It’s finally happened, summer is here! At least, it’s trying to be summer... If you’re looking for some great value wines to try over the next couple of months, whether you’re after red, white or rosé, the following would be a great place to start.
They’re all below £10, and easily available from supermarkets or Majestic.
Vin de France Cruset Rosé, Sainsbury’s, £6.00 (usually £7.00)
This is just lovely. Light, dry, gorgeous pale pink colour. It’s bursting with berries and red fruits and summer. For the price, it’s absolutely spot on. A perfect bottle to take to a barbecue to drink in the afternoon, or one for bright, green salads.
Calvet Carcassonne Rosé 2017, Co-op, £6.00
If, like me, you’re basically always dreaming of being in France, this bottle can take you there. Baguette fresh from the shop, yummy, runny Brie, and a glass of this. It’s a blend of 77% Cinsault and 23% Grenache, dry, fresh, full of forest fruits. Rather easy to drink too.
Tesco Coteaux D’aix en Provence Rosé, Tesco, £7.20
It might not be the easiest to pronounce, but it’s a delicious drop. This Provence Rosé is really great value for money. Very fruity, with peach notes and juicy berries and a bit of citrus, too.
Taste the Difference, Jurancon Sec, Sainsbury’s, £9.00
Jurancon is an area in the foothills of the Pyrenees where you’ll find two great, but very unknown white grapes: Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng. I love trying wines with grapes I’ve never heard of, so that’s one box ticked. On top of that, it’s a lovely, interesting wine. Exotic, tangy and vibrant, with lemon and tangerine. It’ll stand up nicely to spicy food too.
Exquisite Rías Baixas Albariño, Aldi, £5.99
I’m really into my Albariño at the moment. It’s from Spain and is perfect for summer with a lovely shellfish dish. This one from Aldi is only £5.99, which is so affordable. It’s dry, light, zesty and a bit herbaceous too, with a finish that just lingers and lingers.
Tesco Finest Mclaren Sauvignon Riesling, Tesco, £9.00
I know I said everyone’s drinking Sauvignon Blanc at the moment, but this is a blend, so it doesn’t count! It’s mostly Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, but also small amounts of Marsanne and Rousanne in there too to add a bit of heft and complexity. It’s lively. You get the zing from the grapefruity Sauvignon Blanc, but that’s balanced out by the other grapes. Juicy and tropical, it will go really nicely with chicken.
Les Jamelles Syrah 2018, Co-op, £7.25
You might think summer is just for white and rose, but there is nothing wrong with opening up a bottle of red at your next barbecue. There’s a lot going on with this wine, and for the money, it gives you more than you might first expect. It’s a bit spicy, herbal, with lip-smacking aromas of wild berries. Perfect with cheese, although anything’s perfect with cheese in my eyes.
Saumur Rouge 2017, Domaine des Vignes Biches, Majestic, £9.99 (mix six)
I’ve just got back from a few days in the Loire Valley and I couldn’t get enough of the Cabernet Franc out there. It’s delicious, and the perfect red wine for summer. Cab Franc tends to be light and juicy. This one has a nice minerality and freshness to it. It’s a bit floral, fruity with a few subtle herbal notes.
Cuvée des Vignerons, Beaujolais, Waitrose, £6.19
This is a spot-on entry-level Beaujolais. Even if you haven’t tried it before, you’ve probably heard of it. It’s made from Gamay grapes, and this one in particular is great popped in the fridge for 30 minutes before you want to drink it. Really versatile, super fresh, almost bubblegum-like.
They’re all below £10, and easily available from supermarkets or Majestic.
Rosé
Summer is the time for drinking Rosé. It's almost a rule. Whether you're someone who drinks Rosé and only Rosé, or someone who never touches the stuff, these three wines are all really tasty. You'll be converted, if you're not already. Promise.
Vin de France Cruset Rosé, Sainsbury’s, £6.00 (usually £7.00)
This is just lovely. Light, dry, gorgeous pale pink colour. It’s bursting with berries and red fruits and summer. For the price, it’s absolutely spot on. A perfect bottle to take to a barbecue to drink in the afternoon, or one for bright, green salads.
Calvet Carcassonne Rosé 2017, Co-op, £6.00
If, like me, you’re basically always dreaming of being in France, this bottle can take you there. Baguette fresh from the shop, yummy, runny Brie, and a glass of this. It’s a blend of 77% Cinsault and 23% Grenache, dry, fresh, full of forest fruits. Rather easy to drink too.Tesco Coteaux D’aix en Provence Rosé, Tesco, £7.20
It might not be the easiest to pronounce, but it’s a delicious drop. This Provence Rosé is really great value for money. Very fruity, with peach notes and juicy berries and a bit of citrus, too.
White
Everyone’s drinking New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc at the moment, so why not try something a little different?Jurancon is an area in the foothills of the Pyrenees where you’ll find two great, but very unknown white grapes: Gros Manseng and Petit Manseng. I love trying wines with grapes I’ve never heard of, so that’s one box ticked. On top of that, it’s a lovely, interesting wine. Exotic, tangy and vibrant, with lemon and tangerine. It’ll stand up nicely to spicy food too.
Exquisite Rías Baixas Albariño, Aldi, £5.99
Tesco Finest Mclaren Sauvignon Riesling, Tesco, £9.00I know I said everyone’s drinking Sauvignon Blanc at the moment, but this is a blend, so it doesn’t count! It’s mostly Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling, but also small amounts of Marsanne and Rousanne in there too to add a bit of heft and complexity. It’s lively. You get the zing from the grapefruity Sauvignon Blanc, but that’s balanced out by the other grapes. Juicy and tropical, it will go really nicely with chicken.
Red
You might think it’s too hot for red wine, but you can pop these bottles in the fridge. They’re all light, fruity and delicious chilled.
You might think summer is just for white and rose, but there is nothing wrong with opening up a bottle of red at your next barbecue. There’s a lot going on with this wine, and for the money, it gives you more than you might first expect. It’s a bit spicy, herbal, with lip-smacking aromas of wild berries. Perfect with cheese, although anything’s perfect with cheese in my eyes.
Saumur Rouge 2017, Domaine des Vignes Biches, Majestic, £9.99 (mix six)
I’ve just got back from a few days in the Loire Valley and I couldn’t get enough of the Cabernet Franc out there. It’s delicious, and the perfect red wine for summer. Cab Franc tends to be light and juicy. This one has a nice minerality and freshness to it. It’s a bit floral, fruity with a few subtle herbal notes.
Cuvée des Vignerons, Beaujolais, Waitrose, £6.19 This is a spot-on entry-level Beaujolais. Even if you haven’t tried it before, you’ve probably heard of it. It’s made from Gamay grapes, and this one in particular is great popped in the fridge for 30 minutes before you want to drink it. Really versatile, super fresh, almost bubblegum-like.
