Vintage ports are crazy expensive these days, but it’s not hard to find value in other styles. Or is it just a result of a great vintage (2017)?
Three affordable ports
great value
J. Bouchon Pais Viejo 2019
I’m not often happy with Chilean wines. But this one is different, not just good, but exciting, even though it’s not expensive.
Supermarket wines: Tesco Finest Tempranillo 2022
This humble tempranillo might be even better than its previous vintage (the 2021, reviewed here) which was already superb. What makes it outstanding is the level of refinement – this is as good as such cheap wine gets. I’m quite picky but there is not even the slightest detail here I could complain about. Honestly, I enjoyed this more than many expensive reds… Continue reading
Promising future: Bodri Malbec 2022
It’s early days for malbec in Hungary but based on this entry level red from Bodri, it might have a future here.
Supermarket wines: Barcelino 2020 from Lidl
Cheap Spanish wine is getting nicer these days. It’s less common now to bump into fake ones tasting like oak chips or sweet and ripe New World wannabes. Less is often more when it comes to wine and it seems that even big volume brands recognise this, luckily. A case in point could be the Barcelino 2020 – I expected an overdone red but it’s rather pure. Continue reading
Nouveau time – Bock Portagéza 2023
The best Hungarian nouveau wine I believe I’ve ever tasted. Not by miles and it’s a tiny competition, yet it’s still a real achievement.
Supermarket wines: Lidl Negroamaro Salento 2022
A real achievement for so little money. Continue reading
Top notch kadarka: Heimann & Fiai 2022
The Heimann family did it again. An outstanding kadarka, great successor to the amazing 2021 – and one of the most exciting Hungarian red wines out there.Supermarket wines – Gál Szőlőbirok és Pincészet Chardonnay 2022
An entry level Hungarian chardonnay that delivers in most vintages, and the 2022 is a pleasant wine again. Continue reading
Supermarket wines: Pierre Chanau Plan de Dieu 2021, a solid Rhone red
I had a bad experience with the 2017 of Auchans Plan de Dieu, but this 2021 is quite the opposite. Rock solid for the price. Continue reading