I’ve discovered some great new wines recently:

A Chilean Duo

A duo of delicious and great value Chilean wines from Viña San Pedro’s 35 South is now available at Sainsbury’s.

35 South Sauvignon Blanc and 35 South Cabernet Sauvignon are produced in the heart of latitude 35° south, where Viña San Pedro has been crafting wines for almost 160 years. Offering great wines at an affordable price for everyday drinking, 35 South was a pre-existing brand that has now been revived and updated for the modern drinker.

Viña San Pedro is one of the most awarded wineries in Chile for sustainability, and it was the first winery in the world with a biogas renewable energy station, which feeds Chile’s central electric system. 

35 South Sauvignon Blanc and 35 South Cabernet Sauvignon are fab and available from Sainsbury’s, priced at £7.75 per single bottle and £8.00 respectively.

A Great Pair from Gordon

If you didn’t know that Gordon Ramsay has a wine range in his business portfolio, it’s worth looking for them in your local supermarket.

Gordon Ramsay’s wines are crafted in collaboration with world-renowned winemaker Alberto Antonini. Made from hand-harvested grapes in fine Italian vineyards, these surprisingly good wines embody quality, heritage, and value. 

There’s a Pinot Grigio (crisp, dry, refreshingly citrus with ripe pear notes, from the Delle Venezie DOC region) and Intenso Rosso (a bold red from Sangiovese, Merlot and Montepulciano grapes with redcurrant, blackberry and flinty notes and a velvety finish) 

RRP £8.50 (available at major supermarkets, including Tesco, Morrisons, and Asda).

 

A Regal Romanian

Romanian wine is a relatively new one for me, and this one was a revelation.

This Sorcova Fetească Regală is a zesty modern take on this famous variety. Similar in taste to Chardonnay, Fetească Regală is one of Romania’s best-known grape varieties. 

Pale yellow with hints of green, fresh and fruity with citrus and jasmine on the nose, light and crisp, it’s full of fruit flavour. It’s a perfect aperitif wine for drinking well chilled with good friends, but also pairs well with creamy pasta, seafood and even Asian dishes. 

What’s more, it’s well priced and available at £9 a bottle from Waitrose Cellar.

An Unusual Sparkling

Ume fruit is a popular fruit in Japan, offering a unique tasting experience reflecting Japanese cultures and traditions. 

There is a range of liqueurs available that are great for cocktails,  but I was most impressed with the Choya Ume Salute Sparkling Wine – a crisp and refreshing blend of Italian wine blended with Choya’s exotic sparkling plum wine.

It’s a wonderful marriage of Japanese and Italian wines, best enjoyed chilled as an aperitif or with your favourite food.

RRP: 75cl from £11.99 ABV 5.5% from: DrinkSupermarket and Master of Malt

A Great Low Alco and Calorie Choice

6PERCENT is a premium wine brand made in Bordeaux, offering half the alcohol and calories of traditional wines.

6PERCENT Red is a lighter wine developed by husband & wife team, Russell & Gabriella Lamb, born out of frustration at the after effects of a few glasses of wine, and the lack of satisfying low-no options. They believe that if beer and cider can have 6% ABV or less and still taste great, then wine can too. 

Made using traditional winemaking methods and pioneering technology, 6PERCENT Red is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot that features red berries, black cherry and blackcurrant, complemented by mocha oak and vanilla notes. The wine offers a velvety mouthfeel and a lingering finish and really is rather good. 

6PERCENT Red (RRP: £12.50) is available now from 6percent.wine as well as independent retailers including Club Soda and Drink Well.