Stockist/Retailer: Morrisons

(2025) Les Dauphins is the brand of a large Rhône Cooperative cellar, with around 2,000 vine-growing members. This wine comes in a 250ml can as reviewed, equivalent to a large glass. It is a blend of Grenache and Syrah, from certified High Environmental Value vineyards. Bright, raspberry, cherry and kirsch aromas are primary and bold. In the mouth it is juicy and blackcurranty, exactly what you might expect, with modest tannins and enough acidity to balance it weighty 14% alcohol. Price for a 250ml can.

(2024) Tasted earlier in the year I wrote: "A crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking and thoroughly pleasant blend," and having tasted it again, that sums up this approachable blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Semillon. The maximum dosage for Brut of 12g/l means it verges on being perceptibly sweet, but sharper apple and lemon to the fruit and acid balance peachy and lightly toasty note. The rolling mousse keeping everything fresh enough in a stylish fizz for a lowly £10.

(2024) A Syrah and Grenache blend, unoaked but given some time to mature in the cellar before release, this comes from the Unions des Vignerons des Côtes du Rhône co-operative. It has lift and vibrancy on the nose, kirsch and violet edging black fruits that are ripe and immediately suggest a juicy pastille quality. In the mouth there robust, sweet and chunky fruit, though the finish does tail off slightly into a slightly sharp astringency that just detracts from an otherwise enjoyable CdR.

(2024) The IGP Mediterranée appellation is a relatively new one that covers all of Provence, but extends north into the southern reaches of the Rhône Valley and includes the island of Corsica. All of that is rosé wine country, but the blend of grapes allowed here is greater, and in this case includes Merlot as well as Grenache and Syrah. It's a very nicely realised wine, fragrant and delicate with watermelon and rose-hip over a hint of peach, then a dry but fruity and mouth-filling palate of pulpy red berries. It has a pleasing ripple of texture and very nicely balanced acidity. At its very low price, and occasionally on offer even lower, it is really rather good. Watch the video for more information.

(2024) This Chilean wine is an unusual blend of mostly Sauvignon Blanc, the light peach/orange colour and hint of red berries coming from Pinot Noir. Aromatically, small redcurrant and cranberry notes join racier lemon withba touch of orange peel. The palate is fairly straightforward with citrus juiciness and a dry finish.

(2024) A crowd-pleasing, easy-drinking and thoroughly pleasant blend of 90% merlot and 10% semillon. 12g/l dosage gives an edge of sweetness, though the acid balance is good. Toasty, creamy and peachy, the generous mousse and fresh apple zip works well.

(2023) It's over a decade since I last visited Mud House on a trip to New Zealand, at that time an ambitious and impressive operation that already made wines in Marlborough, Waipara and Central Otago. In 2021 I was surprised to receive a sample of a Sauvignon Blanc from Mud House Chile, the company having branched out to South America. Now in 2023, they've come back to Sauvignon Blanc's homeland of France, though not the Loire Valley, but the Languedoc. You may, if you wish, line-up wines from the three countries to compare and contrast. For me, this French version is a hit: it successfully marries New World exuberance with a bit of Old World savoury restraint. It has prerequisite passion fruit and gooseberry, but a dry, grapefruit and lemon palate with decent length too. £8.00 at time of writing in Morrisons. Watch the video for more information.  

(2023) Though I applaud the charitable aspect of this wine - the sale of one bottle provides one meal for a person in need in the Western Cape community - I'm afraid I preferred the Cabernet-Merlot partner, also in Morrisons at £9.00. There's nothing much wrong with this, but it feels both thin and a bit cloying, with some residual sugar being used to hide the rather shrill fruit and acidity. Not my cup of tea.  

(2023) Fruit comes from the Western Cape's expansive Coastal region, and spent over a year in American and French oak. Journey's End will provide one meal for someone in need in their local community, for each bottle purchased. Brambles, plum and gentle spice on the nose, a little suggestion of bubblegum perhaps. In the mouth it is juicy and fruity, a hint of sappiness is refreshing, the oak not apparent as it finishes with some sweetness from residual sugar, but balanced acidity and a modest tannic grip.    

(2023) I often find the sweet spot for me with age statement Tawny Ports is 20-Year-Old, but Taylor's wines are lovely across the spectrum including this 10-Year-Old. Light ruby/tawny colour. Spicy, with lots of walnutty and caramel notes, exotic spices and tobacco. Fruit comes to the fore on palate, red berries perhaps, but the mellow barrel-aged warmth re-emerges into a long finish with a little bolstering tannin and good acidity. What a delight this would be with a baked fig pudding or chunk of mature cheddar.