Choosing a gift for next Sunday’s Mother’s Day is never that easy for sons and daughters, of whatever age. I’m sure you’ll not complain when you receive the usual bunch of flowers or box of chocs, but it would be nice to get something rather more personalised wouldn’t it? So why not help your children along by dropping subtle, or not, hints that a bottle or two of your favourite wine would be much appreciated.
Their urge to buy champagne will be strong – don’t try and divert this but direct it either towards something really, really expensive (after all you’re worth it aren’t you?), or a bottle of wine you know only you will enjoy.
You could direct your offspring towards wines priced at £6 and under (Sainsbury’s Roc Saint Vincent Sauvignon Blanc at £6 not only looks the part but tastes good too) but as it’s your day why not move them along the wine aisle to the £10+ section. Here there are not only fancy prices and fancy labels but also, in some instances, fancy and enjoyable flavours.
French wines from specific chateau (vineyards with a castle) or domains (smaller sub-regions) always make great gifts as their undecipherable labels convey poshness. But they can be a bit of a risk for a purchaser as the bottle often gives no hint of the flavours found inside. So the best way to find out what the wine actually tastes like is to ask.
Obviously it helps if there’s someone around to ask and an off-licence or up-market wine shop is a better bet for this than a supermarket – plus they tend to hire staff with in-depth wine knowledge rather than the do-everything shelf stacker. So try Majestic (usually on the edge of town) or local specialists like Tanners in Shropshire or Averys in Bristol. Their staff should be able to direct you to mother-friendly wines.
There’s always the tried and tasted wines suggested below if you need more inspiration.
PG Wine Reviews
Roc Saint Vincent Bordeaux Sauvignon Blanc 2011
£6 Sainsbury’s (down from £8.25 until March 10)
Refined lemon and apple flavours with a floral edge – all with a reassuringly traditional-looking label.
Blackfoot Daisy Australian Pinot Grigio 2013
£8.99 Virgin Wines
Dry pear and apple flavours in a bottle with a pretty label.
Trivento Argentinean Malbec Reserve 2013
£8.99 Tesco
A lighter flavour than the earthy aromas would lead you to expect: raspberry, plum and chocloate with a hint of grapefruit.
McGuigan The Shortlist Australian Cabernet Sauvignon 2010
£13. 97 Asda, £14.99 Majestic
Rich and chewy red with flavours of blackcurrant, liquorice and plum.
Tenuta Olim Bauda Italian Barbera d’Asti Superiore 2010
£29.99 Virgin Wines
An oomphy red for a woman who likes her wine to really taste of something – in this case cherry bakewell and raisins.
Tweet me a wine question @huxelrebe
© Paula Goddard 2015 www.paulagoddard.com
