When you’re in a hurry and the only place you can find to
pick up a bottle is the local Spar, you may like me, think that all I’m going
to be to get is a bottle a cheap and nasty Pinot Grigio or one of the
uninteresting big brands, but don’t panic, all is not lost.
I had the opportunity recently to meet the guys from the
Spar and to taste some of there own and exclusive label wines, which I have to
say were very impressive and actually great value as well. Here are a few of my
favourite;
Spar Chablis; this
has aromas of green fruit and citrus, with these coming through on the palate,
it has a delightful acidity with a touch of steely/minerality to it as well.
Not quite a crisp as many other traditional Chablis, but this helps to make it
a bit more approachable and hopefully enjoyable to more people, and great
value at £10.99.
Chene St Louis
Sancerre; with lovely aromas and flavours of gooseberries and a nice minerality
to it, again the acidity is much softer than many of it’s counterparts, this
however does not detract from it being a delicious wine, and great value at
£10.99.
Valle Vento Barolo;
this had a garnet colour to it in the glass, with the aromas and flavours dark fruits,
cherries and plums, with a touch of spice coming through from the background.
The tannins were fine and silky, the acidity was just enough to complement
this, resulting in a great glass of wine and again exceptional value at £14.99.
Les Trois Couronnes Chateauneuf du Pape; this is a blend of 13 of the permitted varieties, including Grenache and Syrah, which all help to create big rich wine with a great depth of flavour. It had aromas and flavours of dark fruit and spice, wonderfully fine/silky tannins and just the right amount of acidity to balance it all out and make it a great glass of wine, all for £15.99.
Ursa Maior Rioja Reserva; a Tempranillo blend, this had lovely mature aromas and flavours of dried fruit, cherries, tobacco and a touch of sweet spice, Vanilla. Lovely silky tannin and a great acidity, I have to say this was perfectly balanced and probably my favourite of the day, and all for £9.99.
I have to say I was rather impressed with there selection of wines, and if I ever needed to grab a bottle or two and I came across a Spar, I wouldn’t have any hesitation in popping in and selecting one from there own range.
