Wine: Something special for Christmas

Friday, 24 October 2008

Christmas will soon be here and that's a good reason to get consumers to trade up to something special. Independent Retail News drinks editor Andrew Skingley and the IRN tasting team set out to identify the best value for money wines retailing at between £6 and £10 a bottle

It was a big job, but we decided to tackle a selection of premium-priced wines from around the world. There's a huge market in wines retailing at up to £5 a bottle, but there's always an opportunity to trade consumers up to ‘something special', especially when it comes to Christmas.

As usual we incited the major wine companies, cash and carries and symbol groups to submit their best value reds and whites. The wines we tasted came from all around the world - lots of New World and just a few Old World contenders - and provided us with a huge, but enjoyable, tasting challenge.

In fact, there were so many good wines we found it impossible to identify a clear winner and, for that reason, chose three winners and three runners-up in both the red and white wine categories.

The winning wines come from the multi-national wine producers, from specialist wine suppliers to the trade and, this time, from Booker and Spar.

There is lots of good wine out there - and perhaps our recommendations will help you pick some winners for your store. Merry Christmas!

Red winners

Red Hill Estate Shiraz, Vinoceros, Australia, £9.99

"This wine is at the top end of the market, but worth every penny. This is an elegant Australian Shiraz that's been produced in a cool climate and delivers lots of character," says one judge.

"This is a boutique area offering wine at an affordable price. Put this on the Christmas table - it would be lovely with the Christmas turkey," adds another.

Chianti Reserva, Spar, Italy, £6.99

"This really fruity Chianti that appeals to old and young alike - and nothing like the rubbish available back in the 1970s. It is true to its style but has a modern feel - one of the stars of the tasting and at £6.99 you can't go wrong," says one of the judges.

Malthouse Vintners Henri La Fontaine Fleurie, Booker, France, £7.99

"If you are looking for a lighter style of red wine, this is the one for you. It is as light as a white with the character of a red but packs a punch - perfect with the turkey. It's a great wine with a classy label," says one judge.

Red runners-up

Neil Joubert Shiraz, Vinoceros, South Africa, £7.99

"A soft, gentle, classic South African wine - well balanced and fruity. The sort of wine which would be perfect with an Indian meal," says one judge. "It is something to drink with food - lamb or beef, a Sunday roast, adds one of the judges.

Campo Viejo Reserva, Pernod Ricard, Spain, £8.99

"Forget the old-style oaky wine, this is a really fruity Rioja which is quaffable. There's always an occasion to drink this style of wine. It is lovely and mellow and a nice introduction to Rioja," says one judge.

Wyndham Estate George Wyndham Shiraz, Pernod Ricard, Australia, £9.99

"This classic Shiraz has a lovely mint and blackcurrant taste - not the sort of taste you expect from Australia any more. "Wyndham has produced a subtle, elegant and sophisticated wine in the Old World style," adds one judge.

White winners

Red Hill Estate Chardonnay, Vinoceros, Australia, £9.99

"This is not your average Australian chardonnay. It tastes of peach and apricot fruit," says one judge. "It is well balanced with a creamy mouth feel, very elegant.

"It is expensive, but it offers fantastic value for money. The wine over-delivers and it's the sort of thing which would retail at £30 a bottle in a restaurant," one added

Stoneleigh Pinot Grigio, Pernod Ricard, New Zealand, £7.99

"If you are bored with Pinot Grigio then try this wine, it is stunning. The label says Pinot Grigio, but the wine is far more refined - it has character and body and a taste of almonds and spice. It will be a dinner table talking point, everyone will be pleasantly surprised," adds one judge.

Malthouse Vintners Henri La Fontaine Macon Villages, Booker, France, £6.99

"This is a refined wine - and it's not New World. The bottle and label look traditional and give it some heritage," says one of the judges.

"This is a good introduction to the wines of Burgundy and a great drinking experience at £6.99. A wine to drink with dinner, one you could confidently take to a wine buff's house," added another.

White runners-up

Poco Mas Reserva Chardonnay, Vinoceros, Chile, £6.19

"The bottle and label indicate a higher price point, and so does the wine, but at £6.19 it is a bargain, really good value for money. Dinner party guests will be impressed if you choose this one and you won't have spent a fortune."

Graffigna Centenario Pinot Grigio, Pernod Ricard, Argentina, £7.99

"Stunning, this is a premium quaffing wine which has character - the thinking man's Pinot Grigio which delivers more than expected. And Pernod Ricard is going to be putting some money behind it this Christmas."

Montana Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Pernod Ricard, New Zealand, £8.99

"This wine does what it says on the label. It delivers a commercial wine and if you like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc then this will take you to another level for not a lot of trading up."

Tasting panel:

Andrew Skingley - drinks editor Independent Retailing News
Mike Dennis - drinks editor TalkingRetail.com
Rebecca Gibb - wine features editor Harpers
Kevin Moore - staff writer Harpers