Whilst I joke that 2020 really drove me to wine, it’s actually true. In a good way. I really started to think more about what I was drinking and move away from grabbing the same old bottles of wine in the supermarket. I think, probably like many, I had gotten myself into a bit of an easy rut. I knew I liked Sauvignon Blanc and generally liked it from New Zealand, so stuck with this.
I’ve drank an awful lot more wine in the past 18 months, but I’ve also learnt an awful lot more about wine too. I’ve tried all sorts I would never have before. For the first wine-related blog post I wanted to round up everything I’ve tried in the past month or so. With it having been warm you’ll see there was an awful lot of rosé wine. Rosé is absolutely a wine variety I had huge preconceptions about. I’d tried a few over the years – always finding them sweet and sickly. Because of that I just stayed clear of them. These past few months have absolutely changed that!

 

 

Costa Toscana IGT, Italian
Aldi, £6.99 
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The bottle notes that this Costa Toscana has a creamy feel, with red berry and mineral notes. I would say that’s pretty accurate, though the berry notes – and the wine in general – are incredibly soft and fresh. It’s not sweet, it’s a lovely dry wine that’s perfect for the warmer summer days.

In terms of value for money, it’s excellent. My experience of Italian rosé isn’t too robust – generally everything I’ve been having recently has been French. The Sangiovese blend of grapes are grown under the blissful Tuscan sun and without sounding too winey here, I’d say you can tell.

Would I buy it again?

I have already. I’ve also convinced several friends to try it. If I was heading to a BBQ on a Sunday afternoon I’d absolutely take a bottle of this with me.

Final Thought

An exceptionally easy drinker, very reasonably prices

 

 

Furlough Estate Dorset Coast Brut, England
Waitrose, £23.99
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I was very kindly sent a box of English wine from Waitrose to celebrate English Wine Week. I have yet to try everything sent, but did crack open this bottle of Brut as part of a digital wine tasting. Again to speak of preconceptions; I hadn’t ever explored English wine before so this was actually my first experience of it.

Cards on the table, I’d likely never go for a sparkling wine for a general occasion if faced with the wine aisle of a supermarket. This did change my mind on that; it’s fun and light, fresh and summery. Where it’s created, along the Dorset coastline, adds an almost salty tinge to the flavour. You can taste its coastal roots.

There’s a celebratory feeling to it for sure, as there always is with something bubbly. For me it sits on the pricier side at £23.99 a bottle but genuinely, I’d say it’s worth it. It’s fresher on the palette than a champagne and of course does come in a little cheaper than a quality bottle.

What I love about it most however is simply that it’s English. As a rule you’ll likely always find English wine is priced a little higher, simply due to quantities and demand.

Would I buy it again?

It’s not an everyday wine for me certainly, but it has made me re-think sparkling wine and should there be an occasion for buying something a little more special I’d certainly lean this way over a champagne.

Final Thought

Perfect for a summer’s celebration or perhaps a gift. With fresh strawberries.

 

 

Love by Leoubé, France
Around £19
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Chateau Leoubé is an organic vineyard in the Côtes de Provence region of France. It’s actually owned by the Daylesford Organic brand, so if you’re ever in the vicinity of a Daylesford you can pick it up really easily. It’s also often on restaurant menus.

In terms of the rosés I’ve been working my way through lately, this has been my favourite. It’s a blend of Granache and Cinsault grapes, all grown organically. As a result of its organic status – and the fact it’s a Côtes de Provence – it is priced a little higher than your average bottle of wine. I feel it’s worth it and have already purchased another to sit in my wine rack. You’ll find it in some good supermarkets also, Waitrose included and it’s occasionally on offer for around the £16 mark. Look out for those deals.

Again it’s a dry wine but the fruity flavours here are bold and fresh. If you like a dry white usually; a Sauvignon more than likely, then you’ll enjoy this. I drank this with a friend of mine who ‘hates rosé’ and it absolutely converted her. In fact she said if you’d given her it blindly, she’d have said it was a lovely mellow white.

Would I buy again?

Already have. I’m also keen to try the other wines from Chateau Leoubé.

Final Thought

Without doubt one of my favourites.

 

The Hidden Sea Sauvignon Blanc, Australia
Sainsbury’s, £7
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I’m reading a book on wine at the moment written by an American sommelier. In it he likens New Zealand and Australian Sauvignons as being an assault on the taste buds, too bold and obnoxiously fruity for him. Guess that just goes to show how different all of our tastes are, as I bloody well love a Sauvignon from those parts. What I like most about them is the bold fruity notes that come through so clearly!

This probably sounds odd, but you can absolutely taste the grapes here. You know it’s juicy fresh white grapes; but there’s also notes of peach and maybe even elderflower here. If you find you’re a fan of a fruitier Sauvignon this one is for you. At £7 a bottle too it’s incredible value.

One of the best things about The Hidden Sea wine range is their plastic initiative. Every bottle purchased sees approximately 10 plastic bottles removed from our oceans and recycled. They’re committed to having their wine make a difference.

Would I buy it again?

Definitely. I’m also keen to try their rosé too.

Final Thought

It’s a bold wine and might not be for everyone; juicy and fruity.

Grenache Cinsault Rosé, France
Aldi, £6.99
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Having had such success with my first Aldi rosé I branched out and thought I’d try this French number. Truth be told, I wasn’t much of a fan. The tasting notes describe strawberries, raspberries and candyfloss. I can’t say I got much of anything, it was all rather bland. I can’t sit here and say it was a bad wine, because it absolutely isn’t. Rather it’s an uneventful wine. For £6.99 I certainly didn’t feel jipped or put out, but I felt very little for it. After two glasses the bottle sat in my fridge for several days before being unceremoniously poured down the drain.
Maybe that makes it seem worse than it was? But I can’t say I’d urge you to rush out an buy it like I might some of the others in this post.

Would I buy it again?

No, can’t say I would. Nor would I welcome a glass if someone was offering it.

Final Thought

An easy drinker without doubt, but because there’s very little to be offended by.

 

Donna Elvira Kaysara, Italy
£15
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I’ve had some lovely conversations in Instagram in my time. It’s lovely to hear from people all around the world, but it was especially nice to hear from a follower who’s family owned a vineyard in the Campania region of Italy. They very kindly sent me a selection of their family’s wine to try and the Kaysara rosé was the first I opened.

There’s a floral note to the Kaysara that was incredibly pleasant, with really subtle fruity notes that I wouldn’t say were berry-like, more cherry. It’s a dry rosé but it’s one of the sweeter ones I’ve tried recently. The most distinguishing feature for me was the floral element. It’s delicate but absolutely there.

They suggest pairing it with a tomato-based dish, maybe a fresh salad. That sounds perfect to me; I can see it working beautifully with a tomato, basil and burrata dish. There’s something lovely about it being from a small, family owned vineyard too. A little bit of a the warm and fuzzies as you’re drinking it.

Would I buy it again?

I would. It makes me really intrigued to try the other wines the vineyard produces too.

Final Thought

Softly floral and delicate fruit flavours. A good afternoon drinker.