IT’S THE May Day bank holiday weekend and for one moment I thought about suggesting wines to match with barbecue grub. Then I remembered that this is northern England and only the very hardy will be eating al fresco.

Even if the sun does shine, it’s not likely to be sun-lounger weather, so I’ll save those barbie recommendations for another week. But I have found some good supermarket offer wines. A glass or two and the World Snooker final anybody?

Do check out a red and white pairing from the south of France, on offer at The Co-operative. Both are really well crafted, offering good value for money, especially at the promotional price.

Jour de Nuit Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 is the classic Bordeaux blend and it tastes just like claret, too. This is a well-balanced creation; it’s very smooth with ripe cherry, plum and blackcurrant fruit flavours. There are notes of spice and vanilla, from the 16 months the wine spends ageing in French oak.

In the white corner there’s Jour de Nuit Chardonnay Viognier 2012, which is rich and flavoursome. It’s an approachable wine that is just as good to drink on its own as it would be paired with fish or chicken.

The two grapes make great blending partners: here the apple and tropical fruit of the chardonnay, marry perfectly with the peach and perfume of the viognier. There’s some honey in there also and white pepper on the finish.

Staying in the chardonnay camp, if you like a good white Burgundy but don’t like paying the price for it, try Tabalí Encantado Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2011. It’s from Chile’s Limari Valley, an area rich in alluvial limestone deposits which shine through in the wine.

It’s nicely fresh and judiciously oaked, with long flavours of tropical and citrus fruit and pronounced mineral notes.


Jour de Nuit Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2011, Pays d’Oc, £7.49 down from £9.99 at The Co-operative 18/20 

Jour de Nuit Chardonnay Viognier 2012, Pays d’Oc, £7.49 down from £9.99 at The Co-operative 18/20

Tabalí Encantado Reserva Especial Chardonnay 2011, £9.19 down from £11.49 at Waitrose 17/20