Mini August Bank Holiday Update:
- Sainsburys – 25% off now online for 19-26 August
- Tesco 25% off 6+ to 27 August
- Asda 25% off 6 to 27 August. Our recommendation for a great value, budget bubbly is the the Graham Beck Cuvee at £8.25
- Waitrose 25% off 6. 21-27 August
It’s a great time to look out for deals in wine, and by keeping on top of when the sales/offers are on, it could save you a lot of money and allow you to drink better for it – especially if you relay on a pension. The supermarkets regularly hold 25% discount sales on rotation, and the independents will usually focus on a region or producer during sale times. So from looking for a cheap supermarket Pinot Grigio to seeking out a hand crafted Syrah from old vines, we’ve got you covered.
Understanding what you’re looking for in a bottle
Wine is a bewildering field of names and terms which can sometimes make buying wine overwhelming. Older drinkers would have grown up with classics, like Bordeaux and German Riesling, but there’s now so much more on offer and arguably better value.
Then there’s how much you would like to spend and how far you are willing to experiment. There’s no right or wrong. But it’s worth asking yourself a few fundamentals.
Price
In the UK, the vast majority of what you pay is tax. Yep, straight to HMRC. So when you say you get better wine abroad, you do! At £5.50 a bottle, you’re getting roughly 20p worth of wine, which explains why they’re quite simple when you drink them. At £7.50, you’re already a £1.49’s of wine. £2 more, x7 more quality in wine. This goes up the more you pay.
Colour and type
Being able to say what you like and some basic characteristics makes it easier to find similar wines, and therefore less risk if you want to experiment. Reds and whites can broadly can be described as full, medium or light bodied. Oak, if also a good descriptor. And alcohol content or where that wine is from. For example “I like New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc” is a great starting point for finding similar wines, like “Rueda whites from Spain”.
Occasion is important
If you’re celebrating or having the family round for dinner, maybe you want to spend a little more or match your wine with the food. For example, Easter weekend with lamb calls for a full bodied red with tannin – a great way to look in the know.
Alcohol
Wines range in alcohol and drinking too much can harm you. So knowing what you’re after makes a difference. A bottle a 15% is 15 UK Units Per Litre. Or 11.25 units in a bottle, or 3.75 units in a large glass. That’s the same as nearly 4 single gin and tonics! The NHS recommend 14 units per week…
Top Wine Deals Available Currently
Supermarket
25% off Waitrose Wine until the 6th June – click here
We’re expected the other supermarkets, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda and Morrison’s, to rerun their 25% offers around the summer bank holiday.
Wine Shops
25% off all American wines at the Great Wine Company – click here
Majestic – Save on “Italian “Classics” where the Riscal Rioja is a top buy – click here
Highlighing some of the best wines on deal
Best wines for celebrations
Farlernia are an award winning Chilean producer with Italian heritage in the Elqui Valley. This Syrah is fantastic value for money
Best for summer
Some of the best value whites in the world, South African Chenin is a winner. This old vine verion is great value on deal at £10.99
Best of laying down
The top 1855 wines of Bordeaux are released En Primeur, but the 2019s hit the market recently. Cosco seem to beat the market on every Chateau.
Best champagne deal
Taittinger Brut Prestige Rosé NV Champagne, case of six: Was £347.94, now £257.94 at Majestic.co.uk
Unsure and want to try and mixed case?
At Naked Wines you can save £80 on a mixed case. It’s a subscription case but great way to try and you can cancel anytime
Conclusion
Wine deals are always changing, so save up your money for the big events which seem to be every 3 months or so. Brexit, inflation and tax have made our favourites.