Supermarket Wine Bargains: Morrisons February/March 2024

We’re back with must try deals in Supermarket Wine Bargains, and Morrisons have delivered some truly delicious discounts on wine for the month ahead. We’ve got four reds and whites a piece, and two crisp Rosés ahead of us, and all for under a tenner. And remember, if you usually shop elsewhere, then we’ve probably got an up-to-date discount list for there too so take a look on the site. Right, let’s dive into the good stuff. Oh, and you’ve got till the 10th March to get stuck into these gems so be quick!

*UPDATED: 20/02/2024*

Morrisons Red Wine Discounts February/March 2024

The Wanderer Malbec

As beautiful as its Day of the Dead design, this San Juan Malbec is a real smooth operator. The grapes that go into this wine are from vineyards once abandoned but now thriving. Picked late, they deliver so many luscious ripe notes with intoxicating intensity to them. Think silky black fruits and woody spice. More generous than expected.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £10 (usually £13)

Barossa Ink Shiraz

This is a fantastic supermarket pickup. It makes great use of grapes from across the whole Barossa area to get the most intense and sophisticated flavours. Oak ageing delivers mocha notes and brooding, rich blackberries and plums. One thing we’ve noticed with this is that giving it an hour to breathe really lets it sing that extra note. Serve with steak or hearty meats and enjoy.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £10 (usually £11)

Roodeberg Black

Morrisons had this South African red on offer a while ago, and we’re glad to see it back under a tenna… even though it’s worth more. It’s a red blend starring mostly Pinotage, a grape that’s undergone a great revival in South Africa. Packed with dark fruits, there’s also a slight char to the oak that works a treat. Rich with good structure, this is an easy-drinking gem perfect for meat dishes.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9 (usually £12.50)

Lindemans Gentlemans Collection Cabernet Sauvignon

Henry J Lindeman moved from England to the Hunter Valley in Australia in 1843, when he opened his own winery to bring refined wines to the colony. Purple hues amongst a bright red colour and violet aromas welcome you in, before a black fruit flood. Chocolate and oak round things off nicely, and overall, this has the feel of a much more expensive Napa wine.  

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £8.50 (usually £10)

Morrisons Rosé Wine Discounts February/March 2024

Freixenet Italian Rosé

We’ve all had our eyes caught by this signature bottle, but if you haven’t tried it then know that the contents actually represent cracking value. An Italian Corvina and Garganega blend, it’s soft and seductive on the nose before unveiling refreshing cranberry, strawberry and grapefruit notes. Super fresh, super fruity and balanced to a tee.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

Crocodile Diamante Rose

Pale, fresh and crisp, this yummy number brings the signature Southern Rhone Valley style. Rather than intense in your face flavours, its red fruit notes are delicate and clean. Don’t go thinking it’s boring though, far from it, with fresh floral tones adding depth and great acidic zip making it fabulously food-friendly. Nice bottle too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £8 (usually £12)

Morrisons White Wine Discounts February/March 2024

Greasy Fingers Chardonnay Big and Buttery

A relatively new kid on the block, everything you need to know about this is on the label. Well, that’s not true actually because often the description doesn’t manifest, but here it most definitely does. It begins with a temptation of oaky vanilla and a green rush of pear and apple. Then, the bold, distinctly buttery flavour hits, transporting this Aussie Chard to something closer to Cali styles. Creamy, indulgent and made to pair with delicious, greasy food.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

Squealing Pig Sauvignon Blanc

If you’re after superb Sauvignon in the classic Marlborough style, then this bottle is perfect – simplicity and excellence. A crisp, zesty nose begins, unfolding to reveal fresh tropical fruits like pineapple, subtler green apple, vivid citrus, and a weighty mineral touch. Reliably dreamy with many food dishes, expertly rounded and with decent depth to dive into.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8.50 (usually £11)

Stoneleigh Sauvignon Blanc White Wine

This is another Sauvignon Blanc unashamedly fully embracing the signature Marlborough profile. Sunstones absorb sunshine during the day, so that during the colder nights, the vines get to stay warmer – neat. The nose? Gooseberry with some florality? The palate? Acidic tropical fruit with herbaceous depth. The finish? Steely minerality. Subtle, surprisingly complex, and delicious.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9 (usually £10)

Kendermanns Riesling Spätlese

Under £6 for this? Yes please. Spätlese means this Riesling is a late harvest resulting in increased residual sweetness. However, as is Riesling’s genius, it retains crisp acidity making it the ultimate food-friendly champ. The freshness in this bottle is to be admired, particularly when served chilled. It’s a fruity gem that does its job so well, and is one of the best value bottles in any supermarket.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 9%
Find here: £5.75 (usually £7.50)

*UPDATED: 01/02/2024*

Morrisons Red Wine Discounts February 2024

Greasy Fingers Luscious Red

Luscious Red is exactly that and has become a regular on supermarket shelves. It’s a lovely blend of Aussie Shiraz (rich fruits) and Grenache (fantastic sweetness) delivered super smoothly. A real crowd pleaser.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

Diablo Black Cabernet Sauvignon

From the Maule Valley in Chile comes this incredible Cab Sav. A combo of French and American oak maturation has carved out intense and inky depths. Think darker woods, vanilla, rich fruits, and a hint of tobacco. It’s so smooth too. A deal with the Devil has never tasted this good.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8.50 (usually £11)

Wise Wolf Cabernet Sauvignon

This is probably the best Languedoc-Roussillon red in UK supermarkets. The bottle stands out from the off because not only is it more akin to a premium olive oil, its also 95% recycled. Inside, it’s big and ripe with great viscosity, blackberries, blackcurrant and plum. The oak comes through pleasantly too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9 (usually £12)

Morrisons The Best Primitivo

Easy-drinking Primitivo here that will put smiles on faces if you’re into sweeter reds. Dried fruits and ripe dark fruits fill out a lush palate that feels pure and soft. There’s a gorgeous tang that balances everything out too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7.50 (usually £8.75)

Morrisons Rosé Wine Discounts February 2024

Castillo D'ibiza Rose

We love a standout bottle, and this curvaceous Rosé is very easy on the eye, with its inviting, salmon pink hue. It’s a Spanish creation from Pernod Ricard, using Garnacha and Tempranillo grapes to deliver a tarter, more refreshing Rosé than you might be used to. Citrus sing and minerality co-star and perhaps even steal the scenes from the strawberry, making it a wonderful food-friendly companion.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10 (usually £12.50)

Mirabeau Forever Summer Rose

Maison Mirabeau are one of our favourite names in Rosé with fantastic output from their sun-kissed vineyards. The summery nose is enough to transport you to, well, summer, with seductive nectarine and rose. The first sip reveals a crisp and dry red berry symphony with refreshing acidity and for under £10, it’s hard to beat.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9 (usually £11)

Morrisons White Wine Discounts February 2024

Workshop Mastercraft Sauvignon Blanc

This Marlborough Sauvignon punches well and truly above its price point with £3 off, and it’s so easy to love that you won’t be disappointed. You can expect a rounded profile with quite intense gooseberries and peach, more tropical passion fruit and some delightful herbaceous grassy hints too. Zest, sweetness, peppery spice – good stuff.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £8.50 (usually £11.50)

Freixenet Pinot Grigio

You’ll probably recognise the glamorous Freixenet bottle by now, but if you’ve never tried it then know that it’s substance as well as style. From the idyllic Garda vineyards comes this drop of Italian suns hine, harmonising crisp, bright citrus as well as subtle florality and light orchard fruits.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £9 (usually £11)

Kendermanns Riesling Spätlese

This Spatlese Riesling delivers that residual late harvest sweetness, and of course the crisp acidity. It feels exceptionally fresh, which is part of the reason we picked it to pair with Chinese food earlier in the week. It’s so food friendly and surprisingly elegant. Serve chilled and it’s a winner.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 9%
Find here: £5.75 (usually £7.50)

19 Crimes Chardonnay

The appearance of The Uprising and The Banished on previous Supermarket Wine Bargains is a testament to the quality of 19 Crimes, and that’s no different with Chard. Stone fruits, melon and creamy oak come through opulently and with delicious richness. It’s not your classic Chardonnay and has a really full body and buttery feel. A must try at this price.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (usually £9)

We are always updating our Supermarket Wine Bargains on the website for most of the UK supermarkets, so keep your eyes peeled for more up to date, bang on the money recommendations.

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Morrisons January 2024

We’re back with Supermarket Wine Bargains, and Morrisons have caught our eye with some delicious discounts on wine this January (available until 21st January). We’ve got luscious reds, crisp whites, and a stunning Rosé that all represent incredible quality for the price, Honestly, these wines for under £10 is a steal. Anyway, enough jabbering! Let’s get stuck into the good stuff.

Morrisons Red Wine Discounts January 2024

Mucho Mas Black Label Red

Situated not too far from the Spanish capital, Félix Solís is one of the largest family-owned wineries in the world, and Mucho Mas Black Label is their juicy, easy-drinking red. Warm pepper and aromatic vanilla round off the dark fruits for a top-notch midweek glugger.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7 (usually £8.50)

19 Crimes The Uprising Red Wine

Paying homage to Australia’s 1808 Rum Rebellion, part of this wine has been aged for a month in rum barrels. Mocha and baking spice make up a curious nose, which unfolds into a jammy, chocolatey, oaky bliss. In your face and very, very tasty indeed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £9 (usually £9.50)

Piccini Memoro Red

This Italian red has built up a bit of a reputation for being one of the best affordable reds out there, and deservedly so. It’s flush with warmth, and a pleasant lightness despite the full-bodied fruits. It’s a perfect winter wine.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7.50 (usually £8.75)

Porta 6 Red Vinho Regional Lisboa

The hilly vineyards above Lisbon enjoy the cooling of the Atlantic breeze, bringing a real distinct freshness to the grapes grown there. This is a light-bodied Portuguese red with rustic feel, carrying blackcurrants and strawberries and a welcome hit of acidity to the finish. This is one to open an hour or two before drinking.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7 (usually £8.50)

Pepperbox Shiraz

We love this Aussie Shiraz. Full of dark, ripe fruits, with spicy depth and silky soft tannins, it’s a wonderful Sunday Lamb companion. The pepper in particular stands out, as does the dense, thick mouthfeel. Indulgent, warming and great for the money.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £8.50 (usually £10)

Morrisons The Best Negroamaro

This is a wine that grabs you by the scruff from the off, hitting you with a delicious blast of rich fruit – blackcurrant, cherries and plums. It doesn’t have the complex depths of some other reds, but if you’re after balanced, punchy flavoursome fruit, then you’ll have no complaints for the money at all.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £7.50 (usually £8.50)

Morrisons White Wine Discounts January 2024

Morrisons The Best Touraine Sauvignon

This beauty comes from Chainier, one of the most prominent producers in the Loire. It’s noted for its elegance, balancing elderflower, passion fruit and crunchy lime zest, as well as a distinct grassy note. The bright acidity cleanses the palate tastefully, making it very food friendly.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8.50 (usually £10)

Brancott Flight Sauvignon Blanc

It doesn’t get much more refreshing than this. This is Brancott’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, with hints of tropical fruits, buttery croissant, and grapefruit. It’s a really solid, well-rounded wine that’s lower in ABV than usual, and naturally 20% lower in calories. A serial award winner for a reason, and great if you’re looking to cut down a little.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 9%
Find here: £7 (usually £9)

Fete Des Flaveurs Picpoul De Pinet

This Languedoc-Roussillon white is inspired by regional flavour festivals, therefore celebrating a medley of local flavours iconic in France. Fresh fruit and citrus come through gracefully, particularly grapefruit with gives great tang. It’s very characterful, and delivers on the crisp, refreshing nature of the signature style.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8.50 (usually £10)

Morrisons Rosé Wine Discounts January 2024

Barefoot Pink Moscato Rose Wine

Barefoot’s Californian Rosé is a real crowd pleaser because the beautiful colour comes through upon tasting. Raspberry, cherry and strawberry invite on the nose, and the flavour is award-winning fruity sweetness with a touch of sherbet creaminess. It is towards the sweeter end of Rosé, but it’s delivered incredibly well.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 9%
Find here: £6 (usually £7.50)

We have Supermarket Wine Bargains on the website for most of the UK supermarkets, and we’re always busy updating them when the latest offers arrive so keep your eyes peeled for more gems!

Supermarket Wine Bargains: Morrisons December 2023

 Morrisons have got some eye-catching deals on wines we love this December, so we’ve picked out the best bargain bottles that we love. There’s crisp whites, fruity reds and refreshing rosés, and every single one comes in at under £10, so they’re absolute must tries.

Morrisons Red Wine Discounts December 2023

Mucho Mas Black Label Red

Between Madrid and Cadiz lies Félix Solís, one of the largest family-owned wineries in the world, and this is their easy-drinking red. It’s juicy with ripe plums, berries, and figs, rounded out by vanilla and pepper and is a solid mid-week red for this price.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £7 (usually £8.50)

Greasy Fingers Luscious Red

This is moreish blend of Australian Shiraz and Grenache is a mainstay of multiple UK supermarkets because of its popularity. The Grenache brings delicious sweetness, and the Shiraz fills out the expression with rich, fruity flavours. Smooth and food-friendly too.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

19 Crimes The Banished

This famous series is inspired by the people shipped to Australia in the 18th century for a life of hard labour and the generations that came from them. It’s full-bodied and full of fruit – think plum, cherry, and blueberry, with touches of leathery smoke. Forget delicate, this is intense and inky and demands you pay it attention.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10)

Carnivor Zinfandel

This is exactly what you want from a California Zinfandel – robust, nicely structured, and jammy. With a myriad of dark fruity flavours and gentle spice, it screams carnivore companion.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10.50)

Morrisons White Wine Discounts December 2023

Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc

Oyster Bay’s Sauvignon Blanc is a rock steady Marlborough expression, bright and light with grapefruit citrus and acidic zip. Serve it chilled to extract all that clean, zesty refreshment and you’re laughing for a tenner.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £7.99 (usually £11)

Workshop Mastercraft Sauvignon Blanc

This is another Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc punching above its price point, carrying herbaceous grassy hints, passion fruit, and concentrated gooseberries and peaches. Zesty acidity meets fruity sweetness, with a touch of peppery spice at the end – it’s easy to love.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (usually £11.50)

Te Pā Signature Series Sauvignon Blanc

Yet another Marlborough option, Te Pā is rich with ripe guava, nectarine, gooseberry and most noticeably, passion fruit. This tropical ripeness leads into chalky minerality and a crisp and pure finish that is very satisfying indeed.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 (usually £10)

Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc Cellar Selection

A distinct herbaceous nose invites you into this Marlborough white, which blossom into a zesty grapefruit palate that leaves a natural, pure, and crisp impression. Lychee, pear and soft acidity fill out the profile for a balanced and flavourful Sauvignon.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £10 (usually £13)

Morrisons Rosé Discounts December 2023

Mirabeau Forever Summer Rose

Maison Mirabeau are specialists in Provence Rosé, making the absolute most of their sun-drenched vineyards. Notes of nectarine and rose fill out a summery nose, and the palate is a deliciously dry and crisp red berry parade.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9 (usually £11)

Freixenet Italian Rose

Shimmer, shimmer, these Freixenet bottles have become a familiar sight, and their Italian Rosé is well worth picking up. It’s made from Corvina and Garganega Blanc, the classic Veneto grapes, exuding a pink perfume of cherries and strawberries. Flowery, soft apricots are noted before a strong strawberry finish, and all in all, it’s very good stuff for £9.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £9 (usually £10)

Castillo D'Ibiza Rose

Inside this beautifully curvaceous bottle is a dry, pale Rosé from Pernod Ricard in Spain, blending Tempranillio and Garnacha grapes for zingier, tart refreshment than you might expect. Citrus and minerality come through with the same intensity as the strawberry, which makes this one of the better food-friendly options.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9.50 (usually £12.50)

We have Supermarket Wine Bargains on the website for most of the UK supermarkets, and we’re always busy updating them when the latest offers arrive so keep your eyes peeled for not only Morrisons’ next bargain wines, but Aldi, Waitrose, Sainsbury’s etc. too.

What to eat with Albariño wine: 3 recipes

The Albariño grape’s spiritual home is in the wet, green and blustery region of Rias Baixas within Galicia, northwestern Spain. A mixture of the cool climate, proximity of the vineyards to the sea, lots of granite soils and the grape’s own characteristics give wines that are famously saline and lemon citrusy with notes of peach and a bitter kick on the finish. If you consider that what grows together, goes together then it should be no surprise that fish and seafood is king when asking what goes best with Albariño. 

Albariño can be made in various styles from zesty, youthful and lemony to more creamy, peachy, gastronomic wines. You can now even find sparkling Albariño! Here are some recipes that will pair perfectly with the three key styles of Albariño wine from this article featuring the iconic wine producer, Mar de Frades. Each recipe makes enough for four people. 

Youthful, zesty and saline Albariño

Eat: Wine-steamed mussels & baguette

Drink: Mar de Frades Atlantico Albarino 2022  - £17 from Tesco

If you’ve ever eaten steamed mussels fresh off the boat or even better, while still on the boat, then you’ll know the easiest and freshest way to eat them is with a splash of the white wine, garlic butter and a baguette. 

All you need to do once you have scrubbed the mussels and removed the wafty beard bit, is drain them, set aside and then lightly fry the chopped garlic and shallots in butter in a heavy-based pot until just brown. When they are, add a splash of Albariño and stir for a few seconds before adding the mussels and half a glass of wine. Allow to steam for 4 minutes. Discard any closed ones, pour the juice over the top and serve with a buttered baguette and delicious cool glass of Albariño.

Ingredients:

Mussels x 4 handfuls

Finely chopped garlic x 2 large cloves

Knob of butter

Salt & pepper to season

Parsley to garnish (optional)

Richer, peachy, gastronomic Albariño

Eat: Slow and low, peachy, pulled pork baps

Drink: Mar de Frades Finca Valiñas 2108 - £32 from The Great Wine Co. 

Pulled pork is one of those dishes that makes you think of high end gastro pubs; when they’re done well, and paired with a decent, cool glass of white wine, they are pure heaven! With a richer, creamier style of Albariño such as this single vineyard offering from Mar de Frades that has had more time on its lees to add texture, you can go a little heavier with the dish. Enter slow and low, peachy pulled pork!

To make this dish, first rub the pork shoulder with the blended combination of paprika, cumin, pepper, salt and sugar. Place it in a large casserole dish with the skin-side up before adding in the white wine. Cover and cook in the oven at 150C (130C fan) or Gas mark 2 for 4-5 hours until it looks like it’s falling apart. Check it every 45 mins or so to make sure it;s not drying out. You can always add more wine if needed! Remove when done, then place the pork into a large dish, pouring the cooking juice over the top. Remove the skin and shred the pork with a couple of forks, removing excess fatty bits. Leave to rest for a few minutes to blend up some good, smoky barbecue with the flesh of one ripe peach and a pinch of salt. Stir it through the pork rto coat it before serving on a fresh white bap, perhaps some slaw and extra sauce on the side and of course, a glass of gastro Albariño. 

Ingredients:

2.5kg boneless pork shoulder 

2 tsp smoked paprika

2 tsp ground cumin

2 tsp pepper

2 tsp brown sugar

1 tsp salt

2 small glasses of Albariño wine

White bread rolls

Traditional Method Sparkling Albariño

Eat: Pan fried scallops in lemony butter

Drink: Mar de Frades, Val do Salnès, Sparkling Albariño Brut NV - £29.50 from Great Western Wine (or £26.55 when you buy 12)

Scallops are a staple in Rias Baixas and there’s nothing so simple and decadent as a freshly seared plate of them served with a cool glass of saline, citrusy Albariño - especially if it’s a sparkling Albariño! For this dish, the salinity and freshness of the bubbles combined with their subtle, brioche note complement the lemony butter and fleshy scallops so beautifully.  

There’s no need to faff around to cook the scallops here; All you need to do is add some butter to a non-stick, thick-bottomed pan, warm it on a medium heat, then add the scallops, turning the heat to high and seasoning each side with a pinch of salt. Leave for three minutes or until golden, flip over and sear the other side for another minute or two, seasoning that side. Remove the scallops with tongs and put to the side on a plate. 

Add a knob of salted butter with a squeeze of lemon juice and a small splash of wine to the pan, stirring to combine the cooked bits. Add the scallops back in and baste them for a few seconds before plating up and serving with wild rice, crusty bread or even skinny fries. Deliciousness!

Ingredients: 

‘Dry’ Scallops, side muscle remove x 16

Knob of salted butter

Salt & Pepper

Chilled glass or two of sparkling Albariño

For your expert, one minute guide to Spain’s flagship white grape, Albariño, click here! For more on the three styles of Mar de Frades Albariño, click here.

Santorini Wines: Your ABC Guide

Greek wines from both the mainland and the islands are becoming ever more popular as people return from their holidays having tasted some pretty special sips. Quality has skyrocketed over recent years and we are now starting to see more Greek wines on the shelves in our supermarkets and indies as well as on restaurant lists. Santorini seems to be leading the way with its zesty, foodie, white wines made from the Assyrtiko grape, so is well worth a closer look. Here is your ABC guide to the PDO white wines of Santorini with some to try…

What and where?

Santorini is a small archipelago of Greek, volcanic islands in the southern Aegean Sea, southeast of mainland Greece, though "Santorini" is commonly used to refer to the largest and most famous island of the group.

Ancient history

Proof of winemaking on the island has been found dating back  to 20-30 centuries BC with some important findings from the bronze age. This is why the island is described as a ‘living museum’ with the oldest, uninterrupted vine cultivation in the world. The community is working towards earning Santorini UNESCO status to safeguard its vines and practices. 

Assyrtiko: Queen of Grapes

There are 64 wine grapes on the island of which 59 are known. However, only 3 of them are allowed in the PDO: Protected Designation of Origin, which ensures the highest quality in the wines. The hero grape is Assyrtiko - a white grape indigenous to Santorini. It has a vibrant yellow, thick skin and makes gastronomic wines that keep their freshness and acidity despite the heat and relatively high alcohol levels. Assyrtiko wines tend to be delicately aromatic, citrussy and very saline. They’re often aged on their lees (dead yeast cells) and see some bâtonnage (lees stirring) to add a richer, creamier texture. 

Labour intensive, unique viticulture

Santorini is super hot, exceedingly dry and very windy with infertile, volcanic soils. The subsoil is just over 60% pumice with very shallow, loose ‘volcanic dirt’ over the top. Pumice works well to save water here and black lava stones absorb heat away from the vines. To combat the heat and wind and to maximise the water that comes almost entirely from the morning mists, vines are trained into circular, nest shapes called ‘koulouras’. 

Ungrafted vines

On the plus side, there are no pests to contend with and very little disease as the environment is so harsh. This also means that vines here are immune to the phylloxera louse, so they remain ungrafted, with some roots said to be centuries old. These old vines have incredibly deep roots and give the wines dramatically low yields. The result is more concentrated, particularly mineral wines of top quality. 

PDO Santorini

PDO Santorini: Wines must be 85% Assyrtiko, with the rest made up of Aidani and Aithiri, which are softer and more aromatic. The best wines are said to be always made from 100% Assyrtiko. If the label just says Assyrtiko, it’s not PDO Santorini.

PDO Santorini ‘Nykteri’: Nyketri means ‘working all through the night’ as grapes were harvested in the small hours to keep them cooler. The expression now refers to oaked versions of these white wines, where the oak mabe older and larger to add more texture than flavour or newer for a more oaky taste. Whichever style, Nkyteri wines offer a lot of structure and are often described as ‘white wines that drink like red’.

PDO Santorini Vinsanto: These are sweet, late harvest wines that must be made with at least 80% Assyrtiko. They are dried in the sun and fermented very slowly in open vats before being aged in wooden barrels for at least 2 years. The result is moreish, sweet wines that are well balanced and fresh with notes of toffee, mocha, nuts and caramel. They love chocolate and cheese!

Modern Versus Traditional Styles

There has been lots of work in recent years to up the quality in all PDO Santorini wines to showcase the purity of the varietal. Since 2016 particularly, there has been a huge quality push with Assyrtiko becoming more premium, dry, steely, fresh and pure in style. Producers are being incentivised to keep their vines and not sell the land for tourism, so they are being paid much larger amounts for their yields. In turn, this has meant that much more attention is being paid to the winemaking process. There used to be a lot more residual sugar allowed in for example and styles really varied a lot with many Nykteri wines particularly being more oxidative, like a fino Sherry. 

PDO Santorini wines to try

Sigalas Santorini PDO Assyrtiko, 2021

£33 from Maltby & Greek 

Santo Nykteri PDO Assyrtiko-Athiri-Aidani, 2021

£28.50 from Maltby & Greek

Estate Argyros Vinsanto First Release, 2015

£39.90 from 8Wines

Perfect White Wine to Pair with Christmas Food

We’ve been hard at ‘work’ popping corks on the very best white wines at each price point in the run up to Christmas, and these are the crème de la crème.

Richer reds and Champagne are usually more associated with the festivities, but a White (wine) Christmas is much lighter and just as delicious, especially with the inevitable feasting weighing you down!

Perfect for seafood in particular, but also roasts, dive in and discover which delightful bottle to stock in your cupboard this Christmas.

Best Budget White Wine for Christmas

Amandla 'Our Future' Sauvignon Blanc

This is a new South African black-owned brand from one of the rising female stars in winemaking, Pray Dlamini, who hand picks grapes from the Western Cape and blends this zesty sunshine Chardonnay herself. It’s bursting with ripe and tropical notes. Think passion fruit, pineapple, and lemon. Food friendly too, look to serve this alongside fish or lighter chicken and pork meals.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £9 Sainsbury’s

Andrew Peace Chardonnay 2021

Back in 1980, Jim Peace found himself disenchanted with the rat race in Melbourne and when he passed a vineyard for sale, fate intervened, and he never looked back. His son is now chief winemaker at the cooler climate Victoria vineyard, releasing quality like this. It’s a soft marshmallow Chardonnay with subtle melon and a refreshing splash of citrus from the touch of Semillon included. It’ll sit nicely with any fish you’re cooking over the festive season, as well as softer, creamier cheeses. Elegant beyond the price tag!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £6 Coop

Adnams Muscadet 2021

Muscadet is a wine from decades gone by that’s been making a resurgence, with its clean, bone-dry neutrality proving very desirable. The grape itself here is Melon de Bourgogne but don’t be fooled into assuming this is from Burgundy as a result, it’s actually the stunning Loire Valley (confusing we know). It has the classic earthy, fleshy white peach and super refreshing nature you want from a Muscadet, and it’s just the ticket for shellfish!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £8.99 Lidl

Morrisons The Best Marques de los Rios Rioja Blanco

Fabulous value here with a white Rioja produced in partnership with Bodegas Eguia in Rioja Alavesa south of Bilbao. There’s a lot going on and an awful lot to love with waxy lemon rind notes, vanilla, ripe pear, a touch of sweet spice and some texture from the part aging in French oak. An easy drinking winner with roast chicken or turkey.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £7 Morrisons

Tesco Finest Albarino del Rey 2021

Using Albariño Grapes from Spain's Rias Baixas, this is exactly the kind of elegance we’ve come to expect from the region. Apricot aromas make way for a lovely lemon meringue pie feel, with zinging zesty citrus and comforting weight to it. It’s simply a superb white for under the £10 mark. Make it sing with hard cheese or fleshy fish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £9.50 Tesco

Prima Luna Frascati

This Frascati is a cheap and extremely cheerful thirst-quenching wine. If you’re a fan of Pinot Grigio, then this has a touch more character with green apple hints and citrus notes, before a touch of bitter almond on the finish. It’s seriously solid for under £6. Give it a whirl with fish, or cold chicken at the Boxing Day buffet perhaps.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £5.75 Tesco

Caves des Roches Cotes de Gascogne 2021

If you’re drawn to Kiwi Sauvignon then this is one for you. A vibrant wine from Gascony in Southwest France, it carries tropical vibes with ripe grapefruit and juicy guava, culminating in a crisp finish. At 11% and £5, being this moreish isn’t too much of a problem!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11%
Find here: £5.25 Tesco

Co-op Irresistible Viognier 2021

‘Irresistible’ is spot on. This is serious Viognier with a classic profile of hefty weight, sweet peach and apricotty grape. This honeyed flavour is balanced by zingy acidity heightening the freshness. Really, this should be priced into double figures, but let’s hope they don’t because this is Helena’s house white! Any seafood and salads, pour this out.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £8 Coop

Co-op Irresistible Marsanne 2021

Jean-Claude is one of the star winemakers of the Languedoc and the brains behind this is fantastically put together perky white expressing the Marsanne grape in all its glory. It can be a tough wine to get right, hence why Marsanne is often blended with others to taper it but this is spot on. Think of ripe fruits like peach and pear as well as honey, all countered by a refreshing acidity that keeps you coming back for more. If you like the Viognier above, chances are this is worth picking up too!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £8 Coop

Perelada Només Garnatxa Blanca 2021

White Garnacha (Grenache) is on the up big time and hailing from the region of Empordà in Spain, this is a pure and great embodiment of that. Think weighty, fleshy, creamy white wine with notes of a curiously sweet hit of melon, vanilla, baked apple and white chocolate. This will be just as at home with nuts and cheeses as it will be with poultry – super versatile.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £11.95 Lekker Wines

Best Mid-Tier White Wine for Christmas

Adnams North Otago Chardonnay

With mountains all around, the Waitaki Valley hotbed of wine sits on the river of the same name on the idyllic North Otago, New Zealand. Nestled here is the family-run Forrest estate, growing grapes in white limestone soils with river gravel for mineral rich growth. This is a limited-edition Chardonnay that feels delightfully rich with a toasty, savoury feel. Popcorn and spice show themselves, alongside ripe fruit in a powerful white that is both creamy and chalky. Any meaty fish in rich sauces, this is your bottle.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13.5%
Find here: £19.99 Adnams

Petit Chablis, Vielles Vignes, Domaine Dampt et Fils

The village of Chablis may be tiny, but its reputation and fame is anything but. Petits Chablis uses soils from just outside the area of the top Chablis wines, but with the Dampt estate employing the exact same standards when making it, you wouldn’t notice. The flavours are surprisingly concentrated and beautifully so, with earthy leafiness and chalky feel offsetting melon notes and a touch of noisette. Crisp, clean, well-balanced, and well-rounded – fantastic fundamentals. We think it’d be perfect with smoked salmon or prawns, something along those lines.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £17.99 Laithwaites

G de Guiraud Semillon-Sauvignon 2019

What a wine to fly the flag for white Bordeaux. Toasty, waxy with a zesty finish to pep the bottle up, this is an organically farmed blend with equal parts Semillon and Sauvignon. It’s aged in the old 1er Cru Sauternes barrels to inject real depth and complexity, throwing up notes of ripe peach, lychee, oatmeal, and light lemon. It’s a vibrant palate cleanser so it loves any food. Christmas turkey with every trimming in the book? Pour away.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £15 Coop

Domaine Claude Lafond 'cuvee Nathalie' Reuilly Blanc 2021

This Loire Sauvignon shares the soil with Sancerre, picking up many of the characteristics without the price tag. Every drop oozes class, with leafy lemon flavour, a hint of nuts and a comforting creaminess. Delicious saline finish too. Try it with goats cheese, trust us!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £14.99 Majestic

Domini Veneti 'Foscarino' Soave Classico DOC, 2021

It’s head-turning and mouth-watering stuff from this blend of Garganega, Trebbiano and Chardonnay. Produced from grapes nurtured in volcanic soil in the Soave Classico region, there’s a sturdy saline core with branches of tropical pineapple and citrus, all shrouded in a creamy texture that would work wonders with most seafood dishes. A top-notch all-rounder and faultless bang for your buck!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £10.99 Majestic

Grace Koshu Kayagatake 2021

We’re taking a left field turn off to Japan for a moment if it’s alright with you, because at the very least, you have to see the Koshu grape (seriously, Google it after this) – is it the best-looking grape on the planet?  Mesmerizing pink. The wine itself resembles Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio somewhat, with divine balances of lemon, grapefruit, peach and jasmine. It feels soft and juicy but subtle all over, all whilst being terrifically light if you enjoy that from your wine. Foods like salmon, or perhaps goat cheese will pair nicely.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 11.5%
Find here: £19.99 Novel Wines

Best Top End White Wine for Christmas

La Chablisienne Chablis Grand Cru, Chateau Grenouilles, 2018

Now this would bring more than a dusting of magic to any Christmas gathering, more like sleighfuls! Only a tiny harvest of Chardonnay is grown on ancient terroir for this, before two years of oak aging. This is simply top of the Chablis tree. Beguilingly rich, as rounded as they come, with creamy citrus notes grounded by chalky, mineral character and a kiss of oak. It’s as lively and complex as you expect for the amount it’ll set you back, if not more! Bravo!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £74.95 Le Bon Vin

Gusbourne Guinevere Chardonnay 2020

Brace yourself for this stunner, a super elegant Chardonnay from Gusbourne in Kent. You’ll recognise some overlap with a white Burgundy, with ripe stone fruit, a touch of spice and reassuring texture from 10 months of oak barrel aging. The palate is saline and buttery, with mellow oak and vanilla notes, perfectly balanced by the slight acidity of lemon and lime. As well as being crisp and fresh, there’s intriguing complexity that’s dying to be explored so it’s a super satisfying English wine. A glass of this alongside any creamy fish or chicken pie and you’re laughing!

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £35 Gusborne

If you haven’t been won around by white wine this Christmas then one, well done for making it to the end regardless, and two, we’ve got Christmas guides for beautiful reds and glorious bubbles too!

Words by Calum Ecroyd

9 White Wines Perfect for Summer Sipping

Words by Colin Hampden-White

In the northern hemisphere the summer is in full swing. Records are breaking with the UK hitting 40 degrees centigrade for the first time. Climate change is upon us and it’s not looking good. As a race we are very good at celebrating, but also commiserating so whatever the news be, bad or good let’s pop a cork, and in this heat it’s time for some white wine. With popular varieties like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay flying off the shelves, it’s about time we stopped and recognised some of the other brilliant varieties we can get our mitts on and enjoy in the sun. Whether with food, or an aperitif, with cheese, chocolate or simply by itself, there is a white wine for every occasion. I’d like to show you a few of my favourite varieties which are not the norm but are brilliant. With white wine it really does pay to push the boat out and spend a little extra to get a lot more, and these wines are especially good value even if they are mostly a little over ten pounds.

Chapel Down Bacchus 2019

Starting off this little list is a small bottle. One doesn’t always need or want a full bottle, especially if you’re not sharing, and this little wine is a British classic. Bacchus is a grape variety which thrives in the UK, and in a good summer, which 2019 was, the wine can be even better. This wine goes very well with seafood or Thai food giving a crisp counterbalance to any heat.

Size: 187ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £6.06

Faustino VII Blanco

In Spain they have quite a few different varieties of grape we don’t see much of in the rest of Europe and in Rioja where this wine comes from Viura is used a lot. It’s a variety which is full of fruity flavours and will go very well with Tapas as one would expect, and with pasta dishes. This wine has been fermented in stainless steel giving the wine freshness and vibrancy as it doesn’t have any of the oaky flavours associated with barrel fermentation.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here: £9.45

Hanewald-Schwerdt Riesling Trocken 2018

This is a dry yet very fruity Riesling from Germany, the king of Riesling. Riesling tends to age very well, and I find drinks much better having had a few years in the bottle as this one has. With lots of orchard fruits there is also a mineral backbone to the wine as the grapes are grown in limestone soils. This would be a great accompaniment to seafood, or even something a little fatty like a pork dish or cheese.  

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12%
Find here:  £10.49

Beronia Rioja Viura 2020

Beronia is a well-known brand in the UK for their red wines which are rich and expressive. Their white wine is also full of fruit, and this Rioja has lots of tropical fruit which goes very well with fish, salads, and charcuterie. The balance of the wine is very good with a backbone of acidity able to cut through fattier foods like salami and prosciutto. The slightly raised abv also helps this wine stand up to richer dishes.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.5%
Find here: £11.03

Tornai Furmint F 2017

Furmint is a grape variety which is usually known for producing sweet wines, but the dry wines created from this grape variety can be excellent. The wines are a little like chardonnay and are full of flavour and body. This one has been fermented in stainless steel to keep the freshness and fruitiness in check with a backbone of minerality. Like chardonnay, Furmint can age very well, and this wine at five years old has lots of complexity and will pair very well with complex foods like those from Asia.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £11.72

Diamantakis Vidiano 2018

I am a fan of Vidiano, I go to Crete every year and Vidiano is indigenous to the Island. My favourite Vidiano comes from the Manousakis winery under the brand Nostos, and if you’re in Sweden or the USA you may well be able to find some. But more widely spread is this excellent bottle also from a family fun winery Diamantakis. The wine is fresh as its grapes are grown with a little altitude and it has a creamy velvety texture which pairs very well with risottos and grilled fish.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 13%
Find here: £12.98

Lionel Faury Condrieu La Berne 2018

This is a wine for special occasions or for moments to remember. The name La Berne comes from the previous owners of the land the grapes are grown in, it’s made from 100% Viognier and the vines are over 35 years old. Oak is used in the process with 30% of it being new barrels. The wine has touches of creamy oak in amongst the fruits which are dominated by fresh apricots and touches of orange blossom. At 14% it is full bodied, but very well balanced and like the Vidiano this is a brilliant wine to pair with risotto.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 14%
Find here: £44.95

Inniskillin Gold Vidal Icewine 2018

This wine is from the brilliant 2018 vintage and is made from 100% Vidal grapes which are harvested and then pressed when they are frozen. This process allows the juices to be very concentrated. It is very sweet, but also has a lot of apricot fruit and touches of pomelo. If you’re a fan of Sauternes then this is something different, but is in no way a lesser wine to its more famous cousin. Like Sauternes it pairs well with cheese, but also has enough complexity to have with a main dish too!

Size: 375ml
ABV: 9.5%
Find here: £46.85

Pongracz Brut Brut Méthode Cap Classique

This wine is an absolute bargain. Made from traditional champagne grape varieties in South Africa’s Western Cape, the vines are cooled by a maritime breeze keeping the wine fresh and balanced yet fruity. There are flavours of crisp apples and brioche and a little nuttiness. Like Champagne this wine will pair with many foods but is particularly good with raw fish or Oysters. For under ten pounds, this wine will never fail to impress.

Size: 750ml
ABV: 12.6%
Find here: £9.80

With such variety in the white wine world, it is only right there is a day dedicated to it, but it really needs to be a week! If you try any of the above, don’t let them just be for summer. They are wines which will be very tasty at any time of year and will last for a while in bottle too, just don’t keep them on a top shelve in the kitchen, but rather in a cool cupboard.

If you’re looking for more white wine recommendations, then make sure you check out the Albariño grape and the stunning Spanish wine region of Rueda.

Thursday Club with talk RADIO: Albariño for Albariño Day!

The 1st of August is Albariño Day! Yes, another wine grape day that serves as a fantastic excuse to take a deep dive into a particular wine style. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could LITERALLY do that? Today’s tasting aim is to show that this classy, citrussy, peachy, white Spanish grape is no one trick pony. Experimentation is happening all over the region of Rias Baixas in Galicia, northwestern Spain (where this grape is the queen), which means that we have several styles to choose from these days. Some are zesty and refreshing, perfect alone. Others have a creamy weight thanks to extended ageing on the lees (dead yeast cells left after fermentation) and there is more and more oak ageing happening too that increases texture and body and in some cases, adds a touch of spice. These last two styles can handle various types of cuisine very well. See this article for more on the Albariño grape and its spiritual home in Rias Baixas. 

Don’t forget to check out albarinoday.co.uk for details of

promos and events near you! 

Pazo de Villarei Albariño, Rías Baixas 2020

Pazo translates as a typical house of the region, so something a bit like ‘domaine’ in French. This wine hails from the O Rosal sub-region of Rias Baixas and is a great place to start your Albariño journey, thanks to its approachable, fruity, citrussy freshness.

Find it at The Wine Society here for £9.95.

You & Me Albariño 2019

Taking a small step up with grapes harvested from the Salnés Valley (the most northern and coolest subzone of Rías Baixas), this wine is perky and fresh with floral notes and a touch of peach. There’s a little more body and complexity than the previous wine, so it can handle foods well, especially hard, nutty cheeses, white fish and seafood. 

Find it at Ocado here for £13.99.

Santiago Ruiz `O Rosal` Rías Baixas 2019

Here’s a wine that showcases how well Albariño can blend with other grapes. While 82% is Albariño, there’s a smattering of other local grape varieties that we more traditionally see used in the Vinho Verde wines of Portugal which are literally just around the corner from Rias Baixas. There’s 9% aromatic Loureiro, with 4% Caíño Blanco, 3% Treixadura and 2% Godello for good measure. It’s a crisp and refreshing Albariño with added notes of lime, white flowers and an interesting herbal note too, like lemon balm. One to savour but is still incredibly easy to drink. 

Find it at Bodega Movil here for £17.95.

Check out this link for an article and short video all about Albariño from Rias Baixas! Also, to be in with a chance to win a case of these gorgeous wines head over to our competition!