thewinepenguin-blog

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L'Atelier Laurent Miquel Vermentino 2011

Drinkability: 8/10

Quality: 7/10

Value for money: 6/10

Verdict: 7/10

Crisp, fresh and citrusy with a lovely mineral quality, this wine is great. It is a bit different from you average white and very refreshing for the summer. The only problem is the price tag, I think you could find an equally good wine for less.

Perfect with... on its own or with shellfish.

Available for £8.49 at Waitrose.

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Hunter Valley Chardonnay 2011

Drinkability: 7/10

Quality: 7/10

Value for money: 6/10

Verdict: 6.5/10

This is not a bad wine by any means, citrusy and lightly oaked, it is easy drinking. However, it isn't really much of a cut above the many  other bargain aussie Chardonnays out there. It is creamy and refreshing, and would be great with food, but it lacks the magic that would make it worth the £9.99 price tag.

Perfect with... rich seafood like crab or lobster.

Available for £9.99 at Marks and Spencer.

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Casillero del Diablo 2011 Sauvignon Blanc

Drinkability: 8/10

Quality: 7/10

Value for money: 7/10

Verdict: 7.5/10

Like the red Casillero del Diablos in the range, this is easy drinking and good value for money. It displays the very herbaceous and grassy flavours of Sauvignon Blanc, but may be too green perhaps for some peoples tastes. Still, it is smooth, fresh and definitely drinkable.

Perfect with... on its own or with nibbles

Available at Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury's for £7.99

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Vinedos Barrihuelo Rioja 2008, Sainsbury's Taste the Difference

Drinkability: 6/10

Quality: 6/10

Value for money: 5/10

Verdict: 5.5/10

Sainsbury's has designed some excellent easy to understand new bottle labels, with simple flavour descriptions and a scale to let you know how full the body is. The description of bramble fruit with subtle vanilla is pretty accurate, as is the 3/5 body. It is a bit of a shame however, that the wine inside is distinctly average.

Perfect with...roasted meats and vegetables

Available for £8.99 at Saisburies. It is £6 a bottle if you buy 2, but I don't think that this would be worth it...

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Cowrie Bay Gisborne Chardonnay 2012, New Zealand

Drinkability: 8/10

Quality: 7/10

Value for money: 9/10 when on offer

Verdict: 8/10

The Wine Penguin has formerly championed a number of kiwi Sauvignon Blancs, but it is now huge fan of Chardonnay from the region. This unoaked and pure Chardonnay is fresh with juicy peach, mandarin and and honeyed flavours. The Gisborne region is the furthest east wine growing region in the world, and for less than £6 this wine is very special.

Perfect with juicy salads and vegetable dishes.

Available for £5.59 reduced from £6.99 at Waitrose.

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GSM, Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre 2012, M&S

Drinkability: 8/10

Quality: 7/10

Value for money: 9/10

Verdict: 8/10

A classic blend of Southern French grape varieties made in Spain, and all the better for it. It has flavours of rich ripe red berries and light tannins, making it very enjoyable to drink. Not only is it's origin unusual and surprising, it is also very good value for money for M&S, which often veers on the expensive side.

Perfect with ... rich stews and strong cheeses

Available for £5.99 at Marks and Spencer

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The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2012, Marlborough New Zealand

Drinkability: 8.5/10

Quality: 8/10

Value for money: 9/10 - when on offer

Verdict: 8.5/10

This refreshing New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc is incredibly easy to drink. With flavours of ripe peach, limey citrus and a touch of sweetness it makes a great aperetif - no need for food.

Perfect with... on it's own or with white fish.

Available for £6.66 reduced from 9.99 at Waitrose, although you could also pick it up at Ocado or Majestic.

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Classic Claret, Bordeaux, 2011

Drinkability: 7/10

Quality: 6/10

Value for money: 7/10

Verdict: 7/10

Although the label is basic and doesn't seem to promise much, this is surprisingly good! Aromas are absent, but the taste is pleasant, with the rich red fruit flavours and smooth tannins that make Bordeaux wines so enjoyable. It also comes in a good variety of bottle sizes...what's not to like?

Perfect with... steak and chips

Available for £7.49 for a 75cl bottle, and also in 50cl and 250ml bottles at Marks and Spencer.

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Casillero del Diablo 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon

Drinkability: 8/10

Quality: 7/10

Value for money: 9/10

Verdict: 8/10

Casillero del Diablo is one of the most popular and fast-growing wine brands in the UK. And after tasting this highly drinkable Cabernet Sauvignon, you can see why. Rich, full-bodied with blackberry flavours and gentle tannins, it is the definition of value for money.

Perfect with... grilled spicy meats and strong cheeses.

Available for £5.99 reduced from £7.99 at Waitrose and Tesco and £7.99 at Sainsbury's and Asda.

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Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc, New Zealand

Drinkability: 9/10

Quality: 7/10

Value for money: 8/10 when on offer

Verdict: 8/10

New Zealand seems to be one of the most reliable regions for a good white wine, and this classic kiwi Sauvignon Blanc is no exception. Light, fresh, citrusy and herbaceous, grab it when it is on offer!

Perfect with... white fish, shellfish or as an aperetif.

Available reduced from £10.99 to £8.99 at Waitrose, for £9.99 at Tesco and £10.99 at Sainsbury's. You could also pick it up for £10.99 at Ocado or Majestic.

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Valdemadera Carinena Gran Reserva 2007

Drinkability: 8/10

Quality: 7/10

Value for money: 6/10

Verdict: 7/10

With a lovely aroma of black fruits and powerful full bodied oaked taste, this wine is enjoyable to drink and great with strong and flavoursome food. It is a bit on the pricey side for the wine penguin, but a drinkable food-friendly wine is guaranteed...

Perfect with...stews, strong cheeses and roasted vegetables

Available for £8.99 at M&S

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Blason de Borgogne, Burgundy Pinot Noir

  Drinkability: 9/10

  Quality: 7/10

  Value for money:8/10

  Verdict: 8/10

At last! A really good mini-bottle. It might be light bodied, but this Burgundy is full of spicy red berry flavours with a lovely aroma. It is only a shame it does not come in a 75cl bottle...

Perfect with... duck in an orange sauce 

Available in a 187ml bottle for £2.50 at Sainsbury's

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Quinta de Azevedo, Vinho Verde, Cao DOC, Portugal

Drinkability: 8/10

Quality: 6/10

Value for money: 7/10

Verdict: 7/10

Light and citrusy, with a slight fizz, this classic Portuguese wine is very drinkable. It also has a surprisingly long length on the palate. At only 11% abv., it is less alcoholic and bulky than most white wines you can find in the UK and is very good value for money now it is on offer...

Perfect with... oily fish, shellfish or on it's own.

Available at Waitrose reduced to £5.99 from £7.49, and for £6.49 reduced from £7.99 at Majestic.

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Banrock Station Shiraz Mataro, South Eastern Australia

Drinkability: 5/10

Quality: 5/10

Value for money: 7/10

Verdict: 6.5/10

With black cherry flavours and lots of spice, this is good value for money when on offer. It is not a fine wine, and has quite a rough texture, but it is in no way the worst wine that The Wine Penguin has tasted...

Perfect with... a spicy Indian curry

Available on offer for £3.99 at Sainsbury's

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Jacob's Creek Shiraz Cabernet, South Eastern Australia

Drinkability: 5/10

Quality: 3/10

Value for money: 4/10

Verdict: 4/10

It smells nice and fruity, but there is not much on the palate apart from oak. LOTS of oak (probably not even real oak). The most offensive thing about this wine however, is its price point. The Wine Penguin wouldn't pay more than a fiver for it...

Perfect with... barbecued meats

Available for £7.49 at Tesco and £7.79 at Sainsbury's

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Wairau Cove, Marlborough New Zealand 2012

Drinkablity: 9/10

Quality: 8/10

Value for money: 10/10 (when half price)

Verdict: 9/10

Wonderful aromas of fresh lychee and flavours of green apple and passion fruit - this wine is seriously good and very refreshing. A classic example of the cool and fresh New Zealand Sauvignon style with a hint of sweetness. It makes a very exciting bargain now it is on offer for half price at Tesco.

Perfect with... You could pair it with Asian cuisine and white fish dishes, but it is even better on its own, without any food at all

Available half price for £5.99 at Tesco

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Chat-eu-Oeuf Blanc, Pays d' Oc IGP

Drinkability: 7/10

Quality: 4/10

Value for money: 7/10

Verdict: 6/10

After being so impressed by the Chat-eu-Oeuf rouge, The Wine Penguin was looking forward to sampling the blanc. A classic Southern French blend, this gluggable white is a cheap and cheerful, citrusy gem. After a few sips however, it does develop the same acidic taste that all other cheap whites seem to...

Perfect with... white fish dishes.

Available in a mini bottle for £1.99 at Waitrose, but the large bottle is available at other retailers such as Ocado for £5.99.