Back to Down Under
Happy Tuesday Club Members!
Hope you all had a great weekend. All my visitors are now back home and freelancing work with Friend is done so I have a bit more time this week to check out some wines for you.
Since the holidays are approaching, I thought I also get a little collection ready for those who wish to surprise friends and relatives with a nice bottle but can’t do it in person. So keep an eye out for our newsletter on Friday for online shopping tips.
Do you fancy trying somewhere new? Why don’t you head to our Home page and check out those places I visited recently.
Today’s mood calls for ….
Wines from Down Under
Oh, winter has certainly arrived here this week! Cold, dark evenings, frozen windscreens, chance of snow… I suppose it’s normal this time of the year but it made me rethink my search ideas for the week.
Most people seem to think red wine should be the only wine we consume during winter months but I have another theory! As soon as I try something that’s full of tropical, flowery notes and enough body and character to whisk me off to a warmer place then I am going to try it, no matter the colour.
So this week I decided to check out some whites from the local supermarket, all from Down Under and also at a great offer price!
The first one I picked had to be a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. I can’t remember when was the last time I had one but honestly, I enjoyed it as much as I did many many years ago.
Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc
You will recognise a New Zealand Sauvignon in your glass almost instantly. Herbaceous-yet-floral aroma, complimented by a juicy, yet zesty, citrus zing in your mouth. This one has a particularly vibrant flavour of passionfruit and a touch of kafir lime too. The usual herb tones, freshly cut grass and green bell peppers are also noticeable. Beautifully balanced Sauvignon with great acidity and a clean, sharp finish.
Have I had a better Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough? Yes. Have I had any better in terms of value for money and consistency? No. If your go-to wine is a Marlborough Sauvignon then look no further, won’t get a better one for this price!
Name: Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc
Origin: Marlborough, New Zealand
Grape: 100% Sauvignon Blanc
ABV: 12.5%
Notes: Passionfruit, kafir lime and gooseberry aromas, welcoming notes of freshly cut grass and green bell peppers on the nose. Medium body, great acidity, clean and crisp finish. Very moreish!!!
Price: £8.50/bottle or Buy 3 for £21
Where: Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc | Morrisons
Looking for even more offers on New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc?
Sainsbury’s has dropped the price again on the staple Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc and it is only £8.50/bottle! And if you buy 6 or more, you get 25% off too.
Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 75cl | Sainsbury's (sainsburys.co.uk)
Greasy Fingers Big Buttery Chardonnay
This one is brand new to the market and has only been launched at certain supermarkets a couple of weeks ago, which meant I had to try it!
The team at Pernod Ricard UK decided to launch 2 new ‘cool’ wines, designed to be the perfect match for gourmet fast food such as fries and burgers. It is definitely aimed at the younger generation with its funky label and the idea that food and wine pairing doesn’t have to be pretentious. It can be as convenient as ordering a burger on a Wednesday night.
This Chardonnay welcomes you with a lovely, sweet oak aroma on the nose. A hint of vanilla too, which carries on the palate ever so smoothly. Sweet peaches, cinnamon and those creamy flavours work so well together. The green apples at the end bring a bold and crisp finish to this Chardonnay. Maybe wasn’t as ‘big and buttery’ as it claimed to be but I was surprisingly pleased with this bottle.
It was fun, quite flavoursome and easy to drink, it will be a crowd-pleaser!
Name: Greasy Fingers Big Buttery Chardonnay
Origin: South Australia
Grape: 100% Chardonnay
ABV: 13%
Notes: Vanilla and sweet oak on the nose, followed by peaches and cinnamon on the palate. Slight creaminess to it, medium-bodied with great acidity to finish.
Price: £8.50/bottle ( original price is £10 )
Recommend with: I know it is supposed to be a burger but I think it would go quite well with a roast chicken
Where: Greasy Fingers Big Buttery Chardonnay 750ml | Sainsbury's (sainsburys.co.uk)
So Friend and I decided to change and shake up our weekly Accidental Wine Club and we started to plan ahead, I mean properly. I got so excited about it that somehow ( Friend doesn’t know it yet ) I pretty much planned the theme for the rest of the year. Country, region, grape, it should be a good bunch for all. And guess what? Our Instagram page is almost ready and you will be able to join us there too on our wine journey. So keep an eye on the details, we can’t wait to share it with you!
Next time…
Shopping for wine online, Sauvignon Blanc is back in the game, an exciting red wine from Australia
Have a grape day!
The 4pm Club