A 'great deal' of Wines and Spirits at Waitrose
By Master of Wine, Christopher Burr
Updated 12/12/2023
You should really head to Waitrose Cellars Offers for a magnificent selection of quality and price beating deals.
I have no hesitation in pointing out some of my favourites, starting with a category that is coming back into fashion fast, because the wines offer great value, (I am always nervous in saying that, as I wouldn't want producers to raise prices!)
That is Sherry, where Waitrose have one of the best selections and promote regularly. Tio Pepe Fino, even at its current £11.99 is well worth that, when compared with a high-quality white wine, and periodically it is promoted to £8.99.
But if you like crisp dry sherry, try the Solera Barbadillo Manzanilla grown near the sea on the chalk hills north of Sanlucar near Cadiz. It picks up a lovely salty freshness, and is perfect with smoked fish or tapas. Waitrose Cellar are currently discounting Solera by £2 a bottle from £10.99 to £8.99.
They have also just brought in a new range of solera Almacenista, or long warehoused and matured wines called Pedro's, and I really like their Palo Cortado which is £10.99. To give you an idea of what other retailers feel it is worth, Majestic have the same wine for £15.99, which it is certainly worth.
Palo Cortado's are a category of specially selected sherries and often slightly more alcoholic to 20% in order to long age and become more complex. One of the very best Waitrose have is called Cayetano del Pino Palo Cortado for £14.99, a truly delicious pre lunch or dinner glass, and great with tapas or cheeses.
For a category that has blazed back into fashion, I also have to mention Waitrose's Gin section.
Tanqueray London Dry Gin is one of Gordon's best, at 45.1% alcohol by volume.
Gordon's itself is also on promo down from £23.75 to £19 and again for a litre bottle.
If you like a lemony botanical gin, one of my favourites is down from £33 to £25 a bottle! Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru, Murcian Lemon at 47% ABV is a great product.
As I normally write mainly about wine, I have picked out some real goodies;- first Fizz.
For Champagne, the Bollinger owned Champagne, Ayala Brut Majeur NV is reduced from £32.99 to £27.99, and must be one of the best quality and value Champagnes available.
And as a great supporter of English fizz, I love Ridgeview's Bloomsbury NV now at £24.99.
Rose' is also now very fashionable and with some warm weather coming, try the great value La Vielle Ferme Rose' £6.75 from the excellent Perrin Family who also make Angelina Jolie's southern French wines.
The best value quality white wine I have discovered in Waitrose Cellars in from the top Rioja House of Cune. Their Rioja Bianco, is a complex, lovely white, a great food wine, and now a steal for £6.75.
For Chardonnay lovers the wines from the cooler Adelaide Hills in Australia are some of the best, not too fat, but with charm and elegance. Waitrose have Petaluma White Lable Chardonnay promoted down by £2 a bottle to £13.99.
For a big Aussie red, the top producer Penfolds have their Koonunga Hill Shiraz Cabernet blend for £7.99. And back to France with the Perrin Family the "On the QT Syrah" from the southern Rhone is reduced by £4 a bottle to £11,99.
There are many more attractive deals on their website, I have just chosen a few, so check them out whilst the stocks last.
Christopher Burr. Master of Wine. May 2023.