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Metro
17-05-2025
- Business
- Metro
I tried 70 wines from Co-op — a £7.35 bottle was the best
I rarely ever buy wine from Co-op. Sandwiches, sure. Emergency compostable bin bags, absolutely. A bag of spuds when I inevitably realise we've run out at 6:43pm on a Sunday, heck yes. But wine? Not the first place I'd look… until recently. I'll preface this by saying I love Co-op – it's one of the supermarkets that feels like it genuinely cares. It's democratic, community-minded and engages with local causes. It was championing Fairtrade before it was trendy to pay your staff and suppliers fairly and it now sells over 100 Fairtrade wines – more than any other retailer. But, maybe that was the problem for me when it came to its wine. Because if I'm honest, for as long as I can remember the Co-op wine aisle has given me functional, but not exciting. More than that, there was a earnestness and 'pick me, I'm Fairtrade' vibe that was putting me off. (Plus, the wine labels were always a little practical-looking and I'm superficial, so those two factors were never going to align.) Then I tasted Muriel Tempranillo Vendimia Seleccionada Rioja and it was good, like really good. I'd love to say that my eyes locked onto it whilst I was in store looking for cat litter and oat milk – although I actually have a dog and I drink cow's milk – but, no. It was at the Co-op wine tasting that I tried this bottle, along with 70 other of their spring/summer wines. This Rioja is currently down to £7.35 making it head spinning value for money and is basically the definition of a barbecue red. It's the real deal, pure 'Riojan roll', aged for seven months in French and American oak, so you get a suggestion of wood influence without feeling like you're running your tongue along a barn door. It's made by one of the oldest wineries in Rioja Alavesa, the northernmost and arguably most refined of Rioja's winemaking subregions. Bodegas Muriel has been going since 1926, but is now producing a modern, fruit-driven style. This is made from 100% Tempranillo, the classic Rioja grape, We're talking flavours of blackcurrant, black cherry, damson, and dried mint flavours with a touch of baking spice. It'll work best with roast lamb in front of a Netflix documentary about exes from hell. So, while I was busy side-eyeing its Fairtrade Sauvignon, it seems Co-op has been quietly levelling up its wine game. Still making ethical, mindful choices, only now with much better wine and a ramped up sense of style. Here are six other bottles that caught my attention and should be front and centre on your shopping list… Codorniu Gran Crémant Cava Brut Organic, Spain, £10.25 (in store, £11 delivered) I'll bang on about Cava's indecently good value for money forever if you're not careful. Start drinking it so I don't have to. It's made in the same way as Champagne, for goodness sake, yet this is only just over a tenner. Plus, it's organic and we all know what an expensive process that is. But, why is it using the French term 'Crémant'? Probably piggybacking on the success of the Crémant category, and why not. You've got to try this bottle, it's dry, peachy, tingly and saline. Co-op Soave, Italy, £5.65 Italian whites are massively up in quality across the supermarkets. Here's a great case in point, given Soave can taste like mediocre dish water if it's not made well. The flavours are barely-there, it has to be said, but for the price this has some citrussy minerality and almond flavours going on, giving you lime sherbet happy ending. You really can't go wrong, then you can trade up to the 'Classico' version which sits at £8.25. Co-op Orvieto Classico, Italy, £6.85 This is the crisp summer white you've probably never heard of. If you're Grigio devotee or you like sipping Soave, this should be on your drinking rotation, stat. Orvieto is from the Umbrian hills of central Italy, and for under £7 you get a decent amount of dry lemon sherbet and macadamia nut flavours in your glass. Sometimes, keeping it simple tastes pretty good. Welmoed Rosé, South Africa, £7.95 South Africa seems to be the epicentre of good value rosé at Co-op. This coral-coloured Fairtrade example is all blood orange and cantaloupe melon in the mouth, with a dry and spicy finish. It's lovely. No wonder it has a piquancy about it, it made from 100% Shiraz. A great choice for all the al fresco frolics and shenanigans we're inevitably going to be having over the summer. Muriel Tempranillo Vendimia Seleccionada Rioja, Spain, £7.35 (save £1.50 until 3rd June) Now for the main event, and what can I say that I've not already said? Run, don't walk to grab some while it's still on deal. Even off promo, it's still an incredible bargain. This is classic elegance of Rioja meets the new movement from younger winemakers bringing the region up to date with the modern palate. Off you go… Al Fresco Red, Spain, £8.50 View More » The winemaker of this fun little number is a friend of mine, Ray O'Connor MW. He's crafted a summer glugging wine for Co-op, mid-way between a rosé and a red in colour and style, would that be a redé or a rosed? Either way, it's innovative, and thankfully it tastes good, because that could have been an awkward conversation. It's made 100% from the juicy Garnacha grape, so think pomegranate and dragon fruit in flavour, light in texture and very, very morish. Must be chilled before sipping, it's the law. If you count yourself a purveyor of the finer things in life, Metro's Drink Up column is where you need to be. Immerse yourself in the world of good drink, fronted by industry expert Rob Buckhaven – a place for readers to whet their whistle with the latest and greatest in the world of drinks. From unpacking the best supermarket wines from Aldi, Tesco and Lidl, to introducing audiences to the wallet-friendly Cremant out-bubbling the fanciest of French Champagnes (or the best wines to drink after sex), and finding out what it's like to go on a bar crawl with Jason Momoa, this is a haven for those who love to celebrate. Stay ahead of the curve as Rob plucks from the vines the wines of the season and the spirits you need to know about; speaking with experts and mixologists while unpacking the latest concoctions, finding the best non-alcoholic options for those looking to moderate, discovering the best food pairings for your drops, and going up against the latest TikTok chatter to demystify the liquid landscape. Can you really make cheap vodka taste expensive by putting it through a Brita filter? What happens when you put wine in a blender? And, truly, how should we be storing our wine? Read More. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ MORE: Lidl launches 'dream' bakery item we ate in the '00s — and it's only 59p MORE: We tried 'daring' sandwiches in London and these are the best ones MORE: Morrisons axes popular loyalty card offer — and shoppers are 'not happy'
Daily Mail
17-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Mail
Our wine expert reveals the best Spanish whites, from £9.99
Hailing from coastal towns and inland hills, Spanish whites rely on a range of native varieties so there's something to suit every occasion, mood and fussy dinner guest! For fresh, zingy styles, Albariño is the go-to. After a little more texture? There's oaked white Rioja and Godello (Spain 's answer to Chardonnay). Got a little more to spend? I love premium barrel-aged white Riojas: rich, complex and perfect for Burgundy lovers. How good to see Aldi stocking this fab Spanish gem. It's pure, textured and layered, with peachy citrus appeal – a steal guaranteed to impress even your fanciest friend. This was my first taste of the rare Albilla grape, here grown inland at altitude. It has a floral bouquet, red apple and lemon. Try with herby salads. Viña Pomal Barrel Fermented Rioja blanco 2023 (13%) £10.50 Shop Here's one for red wine drinkers who 'don't do white': unctuous stone fruit, sweet spice from oak and a mouth-filling creamy texture. This textbook Albariño ticks all the boxes – it's zesty, vibrant, refreshing and so moreish; a sea-like charmer to pair with salty snacks and/ or seafood, simply cooked.
The Independent
03-04-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Cheese, wine and whiskey: How your shopping basket could be affected by Trump's tariffs
Tariffs that will make exporting goods to America more costly could hit shopping baskets in the UK as producers around the globe look to recoup the extra costs. Donald Trump 's levies mean industries worldwide are scrambling to assess what the impact on them will be and there is no doubt that consumers in the US will see prices there rise as manufacturers pass on those costs to the buyer. But that in turn means that many might opt out of paying higher prices, while businesses in America might cancel orders coming in from overseas to avoid paying those extra costs. That might mean raising prices elsewhere to reduce their losses. Here's what different industries have said in response and what impact that might have on UK prices. Cheese A collection of feta producers in Greece have already noted they'll be severely impacted, with half their sales to America likely to disappear. "We have to divert these quantities to other markets,' said the head of Greece's association of dairy industries. That could mean lower prices elsewhere to stoke demand, or trying to find new territories to sell into. But even the latter could see price rises as the wider economic impacts of recession risk and supply chain disruptions are felt. The European Dairy Association has similarly criticised the move as 'unjustified'. Wine The amount of wine people have been drinking has been on the decline worldwide and now Rioja in Spain is in the firing line. Surplus stock and the potential partial loss of the second-biggest market, in the US, means farmers are under real pressure. In Italy, agriculture minister Francesco Lollobrigida was cautiously optimistic, saying they 'aren't terrified,' though noting the US was 'a fundamental market for Italy, indispensable and not replaceable'. Sales of French wine and spirits to the US are expected to fall 20 per cent, report Reuters. Whisky, whiskey and beer The Irish Whiskey Association has urged governments to continue working together amid expected 'devastating impacts' to business models, with 41 per cent of Irish drinks exports bound for the US market. Meanwhile, 10,000 European beer producers are going to be significantly hit too - those produced and shipped in aluminium cans will be hit by a 25 per cent tariff imposed on that industry, confirmed FoodNavigator. The Scotch Whisky Association have not offered guidance on the amount of impact it fears but said they are 'disappointed' that companies are being hit. Fish Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said about 25 per cent of its exports went Stateside but hoped demand would remain despite additional costs. 'We have great confidence that Americans will continue to buy nutritious Scottish salmon, particularly when the country is reliant on imports to meet US consumer demand,' he said. The statement again called for calm discussion rather than retaliation to resolve the issues at hand. When will UK prices be affected? Domestically, prices might not be immediately impacted, but down the line they can be in more than one way. Professor Andrew Clare of Bayes Business School told The Independent that the UK's own response will also affect matters. 'We're protected by the floating exchange rate to an extent, but the negative demand shock could still impact,' he said. 'It will depend how the UK government deal with it: if reciprocal tariffs apply then it will similarly have an inflationary effect [on UK consumers] that US consumers face now. Looking longer term, supply chain issues are another complex factor at play. 'The overall UK market might not be immediately impacted but we're part of a global supply chain. If it causes problems elsewhere, it might cause a knock-on effect: it could be more competitive to get resources elsewhere rather than to the UK,' Scott Curtiss, a supply chain expert at RELEX, told The Independent. 'Particularly in retail grocery prices there's a lag and there are supermarket price policies to consider. But there's a balance at play: it might not be those goods which are directly impacted which change prices, they might maintain an artificially low price on the item affected but raise it elsewhere. 'The Suez Canal and other shipping issues show you have to be ready and have options in place, rather than constantly reacting to each event.'
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
London bar owner says Treasury change ‘misunderstands why people drink wine'
A change to alcohol duty 'fundamentally misunderstands why people drink wine', a London speakeasy owner has said, as he warned nightlife faces an 'existential crisis'. Paul Kohler, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, said 'every increase in cost makes survival more difficult' for businesses like the one he owns. The Treasury introduced a temporary 'easement' in 2023 which treated all wine between 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) as if it were 12.5%. It ended in February, so the amount of duty applied to wine increases depending on its ABV, which The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said would result in 30 different payable amounts within the range. When Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled her first budget in Government last year, the Treasury said the change would make an 11.5% ABV 250ml glass of wine 5p cheaper – but a 13% ABV 250ml glass would be 8p higher, if the cost is passed on to consumers. Speaking in the Commons, Treasury minister James Murray said firms had 'adapted well to the new system'. But Mr Kohler – who owns CellarDoor in Covent Garden – had earlier told the Commons that the system is 'simply not workable in the context of wine'. He said: 'It fundamentally misunderstands why people drink wine. 'Wine is consumed primarily for taste not strength – the ABV affects the taste profile. 'Compare a light Beaujolais with robust Rioja – it's all about taste, not about whether it is stronger and someone can get more drunk. That is not how people consume wine.' The MP also said: 'The ABV of wine cannot be predicted with precision before or during the wine-making process. 'The alcohol content's stable only at the point when the wine goes into the bottle. 'The ABV varies between different years and different vats, and until bottling we do not know the ABV of a particular bottle. 'It therefore creates huge uncertainty about price and profit margins for the industry if there are different rates of duty depending on the specific ABV, down to a gradation of 0.1%.' Turning to nightlife, Mr Kohler said: 'The industry is facing an existential crisis owing to the cost-of-living crisis, rising energy prices, inflation, labour shortages following Brexit, changes to commuting patterns, and more than doubling of business rates. 'Now, another increase in alcohol duties are to be yet another burden. 'Every increase in cost makes survival more difficult as I know myself, and this Finance Bill shows the Government is still not taking the dangers seriously.' Mr Murray said in response: 'The wine easement ended over a month ago and our early indications are that firms, warehouse keepers and HMRC have adapted well to the new system. 'Of course, I and my officials will carefully monitor that situation.' He added he has been in 'routine contact' with people from the wine industry during his time as a minister.
The Independent
03-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
London bar owner says Treasury change ‘misunderstands why people drink wine'
A change to alcohol duty 'fundamentally misunderstands why people drink wine', a London speakeasy owner has said, as he warned nightlife faces an 'existential crisis'. Paul Kohler, the Liberal Democrat MP for Wimbledon, said 'every increase in cost makes survival more difficult' for businesses like the one he owns. The Treasury introduced a temporary 'easement' in 2023 which treated all wine between 11.5% and 14.5% alcohol by volume (ABV) as if it were 12.5%. It ended in February, so the amount of duty applied to wine increases depending on its ABV, which The Wine and Spirit Trade Association (WSTA) said would result in 30 different payable amounts within the range. When Chancellor Rachel Reeves unveiled her first budget in Government last year, the Treasury said the change would make an 11.5% ABV 250ml glass of wine 5p cheaper – but a 13% ABV 250ml glass would be 8p higher, if the cost is passed on to consumers. Speaking in the Commons, Treasury minister James Murray said firms had 'adapted well to the new system'. But Mr Kohler – who owns CellarDoor in Covent Garden – had earlier told the Commons that the system is 'simply not workable in the context of wine'. He said: 'It fundamentally misunderstands why people drink wine. 'Wine is consumed primarily for taste not strength – the ABV affects the taste profile. 'Compare a light Beaujolais with robust Rioja – it's all about taste, not about whether it is stronger and someone can get more drunk. That is not how people consume wine.' The MP also said: 'The ABV of wine cannot be predicted with precision before or during the wine-making process. 'The alcohol content's stable only at the point when the wine goes into the bottle. 'The ABV varies between different years and different vats, and until bottling we do not know the ABV of a particular bottle. 'It therefore creates huge uncertainty about price and profit margins for the industry if there are different rates of duty depending on the specific ABV, down to a gradation of 0.1%.' Turning to nightlife, Mr Kohler said: 'The industry is facing an existential crisis owing to the cost-of-living crisis, rising energy prices, inflation, labour shortages following Brexit, changes to commuting patterns, and more than doubling of business rates. 'Now, another increase in alcohol duties are to be yet another burden. 'Every increase in cost makes survival more difficult as I know myself, and this Finance Bill shows the Government is still not taking the dangers seriously.' Mr Murray said in response: 'The wine easement ended over a month ago and our early indications are that firms, warehouse keepers and HMRC have adapted well to the new system. 'Of course, I and my officials will carefully monitor that situation.' He added he has been in 'routine contact' with people from the wine industry during his time as a minister.
