Luke's Monthly Wine Recommendations | June

Sun, sip, repeat

Good afternoon,

As my Substack journey grows so does my appetite to bring you more value! I have some exciting developments to share with you over the coming weeks but for now, let’s get stuck into this month’s selections….

"Great wine requires a madman to grow the vine, a wise man to watch over it, a lucid poet to make it, and a lover to drink it." - Dali

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Whites

ASDA - The Wine Atlas, Feteasca Regala, Romania £5 (down from £5.50)

Romania offers strong FVM and I think this is a very balanced version of the grape - a steal for a fiver.

M&S- Lock Keeper's, Reserve Chardonnay, Australia £6.67 (down from £10)

If you like your oaked Chardonnay then at this price the Lock Keeper’s reserve is a solid option. The reviews speak for themselves, it doesn’t throw any surprises but is a well-balanced oaked lightly oaked Chard - which isn’t always easy to find.

Morrisons - ‘The Best’ Gruner Veltliner, Austria £7 if you buy three (down from £9.50)

Gruner is Austria’s signature grape and it seems to be becoming more popular. This one comes from Niederösterreich which is Austria's largest quality wine-growing area. It has that spicy element that the grape is known for and it’s worth a go!

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Rosé

Waitrose - Le Bijou, Rosé, de Sophie Valrose, Languedoc, France £7.49 (down from £9.99)

This is a cracking little Rosé from Waitrose that imitates a Provence - nuf said.

Lidl - Cabriz, Rosé Colheita Seleccionada, Dão, Portugal 2022 £7.99

Portugal may be known for its Mateus Rosé but this modern version from Lidl has received good press—a good amount of red fruit with a very satisfying finish.

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Sparkling

Sainsbury’s - Louis Bouillot Cremant de Bourgogne Rosé £13 (down from £15)

This was doing the rounds at a party I was at recently and it went down well. For a sparkling Cremant from Burgundy, this has plenty going on - not the most elegant of Rosé but well worth it!

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Reds

Lea & Sandeman - Old Vine Zinfandel, Scotto, Family Vineyards £9.95 if you buy 12 or £10.95

When I left London I often used to have this wine from Adnams. Zinfandel doesn’t come cheap so I think for under ten pounds it represents great value. It’s not super big or expressive compared to other Zins but a good representation of the grape and would be welcomed at most BBQ’s.

Lidl - Generazione, Etna Rosso, Sicily, Italy £9.99

Etna Rosso wines from Sicily often come at a premium and so this is a great opportunity to try a wine from these famous slopes. It's a blend of Etna's signature red grape, Nerello Mascalese, with Nerello Cappuccio, and it's a great introduction to the Etna style being fresh and vibrant due to all of that volcanic goodness.

Majestic - Two Hands 'Angels' Share' Shiraz 2021/22, McLaren Vale £14.99 mix six (down from £21.99)

What a wine and what a price! I’ve always loved the Two Hands range as their branding and style of wine just stands out amongst others. This is a seductive version of the Shiraz grape at a superb price that we are unlikely ever to see again.

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Stay Corked,

Luke

Ps just to confirm I am not sponsored by any of these retailers and will always say if I am. I’m trying to change the feeling around wine so please share, like or comment on this article to take it to the next level.