Meadowhawk Cellars . California. Old Vines Zinfandel 2014. Contra Costa £7.99

ALDI - Meadowhawk Cellars - Zinfandel 2014 - £7.99

I've come a long way from my embryonic years at Edinburgh's Oddbins.  I remember at the interview I said that my favourite wine was a spicy Australian Shiraz.  My taste has definitely diversified since then.  At Aldi today I was drawn to this Californian Zinfandel.  Now folks, don't be put off.  This isn't a White Zinfandel, this is a spicy, sassy, berry full red wine.

Zinfandel, sneered at by wine buffs! We rarely find good Californian wines in supermarkets in this country.  That's a shame as Californian wines are some of the best the world has to offer (if you haven't seen the film *Bottleshock* you need to!) This offering from Aldi isn't amazing, but it's decent at £7.99.  I'm thinking this would be a really great accompaniment to pork dishes.  Spicy and fruity but not too heavy.  Bursting with berry intensity, and yet beautifully savory.  I will certainly be buying another bottle before it runs out!

8/10

Appearance

Clarity:- Clear
Intensity:- Medium
Colour:- Ruby

Nose

Condition:- Clean
Intensity:- Medium
Aroma Characteristics:- Savory, oak, fruits

Palate:-

Sweetness:- Dry
Acidity:- Low/Medium
Tannin:- Medium Soft
Body:- Medium
Flavour:- Spice, oak, dark berries.
Finish:- Medium

Quality:- Good!

Toro Loco Rose 2014 £3.79 6/10

Toro Loco Rose 2014 - £3.79 6/10

 

Wow it's summer.  Yes I know it's been said so many times but this year has just flown by! Summer time - Rose! Am I right? Well I haven't been a fan of rose.  I thought it was the wine of choice of giggly girls in the summer.  As a tomboy I always chose either white or red.  None of this pink silly stuff!  How wrong I was. Rose can be fabulous in the summer.  I stand corrected! Rose is not just Gallo White Zinfandel, there's a whole host of roses waiting to be tried!

I was planning on making some sushi for lunch today and so wanted a nice fresh wine to go with it, nothing fancy, just a nice crisp wine.  I was thinking of a white, but was drawn to the Toro Loco Rose in Aldi.

At £3.79 this wine is a great price! Made from the Bobal grape and at 12% alcohol.

 

 

 

Appearance:-

 

Clarity:- Clear

Intensity:- Pale

Colour:- Salmon

 

Nose:-

 

Condition:- Clean

Intensity:- Medium

Aroma Characteristics:- Sweet, red fruit, strawberry.

 

Palate:-

 

Sweetness:- Dry

Acidity:- Medium/High

Tannin:- Low

Body:- Light

Flavour Characteristics:- Strawberry, Cherry

 

Finish:- Short

 

Quality:- Good

 

Notes:- Not complex, simple quaffing wine for summer.  Dry, not sweet.  Great value for price. Great with seafood.

Tesco Finest - Portuguese Douro £7.69

Tesco Finest - Portuguese Douro £7.69

Portugal. I haven't been back since my family holiday to the Algarve. I'm somewhat ashamed of this as Portugal has so much to offer. I'm itching to get to Porto and Lisbon. Portuguese wine is not just about Port. In recent years the wines from the Douro have become more popular in the UK, and for good reason. 

This Tesco wine from the Douro didn't disappoint. A light fruity nose and a lovely dark berry taste, with spicy undertones. It's not too complex, but has enough of a palate to keep you interested. Went very well with extra mature Gouda. 

At a price of £7.69 I thought this was extremely good value.

An unpretentious and deeply gluggable red. 

7/10

Aldi Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

Aldi Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

 This was £3.79.  A mid week wine for quaffing, this was berryish and a little spice on the finish.  Went well with gnocchi and tomato sauce.  Light and refreshing, very suited to a mid week pasta but in my opinion not enough body to accompany meat dishes.

A good wine for the price as long as you are not expecting too much.

5/10