This about wine, not food

Penguin merlot from Sainsbury’s is nice.

Tesco do a Blush wine which is delicious Pino Grigio is a nice white Merlot is a nice soft red wine. Each about 12% vol alcohol if I drink a wine less than 11% it gives me a headache.

I’m really lucky as my wife is a connoisseur of good wines and as an interest subject she studied for an took several exams up to level 3 with the wines and sprits organisation. This apparently would allow her to be a sommelier! I so enjoyed the study process as she had to buy and taste a large variety of very different wines and make notes about them.
So when we go wine shopping or ordering in a restaurant I get the full history of the vineyard and a description of the growing conditions down to which side of the valley the grapes were grown.
What I have learned is that a good wine doesn’t have to be expensive if you have a bit of knowledge.

I find either Hardy's, Wolf Blass or McGuigan are a good basic wines (I drink white) and like Pinot from either, around £5/£6 a bottle. Recently I've been buying Hardys VR Pinot from Tesco.

Usually more expensive red wines need to breathe for 20-30 minutes before drinking - we usually open the bottle and pour a little into a glass - it can make a huge difference to the flavour.

I think Aldi & Lidl are either for those who aren't too bothered, or for those who really know their stuff. Co-op is a bit more reliable.

We are very lucky with a local wine merchant who know they won't survive if they don't look after their customers. We get almost all of our wine from them £6-9 a bottle unless we are pushing the boat out, and all good. Shame yours isn't more sensible.

I would certainly ask your friends for advice "what would go nicely with......"

If you can be bothered, the weekend magazines tend to review wines, so you could pick up a hint or two. Otherwise I would go to a 'good' supermarket and pay £8-10 a bottle. You probably won't get a bargain, but it won't be duff.

I’ve said this before. Have yet to find a decent red wine in Aldi or Lidl for a reasonable price. ((£5 to £6).

Tesco always has very drinkable wine for around this price on offer.

Wine is very much a personal taste but the wine critics say you get better value and a much better wine by paying a little more than the £5/6.00 bottle. If taking a bottle as a thank you I'd pay round about the £10.00 mark. I've had some nice bottles from M&S. Recently, I've had friends bring me a decent prosecco or Cava which when chilled is a nice summery drink.

Phew! I thought you were pushing the boat out a bit paying three hundred and eight-five pounds. That would have to be seriously nice!

Three pounds and 85p Pittcity.

How much Timetogo???

I bought a red wine from Sainsburys called Penguin,only cost £385 and i really do like it and it sells out very quickly,it`s around 13-14% proof.
Also available in a white.
You can only get it in Sainsburys too.

we use naked wines too
but the co-op have a really nice selection too. My current favourite is Picpoul de Pinet chilled

Try Lidl. They have specially selected wines that have scores out of 100 and descriptions underneath. We try those scoring 85 or above and haven't had a dud yet. All at reasonable prices.

Dh says that everything tastes nice by the 2nd glass!!

I go by this for my purchases

Whites-
Pino Grigio is light and refreshing
Sauvignon Blanc has a more complex flavour and dont pay more than £7 a bottle. For a special occasion a New Zealand Sauvignon - Cloudy Bay is lovely.
Lindemans and Marlborough are reliable producers.

For reds I like the full bodied so avoid Merlot like the plague and Caberbnet Sauvignon but if you like a lighter red they are fine.
Pinotage, Shiraz and Malbecs are our favourites usually South African or Chilean. Again dont need to pay more than £7.

Sainsbury Taste the Difference wines all seem to be good and good value.

Lots of people love Aldi wine but I have spent many an occasion at friends politely sipping it and looking for a convenient house plant to pour it into.

If you are pushing the boat out a subscription to Laithwaites or Naked Wines (same thing but smaller producers) will help guide you through the grapes etc.

I hope that helps- no need to spend lots on an individual bottle unless you want to.

Naked Wines are good for advice, selection and price. We avoid supermarkets unless we know they have one particular rosé we adore.

I would never give an expensive bottle unless I knew the recipient liked it, people’s tastes vary so much. Go for a lighter wine at £7-10 then it will suit everyone - or if you are coming here a single malt will do nicely!