Wines Under £15

Feteasca Neagra (literally translates as Black Maiden) is one of the most widely planted red varieties in Romania (and Moldova), and easily the most widely planted native one. Late ripening, high yielding, and thick skinned, the grapes can reach high levels of sugar and acidity meaning in the past it was mainly used to make sweet and semi-sweet reds with lots of new oak. Nowadays new investment in vineyards and wineries are leading to a new wave of winemakers making much more elegant and balanced wines.

From the geniuses at Cramele Recas, this has a brilliant spicy nose of black pepper, black berry, black currant and red cherry. A bit pinot noiry but medium bodied with rich, grippy, very dry tannins and beautifully balanced acidity. A hint of coffee right at the very end.

Zesty and bright with ripe peach and grapefruit notes on the nose followed by a palate of zippy grapefruit and lemon zest with a pleasingly long finish.

Vibrant black fruit aromas with a touch of spice. On the palate layers of ripe plum, blackcurrant and juicy black cherry balance spicy, developed flavours. A well-structured and complex wine with ripe tannins and bright acidity on the finish.

Azienda Uggiano

A haunting honeysuckle and apricot aroma and rich, almost unctuous palate that is somehow still dry, tangy and refreshing.

Terres Fidèles

Fresh black cherries and cassis notes of the nose. With a juicy palate showing soft tannins with more red fruit flavours, and a touch of spice on the finish.

From Chris- "I was properly bowled over when I tasted this a couple of weeks ago. Whilst the prices of top end Bordeaux place them well out of reach of mere mortals, many properties further down the food chain have struggled in recent years and countless Chateaux have simply thrown in the towel in the face of competition from across the globe. Others, have seen it as an opportunity to raise their game as Michael Regaud has done here. An investment programme started by his father in 1979 has seen quality levels consistently outperforming those of their neighbours – this is “proper” Bordeaux but at an accessible level."

Full-bodied, supple wine with soft tannins and a fruity finish

Chris writes "Equal measures of Viognier and Marsanne create this gorgeous, vibrant Rhone white which served to give my palate a much needed wake-up call when it crossed my path at a tasting back in October. Unoaked, it’s all about vibrant stone fruit and citrus flavours finishing with that mouth-cleansing acidity. "

A pale, beautifully balanced chardonnay with hints of vanilla on the nose and a winning cool climate acidity. Careful oak treatment has resulted in a wine of depth and balance.

A classic Crianza style, from vineyards in Rioja Oriental. A blend of Tempranillo, with a touch of Mazuelo and Garnacha, producing a wine with lovely aromas of wild red berries, blossom, nutmeg and hints of sandalwood. Here the oak is poised and only enhances the fruit, creating an authentic and accessible style of Crianza to please the palate, and at a price to please the pocket too.

Bodegas Manzanos

A beautiful minerality and freshness with aromas of white fruits such as pear and white peach. Soft citrus notes, as well as almond shell and white flowers, are part of the great bouquet. On the palate it is balanced and elegant

This wine is a unique blend from the Colchagua Valley that seeks to showcase the great potential achieved by mixing red varieties to highlight their individual and collective character. With a bright ruby red colour, it displays an interesting and expressive nose where the fruity and spicy style predominates, showing aromas of cherry, blueberries, blackberry, violet flower accompanied by notes of red pepper, rosemary, and tarragon. On the palate, it is of medium concentration with a beautiful acidity that gives it great liveliness and juiciness. Soft and silky tannins provide a subtle and elegant finish that makes it an easy-to-drink wine, ideal for sharing and enjoying.

Sauvignon and Semillon grapes from this 47 hectare Domaine are handled seperately on arrival at the Rauzan co-operative to ensure that the wine retains its estate provenance. A period of 9 -18 hours pre-fermentation skin contact takes place before cool fermentation on the fine lees aiming to makes the most of the natural, fresh aromatics in the grapes.

Ripe peach and tropical fruit on the nose with fresh citrus notes. Honeyed and textured on the palate with crisp acidity and hints of honeydew melon and lychee leading to a bright, zesty finish with fresh lemony acidity.

Dry-farmed Grenache from the slopes of Wellington, the early picked grapes are gently pressed and the juice allowed to settle for 24 hours before decanting. The wine was racked and naturally fermented in tank, then transferred to bottle to complete the fermentation. No dosage added.

A pale coral pink colour from just a few hours in the press. Fresh, vibrant red berry and citrus fruit aromas with lightly yeasty notes. Bright and refreshing with tangy cherry and plum fruit balanced by crisp acidity.

From Chris- "Pinotage has a reputation of being something of a “Marmite” variety and, in truth, I still blow pretty hot and cold with it. It’s very much a South African speciality - a cross between Cinsaut and Pinot Noir that’s been around for 80 or so years. At its best it’s all about lush, brambly fruit – loganberries and blackberries, at the other end of the scale it reeks of acetone and burnt rubber. I remember a tasting with Andre Van Rensberg, then winemaker with Vergelegen, who responded to a question with the retort “I’ve never killed anyone, never stolen from anyone and never planted Pinotage.” Any road up, I think this is rather good. Delheim were the first to produce a rose Pinotage in 1976 so they’ve had plenty of time to finetune their act. This is elegant and clean-as-a-whistle with more than a hint of strawberry fruit. Proper summertime rose."

Intense, bright and ripe raspberry Grenache fruit balanced by peppery, savoury characters from the Syrah and Mourvèdre. Generous but properly balanced and underpinned with smooth, ripe tannins.

Immediately impressive, this wine reveals its class from the start. Brambly fruit underpinned by subtle oaky nuances, lovely sweet spice - warm star anise with a touch of cinnamon. This classic Côtes du Rhône Villages is enriched with specially-selected parcels from Séguret and Sablet.

Pronounced, classic Cabernet Franc leafiness with blackcurrant fruit on the nose followed by robust, crunchy currant fruit on the palate with firm tannins.. Vibrant, young acidity provides freshness through to the finish. Best enjoyed with a good lunch.

A classic nose of apricots. Honey and white peach on the palate and a generous finish. Varietal, yet fresh.

Aromatic and intense, lovely aromas of wild red berries, blossom, nutmeg and hints of sandalwood. Fresh, fruity and well balanced with sensations of raspberries, vanilla and cinnamon.

Bodegas Manzanos

This red is 100% Monastrell, cultivated organically in chalky limestone soils at around 700 metres altitude. Low rainfall and plenty of sunshine are perfect for this variety. With no sulphites added during production - this low intervention wine is also low in histamine.

Bright cherry and floral aromas lead to a palate of ripe bramble and blueberry fruit, supple tannins and fresh acidity.

This ‘croquant’ Cinsault is bright and deliciously enjoyable. Unoaked, vibrant redcurrant and raspberry fruit with a wild, delicately tannic herbaceous edge.

A harmonious blend of barrel fermented, old vine Franschhoek Semillon with Sauvignon Blanc from high altitude vineyards in Stellenbosch. Made with Wildeberg's cornerstone philosophies of minimal intervention winemaking, wild ferment and coarse filtration to capture the essence of the source vineyards and soils.

From Nicosia's organically farmed vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna. Delicate, complex aromas of wild strawberry and redcurrant with lightly floral notes. Fresh bitter cherry and red berry fruit on the palate with fresh acidity, earthy notes and a savoury finish.

From Chris- "I was properly bowled over when I tasted this a couple of weeks ago. Whilst the prices of top end Bordeaux place them well out of reach of mere mortals, many properties further down the food chain have struggled in recent years and countless Chateaux have simply thrown in the towel in the face of competition from across the globe. Others, have seen it as an opportunity to raise their game as Michael Regaud has done here. An investment programme started by his father in 1979 has seen quality levels consistently outperforming those of their neighbours – this is “proper” Bordeaux but at an accessible level."

Full-bodied, supple wine with soft tannins and a fruity finish

With a deep ruby red colour good structure and and medium body, this elegant wine has notes of cherries and spice, black pepper, with some oak notes in the background.

Owned by siblings Louis and Marie Farbre who were early pioneers of organic viticulture in the Languedoc, Château Coulon sits on a hill near the village of Cruscades close to the Via Aquitania, a Roman road which links the Mediterranean to the Atlantic. The vineyard extends over smooth, rounded pebbles deposited by the river Orbieu and refreshing winds assist in the organic management of the estate..

A concentrated and savoury red from the deep south of France. This Corbières shows intriguing savoury and herbal aromas of bitters and thyme. The palate is full of morello cherry fruit and carries through savoury flavours to the finish. Fantastic with charcoal-grilled lamb, rosemary potatoes and a green salad.

Famille Fabre Ch. Coulon

A classic Portuguese blend of Antão Vaz, Roupeiro, Perrum, Fernao Pires/ Arinto. Complex and inviting citrus notes of lemon and white fruit are followed by fresh and balanced palate, with a firm body and a long finish

On the nose, this Sauvignon Blanc displays citrus aromas, of lime and tangerine. The palate features aromas of mandarin, tropical fruits and herbal notes. A wine with a refreshing acidity, great depth and persistence.

This wine displays an intense ruby red colour with violet hues. The nose reveals aromas of red fruit and black fruit with balsamic tones, which complements with notes of vanilla, chocolate, cherry and plums. It has a soft palate, fine-grained tannins, and refreshing acidity.