Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Name: Oyster Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Colour: White

Country: New Zealand

Region: Marlborough

Year: 2008

Producer: Oyster Bay Wines

Grape Varieties: Sauvignon Blanc

Alcohol: 13%

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Purchase Price: £6.99 (reduced-price offer, Tesco from £9.99)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes –Pale straw green in colour with brilliant clarity, Oyster Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is zesty and aromatic with lots of lively, penetrating fruit characters. A concentration of tropical and gooseberry flavours with an abundant bouquet, it is a wine that is always crisp, elegant and refreshing.

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Somnambulist's verdict:
Admittedly this one doesn’t qualify in the ‘quality-for-£5-and-under’ hunt, but it snuck into the trolley under the radar anyway, and I’m rather pleased it did. Like a stylish new arrival at an otherwise dreary drinks party, it’s a bit of a head-turner: pale green with glints of gold, gentle honeysuckle on the nose that gives way to gooseberries and rhubarb, but softened by something sweet. You know from the first twinkling moment that there’s bags of character waiting to indulge you.

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There’s a flash of acidity – a gooseberry tang and a hint of limes – but it’s subtle and rides well over a sultry, mouth-filling body, almost chewy. Bold and lively, sherbet lemons fizz mischievously around the tongue, daring you to take another sip, and then another. There’s nothing dull about this wine, without being pretentious it’s a wannabe Champagne. It’s not content to sit quietly and waste time with small talk, it wants to get the party started!

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Like a great night out that comes from deciding at the last minute to stay at home, it’s a sexy Sauvignon for a sumptuous summer. Enjoy!

Gran Familia White Rioja 2008

Name: Gran Familia

Colour: White

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2008

Producer: Castillo de Fuenmayor

Grape Varieties: Malvasia, Viura

Alcohol: 12%

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Purchase Price: £4 (ASDA)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes – Softly aromatic with hints of fruits and fresh flowers. Fruity and fresh on the dry palate with pleasing citrus notes. White Rioja is a delicious revelation to many wine drinkers. Castillo de Fuenmayor, located near Logroño at the heart of Rioja Alta, uses knowledge and skills passed down through generations together with modern winemaking techniques to make excellent wines widely acclaimed by press and the public alike. The famous vineyards of Rioja Alta are recognised as the finest in the region. The climate of moderate rainfall and long hot summers is perfect for producing high quality wines. The majority of this white Rioja was fermented in stainless steel to help retain the fresh flavours of the Viura and Malvasia grape varieties. 15% of the wine was matured in French oak barrels for 6 months to give body and very light oak flavours.

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Somnambulist's verdict: White Riojas tend to be a bit of a lottery in my experience, but since the Gran Familia Red was such a bargain find, it seemed worthwhile trying the white…and rather pleased that I did. It has a very enticing bouquet, a gentle citrusy mix of grapefruit and mandarin, and a fresh and tangy taste that’s both subtle and full – a bit like sucking on a cube of mandarin jelly (if there is such a thing!). The slight disappointment was the finish. If anyone remembers Parma Violets, they’d recognise that chalky, perfumed flavour in a flash. Nothing that can’t be undone by an olive or two, so don’t let it put you off! Thumbs up to this one…

Ogio Pinot Grigio 2008

Name: Ogio Pinot Grigio

Colour: White

Country: Italy

Region: Venezie

Year: 2008

Producer: Alessandro Botter

Grape Varieties: Pinot Grigio

Alcohol: 12%

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Purchase Price: £4.26 (half-price offer, Tesco)

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Notes:Maker's tasting notes – A crisp dry white with delicious fresh lemon & lime flavours.

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Somnambulist's verdict: It’s getting warmer and the occasional balmy evenings lend themselves to something light and white. Continuing the Somnambulistic search for value wines under £5 a bottle, I took advantage of Tesco’s half-price offer to try this stylishly branded Pinot Grigio.
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It’s got a sweet, fruity nose, like strong orange blossom – or even orange sherbert J - which belies a tart dash of lime on the palate. That first tang of citric acidity is pleasantly washed away by a large dollop of whipped cream. This wine reminded me of a bowl of Key Lime Pie, which is not necessarily a bad thing – I leave you to make the call on that – but it fitted the bill perfectly for watching the sun dip behind the apple trees…

Gran Familia Rioja 2008

Name: Gran Familia

Colour: Red

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Year: 2008

Producer: Castillo de Fuenmayor

Grape Varieties: Tempranillo 90%, Graciano 10%

Alcohol: 12.5%

Purchase Price: £4-5 (Asda)

Notes:

Maker's tasting notes – Gran Familia is a classic Rioja red wine in the much-loved smooth, mellow style. It comes from one of the region's very best bodegas. Our winemakers select high quality Tempranillo and Graciano grapes and the wine is matured in our cellars for 8 months to create the perfect balance of luscious fruit and silky tannins. Full-bodied with plenty of meaty, warm, ripe red fruit flavours. Drinking well now, but will improve in your cellar for up to three years.

Somnambulist's verdict: Another great find in the search for value at £5 and under. Everyone who has tried this at the Somnambulistic table has really enjoyed it. A+ for value-for-money.