We’re all feeling the pinch at the moment and it doesn't look like things are going to change any time soon. The impact of Covid, Brexit and war in Europe is taking its toll on the availability and the pricing of so many things we used to take for granted and wine is no exception. The good news for wine is that as technology and winemaking has come on so much, a cheap wine doesn't have to mean sulphurous vinegar; these days, you can actually taste what the wine is meant to be! Here are four wines you should get into your fridge right now.
Taste The Difference Portuguese Alvarinho, £7.50
In the UK, we tend to know this grape better in its Spanish guise as Albarino. It’s equally famous in Portugal, where you’ll find a lot of it in the north of the country both as a single grape wine or as part of a blend in teh famous, light and spirtzy Vinho Verde wines. This one is still very light and elegant with subtle, peach and lemon notes and a hint of smoke. Super refreshing.
Find it here at Sainsbury’s.
Taste The Difference Viognier 2021, £8
Viognier is the famous white grape of the Rhone Valley in France, famous for its oily weight nda texture and its gorgeous, ripe aromatics and flavours of peach, honeysuckle, white chocolate and citrus. Made by top French producer Laurent Miquel, this Viognier hails from a little further south. It’s beautifully balanced, showing great Viognier character - hard to do at this price level, but they’ve smashed it.
Find it here at Sainsbury’s.
Taste The Difference Grüner Veltliner ‘Traisental’ 2021, £9
Gru-V, as I like to call it, is the flagship Austrian white grape that is really finding its way into people’s hearts today - and this one is sensational for the price. Steely, bone dry and minerally with notes of baked apple, white peach, white pepper and a ginger kick on the finish. Serious and easy going at the same time. This rally punches above its weight.
Find it here at Sainsbury’s.
Taste The Difference Jurançon Sec 2021 £9 on offer for £7
Jurançon is a little region in South West France in the sun-drenched foothills of the Pyrenees. Here, they use lots of indigenous grapes including the brilliantly named Gros Manseng & Petit Manseng, which are the two grapes in this particular blend. Often, these grapes can make sweet wines but this one is dry, zesty and incredibly refreshing while also having a ton of ripe greengage, tangerine and melon notes. A bit different and totally loveable.
Find it here at Sainsbury’s.
See what else I’ve been tasting with Mike Graham on talkTV here!