WINE LIST

With the festive season almost upon us, begin stocking up with this week’s fabulous bargains

1

2020 POUILLY-FUMÉ, LES CLOS DU MATIN, LOIRE, FRANCE £15.99, reduced to £10 from Wednesday until 15 December, Waitrose

This is a delightful sauvignon blanc from the true home of this nervetingling grape variety. It’s light enough for aperitif duties and also has enough power to handle the Hairy Bikers’ Lobster Mac ’n’ Cheese; what’s more, the deal price is bonkers!

2

2017 PRIMITIVO DI MANDURIA, RISERVA, PRODUTTORI DI MANDURIA, PUGLIA, ITALY £14.99, reduced to £10 from Wednesday until 15 December, Waitrose

The week’s other bargain is at the other end of the flavour spectrum. This massive Italian red will amaze you with its inky black fruit and lashings of spice. It’s a winner with the Tray Bake Christmas Dinner.

3 2018 BRIDE VALLEY, SPARKLING ROSÉ BELLA, DORSET, ENGLAND

£35.95, bridevalleyvineyard.com There are loads of excellent sparkling wines in the UK, yet the field narrows considerably if you hanker after elite rosés. Thankfully this beauty falls into that category, and it boasts lush red and black berry notes on the nose and a joyous, ripe palate.

4 2020 LIRAC, LES CLOSIERS, SOUTHERN RHÔNE, FRANCE

£10, Marks & Spencer

Lirac is one of the lesser-known sub-regions of the southern Rhône. This wine follows the familiar model of spicy grenache blended with macho syrah, making it a wintry red with a soothing, mellow core of mixed berry fruits, topped off with a twist of pepper and spice.