The Wine & Whisky Thread

No worries, they've both had Amarone in from time to time. The Aldi one was particularly good, though:)

As I said, forget Aldi or Lidli if you prefer New World wines, especially 'big-boned' Chardonnays. They have a few wines along those lines that are ok, but it's really more a place for Italian, French and German wines, sometimes also Portuguese. Plus, the Prosecco they sell is some of the best (and cheapest around), ditto the likes of Pinot Grigio. Barry, take note!;)

In terms of Portuguese wine, I bought a bottle of DAO Riserva last week from Aldi, and it looks like a stonker - this one for a mere £6.99: https://www.aldi.co.uk/d%C3%A3o-rese...84233246523000

Interesting comments here in this customer's review (the other reviews of this wine are equally praiseworthy):

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Aldi feedback

A quality wine at an excellent price! Forget New World wines - concentrate on lesser known & often overlooked Old World areas that flavour & value! I have already bought more!

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My sentiments precisely!:exactly:

Now if it's as good (rich and full-bodied), as I suspect it will be, and comparable with DAO wines of this quality sold elsewhere, then it'll be another Billy Bargain!

The place to look for wine in Lidl, which I'd say was generally the better of the two for wine, is in the 'wooden crate' areas, nearest the tills, not further back in the main wine section, which is mostly full of stuff that's fairly ordinary.

Also, they frequently have 'bin ends', which can be interesting, leftover from their various themed promotions (Italian or French Week, and so forth), and which are located in the middle isles, next to some of their 'world foods' and fancier food items.

Bargains, such as that DAO, are the sorts of wine finds that intrigue me, as anyone can go into a 'fancy' independent wine shop or supermarket and drop a wad of cash on something 'expensive'. However, that doesn't guarantee it'll be good, or most importantly test your knowledge or ability to find a bargain!;)

Marco.

Gents, am going to try a mixed six case from Majestic.

Any tried and tested suggestions apart from the Chardonnay and Viognier? Would like to get four nice reds I think, under a tenner each ... :)

Hi Julian,

Justers would be the one for 'tried and tested', as I rarely use Majestic, but failing that if you tell me your style/taste preferences, and which countries you prefer, I'd be happy to look through their list online and offer you some reccos, based on your budget.

I'm reasonably good at marrying folk's tastes to website descriptions, using my wine experience, as I'm familiar with most grapes:)

Marco.

I'm not really a Majestic regular. I only knew about the Bread & Butter because of a neighbour asking me what I thought of it.

The next time (tomorrow) I go I am not going to mess around. 6 bottles of B&B! I got three decent reds that last time I went and 3 B&B. I am not a white wine fan when it boils down to it. Which is interesting considering the action I am about to take.

Don't reject the Viognier... Honestly!!;)

Marco.

Hi chaps - I’ve not used Majestic for a long time … Tried them years ago and got too many poorly stored bottles from them to bother again, but I thought I’d try Justin’s B+B and a few others to see if they’ve improved.

I’ve had a sniff round online and found a few things that look interesting but I’d certainly appreciate it Marco if you could take look at their Italian reds for me - much as I enjoy a really good Chianti they are extremely variable in quality so something else perhaps. I'm quite partial to a decent drop of Primitivo too ... :)

Cheers.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Don't reject the Viognier... Honestly!!;)

Marco.

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5 bottles of B&B.

And a spankie botty for Marco if he is wrong about the Viognier.:D

Quote:

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Originally Posted by julesd68

I’ve had a sniff round online and found a few things that look interesting but I’d certainly appreciate it Marco if you could take look at their Italian reds for me - much as I enjoy a really good Chianti they are extremely variable in quality so something else perhaps. I'm quite partial to a decent drop of Primitivo too ... :)

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Ok, leave it with me. I'll have a shuftie later. The secret with Chianti is always to go for a Riserva DOCG (one with a picture of a black cockerel on the neck of the bottle). That being the case, you shouldn't go wrong:)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by User211

5 bottles of B&B.

And a spankie botty for Marco if he is wrong about the Viognier.:D

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Lol - I guarantee you won't enjoy it as much as the B&B, but I think you'll like it, and if so it'll give you another option to consider in future.

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by julesd68

Hi chaps - I’ve not used Majestic for a long time … Tried them years ago and got too many poorly stored bottles from them to bother again, but I thought I’d try Justin’s B+B and a few others to see if they’ve improved.

I’ve had a sniff round online and found a few things that look interesting but I’d certainly appreciate it Marco if you could take look at their Italian reds for me - much as I enjoy a really good Chianti they are extremely variable in quality so something else perhaps. I'm quite partial to a decent drop of Primitivo too ... :)

Cheers.

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I have been to Majestic a few times. It's no guarantee of greatness by any means.

What I do like is the ability to just walk in and try a few, though. You can easily have a good sized glass of wine+ for free doing that.

Jules, could you confirm if it's the 'Mix Six' or per bottle price I should be looking at, in order to keep it at less than a tenner?:)

Marco.

Yes I'll do a 'mix six' - thanks!

Ok, cool! In that case, here goes.....

This is a *simply stunning* wine, and comes under the category of 'Super Tuscans'. It's like top-notch Chianti, heading towards Barolo territory, in terms of being very earthy and full-bodied:

1) https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/mor...scansano-13849

And for me, this has got to be good, and ticks all the right boxes for potentially being a stunning Primitivo:

2) https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/sur...starossa-13073

And there's £4 off this Montepulciano just now, which also ticks all the right boxes:

3) https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/mon...dabruzzo-13850

I've actually had this wine before. It's very 'soft', extremely fruity, with low acidity, and yes as it says, it's a bit like a "poor man's" Amarone(!):

4) https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/passimento-13178

If you've not had Barbera D'Asti before, this is like a Chianti Riserva, but a little more full-bodied and less acidic:

5) https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/bar...araldica-13552

If you've not drank good Valpolicella, I think that this is likely to be an excellent example. Much lighter in style than the wines above, but gorgeously soft and fruity. This would be ideal to enjoy with all meat pasta dishes:

6) https://www.majestic.co.uk/wines/val...classico-13627

There you go! Hope you enjoy them, and please report back on your findings:cheers:

Marco.

That’s brilliant Marco - will add these to my list and see what’s available at my local Majestic.

Will of course report back on my findings! :glug:

Nice one, mate. I'm tempted to try some myself!:eyebrows:

Marco.

For any Rioja fans, Faustino V Reserva 2013 is currently down to £8 from £11 in Asda. Not the best vintage for the region but this is still one of my favourite mid-priced Riojas.

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Welcome back! Where've you been, bro?:)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Nice one, mate. I'm tempted to try some myself!:eyebrows:

Marco.

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Hmmm... me too! I struggle to find good Italian wines at reasonable prices in the UK and was spoilt when we were over there last summer with the value buying locally, but might have to pop to Majestic myself!

:cheers:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Alex_UK

Hmmm... me too! I struggle to find good Italian wines at reasonable prices in the UK and was spoilt when we were over there last summer with the value buying locally...

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Indeed... Why do you think we fill the car up every time we go over there?:eyebrows:

You're right though, the paucity of good quality, decent value Italian wine available in the UK is a major bugbear of mine, mainly because supermarkets (quite rightly) cater for demand, and every bugger these days buys New World wines! And if it's not that, then French... And specialist wine shops, where you may find some good Italian wine, often take the piss when it comes to price!

Therefore, trying to find a decent selection of Old World wines, out with of just French, from Italy, Germany, Greece, Portugal, and even Spain (although that's a bit easier, due to the popularity of Rioja) is quite difficult. And I can tell you that Greece and Portugal, and also Germany/Austria [even Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary], produce some superb wines; it's just that sadly not much of it is exported to the UK.

That's why popping into Aldi or Lidl occasionally can be fruitful, as they don't pander to the fads of New World wine drinkers, who's choices are often rather safe and unadventurous, and who can be stuck in somewhat of a rut [although the same could also be said of some claret drinkers - hello Barry!:wave::D;)], and it's where you'll find some true gems from the Old World countries I've mentioned - often at bargain prices!

However, in terms of Italian wines, Majestic appear to be somewhat bucking the trend.

Marco.

Unfortunately the B&B is now £12.99 in Majestic. I am not surprised. Apparently it is only rarely available at £9.99 and I am surprised it ever was TBH.

Assessing the Viognier now.

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Nice one. Make sure it's well chilled, but not too much!:)

I'll be interested in what you think of it, but don't for moment think that you'll like it as much as the B&B. It's a different type of wine.

Marco.

I'm hoping to go shopping tomorrow ... :)

My god what a contrast. The Viognier is almost water like. Clean and refreshing but devoid of character compared to the B&B. It isn't going to offend anyone.

This bottle of B&B is not the same as the last batch. The intense oak flavour is far more obvious than the previous lot.

But hold on. I think it's simply the contrast between the two. After a couple of sips the B&B is tasting more normal again. For B&B.

Nope. It IS different from the last batch.

And like smaller coffee roasters and producers, consistency varies. It's just a fact of life that they don't have labs that concentrate on such things.

Not such a bad thing IMHO. Being the same all the time is in some ways what makes mainstream products bland. Variety is the spice of life as they say.

However, you know when you have a good batch and I don't think this B&B is as good as the last I had. Same year, though. And a nice 13.5% which for a white isn't joking.

I tastes like they got some fresh oak in for this batch of B&B. You can literally taste the sawdust. Not anywhere near as prevalent in the other bottles I have had at various times.

Two very different Californian wines, then. There's no way these two can be stereotyped.
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I'll comment more later, Justers, but are you *enjoying* the Viognier (simply for what it is), or to your palate is it simply very much the poor relation in comparison with the B&B?

Marco.

The B&B has to be loved for its complexity. The heavy oaking is now disappearing in favour of other subtle undertones. The thing about B&B is your attitude towards it changes as you work your way through the glass. This batch, though the same vintage but oddly different, still has that aspect.

The Viognier reminds me far more of Austrian white. Crisp, clean, fresh and it tastes like it was made using great quality water. Recommended for sure.

OK the B&B now tastes of vanilla. It's crazy.

But for a direct answer to your question, Marco, I would say the reason it costs more is because of the complexity. It is better for that reason if that is what you are in the mood for. It's far more of a thinking man's white.

I have always thought wine tasters talk bullshit and I am probably guilty of sounding the same.:)

Aldi are now targeting "middle-class shoppers" with their Classic Icon premium range including high-end wines from around the world, including Poilly-Fumé and Poilly-Fuissé.

The 2016 La Sogara Amarone della Valpolicella DOCG will cost £17.99 and a 2015 Chateau du Cartillon Haut Médoc will be £11.90.

https://cdn.aldi-digital.co.uk//La-S...h=600&p=2&q=77https://cdn.aldi-digital.co.uk//Chat...h=600&p=2&q=77

For those champagne drinkers there will be the Verve Monsigny for £22.99.

Methinks I'll be looking into my new improved Aldi when it opens soon. :)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by User211

OK the B&B now tastes of vanilla. It's crazy.

But for a direct answer to your question, Marco, I would say the reason it costs more is because of the complexity. It is better for that reason if that is what you are in the mood for. It's far more of a thinking man's white.

I have always thought wine tasters talk bullshit and I am probably guilty of sounding the same.:)

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It's not just oenophiles who can talk bullshit about their interest, audiophiles can talk it too. ;)

I actually made it to Majestic this evening and was in and out in about 5 minutes!
I was immediately approached by a friendly assistant who I asked to find the bottles for me, since I came armed with a list. Excellent service. :)

The first of my 'mix 6', this Chilean Merlot is boldly labelled as a Gran Reserva but don't make the mistake I did and assume it will have some bottle age like those from Spain. A most cunning piece of marketing because you have to look very, very carefully for the tiny writing that tells you it's only 2018!

That annoyance aside, after half an hour or so it loses its slightly tart and youthful edge and you get some bright, ripe strawberry and plum flavours. Perfectly acceptable at 7.99 (mix 6 price) to glug with some pasta as I am doing, it's a pleasing mouthful as the actress said to the bishop! :eyebrows:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...8919921f_z.jpg

I thought you were getting the six Italian wines I recommended earlier, Jules?:scratch:

Marco.

I wanted to get a mix of your suggestions and other countries - it's just to start off so will be back for more! :)

Lol, no worries. I was just a little confused, that's all! So while you were there, which Italians did you pick up (so to speak)?:D

Marco.

No comment on my post #1927? I think being able to buy an Amarone DOCG for £18 is good news. :)

I noticed it, mate, but haven't had time to reply properly yet. Also need to reply to Justers on his comments about the Viognier and B&B:)

Save to say, for now, that the two Lidls near us have always sold the types of wines you're referring to, as I've frequently bought them!;)

Marco.

https://d1rknyb5tfws60.cloudfront.ne...diumCutout.png

2nd bottle from Majestic - I'm impressed by the depth and concentration of the dark cherry flavours in this DOCG Barbera D'Asti, with some drying spicy oak and leather on the finish.

Just 6.99

If you didn't go back and get some of the Bread & Butter. It will do your head in. Make sure it has been chilled for a long time before out drink it. At least half a day.

I know I am being insistent and I know it is expensive. But it is worth it.

Glad to see your liking what you have so far.

I am doing £12.99 below. B&B standard it is not but it is 2016 and it is good.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ae9eec0a5c.jpg

Pretty sure I've had that bottle from Waitrose ...

Don't worry, I have a B+B in my 'cellar' ... :D

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...-Organic-Syrah

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...avarra-Crianza

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...Syrah-Grenache

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...nt-Redon-Lirac

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...Garnatxa-Negra

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...-Cinsault-Pais

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...uccardi-Malbec

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...l-Graves-Blanc

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...de-Ribeauville

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...zla-Tokaji-Dry

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...ne-Lirac-Blanc

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Details here: https://www.virginwines.co.uk/wine/Z...ourgogne-Blanc

Quite a varied selection, with some notable price reductions, so looking forward to some quality slurps! :cheers:

Marco.

Alky.. [emoji23]

Go tt

Lol - you must be joking:D

Just a small top up before Xmas! Btw, we had that port you gave me for Christmas last year, and it was fab:)

Need to get another nice bottle of vintage port for this year, as it goes great with Del's homemade mince pies!

Marco,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by julesd68

https://d1rknyb5tfws60.cloudfront.ne...diumCutout.png

2nd bottle from Majestic - I'm impressed by the depth and concentration of the dark cherry flavours in this DOCG Barbera D'Asti, with some drying spicy oak and leather on the finish.

Just 6.99

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Glad it worked out well, Jules. Hope my other reccos turn out to be as successful!:)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Lol - you must be joking:D

Just a small top up before Xmas! Btw, we had that port you gave me for Christmas last year, and it was fab:)

Need to get another nice bottle of vintage port for this year, as it goes great with Del's homemade mince pies!

Marco,

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Think I've got some

Justers,

Quote:

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Originally Posted by User211

My god what a contrast. The Viognier is almost water like. Clean and refreshing but devoid of character compared to the B&B. It isn't going to offend anyone.

This bottle of B&B is not the same as the last batch. The intense oak flavour is far more obvious than the previous lot. The B&B has to be loved for its complexity. The heavy oaking is now disappearing in favour of other subtle undertones. The thing about B&B is your attitude towards it changes as you work your way through the glass. This batch, though the same vintage but oddly different, still has that aspect.

The Viognier reminds me far more of Austrian white. Crisp, clean, fresh and it tastes like it was made using great quality water. Recommended for sure.

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The emboldened bits, for me, are key... I wanted you to try the Viognier, as I knew it'd be the polar opposite of the B&B!:eyebrows: Now you know the type of white wines I generally prefer and mostly drink [crisp, clean and fresh, as you've described], but fundamentally NOT devoid of character. The character is simply less 'obvious' or overblown.

That's not to say that I don't occasionally enjoy a 'hefty', heavily-oaked Oz, or other New World-derived white wines, which are great on their own without food, but in general I prefer subtler, more sophisticated, less 'full on' whites, and which have more acidity to compliment the appropriate food:)

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by struth

Think I've got some

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Good stuff. Have a squint at what it is and let me know. We normally buy our port from Tanners in Shrewsbury: https://www.tanners-wines.co.uk/

Not just port, but good Burgundy and Claret. They have a superb selection. It's only 40 mins drive, and makes a nice day out with lunch, after doing some Xmas shopping!:)

Marco.

Think it was a fancy aldi bottle in a tin. Had it a few years.

Interesting. They often introduce special lines for Xmas. We've had some excellent pudding wines from them before, and also Lidl:)

Will probably give this one a go this year: https://www.tanners-wines.co.uk/cata...view/id/10792/

Should be great with some stilton, too!

Marco.

Think it was a Xmas one. Might need decanting lol.

Oh it almost certainly will. especially vintage varieties, as there's invariably some sediment.

Marco.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Marco

Justers,



The emboldened bits, for me, are key... I wanted you to try the Viognier, as I knew it'd be the polar opposite of the B&B!:eyebrows: Now you know the type of white wines I generally prefer and mostly drink [crisp, clean and fresh, as you've described], but fundamentally NOT devoid of character. The character is simply less 'obvious' or overblown.

That's not to say that I don't occasionally enjoy a 'hefty', heavily-oaked Oz, or other New World-derived white wines, which are great on their own without food, but in general I prefer subtler, more sophisticated, less 'full on' whites, and which have more acidity to compliment the appropriate food:)

Marco.

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By the same reasoning try the B&B. It's splendid.

Really annoying it's not still a tenner and you have to buy 6 bottles in all to get it £12.99 but hey.

You'd love Austrian white wine. They export very little of it or did years ago. Maybe that's changed.

Sure, if I'm in Majestic (which admittedly is rare) I'll defo drop a bottle of B&B into the trolley:)

Marco.