Today’s selections start with an illustration of the treasures drinkers of Spanish wines can find when they look beyond varieties like tempranillo and garnacha.
Having praised one red from Murcia a fortnight ago, I return to that region today for another excellent example of the underestimated monastrell grape.
As the headline reveals, its white companion is that rarity – wine I can fully recommend below a fiver.
Aided, perhaps, by the tax advantage of 12% abv and the flexibility the Vin de France classification allows, it offers straightforward, easy drinking chardonnay.
As can be the case with Aldi, however, it may not appear on the shelves of every store.
There is also a bonus item – admittedly with a slightly higher price tag than normal, but worth every penny.
Into the argument about whether to prefer malbec from Cahors or versions from Mendoza, strides South Eastern Australia.
Thereabouts, John Quarisa has crafted an excellent version which fully merits your attention – and that of your wallet or purse.
As usual, pictures (and, where possible, hyperlinks) accompany each bottle to help you track it down in wine aisle or website.
First, though, to Spain.
Which wine should I buy? 2023 Piquito Monastrell
Why should I buy it? Monastrell from Spain’s Murcia region has been catching my eye lately, and this handily discounted Jumilla example underlines exactly why — with the attractiveness and character of far pricier bottles.
What’s it like? Dark in your glass, it is full bodied and rich without tipping into excess. Heady aromas give way to ripe plum, cherry and cranberry on the palate, kept lively by bright acidity. Hints of chocolate, coffee, tobacco and cloves round out the flavour range beautifully.
Where, how much and what abv? £8 – down from £9 until 3 March – at Waitrose and 14.5% abv (alcohol levels tend to be higher at this latitude).
And that inexpensive chardonnay
Which wine should I buy? Pierre Jaurant French Chardonnay.
Why should I buy it? Pictorially, wine’s price/quality relationship is an inverted triangle. Once in while, though, stardust does appear at the “pointy (low price) end” – and today’s one such day. While never a rival to classic White Burgundy, this nevertheless provides uncomplicated, easy drinking, inexpensive chardonnay.
What does it taste like? Pale yellow with fresh aromas and a silky texture, it displays pear, mango and melon flavours partnered by grapefruit acidity with traces of vanilla, flint and toffee.
Where, how much and what abv? £4.69 (but price may differ in Scotland) at Aldi and 12% abv
BONUS ITEM
Which wine should I buy? 2022 Q Malbec
Why should I buy it? The best comparably priced red I have sampled so far in 2026, this comes from John Quarisa (hence the “Q”). He was dubbed a “magician” by one respected commentator for crafting full flavoured, amazing value reds that prove malbec thrives in Australia.
What’s it like? Inky in colour, it is full-bodied wine that opens with ripe fruit fragrances before delivering intense damson, mulberry and cherry on the palate. Energetic acidity keeps things fresh, while hints of violets, chocolate and baking spices add complexity — but all with little tannin in evidence.
Where, how much and what abv? £13.99 at Laithwaites and 13.5% abv.
Do drop by our sister site – midweekwinesguild.substack.com – later this week for a for a feature on Godello wines (Thursday) and links between music and wine (Saturday). Monday, of course, sees the next Top Tips.
6 responses
Hi Brian, good selections as always. Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) is a lovely wine, especially the ones from Jumilla. Despite the higher abv, this one is pretty authentic, with bags of flavour and rich fruit. I love the secondary smokey, coffee, earthy and herbal flavours associated with it.
Pierre Jaurant wines are a safe bet, good to see them here. Walk down a supermarket in France, and the shelves are full of his wines
Yes, good to see monastrell getting much deserved prominence.
The chardonnay is at least £5.85 in Scotland.
Thanks for the detail, Jim. The retailer only gave me one price but I fancied it might be caught by minimum unit pricing – hence the caveat in the web post.
Tried that chardonnay and it really isn’t bad for the price – I thought it would have a synthetic oak type. Don’t understand how they can make a profit at the lower price.
Sometimes, I guess Ian, the “gift horse” approach applies – but glad you felt that the chardonnay is OK. Context is important, of course, this will not rival many “double figure” chardonnays – but it stands comparison with many versions up to twice the price quoted here.