A Question of Wine - Comment - The Southern Reporter

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A Question of Wine

Published on 29/12/2012 09:00

z Which Wine to Buy: Finest Côtes de Gascogne Blanc 2011

Who Sells It: Tesco

How Much Is It: Two for £12 or £6 a bottle in Scotland – instead of £7.99 each – until 1 January

What Does it Taste Like: Typical of the region, this is a white with mellow pear and greengage flavours beneath its lively acidity, but it also finishes with a gentle perception of sweetness

Why Should I Buy It: Southern France is currently great on imaginative blends and here it has used a local grape – gros manseng – and neatly combined it with the zingy sauvignon blanc.

z Which Wine to Buy: Les Jamelles Reserve Mourvedre 2010

Who Sells It: Co-op

How Much Is It: £5.49 (instead of £6.99 – until 1 January)

What Does it Taste Like: This full and structured red puts smooth damson and black cherry fruit centre stage, but rounds it out nicely with cinnamon and other spices, soft tannins and dash of vibrant acidity

Why Should I Buy It: Sticking with Southern France, Languedoc is also producing some excellent wines at great prices and this award-winning red from winemaker Catherine Delaunay is typical of the stars emerging under the Les Jamelles banner

z Which One to Buy: Champagne Comte de Brismand Brut Reserve

Who Sells It: Lidl

How Much Is It: £9.99 (down from £12.99 until 1 January)

What Does it Taste Like: This is a beautifully-balanced champagne with zippy, lemon-based fruit which gradually gives way to a rounder toast and brioche finish.

Why Should I Buy It: Frankly, champagne under £10 is seldom memorable so this is an exception well worth seeking out. Mind you, Christmas offers on Tesco’s Finest Premier Cru NV Champagne (£14.99), Sainsbury’s Blanc de Blancs Champagne (£14.98) and Champagne Monsigny Brut No.3 by Philizot (£9.99 at Aldi) will all give you decent stuff!

Brian Elliott is wine correspondent of Scotland on Sunday and lives at Auchencrow in the Borders

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