Aldi, Kooliburra, Shiraz Cabernet, 2022, South East Australia
At £4 from Aldi you can’t expect much and therefore you won’t be disappointed with this red wine. The main problem is the thinness of it. Sure there’s some blackcurrant and plum flavours but these are quite non-discript. It’s a party wine, to be opened at the end of the party. Sorry but to be avoided.
St Hugo, Chardonnay, 2022, Eden Valley, Australia
I am partial to a crisp buttery chardonnay and was looking forward to tasting this one from St Hugo’s but it wasn’t quite what I expected. Its a dry, crisp white wine with plenty of acidity. Lots of green apples and grass with a big hit of lemon and some grapefruit make it unbalanced to me. I was hoping for more buttery and vanilla notes and these make come through in the coming years if left.
At £20 a bottle its not cheap and I would like to try it again in 5 or 7 years to see how it matures.
Coastal Reach, Bacchus, 2022, England
Made for Grape Passions in Essex this is sold in a Michelin restaurant in London and a big seller all round and I can see why. Madd by an ex Cloudy Bay wine maker it’s hot excellent qualities. Off dry with high acidity there are flavours of citrus, apple, tropical fruits, hints of gooseberry and grapefruit. There’s a creaminess sitting around and a chunk of sweetness, yet light and fresh. At £22 a bottle it’s way over priced though.
Bio Full, Sauvignon Blanc, Organic, 2022, France
Sauvignon Blanc has become a well known grape thanks in part to New Zealand making gallons of wine from it but France was there decades earlier making good quality wine from this little grape. Made from organic grapes it’s less gooseberry than New Zealands typical offers with more grapefruit and hints of lemon and citrus in the background. I liked thd dryness and high acidity but there was a hint of sourness that stayed a bit long for me. At £13 a bottle it’s a bit overpriced.
Domaine de la Croix Salain, Macon Villages, 2022, France
Domaine de la Croix Salain in the Macon Villages area makes some lovely Chardonnay. Clean, crisp, fresh with lemon and citrus notes. A little stone fruit pops through with a little creaminess. At £16 a bottle from Majestic Wine it’s good value. Great with seafood or try with cheese.
Villa Maria, Private Bin, Sauvignon Blanc, 2022, New Zealand
I do like a good Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand, a Grey Wackie for example but this one from Villa Maria has a slightly different take on the traditional style. It’s dry, has good body and acidity. There are aromas and flavours of pineapple and grapefruit with a little lemon. The usual gooseberry hit is low on the list, it’s there but you need to concentrate to find it. One I’ll happy drink again. At £10 a bottle it’s good value
Domaine De Lavoie, Blanc Mousseux Brut, 2022, Quebec, Canada
Domaine De Lavoie is east of Montreal in the eastern townships. Its big producer by Canadian standards producing 100,000+ bottles. Their sparkling Brut is made in the same method as Prosecco. With a greeny lime colour its dry, highly acidic. Flavours of green apple and lime features heavy with an aromatic twist. It’s different but for me this is positive.
The down side is availability outside of the local area and the price tag of CAD20+ a bottle. Its a shame they don’t export to the UK although the cost would be a problem as it would compete with Prosecco.
Dr Loosen, Slate Hill, Riesling, 2022, Mosel, Germany
I tried the 2016 version of this Slate Hill Riesling in 2020 and im happy to say its still great wine line. Aromas of lychee and citrus with hints of petroleum in there. The taste is refreshing with fresh citrus and lime under note with minerality poking though. The length is excellent and the underlying sweetness is beautifully integrated making this a great wine. At £10 a bottle it’s amazing value.
Martín Códax, Albariño, 2022, Spain
This Albarino from Spain is a great example of the grape, dry, light with a good dope of acidity. You get lemon, citrus and hints of peach on the flavours side. This would go very well with sea food, pasta in a white source or a zesty salad. At £13 a bottle it’s decent value.
Casal de Ventozela, Vinho Verde, 2022, Portugal
Casal de Ventozela, Vinho Verde is almost the perfect rose wine for the summer. For me it has more than a Provence rose which is welcome but there is something missing. Dry, crisp with flavours of cranberry and raspberry it’s excellent value for £10 a bottle. I would like a bit more subtle flavours but it’s £10 so what can you expect.
It got 86 points and a bronze medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 which is a bit mean. Personally I think 90 points and a Silver is more like it.