Buying a bottle of wine - up to £50

AMO

Hi all,

I went to China with my wife and I have an uncle there that loves wine. He once opened a bottle and I found that it's origins where from France. He wanted to give me a bottle to take back to the U.K. but I told him that there is no point taking wine from Europe back to Europe!

Anyway, my mother-in-law is coming to visit and I was thinking of getting a nice bottle of wine for her to take back with her for my uncle.

I am no wine expert, but where can I get a decent bottle of wine for her to take back.

Thanks!

BOBS

Asda do 3 for a tenner ;-)

Seriously though - you might need to know what type of wine he likes and then go to a specialist wine merchant - not a chain and get recommendations.

Lugh_Chronain

I agree with BOBS, find out what type of wine he likes, and as your uncle appears to be a wine connoisseur you may also want to consider purchasing a very good bottle of wine and not some cheap plonk. It appears you've set your budget well for this.

I can however highly recommend wines from Valladolid which is located within three wine growing regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales.

The ones that fall under the Designation of Origin Cigales are very good. White wines from Rueda and red wines from Ribera del Duero are also known for their quality.

Apparently the two top purchasers of wine from Valladolid are first the Queen and second Julio Iglesias, no doubt theirs is the top of the top and most likely won't be sold at any of the supermarkets though this says a lot about the wine from Valladolid and how excellent it is.

Nevertheless, and if you do want to be extravagant, Selfridges sell Traslanzas Cigales 2006 (red wine) for £23.99. Minimum purchase is one bottle though not sure if any delivery applies as I've not checked.

For more mainsteam prices, M&S sell Finca Ariadna Rueda Sauvignon Blanc 2011 (white) for £6.99, and Tesco also sells Tesco Finest Palestra Rueda Verdejo (white) currently on offer for £5.99, and ASDA Extra Special Tierras De La Reina Rueda (white) is currently £5 reduced from £8.25. ASDA also sell Paul de Albas Ribera del Duero (red) currently £6 and also reduced from £8.25, and Tesco Finest Altos de Tamaron Ribera del Duero Tempranillo (red) £6.99. Some of these may be out of stock, check in store.

If you want to get a rose, wines from regions Marques de Caceres, Gran Feudo and Enate are all very good. Julian Chivite Gran Feudo Rosado for £6.99 and Marques de Caceres Rioja Rosado for £8.99 both at Waitrose, and Gran Feudo Rosado Tesco, £8.50. The Spanish for rose is Rosado, but you might get a clue from the colour of the wine. I'm not 100% sure if these are all in stock in store.

Another good one is Palacio de Bornos Verdejo (white), £8.49 at Waitrose, check in store as may be also out of stock.

You could also ask if any of the stores sells wine from Valladolid as well, some may be able to recommend a good one [hopefully]. More extravagant stores may pronounce this buy-a-dolid. I'm sure they'll know what you're talking about all the same.

Some of the above supermarket wines may also be purchased online with minimum purchase of one bottle.

Lugh_Chronain

I just had a look on Selfridges website, it appears you can click & collect to any of their stores if you live near one, if you decide on the Traslanzas Cigales.

Their stores are based in London, Birmingham, Manchester Exchange Square and Manchester Trafford.

Delivery is from £4.95 otherwise.

Incidentally, Morrisons also sell all the above regions as well.

Check Morrisons Cellar though some may also be sold in store as well. They also sell Vinea Cigales Crianza £8.99, apparently this is available in store as well. And if you want to spend a bit more, Finca Villacreces Ribera del Duero is also available for £25, doesn't look like it's sold in store though.

johnnyreggae

Go to a wine merchant or even good supermarket (eg waitrose) and with your budget ask for advice but aim for an extremely good Burgundy red - premier or grand cru - for example Waitrose : Louis Latour Aloxe-Corton Premier Cru Les Chaillots Burgundy, France 75cl £29.99 or if white preferred : Domaine Henri Clerc Puligny-Montrachet Burgundy, France 75cl £30.99