Food

John Wilson: Six great-value bottles from SuperValu’s French wine sale

Wines for the Weekend: Costing from €10.70 to €25, there’s a bottle here for every occasion

Wines for the weekend: Château Lacombe Cadiot, Château Moulin Lafitte, Gustave Lorentz Pinot Blanc Reserve, Louis Latour Grand Ardèche Chardonnay, Lady de Mour Margaux, and Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins, all from SuperValu

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John Wilson
Fri Sep 3 2021 - 11:00

SuperValu began its annual French sale yesterday, with a well-chosen range of 80 wines on promotion until Wednesday, September 22nd. Its wine buyer Kevin O’Callaghan says the supermarket doesn’t always have the shelf space for everything he would like to offer, so this guest programme allows it to make more wines available.

In addition to the six bottles below, the sale includes three wines from Louis Latour, a Bourgogne Pinot Noir (€18), a Chablis (€20) and, if you want to push the boat out, a Meursault (€45). You could accompany this with the Château Tour Baladoz St Emilion Grand Cru 2018 (€30, down from €45) – O'Callaghan says SuperValu customers bought more expensive wines during lockdown, with the likes of Chablis and Sancerre doing well.

Gustave Lorentz Pinot Blanc Reserve, Alsace, €12 (down from €18.99)
This is a steal at the sale price. Fresh and vibrant, with delicious textured peaches and a dry finish. Drink solo or with quiche, salads or seafood.

Louis Latour Grand Ardèche Chardonnay, €18 (down from €25)
Owned by the Burgundian house of Louis Latour, the Grand Ardèche estate produces some very good Chardonnay, and this is the star turn. Lightly toasted hazelnuts and white flowers with succulent ripe apple fruits, and a lovely refreshing seam of acidity. Great value.

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Château Lacombe Cadiot 2019, Bordeaux Supérieur, €10.70 (down from €16)
Another steal. I wrote about the very tasty 2018 vintage last year. The 2019 is different in style but every bit as good – and €2 cheaper. Ripe brambly blackcurrant fruits, with a warming 14 per cent alcohol, some light peppery tannins and a good dry finish. Try it with roast lamb, hard cheeses or macaroni cheese.

Château Moulin Lafitte 2016, Bordeaux, €12.70 (down from €18.99)
A nicely rounded Merlot-based Bordeaux with supple, smooth plum and red-cherry fruits. Try this with roast beef or a mushroom ragout.

Lady de Mour Margaux 2018, €24.75 (down from €37)
A stylish Margaux, lightly perfumed with elegant blackcurrant and plum fruits, and a light tannic structure. Try this with a roast leg of lamb.

Crozes-Hermitage Domaine des Grands Chemins 2018, Delas, €25 (down from €38)
Rich, powerful and so very smooth, with ripe dark fruits and cracked black pepper. A hedonist's delight. Try it with roast game, a rare fillet steak or roast stuffed mushrooms.