Drink

John Wilson: Three good buys from Tesco, including a Whispering Angel rosé

Wines for the Weekend: Plus a Shiraz that illustrates Swartland’s rise, and an elegant Faugères

Wines for the weekend: Tesco Finest Faugères, The Palm by Whispering Angel, and Tesco Finest Swartland Shiraz

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John Wilson
Fri Aug 20 2021 - 12:32

This week three wines from Tesco. Our love affair with rosé continues unabated. Kevin O'Callaghan, wine buyer for SuperValu, tells me they sell more than 600 bottles of their brand leader, Whispering Angel, every week – at €25 a bottle. Below the Palm is a cuvee made by Whispering Angel available exclusively at Tesco.

Once thought of as useful only for bulk wines, Swartland, in South Africa, has been earning huge plaudits for wines produced from very old, dry-farmed bush vines. The Shiraz below is one such example.

Faugères is part of Languedoc, a vast swathe of vineyards running along the Mediterranean coast from Nîmes, in France, to the Spanish coast. Faugères has two things going for it: a range of hills that protect it from cold northerly winds, and unique schist soils that provide perfect drainage for the vines.

The Palm 2020 by Whispering Angel, Coteaux d'Aix-en-Provence, €18.99
From the producer of one of Ireland's favourite rosés, this is an exuberant wine with abundant rounded strawberry and raspberry fruits. Drink solo or with mixed summery salads.

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Tesco Finest Swartland Shiraz 2020, South Africa, €12
Medium- to full-bodied, with smooth, rounded, ripe dark fruits with a spicy edge. Try this with a South African braai, a full-on barbecue featuring an array of red and white meats.

Tesco Finest Faugères 2019, €12
This is an elegant medium-bodied wine with tasty liquorice and dark fruits, subtle herby notes and light tannins on the finish. Pair it with lamb chops or a rare steak.