Big reds for hearty meals at Tesco

While we enjoy the last of the hearty winter food on the table, you want big flavours and spice in your glass. Peter Morrell gets a taste

Whether you’re having friends round for dinner or cosying up by the fire in the evening, there’s something for all occasions and budgets at Tesco.

Kevin Meehan, Tesco Wine Product Development Manager says “The Rhône and Rioja are classic sources for balanced but bold and spicy reds, while Argentinian Malbec and Barossa Shiraz are brilliant for super concentrated dark fruit flavours. My choice would be the powerful, yet elegant wines of the Douro though. Made from indigenous Portuguese grapes, this one is bursting with bold and delicious ripe dark fruit flavours.”

See below for a few suggestions:

Vista Castelli Montepulciano d’Abruzzo – £4.75

Vista Castelli Montepulciano Dabruzzo from Abruzzo, central Italy 75Cl

Bathed by the Mediterranean climate, where the sea and mountains meet, Vista Castelli is a bold, full-bodied wine from Abruzzo, central Italy.

With flavours of black cherries, blackberries and spice, this concentrated and complex red wine is perfect to enjoy with grilled mushrooms or slow roasts.

Firemark Argentinian Malbec – £4.79

Malbec. Mendoza. Red Wine. Vino Argentino Bebida Nacional. Wine of Argentina.

Firemark Malbec is inspired by the majestic and dramatic backdrop of the Andes – the ideal place to make great tasting wine. Aromas of plums and figs with lovely warming spice notes, blackberry flavours and a smooth finish. Great with juicy steaks and firepit style BBQs.

Marqués de los Zancos Rioja Crianza – £6.25

Denominacion de Origen Calificada, Crianza 2019. Product of Spain.

Marqués de los Zancos Rioja Crianza is a fruity, medium bodied Rioja aged in barrels for 12 months. Inspired by the traditional Riojan Danza de los Zancos (Stilts dance), with swirls of soft vanilla and a subtle flourish of peppery spice.

Peter Morrell, editor, comments “I have tasted this wine, and it’s perfect for a chilly winter’s evening. There are strong aromas of cherries and strawberries, with a touch of oak. On the palate the fruit flavours remain ,and the oaky taste becomes more pronounced. The wine is medium bodied which, combined with its dryness and well-structured tannins makes it ideal to pair with food. The finish is persistent and fruity with a good helping of spice. I matched this Rioja with a Spanish Pork and Chorizo stew, flavoured with smoked paprika – delicious!”

Tesco Finest Peumo Carmenère – £8

Puemo Carmenere, Valle de Cachapoal, Wine of Chile, 2020

A rich and well balanced wine made from Chile’s iconic Carmenere grape from the Peumo vineyards situated within the Cachapoal Valley. Deep in colour with gentle aromas of wild herbs, chocolate notes and balanced with juicy dark berry and plum flavours. A natural match for grilled meats, strong hard cheeses and spicy dishes

Tesco Finest Côtes du Rhône Villages – £8

Côtes-du-Rhône Villages Signargues – Appelation d’Origine Protégée – Product of France

From the Côtes du Rhône village of Signargues, this rich blend of mainly Grenache and Syrah grapes offers opulent dark fruit flavours such as blackcurrant and cherry with comforting warm spice on the finish. Delicious with roast meats, casseroles or ratatouille and also great for drinking on its own. Store horizontally in a cool, dark place

Tesco Finest Douro – £10

Douro – Denominação de origem controlada – Product of Portugal

From indigenous grape varieties grown and handpicked on the breath taking slopes of the Douro Valley comes this powerful yet elegant wine. Aromas of red fruits and black fruits and subtle spice lead to a harmonious palate with a long, concentrated finish. A perfect match for lamb cutlets.

St Hallett Barossa Faith Shiraz – £15

Barossa Shiraz 75CL. Wine of Australia

It was a leap of faith which inspired a small group of European settlers to leave their homeland and seek the opportunities of the Barossa in 1842. They established small farms and vineyards and started making uniquely Barossan wines which reflected the region’s ancient soils and friendly climate. That same faith in the provenance of the vine has sustained the region’s grape growers and winemakers for five generations.

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