Let’s raise a glass to frugality. Because good wine needn't be an expensive business – it is still possible to get yourself something decent to slurp for under a fiver. But there is a slight drawback; you’ll no longer have the run of all the supermarket wine aisles.
Aldi, the supermarket that likes to offer ‘exceptional quality wines at unbelievable value’ comes out top for wines under £3.99 but if you want a bit more sophistication in the glass and in your wallet then it has to be the Co-op. Their range of own-brand wines, many of which are fairly traded, are tops for taste at £5 a bottle.
So if you don’t mind your wine choice being a bit limited, but still tasty, here are my top ten bargain seasonal sippers.
PG Wine Tips
£3.99 and under
There are still some good bottles to be found that cost the same as a couple of National Lottery tickets.
Aldi Budavar Hungarian Chardonnay
£2.99
Floral aromas matched to light melon and sherbet flavours. Simple and quaffable.
Aldi Baron Saint Jean French Vins de Pays Blanc
£2.99
A wine that needs food to bring out the best in its light fruit flavours: apple, lemon, melon and almonds are all light and refreshing.
Aldi Cambalala South African Chenin Blanc
£3.49
The banana and melon flavours are equal to any creamy curries you care to match with them.
Aldi San Lenone Italian Toscana Rosso
£3.99
Simple sweet blackberry flavours.
Muro di Vino Italian Barbera
£3.99 Co-op (down from £7.99 until end of May)
Creamy cherry flavours with a hint of nutmeg at the end. Lacks oomph though so don’t try matching it to anything more flavourful than Italian cheese on toast.
£5.99 and under
There are a few fruity, slurpable wines among the forgettable masses.
Co-op Argentine Fairtrade Bonarda Shiraz
£4.49
Why does the Co-op sell anyone else’s wine when their own-label stuff is so good? Blackberry and black cherry flavours with extras of tobacco and marzipan. Posh stuff. Buy all that you can.
Tesco Argentine Malbec
£4.79
Okay so a wine from Tesco slipped in, but it’s pretty good so it deserves a mention. Flavours of damson, cherry and blackberry crumble with a topping of caramel. Mmm.
Aldi Vina Decana Spanish Reserva
£4.99
Get this one while you can as its recent £1 price hike suggests it may soon move out of the £5 and under bargain section. But it’s still worth it: smoky dark chocolate and cherry flavours are a pretty sophisticated find in a wine at £4.99.
Aldi Macon Villages French Chardonnay
£4.99
Fresh apple and pebble flavours. Reminiscent of seaside picnics.
Co-op Argentine Fairtrade Pinot Grigio
£5.75
This one just slips over the £5 barrier but as its apricot, banana and lime flavours just keep going and going this wine calls out for slurping. Now. So get on with it.
