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BAG A DRINKS BARGAIN
Susy Atkins shows how to save serious money on your bottle buying
this summer. Plus: a summery cocktail that deserves a revivalWhilewe’rebuyingmorewineto
drink at home, it’s an idea to look
beyond the obvious 75cl bottle. Those
who want to open a fresh bottle more
often (or who live with non-wine
drinkers) could consider half-bottles.
Check out the excellent range at The
Little Fine Wine Company (thelittle
finewinecompany.com). On the high
street my pick is the strawberry-
scented Louis Jadot Beaujolais
Villages Combe Aux Jacques 2018,
France 13.5% (£4.75/37.5cl, Tesco).
Bag-in-box wines have improved inqualityovertheyears;
the range from The
BIB Wine Company
(bibwines.co.uk)
includes the floral,
light and summery Three Choirs
Archa Bacchus 2019, England 11.5%
(£35.20/3 litres). And in-between
in size, M&S’s wine pouches are
interesting, offering 1.5 litres in a bag
with a tap. I recommend the dry but
juicy Coteaux Varois en Provence
Rosé 2019, France 12.5% (above,
£16/1.5 litres) for garden picnics.Castellore Pecorino 2019,
Colline Pescaresi, Italy
12.5% (£4.99, Aldi)
For less than a fiver, an
elegant dry white tingling
with fresh lime, green apple
and a softer hint of almond
behind. A mouthwatering
aperitif, or one to go with
leafy salads and tomatoes.Morrisons The Best
South African Sauvignon
Blanc 2019, Coastal
Region 13% (£6.75)
Bright and refreshing
Cape sauv blanc that
gleams with kiwi, lemon
and passion fruit, and
leaves a lively tang
in the mouth – try it
with mildly spiced white
fish and seafood dishes.Tesco Western Cape
Pinotage 2019, South
Africa 12.5% (£4.25)
A ripe Cape red, but
one that’s soft and
rounded, not too heavy.
Its blackberry-rich
flavour will suit
barbecued sausages
and pork chops.Haut Vignoble 2018,
Bordeaux, France 13.5%
(£6, Marks & Spencer)
Hurrah for a cheerful,
easy-drinking red
bordeaux, aromatic with
the scent of mulberries,
then fresh and relatively
light on the palate. Enjoy
on its own or pair it up al
fresco with mild cheeses,
pâtés and charcuterie.La Gioiosa Prosecco
Superiore Millesimato
2018, Valdobbiadene,
Veneto, Italy 11%
(£13.49, down to £9.99
8-28 July, selected
Waitrose stores and
waitrosecellar.com)
A premium vintage
prosecco from the
heart of the prosecco
region. It has masses
of tiny bubbles and a
delectable apricot and
yellow apple fruitiness.
Off-dry and best with
light savoury pastries.deliciousmagazine.co.uk 45
Beefeater London Dry Gin,
40% (£18.45, major retailers)
Premium gin can be expensive,
so here’s my pick of the less pricey
brands. It’s a multi-award-winning
classic, made by legendary distiller
Desmond Payne.
A robust, juniper-led,
citrus streaked bargain
for perfect G&Ts and
great cocktails. I love
a simple Gin Fizz in
summer: 45ml gin,
25ml fresh lemon
juice, 10ml sugar
syrup and 1 tsp white
sugar, shaken together
in a cocktail shaker,
strained into a highball
glass half filled with
ice cubes, then topped
up with soda water.
Chin chin!Wine in all shapes and sizes