First of the Summer Wine: Best Bargain Wines of the Summer

It’s fair to say that in Britain, we do like a drink. After all, we are joint 15th in the OECD legue table of alcohol consumption per capita! So, no matter the time of year, we often find an excuse for a pint of beer or a glass of wine. But beer is easy. If you’re a lager drinker you can probably cope with anything that’s on offer, and if you’re into ales or craft beers, you can normally sample before you buy. Wine, less so. Despite the best efforts of the wine community to eradicate the stigmas of pomposity and inaccessibility, it's still something of a scary subject for most of us.  

Well, summer is still upon us, and it’s as good a time as any to shed any preconceived ideas you might have. Really, curiosity is all you need. That’s how I got started, only three years ago. And, as I've learned from experience, there are far worse chores than getting acquainted with different wines. Think of it as a bit like listening to the radio and discovering new tunes along the way. For the most part, you’re in the hand of the DJ, and the key is to remain open-minded and objective. You can come to it with your past experiences: some of what you hear you may like, some not so much. 

If you’re uncertain where to start but want to make the best decision possible, paying a visit to your local wine shop is a step in the right direction. I could list a thousand reasons why, but the principal one is that, unlike a supermarket, there will be someone there who has not only tried most of the available wines but can also recommend you something for your taste and budget. And if you don't yet have a preference, they can talk you through some options. What's more, wine shops will often do free tastings, or simply have a bottle open for customers to try.

Now, to the actual wine. In terms of regions and grape varieties to look out for this summer, Sauvignon Blanc is still very much out there, but New Zealand is not the only player. South Africa and France have evolved dramatically and are capable of great balance between fruit and citrussy acidity. Another great style of fresh, clean and zippy whites comes from Albarino in Rias Baixas, Spain but sub-£10 examples are rare and often not worth bothering with. Chardonnay, despite all the ‘Marmite’ chatter there is about it, has enough flexibility to cater for everyone’s tastes: light and elegant or heavy and creamy. If red is your type of colour, Beaujolais is a great playground in the summer with loads of juicy thirst-quenching sweet fruits.

Here is a small selection of some great wines you’ll find for around a tenner in all good wine shops.

Whites

Cotes du Luberon – Grenache Blanc, Macabbeu, Luberon, France (M&S)

An alter-Chardonnay made with Grenache Blanc and Vermentino from the country of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Fresh apples, lemon and a hint of banana on the nose, mineral, lemony and weighty on the palate. Good, clean acidity on the finish. Good value for money.

Domaine de la Rablais – Sauvignon Blanc, Touraine, France (Reserve Wines, Manchester)

This is a great wine for the price. Making the bridge between New World (New Zealand/Australia) and Old World (France), this has equal amount of ripe apple and pear fruits and crisp minerality with a superb, clean finish. I love this wine.

Quinta da Raza – Arinto and Azal, Vinho Verde, Portugal (R&H Fine Wines, Liverpool)

Lively and bright with a little spritz on the tongue and tangy citrus and grapefruit. Razor sharp acidity and great freshness. Superb with fish and seafood.

The Listening Station – Chardonnay, Australia (Hanging Ditch, Manchester)

A light and refreshing style of Chardonnay, with just a touch of vanilla from the oak to give a bit of weight and complexity. Still full of ripe fruits and a great citrussy acidity to keep it clean and crisp.

Sepp Moser – Gruner Vetliner, Austria (Reserve Wines)

From a producer dedicated to Biodynamic viticulture. Lime and Orange, hint of spice and a steely acidity this will accompany all your East Asian flavoured dishes perfectly.

Taste the Difference, Soave Classico – Garganega, Italy (Sainsbury’s)

For the Pinot Grigio amateurs, this is a decent alternative. Light, simple and easy-going, this can be used as a doorway to more satisfying wines but not necessarily more challenging.

Reds

One Chain, The Wrong ‘Un – Shiraz, Cabernet-Sauvignon, Australia (Reserve Wines)

A corker (pun intended) for the money. Medium-bodied, juicy berry fruits with a certain chewiness from adequate tannins, hints of spice and vanilla from the oak. A great red to have on a sunny Saturday afternoon with your mates and a Barbie going.

Las Gavias – Garnacha, Campo de Borja, Spain (Evuna NQ, Manchester)

Another one that is pretty good for the price, from the new branch of Evuna in the Northern Quarter. Bright and concentrated black fruits, juicy and moreish with good tannins and a meaty quality.

George Duboeuf, Fleurie – Gamay, Beaujolais Cru, France (Sainsbury’s)

I think Beaujolais has suffered a bad period in recent years but we are past that now. Gamay is a very fruity, playful grape and this wine is the embodiment of the word "drinkable". Sweet strawberries and cherries, a little bubblegum, mellow tannins. Give it a go.