Tuesday 28 April 2009

Share tips for drinks industry?

I heard Justin Urquhart Stewart from Seven Investment Management on the radio this weekend tipping so called 'sin shares' at the moment. The idea being that in a recession we smoke and drink more (are their any other sins?). This got me thinking as I'm hearing nothing but bad news coming out of the drinks industry at the moment so how can this be? Maybe I am missing a trick or the theory is incorrect but something is not quite right at the moment... I'll have another glass of excellent Pouilly Fuisse (Chateau Fuisse) and think about it.

Saturday 4 April 2009

Great Value wines from the South of France

I’ve had a couple of French wines recently that have impressed me, not least of which because they represent excellent value for money. I know that we have ridiculous taxes and charges on our wines here in the UK, import duty, transport costs, supermarket mark-ups etc which leaves the actual cost of the wine a lot less than people think.

In this particular case I am recommending an obscure French wine for just £4.74 a bottle when you buy 6. It is called BASTIDE de Garille from a relatively unknown appellation (Cabardes) 2006. It is a delicious combination of Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Apparently the cool air of the mountains combined with the Mediterranean sunshine in the south of France help produce some excellent grapes and because we are talking about France I am sure the terroir is perfect too.

The second recommendation is called Maison Maurel Vedeau 2007 also from the south of France. This Languedoc regional wine is taken from vineyards all around the region and is a lovely combination of Sauvignon Blanc and Grenache grapes. I was expecting the sharp capsicum taste of a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc but this had none of it. I don’t know what proportions of the two varietals were included but it has a lovely soft, honey/melon/lychee flavour that makes you want to drink more and more and before you know it the bottle is empty. This one retails at £8.54 a bottle when you buy 6. Quite a lot for a south of France wine made from random vineyards in the region but believe me well worth a try.

Both of these wines are available from Tesco’s Wine club and if you look hard enough you might pick up the odd bottle at their bigger stores.