Felsina, Berardenga, Chianti Classico, 2006, Italy
We first had this Chianti Classico about 15 years ago from a sale by Grape Passion in Witham, Essex. This was the last bottle that was hidden away from that order. It’s still pretty good, dry, soft and very integrated. Subtle red fruit flavours that make it understated but very drinkable still. At £25 a bottle for the latest vintages it’s classic Chianti. Its like a classic Porsche, when drive slowly.
Ferrari, Maximum, Sparkling wine, Italy
Chardonnay from Italy is not something that the average consumer would get to try. This Ferrari, Maximum, Sparkling wine from Italy is a Chardonnay which will rival most French offerings. Dry, crisp, it’s classy and refined. Its very Chardonnay is the best I can say. Its like a Jaguar car when its working perfectly, excellent.
Ventua, Mencia, 2022, Bierzo, Spain
I don’t believe that I have tasted wine made from the Mencia grape before but it’s rather good. Balanced, good length with plenty of red fruit, soft tannins and an easy drinking style, it’s an excellent wine. A Silver medal winning wine at the Decanter World Wine Awards it’s great value at Eur20 a bottle.
Maison Bouachon
Le Moulin Teyroud Chateauneuf-du-Pape
Casale del Giglio, Matidia, Cesanese, 2022, Lazio, ItalyI was intrigued by this wine made by Casale del Giglio, with the Cesanese grape, from Lazio, Italy.
A dry red wine with red cherry and redcurrant flavours it’s an easy drinking wine, quite light in body and flavours though. It’s not bad but at £22 a bottle I would expect much more.
Thorrington Mill, Bacchus, 2022, Essex, UK
Nestling in the Essex countryside is the Thorrington Mill Vineyard. While not a massive producer it does make some excellent wine. This 2022 Bacchus is a classy wine. A dry, refined Bacchus with subtle flavours of grapefruit, citrus with a little peach and hint of flint, it’s well worth trying. A well deserved gold received at the 2024 Essex wine awards, see www.essexwineawards.co.uk and at under £20 a bottle very reasonably priced.
Le Mont Terre, Sauvignon Blanc, 2024, Western Cape, South Africa
Zesty and fresh sums up this Sauvignon Blanc wine from Le Mont Terre in the Western Cape in South Africa. It’s OK, dry and with citrus, lemon and a touch of lime it’s a summer’s white wine made to be drunk while watching a sunset or with a proper Zesty salad. At £5 from Aldi it’s very good value. It’s no Gold medal winner but as a drinking wine, spot on.
Aldi bring some great wines to the masses and this Cairanne from the Cotes Du Rhone is reasonable. Dry, yes but it’s not what I would say is intense or full bodied as said on the bottle. Its smooth with plenty of red berry flavours and very drinkable but a little lacking for what it’s meant to be. That said at under £8 a bottle it’s worth half a dozen bottles for easy drinking.
Aldi, Mount Ridge, Sauvignon Blanc, 2023, Marlborough, New Zealand
Aldi, Mount Ridge, Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is a classic New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. Dry, crisp with citrus, gooseberry and green apple with a touch of grass. It’s typical with a little extra. It’s no Gold medal wine, its not subtle but very drinkable. At under £10 a bottle it’s reasonable value. At £5 a bottle on offer I wished I had bought more than 3 bottles.
Sainsbury’s, Zero Alcohol, Rose, Germany
Sainsbury’s supermarket in the UK sell a lot of wine and theres usually something for everyone, incl thise refraining from alcohol. Their Rosé zero alcohol wine is rather good. There’s no real aroma, if anything it’s a bit artificial on the nose, but the taste is good, it tastes like wine. Off dry with red berries and a hint of cream soda it’s very pleasant. Whether you call it wine is another question but I’m happy to drink it.