A couple of contrasting wines for you to savour today.
I say “today” advisedly as one of them is on a promotion with only a day or so more to run.
Its partner is a rich example of red wine made from a grape that is thought to have been grown in this location for 3000 years.
Meanwhile, that companion white is from one of Chile’s newest wine regions.
Bio Bio now figures on the winemakers’ map as that industry extends into areas originally considered seriously challenging, but where some varieties can actually flourish.
As is normal here, pictures and hyperlinks are provided where possible to guide you straight to the right wine on shelf or web page.
Starting with that (relative) newcomer.
2024 Taste the Difference Chilean Viognier (£8.25 – down from £9.75 until 23 September with a Nectar card – at Sainsbury’s and 12.5% abv):
This wine’s wet and cool Bio Bio homeland is one of Chile’s most southerly wine regions but conditions there actually suit viognier.
The lower temperatures extend the growing season, enhancing acidity and aromatics in this fragrant variety.
Crisp with attractive opening peach aromas, it features juicy and lingering mango and red apple flavours.
A floral texture with a contrasting savoury twist completes the picture with the whole entity turbo-charged by zingy grapefruit acidity.
And then to its long-standing companion.
2020 Irresistible Salice Salentino Riserva (£8.15 at the Co-op and 13.5%):
Here is gloriously opulent red wine from Italy’s Puglia region with a slight sweetness that shows off the negroamaro grape at its luxurious best.
The variety thrives in the intense heat thereabouts and is particularly suited to the calcium rich soils in the region.
Dark with ripe aromas, this example is centred on rich, bramble, prune and elderberry flavours.
These are accompanied by firm tannin (but proportionate acidity) with thyme, vanilla and caramel touches too.
NB:- The price may vary slightly between stores.
After today’s focus on conventional table wines, on |Thursday, we head to the world of fortified wines courtesy of MidWeeker Richard.
9 responses
I was quick off the mark noting this Negroamaro was a good example of this relatively inexpensive wine when Co-op expanded the Irresistible range in autumn 2023. At the time it was £8.00 so, given duty increases since then, it’s certainly a good buy if you can find it now for £8.15. But my appreciation of Negroamaro goes back at least a decade and I fondly remember how the choice of the Candido Negroamaro La Carta Salice Salentino Riserva from what is now The Great Wine Co. went down so well as the red wine at our daughter’s wedding back in 2017.
I know I’ve advocated in the Comments before on the triumvirate of hearty Puglian reds (Primitivo, Negroamaro and Susumaniello) but I still think it’s a pity that the latter remains are rarity in the UK. OK, both M&S and Waitrose have introduced Susumaniello rosés in the past couple of years but where’s the richer, fuller bodied red Susumaniellos that are such a good match for hearty meals as the nights draw in northern climes? One or two independents list them starting around the £15 mark but a decent introduction is surely the Susumaniello Salento Rosso, Vallone 2022 for £10.95 from the Wine Society, and given the Janis Robinson seal of approval earlier this year.
Loving these reminisses folks.
I recall huge pleasure but not many eurika moments. Perhaps my most pleasureable surprise was a bottle of Retsina, drunk sheltering from the sun under pine trees on a Greek Island beach, with a very oily Greek salad lunch. Perfect example of the importance of context. It just worked!
As you say, Edwin, context is a crucial factor – whether it be weather, place or accompanying food.
On a different topic, I’ve just got around to sampling the M&S Bordeaux Chateau Bel-Air recommended by Brian on 15 September. My quick taste on initial opening confirmed his ‘dark with trademark vegetal aromas … and firm tannin’ assessment but any initial doubts on my part were completely blown away later when we drank the best part of the bottle with a Mary Berry “heart-warming lamb stew” recipe. It was a totally convincing match.
It’s not hard to conclude that such relatively cheap Bordeaux reds are designed to accompany food and will be a hard sell to folks wanting a straightforward glass of fruity and jammy wine. Horses for courses?
Hi Brian
Don’t think I tried Salice Salentino (tried so many can’t remember!!) , but I have tried their other Vanita Negroamaro, a little more expensive but very good (Bottle looks similar as well), I continue to be impressed with Co op wines
Sadly, the large co-op in Felixstowe, which stocked most of their wine range, has closed, re-opening as (yet another) Sainsbury. All the other local co-ops are small local stores, with very limited, mostly the very basic, range of wines. A great shame as they have an enthusiastic and adventurous buying team.
This is my first week on Mid week wines and thanks for the steer to Salice Salentino Riserva. You don’t come across a wine for under a tenner that stays so long on the palate. I al;so agree with the other threads that the Co-op has a good understated wine offering.
You are very welcome aboard, Brian, and good to hear your thoughts. I am with you on both points. Length is an important (but not so obvious) factor in finding a wine that works for you and the Co-op buying team do a great job; especially so, for me, with their Irresistible range. Do keep letting other MidWeekers know what you think …. Best.
I would include as a top tip to relish and worth travelling to find -Co-op Irresistible Viognier Pays d’Oc £9.
Silver Award and a Jean Claude Mas winner.Viognier can be fat and oily in the wrong hands; this version is in the correct hands- tangy, satisfying,touch of honey,zingy,full bodied and really well balanced.
Recommended by Brian and with no hesitation endorsed by me.