I’m a drinks writer — don’t write off these end-of-season wines under £10

It’s sunny, the crocuses are out and we’re finally free of dark mornings. That can only mean one thing…

It’s time to make a beeline for the end-of-season wines in the supermarkets before the spring/summer ranges come in.

Hang on though, are there actually specific wines for different seasons?

Yes, just like fashion and food, wine ranges are given a seasonal shake-up right about now. It’s out with the rich and heavy, in with the fresh and nimble. I mean, it makes sense, we’re not looking to guzzle walloping reds and buttery whites whilst wearing a t-shirt. Not on my watch, anyway. Plus, you can’t eat seasonally without drinking seasonally, fact.

A proportion of wines in many a range that will be ditched come the warmer weather. And even those that remain have no place in our drinking repertoire if they don’t match the season. It’s a case of so many wines, so little time. We’re can’t be getting bogged down with seasonally inappropriate bottles.

Think of springtime drinking as you would getting dressed. Early spring is famously that awkward hinterland that calls for that winter/summer hybrid outfit; winter coat, whipped off at the slightest glimmer of sun to reveal a summer tank top or t-shirt underneath. We’re accessorising it with a scarf, umbrella, wellies and sunglasses, naturally. Well, it’s the same situation for wine, minus the ‘whipping off’ part.

The best end-of-season wines under £10

The best thing about this time of year is that there are deals to be had. Though, to caution you, with the whole duty mess as it currently stands, wine prices have gone up and promotions aren’t looking nearly as compelling as they used to be.

But that doesn’t mean you have to spend a fortune. With that in mind, here are some wines to grab before they lose their seasonal relevance, and they’re all under a tenner.

Big Fin Chardonnay, Australia, £6.99 (save £2), Waitrose

Yes, buttery Aussie Chardonnays have made a comeback. And though they were great at comforting us through the long winter months, there are much fresher options for spring/summer. This one has the joyous flavours of a tropical beach breakfast, think White Lotus only less twisted. It has fleshy flavours of sliced pineapple, mango and papaya on hot buttered toast.

Irresistible Macon Villages Cave de Lugny, France, £9, Co-op

Sub-£10 Burgundy makes me nervous. It’s always such a lottery as to whether it’s actually going to be any good. Luckily, we can breathe a sigh of relief, as this one’s peachy, literally. It’s unoaked, so not a million miles from the purity of Chablis in style. If you’re a fan of stone fruit, mouthwatering dry whites with a pinch of dried herbs, you’re in for a treat. Disclaimer, you can drink this into spring, no problem.

Taste the Difference Fronton Negrette Rosé, £8.50, France, Sainsbury’s

Rosé is a spring/summer staple, so it’s surprising that this one is on my list. So, why is it? Because I’d class this one as a ‘winter rosé’. It’s darker in colour than the barely-there pinks we mainline in warmer weather, ideal for hearty dishes and chillier weather. There’s some delicious fruity flavours of blackberries and raspberries, alongside liquorice and Palma violets.

Des Tourelles Bordeaux Superieur, £6.75 (save 75p), Tesco

This used to be £5 a couple of years ago, ah, good old duty and inflation. Still, it’s exceptional value at just under £7, for an everyday sipper from Bordeaux. And though it’s not overly complex, it’s delicious, frankly. Stuffed with black cherry, mocha choca, blackberry and creamy almond flavours in this Merlot-dominated blend.

Specially Selected Italian Aglianico del Vulture, Italy, £7.99 (save 50p), Aldi

This has kept its place in Aldi’s range, and interestingly, it’s still categorised as a ‘seasonal line’ even though it was also in their autumn/winter collection. Anyhoo, with an unapologetically hearty style, it’s made from the uber-savoury Aglianico (alli-an-iko) grape. When it’s youthful, like this one, you’ll get a mouthful of leather, cured meat and dried dates. It’s rustic, structured and earthy, in the best way possible.

Molise Biferno 2018, Italy, £9.50, Italy, Co-op

This is a ‘bring round to someone’s house’ wine, if you know what I mean. I’ll explain why. It’s a talking point that will set tongues wagging, made predominantly from the Montepulciano grape. From southern Italy, this brooding red is all prune and sweet baking spices in flavour, with a concentrated kirsch note woven through.

Mucho Mas Vino Tinto, Spain, £8, Sainsbury’s

What’s the saying? Not ‘mad as a March hare’, but ‘March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb’. Well, this gutsy Spanish red will get you through the lion part, no problemo. What we have here is a spicy blend of Tempranillo and Syrah, unusually, aged in American oak barrels for four months to bring in sweet coconut notes.

And there’s one more bottle that has to get an honourable mention here, although I’m sorry to say it does cost more than £10…

Taste the Difference Discovery Collection Loin de L’Oeil, France, £11.50 (save £2.75) Sainsbury’s

I’m a fan of Sainsbury’s Discovery Selection, mainly for promoting off the beaten track wines like this one. A French regional wine, from the south-westerly Gaillac region, made from a white grape you don’t see around too often. The grapes are left to partially dry out on the vine, which adds boatloads of concentration, plus the wine is then aged on its yeast lees for winter-warming, mega-rich creaminess.

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