Wine Guide
While tastes may differ from person to person, we would agree that there is a wine for every occasion. Wine can be made from grapes, other fruits, herbs, and flowers. It has a relatively low alcohol content (up to 15%) compared to vodka and rum. You should never buy large quantities of wine you have not tasted. Don’t go by vintage ratings, try different brands and then take your pick.
Wines are primarily of three types (or colours!): red, white, and pink (also called ‘blush’ or ‘rose’ wine) wines. They might be ‘table’, ‘fortified’, or ‘sparkling’. Table or ‘still’ wines are the most natural. Fortified wines have a higher alcohol content of about 16-23% because of adding brandy. Wines with bubbles (like champagne) are called sparkling wines.
Most British supermarkets offer 2-5 brands of wines made at English or Welsh vineyards. Avoid the ‘British wine’. Many supermarkets today have a policy of stocking local produce, including wine of course! Many of them (like Co-op supermarkets) have their own in-house brands and you may even get clues about the very vineyard they came from. While the wine bought at the local supermarket may not be the best that area produces, it would still be good value for money, and of course very English! You can get a bottle for anywhere between £3 and £4.50. Most off-licence brands like Three Choirs, Threshers, and Victoria Wines are members of large groups today. Some specialist food stores like Harrods, Fortnum and Masons, and some provincial departmental stores also stock English wines. These would cost between £5 and £15.
If you are not satisfied with the wines that you get in the stores, you may consider visiting a wine merchant. Some of them are still around, primarily in the English cathedral towns. A specialist wine merchant should offer you a variety of at least half a dozen English and Welsh wine priced between £5 and £12. However, the best places to shop are the vineyards where you often get the best deals. You may get the ‘bin-ends’ for as low as £3.50, and sparkling and dessert wines for £15 to £20. Some vineyards even give you the option of shopping through the internet.
Tip: You can shop for wine at local supermarkets and specialist stores, but for variety and best prices visit wine merchants and vineyards.
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