Cheap and very cheerful

You don’t have to drink inferior wine just to fit a tight budget

You don’t have to drink inferior wine just to fit a tight budget. There are some great wines available that are consistently cheaper than others because they are simply not as well known or are made closer to home.

Italian wine has an enviable reputation around the world, producing some of the world's best and has hundreds of wine varieties to offer. 

In the white corner - Gavi

It's from Northern Italy in the Piemont region about 100Km South East of Turin, produced from Cortese grapes and grown on a small strip of land around the town of Gavi. It has a fresh and aromatic wine with a touch of tangy lemon and a freshness to the wine that is brought about by lovely mineral notes.

It's not the same as a Sauvignon Blanc but I have converted many a Sauvignon Blanc drinker onto this.

You can pick up a bottle from as little as £5.00. This wine punches well above its price. 

Try it with a pesto pasta.

In the red corner...

The big boys are Chianti, Valpolicella, Barolo and Montepulciano to name but a few.

However, one of the most widely planted grape in Italy is Barbera. Centuries old vines produce deep complex wines with great tannins (that mouth puckering feel).

Maligned at times for its high acidity, it has now been softened with better wine making techniques and adding oak or a little Cabernet Sauvignon (Sauvignon meaning savage).

Available in many stores for around £6 and change. It's a truly great buy - great to drink on its own or with a pot roast.

These are just two wines from one country. The beauty of wine is there are so many options. Next time you are in need of a bottle get some advice from your local wine merchant. Tell them your budget and what you are drinking it with, and you may be in for a pleasant surprise. 

Food & Wine by Paul Sheerin
Pshearse@gmail.com