Tipples in Tesco

Some bangers for between 10-15 quid in big Tesco

Here’s the thing, nine times out of ten, you aren’t going to wine merchants, ordering bottles of wine online, or even really going to Majestic - most people get their bottles of the good stuff just before heading off to a dinner or a party, veering into Saino’s, Tesco, Aldi etc. And likelihood is, you aren’t spending more than 10-15 quid at a time, especially if you’re not sure on the quality of the wine.

So most of the decisions are made in those mentally pale LED lit aisles, and if you go into one of the big ones, you are spoilt for choice. I often get decision paralysis. How on earth are you meant to choose from six shelves high and about 25 metres worth of bottle after bottle. So this week I went into Tesco’s and picked out a few bottles, across the different colours and countries, that are worth picking up and looking out for.

One big tip, is the Taste the Difference/whatever other supermarket call their higher end stuff, typically is in collaboration with pretty good wine makers in the regions you’re after, so they are always worth considering. Pick the grape you want and the region you want, and 9 times out of 10, its pretty pleasant. Anyway, to the rec’s.

1. Famille Perrin Côtes du Rhône

   • This family also produce a Chateauneuf that Tesco sell for 26 quid. Côtes du Rhône at this price point, with this pedigree, its going to be pretty delicious.

2. Tesco Finest The Trilogy Malbec

   • As above - this Malbec is at a lower price than most of them I saw on the shelf, but made from high altitude vineyards in Mendoza - you’ll get that lovely red fruit and chocolate finish. The winemaker was also in charge of Catena Zapata Malbec which commands close to 100 quid a bottle - so the pedigree is pretty class.

   

3. Luis Felipe Edwards Merlot

   • Dad had this as a mid-week glass with a steak on Wednesday and it was fruity, balanced on the palate, and the finish lingered way more than I expected - really delicious wine. Great pairing too with the beef. I’m not usually a 100% Merlot person, but this one is great from Chile and again, high altitude so perfect conditions for the Merlot grape.

     

4. Rustenberg Wild Ferment Chardonnay

   • One of my all time favourite vineyards in Stellenbosch and without the punch of oak, its a really welcoming glass, super refreshing and all in all, a lovely refined Chardonnay. Hot summer’s day and this one will be a belter.

   

5. Tesco Finest Soave Superiore

   • Again from an award winning producer brought in to do the Tesco Finest range, its a brilliant example of Soave, made from the Garganega grape. It comes from the the north-east of Italy about half an hour from Verona. You get stone fruits and citrus, as well as that beautiful salinity/saltiness, bit like a Sauvignon Blanc, and its aged 10 months in oak too, so tastes somewhat like a Sancerre. Awesome wine for just over 8 quid.

     

6. Graham Beck Vintners Selection

   • Need I say more for that price?

   

Hopefully this provides a bit of guidance as to what to look out for. You can find some really great wines just wandering about, so take your time, have a think about what kind of thing you’re after, and honestly, just give it a whirl.

Love and Champagne,

Harry