Many people commit to foregoing alcohol for the month of January after the expense and excess of Christmas but I prefer a different approach whereby you cut down on paying out large amounts on alcoholic drinks and take the opportunity to explore what is on offer at the cheaper end of the wine aisle. In this case I am pleased to report that Waitrose has some pretty decent discounts until 30th January on a selection of already relatively cheap bottles and I reckon that even if you bought one of each of the wines that follow you would have a reasonable stash of wines to drink in the next few weeks. And incidentally 'one of each' would add up to a total of £40.44, working out at an average of just £6.74 per bottle.
ABRUZZO
This region on the Adriatic side of central Italy is the go-to place for inexpensive wine and, fortunately, there are inexpensive whites and reds available that will not break the bank. The white is Pecorino Terre di Chieti IGP which is conveniently discounted from £8.49 to £5.99 until the end of the month. This is always going to be a budget wine but it too is fruity and easy going andmakes a welcome alternative to the ubiquitous Italian Pinot Grigio. Waitrose describe it as "fresh, with tropical notes and a delicate floral finish" and it was recommended back in October in the Independent as one of their '12 best wines that will impress everyone this Christmas (and beyond)'. And if you don't know why the label on this wine (and many other pecorino-based wines) frequently feature sheep, look it up! Give it a try.
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| Pecorino Terre di Chieti |
At the same price you should try the classic red wine from Abruzzo too, in this case Canaletto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo also £5.99 until the end of January, and a significant discount from £8.99. This is a soft, juicy, full-bodied wine that is an ideal accompaniment to pizza and straightforward Italian pasta dishes. The Waitrose blurb describes it as having "layer upon layer of damson and morello cherry flavours and a long elegant finish". The local Montepulciano grape is often blended with up to 15% Sangiovese but in this case I believe it is 100% Montepulciano.
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| Canaletto Montepulciano d'Abruzzo |
A COUPLE OF WHITES
In my opinion Viognier is a grape that really offers something interesting and worthwhile and it is now planted worldwide following initial success in the northern Rhône. It is a delicious alternative to Chardonnay and produces perfumed and aromatic wines with slightly more depth than that the Pecorino above. In Waitrose the following wine from Languedoc-Roussillion in the SW of France is another inexpensive buy at £7.99 (from £9.99) until the end of the month: Laurent Miquel Nocturnes Viognier IGP Pays d'Oc. The 'nocturnal' element here is the commitment to picking grapes during the night when cooler temperatures ensure fruit in good condition for immediate pressing. Apricot, pear and honeysuckle on the nose leads critics to suggests it's an ideal aperitif wine, but I think it's a decent food-friendly wine too.
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| Laurent Miquel Nocturnes Viognier IGP Pays d'Oc |
And who couldn't resist a Sauvignon Blanc at £5.99? Here I propose Côtes de Gascogne Les Collines de Luzanet Sauvignon Blanc which is discounted by a third to £5.99 from £8.99. I enjoyed it last year in January when it was also reduced to £5.99. At the time I wrote about the winemakers of Gascony in SW France having success producing fresh white wines combining local grape varieties such as Colombard, Gros Manseng, Ugni Blanc with Sauvignon Blanc. Not only are these wines good, they are great value too. This one is a blend of Sauvignon Blanc with Colombard. It is also refreshingly light at just 11% abv.
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| Côtes de Gascogne Les Collines de Luzanet Sauvignon Blanc |
AND FINALLY A PAIR OF REDS
I always feel that a good basic red is a better bet than a white although appreciate this might be an unsubstantiated personal view. Nevertheless the first of my two choices here is Esprit des Trois Pierres Costières de Nîmes currently down from £9.99 to £7.49. It's a classic GSM (Grenache, Syrah, Moudèvre) blend from an area on the west side of the Rhône delta near the delightful city of Nîmes. It's an appellation that regularly produces decent reds that are well-priced in comparison to many indifferent Côtes du Rhône offerings. Waitrose note that "blackberry and plum fruit flavours dominate" and Olly Smith has previously highlighted the "silky tapestry of spice".
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| Esprit des Trois Pierres Costières de Nîmes |
The final red to mention is Palacio de Primavera Tinto, a young medium-bodied Rioja made from 100% Tempranillo. Don't expect the big boldness of an aged Rioja but its relative lightness makes it a versatile choice for everyday drinking. The Waitrose website highlights its "aromas of wild blackberries, subtle spices and mocha" and suggests a "balanced and intense wine with velvety tannins". It is reduced to £6.99 from £9.49 and, unlike the other wines noted here appears to be held at this discounted price for a further month, until 27th February 2024.
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| Palacio de Primavera Tinto |
I hope you enjoy these suggestions. With the exception of the Spanish wine above the discounted prices are until the end of January.
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