Slightly belatedly, may I wish you all a Happy New Year in this, my first post of 2026.
With a new year, comes a new look as it struck me that the questions I am most often asked broadly fall into four categories.
So, it makes sense to structure the post around those specific questions rather than deal with them in paragraphs of prose.
Hence the new format that follows.
Often there will be a bonus item to partner the two headline Top Tip wines – and today has one such extra item.
It is to help remember the arrival of a man born 267 years ago this coming Sunday.
I hope that all today’s selections help you celebrate drink and fellowship in the way so lavishly praised by Robert Burns himself.
In doing so, don’t forget to call in on the sister site (MidWeek Wines Guild) which, on Thursday, puts a loving spotlight on Spanish Wines and, on Saturday (24th Jan), covers BYOB in restaurants.
A really promising white
Which wine should I buy? 2025 Exceptional by Asda Chardonnay
Why should I buy it? Cooler and drier conditions gave South Africa’s 2025 vintage a major boost. Reds and whites both promise much, and this chardonnay suggest that the early omens are right.
What does it taste like? There is sufficient oak to smooth out the wine, yet its pear, apricot and mango flavours are never overpowered. Nor are the vanilla, pie crust and crème brulee influences or the nippy acidity that – together – supplement those flavours.
Where, how much and what abv? £6.57 at Asda and 13%.
And Aussie pinot to accompany it
Which wine should I buy? 2024 Elephant in the Room Palatial Pinot Noir
Why should I buy it? While Australia makes brilliant “full and hearty” reds, it can also excel with the lighter, more subtle pinot noir grape. Talented and experienced winemaker Corey Ryan proves exactly that with this great value, cool climate version.
What does it taste like? Medium bodied and with raspberry fragrances, it displays smooth cherry, loganberry and plum flavours. These are partnered by good acidity and limited tannin as well as suggestions of clove, vanilla and chocolate.
Where, how much and what abv? £8.25 – down from £10.25 until 20 January with a Nectar Card at Sainsbury’s and 13.5%.
Bonus Item
Given that it is Burns Night at the end of this week, let’s also take a look at a whisky that will enhance any such event.
Which one should I buy? No. 1 Highland Single Malt Scotch Whisky
Why should I buy it? Burns favourite whisky was a Highland one and I often feel that the earthier and drier flavours of that region’s whiskies work better as a toast to the haggis than, say, fruitier Speyside offerings.
What does it taste like? With vanilla aromas and smooth texture, it provides warm, mellow, honey and gentle cereal flavours supported by a long finish with hints of orange in the background.
Where, how much and what abv? £25 at Waitrose and 40%.
Do drop by for the next instalment of Top Tips when it appears next Monday to laud wines from Portugal and Australia.
17 responses
I like the new refreshed format and your top value wine recs.
Some Pinot Noir can be like Princess Leia,but I was given as a present a PN ,that was Darth Vader.
Martin Pomfy Special Selection Pinot Noir, Juznoslovenská 2018 Tanners 15% £29.95
I have never been to Slovakia but this was like walking in my size 12 Vibram soled boots crushing cherries,cranberries and kicking up soft fallen oak leaves and knocking over a puffball on the forest floor.
Very expensive,but not as ruinously priced as an equivalent Burgundy.Remarkable.Thank you,Santa!
Like you, Paul, I have yet to (knowingly) try Slovakian wine but good things are certainly emerging form behind the former “Iron Curtain”.
Hi Brian
Nice to have you back.
That ‘Elephant in the Room’ Pinot is pretty good, if I’m not mistaken, I think it has a splash of Shiraz in the blend (15%) as well, definitely a good Midweek Wine.
Good to be back Dave but a respite was really welcome.
Hi Brian,
My Mondays are back to normal, now you have returned.
Good to see the recommendation for the Asda Chardonnay. Whenever I mention to people how good the inexpensive Asda branded wines are, I get quizzical looks!
I also really liked the Exceptional by Asda Old Bush Vine Chenin Blanc at a mere £6.82!
Several tasty wines seem to gathered under that “Exceptional” flag
Happy New Year – good to see the return of this piece. I may have to make a trip to Asda for this.
I don’t think that chardonnay will disappoint.
Hi Brian & all,
Sorry to hijack but am having some issues with Guild access. Please assist ?
I’m getting the emails and much enjoying, it says I’m joined, but can’t seem to access previous postings or posted messages. Have downloaded the Substack app and used the emailed special codes but then just get a choice of all sorts of sites and now the promo pings have started.
Any guidance or methodology to follow ?
Regards & happy new year
Hi Richard (from Leeds),
By becoming a Guild subscriber you will receive new Newsletter emails, as they are published. BUT to see previous Newsletters (and the shorter “Notes” that we also publish) you should access our corresponding website:
midweekwinesguild.substack.com
That has 4 heading: Home; Notes; Archive; About
From these you will be able to access every single thing we have published!
If you need further help, feel free to contact via the Guild’s email address – which is put at the end of each Newsletter
midweekwinesguild@iCloud.com
Hope this helps, and happy reading.
Richard (from Suffolk)
I think that your namesake has tackled this – as the archived items there are well worth exploring.
A pleasure to wake up on a Monday morning again to the MWW email notification. Glad you’re back in action Brian.
Must admit I’d seen the Elephant in the Room PN recently but my attention was grabbed last week by another Aussie PN, the Tread Softly Pinot Noir, on Nectar offer for £7.50 until tomorrow (20 Jan) at Sainsbury’s. (I know I shouldn’t be drawn in by the presentation but I blame the clean minimalist label and attractive floral decoration on the screwtop capsule!). I ‘believe’ there might be 2 versions of this wine – the one I bought 10.5% and an alcohol free version?
But subsequently I see both PNs, Tread Softly AND Elephant in the Room, are branded wines from the same overall producer – Fourth Wave Wine. Judging from Brian’s description they are significantly different.
Tread Softly Pinot Noir and Elephant in the Room Pinot Noir are made by the same overall producer (Fourth Wave Wine), but they are marketed under different brand names within that producer’s portfolio and intentionally made and marketed to different profiles. TS is much lower alcohol than EitR and much lighter bodied. As I say, I haven’t tasted both wines but I guess a closer look at the details rather than being swayed by a label might have provided a wine more to my taste.
I have tasted both and felt that the 10.5% lacked the necessary texture (a common problem for lower alcohol wines) although its fruit base was sprightly enough. Elephant in the Room did not have that problem but, as Dave has told us, a scoop or so of shiraz may be helping that. Overall, the Elephant won the day for me.
Brian welcome back on the treadmill. I too have also missed your excellent recommendations. As to the new format I think it’s great. Whilst I don’t have to have my arm twisted in order to drink wine on its own I do enjoy it more with a meal.
So what I am asking please is it possible for you to also include a food pairing recommendation in your comments ? (Even it is what is listed on the label)
Thanks for your kind words Andy. Food matching can be tricky and can equally be controversial (and there are sites really good at doing it) but let me think about that as a part of the next content review.
I like the recommendations but not the new format as it is too formulaic. I want to get as far way for AI as possible (and brands) and you wrote sentences and paragraphs so well and often weaved a very perceptive story around the winesthat I shall miss. Sorry. But I do understand the time burden in doing this
Good to hear from you, Kelvyn, and thank you for taking the trouble to comment on the new format. I do understand your formulaic point but research suggests that increasing numbers of folk simply scan content rather than read it fully and this format makes it easier to do that. Let’s give it a bit longer to see how others feel about the format.