Wines of the times: bargain buys (From Dorset Echo)

Wines of the times: bargain buys

10:40am Wednesday 7th December 2011 in Drinks

IT’S now early December and Christmas is inching ever closer towards us.

Traipsing around shops in hunt of the perfect gift usually both tugs on the purse strings and reduces the time (and patience) in wine purchasing before the big day, but shop smart and sniff out some of the following bargain buys that well and truly deserve to be snapped up.

Craggy Range Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2011 down to £9.49 until December 6, Waitrose Wine

Kiwi sauvignons have now become as ubiquitous as Italian pinot grigio and quality therefore is now starting to vary greatly.

Craggy Range is well up there with the best and this single vineyard from Marlborough offering delivers everything you’d expect from a top quality Sancerre – restrained fruit flavours and a lovely minerally complexity.

Luis Felipe Edwards Signature Viognier Reserva 2011 down to £5.99 when you buy any two still Chilean wines until December 5 Majestic

A light and appealing viognier from the warm, dry Rapel Valley in Chile which is perhaps better known for its reds but can produce charming whites such as this.

This wine shows musk and blossom aromas which give way to apricot flavours with a touch of anise spice on the finish.

A true bargain at the two-bottle price.

Nostros Pinot Noir 2010 down to £49.96 for a case of six (£8.33 a bottle) M&S Wine or £7.25 dorsetwine.co.uk

Proving that Chile doesn’t just do warm climate varietals this succulent and ripe pinot noir comes from the cooler Casablanca Valley.

Full of juicy and lively primary berry flavours, a slight liquorice hint on the finish and fine, velvety tannins.

Zalze Shiraz Mourvèdre & Viognier 2010 down to £5.31 until December 6, Waitrose Wine

Great stuff from the Western Cape comes his meaty blend of Rhône Valley red and white grapes with an unmistakably South African character.

Structured and robust showing blackberries, plums and cloves on the nose. The palate is assertive but the splash of viognier just gives the spicy black cherry flavours a slight lift on the finish.

Delicious with meaty pizzas or spicy fajitas.