Pour & Explore

Co-op Lime Tree Chardonnay 2003, 13%, £4.29.
Australia – South
Mild buttery pear and blossom fragrance with nutty hints opens up fresh tropical fruit flavours with a dominant pineapple backdrop that becomes richer to a soft ginger-spice candied finish.
An all rounder that’s easy and fresh with enough juicy fruit to encourage the taste buds and temper the stronger flavours — a classic charcoaled chicken partner. (5 out of 5)

Co-op Chilean Merlot 2003, 14%, £3.99.
Chile – Central Valley
Toasty aromas of ripe blackberry fruit and warm spice lead to even fresher plum skin flavours and acidity that persist to a drying spicy finale.
A versatile easy-to-drink red with enough chew to handle everything from sirloin to sausages or slightly chilled as a pre BBQ slurp.(4 out of 5)

Booths Peaks View Sauvignon Blanc 2003, 13%, £3.99.
South Africa - Wellington
Gentle floral and elderflower scents with a fresh green edge present some lively tropical fruit acidity and grilled grapefruit flavours that lead to a dry soft mineral finish.
Excellent value for money - super fresh from sniff to sip to swallow and super fish partner at any barbie.(5 out of 5)

Booths Peaks View Cinsault/Pinotage 2003, 12.5%, £3.99.
South Africa - Wellington
Warm, deep and earthy berry aromas with hints of herby-spice and dark chocolate deliver fresh soft berry flavours with a bitter bite tang before equally soft drying tannins and final spiced kick.
A straight up and down wine that’s just a division below its partner above — will not offend anybody.(4 out of 5)

Oddbins Smoking Parrot Sauvignon Blanc 2002, 12%, £3.99.
France – Vins de Pays du Tarn
Subtle scents of nettle lemon and flint deliver fuller fresh green fruit and grass flavours with a dry crisp tangy finish.
An exclusive to Oddbins that is sure to get the tastebuds working and keep them fresh. (4.5 out of 5)

Oddbins Oracle Pinotage 2003, 13.5%, £4.99.
South Africa – Western Cape
Thick aromas of a plum juice reduction with added violet and spice whiffs deliver a rich juicy full flavoured mouthful with a chocolatey backdrop and gentle chewy tannins.
Real beefy BBQ fare to suit anything you throw at it. Extremely fresh and balanced for one so young.(5 out of 5)

Plato Harrison Il Sogno Trebbiano 2003, 11.5%, £3.99 .
Italy – Rubicone
Light, fresh grassy aromas with hints of young asparagus and lemon oil offer up clean melon and lemon flavours which dry off gently to a mild mineral finish.
A BBQ belter at a belting price and a real garden glugger — it doesn’t have blockbuster ‘over the top’ flavours but it will keep your guests fresh all night long.
(Special offer – three bottles for £10)(5 out of 5)

Plato Harrison Il Sogno Sangiovese 2002, 11.5%, £3.99.
Italy – Rubicone
Soft red berry fruit with warm spicy scents leads to light cherry flavours that ease into a more spiced-up finale.
Basic inexpensive soft Italian juice usually served at the bigger barbies by the bucket load — can be chilled.
(Special offer – three bottles for £10)(4 out of 5)

Majestic Chapelle du Bois Colombard/ Chardonnay 2003, 12%, £4.99.
France – Vin de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne
Aromatic herby-floral scents lead you to light and crisp sherbety-lemon flavours with an extra fresh tang on the finish.
Super savoury partner for fish and salads or even as an appetiser as you fire up the coals. (Buy two save £1 = £4.49) (3 out of 5)

Majestic Chapelle du Bois Merlot/Cabernet 2003, 13.5%, £4.99.
France – Vin de Pays d’Oc
Just-burst fresh blackcurrant aromas and peppery spice deliver richer concentrated fruit flavours that remains fresh to the end with soft and subtle drying tannins. Fruity, succulent blackcurranty flavours still holding on to the freshness of the leaf and ready for all those marauding meat flavours. (Buy two save £1 = £4.49)(4 out of 5)

NB: Majestic sells wines and spirits with a minimum purchase of 12 bottles, mixed by any style or price.

Marks and Spencer Quinta
Dos Fados Vital/Chardonnay
2001, 13%, £3.99.
Portugal – Ribatejano
Fresh sharp lemon and limey aromas are tempered with traces of butter before releasing deeper, drier and tangy tropical fruit flavours that are never far away from a buttery backdrop and slight honeyed finish.
Just beginning to show its age but in a positive more concentrated way that will suit strongly flavoured barbecued foods. Drink within three months.(5 out of 5)

Marks & Spencer Solorico Aragonês 2001, 13%, £4.99.
Portugal – Ribatejano
Warm spiced-up aromas of blackberry and plum develop mild liquorice/aniseed scents that lead to fresh fruit flavours with active spicy tannins drawing you to a drying fruit skin finish.
An excellent barbecue drop with balanced bundles of fruit and tannin giving a big character and big flavours. A real marinade melter!(3.5 out of 5)

Windermere Wine Piduco Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2001, 13%, £4.49.
Chile – Maule Valley
Warm blackberry and raspberry aromas laced with vanilla spice and a hint of mint delivers thinner fresh stalky berry flavours with a bitter wood finish.
A bit light but enough fresh tannins to cut through any charcoaled offerings.(4.5 out of 5)

Morrisons Chenet Colombard/Chardonnay 2003, 11.5%, £3.69.
France – Vins de Pays des Côtes de Gascogne
Very light lemon backdrop holds richer grass and butter scents that offer up more vigorous melon and unripe apricot flavours resulting in a more assertive refreshing acidity on the finish.
A value for money basic BBQ bottle that offers a light clean freshness suitable as a pre-grub glugger or fresh salad partner.(3.5 out of 5)

Morrisons Chenet Cabernet/Syrah 2002, 12%, £3.69.
France – Vins de Pays D’Oc
Very, very basic — bring on the rain!(3.5 out of 5)