too!