Brown Brothers Moscato Rosa 2010

For years Australians have been enjoying Moscato, their own take on Italy's Moscato d'Asti.

These wines are enticingly sweet, perfumed and spritzy; always served well chilled and always in the sunshine.

Now that we're headed for summer, I think it's time to throw this pink Moscato from Brown Brothers into the mix. Right now it's on offer at Waitrose at £5.59.

Appearance: Pale salmon pink.
Aroma: Musk and Turkish Delight.
Flavour: Vibrant acid balanced by lush grapey sweetness. Sparkly bubbles and long perfumed finish: Geranium, rose, grape.

Wine Name: Brown Brothers Moscato Rosa

Producer: Brown Brothers

Grape/Blend: Muscat of Alexandria, Cienna

Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 7%

Country: Australia (Victoria)

Bought at: Waitrose

Price: £5.59 (20% off £6.99)

Value for money: ♦♦♦ Good
Over all rating: ♦♦♦ Good

Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2008

Appearance: Medium red.
Aroma: Faint red fruits, peppercorns.
Flavour: Traditional Australian blend showing cooked fruit and spice characters on top of strong oak and persistent tannins.
Plum, blackcurrant and woody spices.

Wine Name: Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2008

Producer: Orlando Wines (Pernod Ricard)

Grape/Blend: Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon

Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 13.5%

Country: Australia (South Eastern Australia)

Bought at: Co-Op

Price: ~ £5

Value for money: ♦♦♦ Good
Over all rating: ♦♦♦ Good

Castillo San Lorenzo Rioja Reserva 2006

Appearance: Medium red.
Aroma: Vanilla oak and spicy oak.
Flavour: Rich brambly fruit, smooth velvety mouth feel.
Blackberry jam and cinnamon.

Very easy to drink. Will improve for the next 5 years or so.

Wine Name: Castillo San Lorenzo Rioja

Producer: Bodegas Riovinsa

Grape/Blend: Tempranillo, Mazuelo, Graciano

Vintage: 2006
Alcohol: 12.5%

Country: Spain

Bought at: Tesco

Price: £5.24

Value for money: ♦♦♦♦♦ Outstanding
Over all rating: ♦♦♦♦ Very Good

Cuvée Chasseur 2010

Appearance: Bright purple.
Aroma: Simple oaky red fruit.
Flavour: Easy-going juicy red.
 

Wine Name: Cuvée Chasseur (Rouge)

Producer: Waitrose own-brand

Grape/Blend: Carignan, Grenache, Merlot

Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12%

Country: France (Vin de Pays de L'Hérault)

Bought at: Waitrose

Price: £4.35

Value for money: ♦♦♦♦ Very Good
Over all rating: ♦♦ Average

McGuigan Bin No. 578 Merlot 2010

Appearance: Bright purpley red.
Aroma: Simple and clean black fruit.
Flavour: Medium-bodied merlot with smooth tannins and nice savoury oak. The hot climate has produced flavours of caramel and stewed plums.

This is currently sitting on the end of the isle in my local Sainsbury's along with others in the same £4.00 - £5.00 price range. Not worth the £9.99 SRP but at the moment £4.99 gives you a reasonable, no-thrills wine.
 

Wine Name: Bin No. 578 Merlot

Producer: McGuigan

Grape/Blend: Merlot 
Vintage: 2010 

Alcohol: 13% 
Country: Australia (South Australia)

Bought at: Sainsbury's

Price: £4.99 (Half Price)

Value for money: ♦♦♦ Good
Over all rating: ♦♦ Average

Torretta di Mondelli Nero d'Avola 2010

Appearance: Light purple.
Aroma: Juicy plums and smoke.
Flavour: Lean and dry medium-bodied red with a fresh green character and simple tannic finish.
Black pepper, redcurrants and bitter greens.

This is a youthful red wine and is perfect with meaty fish, pasta or other tomato-based dishes where fuller-bodied red wines are not wanted. I was surprised by the quality of this wine and recommend it.

Wine Name: Torretta di Mondelli Nero d'Avola

Producer: CS Birgi, Italy

Grape/Blend: Nero d'Avola

Vintage: 2010
Alcohol: 12.5%

Country: Italy (Sicily)

Bought at: Sainsbury's

Price: £4.49 (50% off £8.99)

Value for money: ♦♦♦♦ Very Good
Over all rating: ♦♦♦ Good

Triade Campania Bianco 2009

Appearance Medium yellow.
Aroma: Tropical fruits and strong alcohol.
Flavour: High acid is matched by full tropical fruit flavours and a touch of oak lends complexity.
Pineapple, vanilla and hazelnut.

Wine Name: Triade Campania Bianco

Producer: Paolo Leo

Grape/Blend: Fiano, Falanghina, Greco

Vintage: 2009
Alcohol: 13%

Country: Italy (Campania)

Bought at: Waitrose

Price: £8.99

Value for money: ♦♦♦ Good
Over all rating: ♦♦♦ Good