It is one of the basic laws of physics. For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. What has that to do with wine? Well, as you may have noticed, as the pound sinks ever lower, wine prices are on the rise. Despite the bigger retailers doing deals well ahead of the Brexit vote, price rises are trickling through, slowly at first but expect bigger jumps soon. So it makes sense to buy ahead now, and store it against the siege conditions that will undoubtedly prevail for the next few years.
I have tasted more than 1,000 wines in the last few weeks as the supermarkets uncork their new vintages and ranges. Here is my top 20 selection of the best buys under £10 to tuck under your stairs while we wait for the politicians to unravel us from Europe.
£5 and under
Wine Atlas Feteasca Regala 2014, Romania, Asda, £4.97: Melon, passion fruit and pineapple flavours in this wine, in enough volume to bring a smile to any face. Crisp and zippy on the finish, so it goes well with a winter salad or lightly spiced stir-fries.
Terra Pegoes Vinho Branco 2015, Portugal, Majestic, normally £5.99 down to £4.99 on mix-six deal until November 28: A light, crisp, easy-drinking wine with white blossom aromas and melon and apricot fruit.
Tesco Spanish Tempranillo, Valdepeñas, Tesco, £3.50: Simple, dark red fruit flavours edged with spice. Remarkable value for money.
Côtes du Rhône Villages 2015, France, Aldi, £3.89: I have no idea how they do this wine for the price, but it is soft, fruity and perfectly good enough for any Monday to Wednesday drinking.
Gran Colina Joven Rioja 2015, Spain, Asda, £4.98: Rounded cherry and raspberry fruit, with no tannins getting in the way of the flavour.
£5-£6
Ch. Moulin de Launay 2015, Bordeaux, France, Co-op, £5.99: Crisp and lively, this is a blend of Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc with just a splash of Muscadelle to keep the floral and fruity notes bright. Keep a bottle in the fridge to go with starters.
Finest Limestone Coast Chardonnay 2015, Australia, Tesco, £6: A million miles away from the over-oaked Aussie Chardonnays of old. This has melon and peach fruit, a rounded, food-friendly style and absolutely no oak.
Wm. Morrison Fiano 2015, Italy, Morrisons, £6: Soft herb-dusted peachy notes with a rounded texture. Great with a winter salad.
The Exquisite Collection Ribera del Duero 2015, Spain, Aldi, £5.99: Full of chunky, chewy dark cherry and plum fruit with enough structure to last at least a year. Great with roast lamb.
Cerro del Masso Poggiotondo 2015 Chianti, Tuscany, Italy, Waitrose, normally £7.99, down to £6 on 25 per cent off six bottles offer until November 8: A seriously good Chianti with cherry, spice and truffle notes and a long silky finish. Stock up with this one. Its taste is several notches above its offer price.
The Astronomer Shiraz 2-14, De Bortoli, Australia, Majestic, normally £6.99 down to £5.99 on mix-six deal until November 28: Terrific value for money even at its full price, the rounded, spice-edge, damson and bramble fruit in this wine shines out of the glass. Team it with burgers and sausages.
£6-£8
The Co-op Irresistible Explorer’s Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016, New Zealand, Co-op, £6.99: This is the crisp, zesty, gooseberry-packed, new vintage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and it will happily keep for a whole year.
Taste the Difference Godello 2015, Spain, Sainsbury’s, £8: With crunchy apple and peach notes backed by fresh lemon acidity, this is a wine with a difference. Perfect with any kind of fish or seafood.
Wm. Morrisons Languedoc Red, France, Morrisons, £7: This comes from ex-rugby star and now excellent wine producer Gérard Bertrand. Made from a blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvèdre, it has masses of dark fruits and a touch of liquorice all wrapped up in supple tannins.
Ch. Pey la Tour 2014, Bordeaux, France, Waitrose, normally £9.99, down to £7.49 until December 6: A seriously good claret with dark cherry and cassis fruit and silky tannins.
Finest Viña del Cura Rioja Reserva 2011, Spain, Tesco, £8: Multi medal-winning Rioja from Baron de Ley, who is regarded as one of Spain’s best producers, this has summer fruit flavours, edged with subtle, elegant oak. Good enough for weekend roasts.
£8-£10
Rustenberg Chardonnay 2015, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Waitrose, normally £13.49 down to £9.99 until December 6: While the pound has fallen the South African rand has strengthened so prices of these lovely wines will firm and may even rise. Stock up with this elegant, mineral-infused, apricot and white-peach style of Chardonnay.
Lo Abarca Riesling 2016, Chile, Marks & Spencer, £10: Riesling isn’t everyone’s favourite grape but this is a sensational wine. With light, fresh floral aromas, clear lime-edged fruit, zingy acidity and a touch of minerally crunch, this will partner any Asian dish with ease.
Ch. Lauriol 2012, Côtes de Francs, France, Majestic, normally £11.99, down to £9.99 on mix-six deal until November 28: This is a new addition to the Majestic range so it may take a week or so to arrive in stores, but it is well worth waiting for. Mainly Merlot with a substantial splash of Cabernet Franc, expect a lifted, herbal note on the nose, wrapped up in lovely, soft, cassis fruit.
Norton Winemaker’s Reserve Malbec 2014, Lujan de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina, Waitrose, normally £11.99, down to £8.99 on 25 per cent off six bottle offer until November 8: A powerful chunky, winter-weight Malbec that will keep your wallet warm for ages. Buy enough to last two winters.
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