As the leaves turn to vibrant tones of orange and vermilion, it’s time to put away the Rosé and get back into the Reds. Tesco have come up with an autumn selection to warm you up.
I like a nice rosé, don’t get me wrong, but around mid September I find myself a bit fed up with sinking the pink. I want something at room temperature, something with big mouth feel and an warm enveloping vinous hug to accompany sturdier food. No one ever drank a rose with a meat stew.
Of course you don’t have to go straight to the big tannin reds, you can find reds that are light-bodied, full-bodied, or ones that hover on the border.
Light reds tend to feature the same grapes: Pinot Noir: and Beaujolais, or you could be a bit different and go for a fizzy Lambrusco. Medium bodied reds include Merlot, Tempranillo, Cabernet Franc, Zinfandel and sometimes Barbera while the big boys include Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec and Shiraz.
Tesco have a very good Autumn ready cross section right now, with a range of prices. Get a stock in to keep you warm around the candle in this coming winter of discontent.
Des Tourelles Claret Bordeaux – £5
A classic Bordeaux at a very affordable price, expect the typical flavours of black cherries, plums and spice. One for a midweek toad in the hole.
Piccodoro Nero D’Avola – £5.75
You can always count on Italian reds to come on heavy and make you an offer you can’r refuse. This one hails from Sicily using local Nero d’Avola grapes to deliver a rich and fruity experience. A lasagne would like this a lot.
Marques de Los Zancos Rioja Crianza – £6.75
12 months American oak barrel ageing gives this Spanish wine, made from Tempranillo grapes, luscious velvety vanilla notes.
Altano Douro Rewilding Edition – £10
Rewilding Portugal do important conservation work on a 20,000-hectare wildlife corridor in northern Portugal and when you buy this wine, money goes to support them. This is a blend of Touriga Franca, Tempranillo and Tinta Barroca grape
Tesco Finest Viña del Cura Rioja Gran Reserva – £12
Hand harvested Tempranillo grapes are crushed and left for an average of 24 months before maturing then at least 36 months in bottle at the Baron de Ley winery. A super premium wine at an affordable price.
Arbousset Lirac – £12
A powerful ‘cru’ from the Southern Rhone Valley seamlessly melding Grenache, Shiraz/Syrah, Mourvèdre and Cinsault grapes. The vineyard is just across the river from the far more expensive Châteauneuf-du-Pape and gives you a bit of that taste for a lot less. Boeuf Bourguignon beckons.
Constitution Road Shiraz – £16
South African reds tend to be as large as their rugby players and this Shiraz/Syrah blend is meaty, big and bouncy. Aged for 36 months in oak barrels it comes out the glass ready to please large groups. Have BBQ outside, rain needn’t stop play.
Penfolds Shiraz Bin 28 – £30
Since 1959 Penfolds have liked to name their wines after their original ‘bins’. Bin 28 is a whopping 14.5% that’s matured for 12 months in American oak hogsheads. You could store this wine, carefully, for up to ten years at home for an extra special treat down the line. That’s if you can wait.
All wines available at Tesco