Malborough, New Zealand

From the bottle
'... zesty and vibrant with tropical fruit, kaffir lime, lemongrass and herb aromas. The palate... generous fruit, juicy acidity and fresh dry finish'

Alcohol 12.5%

Price £6.66 -£9.99 Available from Ocado, Tesco, Sainsburys Majestic* (*cheaper when two bottles brought in same offer category)

Review
A recent survey by Laithwaite's Wine declared that Sauvignon Blanc is Britain's favourite wine grape. (Although I might take this data with a pinch of salt as I'm not sure their customers represent a truly typical cross section of society.) This grape variety originated from the Bordeaux region in France with the name coming from sauvage "wild" and blanc "white" however, these days New Zealand is probably more synonymous with it. 
This particular expression smells of grass, lime, hay and mango. The taste is zesty,  grassy, juicy and dry with mango hints. There is noticeable acidity and a slight spritz which arises from this, which might be a tad too much for some, although would be good to cut through something slightly creamy like chicken thai green curry.

Rating
Worth scraping pennies together for on the cheaper end of price scale.

Israel

From the bottle
The Cabernet Sauvignon grapes for this wine were picked from a select small vineyard located at the Judean plain. A rich fruity bouquet with hints of cherries, plum and a touch of mint accompany the oak and eucalyptus flavours. This full bodied wine benefits from soft tannins that contribute to its roundness on the palate. THe maturing of this wine in French oak barrels add complexity.

Alcohol 13%

Price £13.99 (Available from Budgens and Tesco)

Review
As a non Jewish person, the only time I remember noticing Kosher wine was when I was buying a bottle of two buck chuck from Trader Joes (a liquor store in America) and they were giving out samples. I don't think I took a sample as I was too concerned with getting my 2 dollar buzz on and that was that. 
So when I noticed some in my local supermarket, I was all intrigued. What type of soil do they have in Israel? How does the weather affect the grapes? So, of course I had to buy the bottle.
Primary aromas of plums and black cherry, with a background of herbaceous characters. Eucalyptus, wet leaves and an overall forest smell could be noticed, which I didn't find particularly pleasant, but it wasn't off putting.
Dark fruits were tasted on the palate with slight tannins and a bit of  heat, although overall it is well rounded and smooth.

Rating
I would probably give this wine a rating of wouldn't turn down a free glass, only because I feel there are probably better wines out there at this price point to scrap your pennies together for. Although if you do particularly require a Kosher wine, then this would be a good choice.

Italy

From the bottle
Juicy grapes fro Italy's sun drenched vineyards give this crisp sparkling rose vivid berry aromas and hints of summer... Perfect...as an aperitif, it goes beautifully with Thai and Asian food.

Alcohol 10.5%

Price £6.00 -£8.99 (Available from Asda and Tesco)

Review
Bubbles AND rosé? Yes please.
Hearing that cork pop is delightful enough, but when you are greeted with the delicious smells of strawberry, pear and a smidgen of citrus, things get even better.
Taking a sip, the lovely bubbles tickle my tongue in a none too aggressive way. Tastes like a strawberry version of Kola Kubes. Medium dry and red berry loveliness, although it is lacking acidity somewhat. Quick to leave the palate with a slight unusual after-taste, however nothing which would stop me from drinking it again. A perfect little party tipple.

Rating - Worth scraping your pennies together

Treviso, Italy

From the bottle
'... A lively, refreshing wine full of bright candied fruit flavours with background floral notes...enjoyed with food such as fish and shellfish...'

Alcohol 11%

Price Brought on offer £6.49 (Available at Tesco)

Review
As you have probably gathered by now, I do love a half price bargain. I just can't walk past the shelf when I see that yellow signage, especially when its bubbles. Definitely my dad's influence, he had me trained as a reduced sticker finding ninja before I hit double figures.
This Prosecco smells of apples, lemons, lime and a tiny hint of pears. The small bubbles fizz away quicker than some others I have had, but to be honest I doubt anyone would have it in their glasses long enough if you served this up. Coming to the taste the lemon and limes take precedence and it has a small pleasant moose. Easy drinking but leaves palate quickly. Would make a good aperitif.

Rating - Worth scraping your pennies together when on offer, but probably wouldn't buy it at full price.

British Wine

From the bottle
This soft juicy red is ideal on its own or as an accompaniment to red meat, casseroles & cheese.

Alcohol 8%

Price £3.59 (Available from Tesco and Asda)

Review
First and foremost I should explain what constitutes a 'British Wine.' You would be forgiven for thinking it was just a catch all term  for wines made in England, Wales (and believe it or not Scotland!) but alas no. British wine is actually made from imported grape juice/concentrate and then fermented and bottled in the UK. 
E/W/S wines by contrast, are produced from grapes made in said places. The E/W/S wine folk have a bit of a bee in their bonnets about the fact that people confuse the two, due them believing British Wine is of inferior quality which, too be fair, most people would agree with. However, British wine sales have continued to increase because  of one very important factor- price. 

And who would be willing to miss up on buying a semi decent bottle for under 4 quid? No one reading this blog at least.
But fear not readers, you have not missed out on a bagging a bargain with this bottle.

Sure it smells like wine with aromas of general fruit but it lacks anything distinctive and the palate is even worse, synthetic with a chemically after-taste.

Rating - Would cry more over spilt milk.

California

From the bottle 
'Dark, rich and dashingly tasty, this Merlot hails from the Central Valley region....Soft and dry with hints of ripe plums, black cherries and blueberries... perfect when paired with lamb or beef dishes'


Alcohol 13%


Price £6.99 (Available from Tesco, Martin McColl, Morrisons)

Review
Echo Falls is undoubtedly one of the big brands in mass market wine, and so they are obviously doing something right, but I always feel that I am left somewhat disappointed after a glass. They just don't quite hit the spot in the same way as say another California wine label - Blossom Hill and this Merlot was no exception.

Whilst on the nose there were indeed aromas of cherry, plums and blackcurrant the taste was just meh. In addition to that, there was a distinct unpleasant after-taste, a bit chemically. I did notice that when I went back to finish the bottle the next day i.e. the wine had time to oxidise or aerate, that this taste had disappeared somewhat. This leads me to believe then that this bottle has too many added sulphites.


Rating - Wouldn't turn down a free glass.

California

From the bottle
'Delicious black cherry and blackcurrant flavours with a rich, fruity finish... sunny climate produces grapes full of flavour. A perfect match to roast red meats and barbecues...'

Alcohol 13.5%

Price £4.99 (Available from Tesco)

Review
Now whilst this blog has only been going a short time, but I have been 'researching' by drinking wine for many years before that, and I have to say that in recent memory this wine has to be one of the best sub five pound bottles I can remember. Lovely aromas of blackberries and black cherry can be smelt with a smidgen of a spice and liquorice, and what joy, as the tastes truly lives up to the smell. This is chock a block with lush ripe dark fruits whilst the acidity is perfectly balance. Now, Tesco has been a little naughty calling it simply Zinfandel, (I'll talk about wine labelling in another post) when it is actually a mix of Barbera, Ruby Cabernet and Zinfandel but who cares when this is the result. An absolute corker. 

Rating - Stop what you are doing and empty the shelves.

Treviso, Veneto, Italy

From the bottle
A classic Italian sparkling wine made from the Glera grape grown in the rolling vineyards of Veneto. A lively, refreshing wine full of bright citrus fruit flavours with background floral notes.

Alcohol 11%

Price £12.99 (Brought on half price offer £6.49) Available at Tesco

Review
I love bubbles, well who doesn't? but I definitely do not love spending a half a days wage on one bottle. Prosecco makes me feel like I'm having a true treat without breaking the bank and shock horror, I actually prefer the taste to Champagne, which tends to be more biscuit-y and dry. This straw coloured fizz has lively small bubbles (smaller bubbles means better quality) and smells like your have pressed your nose into a bowl of freshly picked green apples.  A smooth mousse (posh wine word for the effervescence or bubbliness of the bubbles) with apple and hints of citrus on palate. Labelled as Brut although it is nudging towards Demi Sec, with a slightly mineral after taste.

Rating - If you find this on offer, which it often is, then it is definitely worth scraping your pennies together for.

Mendoza, Argentina

From the bottle
Richly fruity, with apricot, peach and touches of passion fruit with a rich, full, rounded finish. Perfect with creamy curries, jerk chicken or other spiced foods.

Alcohol 12.5%

Price £4.49 (Available from Tesco)

Review
Made by Concha y Toro, the largest wine producer in Latin America for a reason.. they sure know what they are doing. This wine smells sublimely fruity with its bouquet of apricots and pineapple. A tropical taste with good acidity cutting through, this wine lends itself to being a match with creamy dishes, although it is quick to leave the palate and as such I find it makes you drink quicker, but hey ho it's under a fiver! All in all a crisp and fresh wine.

Rating - Stop what you are doing and empty the shelves