THE DRINKER
EAT - DRINK - BE MERRY
PAST DRINKS OF THE WEEK
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2026 Past Drinks of The Week
DRINK OF THE WEEK
23rd March 2026
Hortas do Caseirinho
The Wine Society£6.75
Drinker Rating 90
Portugal is not particularly known for its sparkling wines but I think The Wine Society have found a little gem here.
This is a really light and elegant white sparkler, a little hint of citrus and peach with a very gentle fizz - this is 'frisante' rather than 'espumante'. And just look at the price!
Remember to buy wines from The Wine Society you must be a member, lifetime membership costs just £40 and is worth every penny and makes a great gift for the wine lover in your life.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
16th March 2026
Koopmanskloof Pinotage
M&S Ocado £9.00
Drinker Rating 90
Pinotage is South Africa's very own grape, it was created there in 1925 and has at long last found its place.
I say that as it was always a little odd and angular in it's early days and could have aromas of burnt rubber or farmyard (and ot in a good way). Often wine makers would develop a 'cellar palate' where they became imune to these off-putting characteristics and the public went cold on the grape for a while.
Happily it's very much a winner these days, better technique in the winery and better grape selection mean you get super wines at really good prices like this one from Koopmanskloof.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
9th March 2026
Gavi
Lidl £7.69
Drinker Rating 89
Gavi is one of the classic Italian whites and something that can help if you want to step your wine journey up from pinot grigio from that fine nation.
There's so much very boring, neutral white wine from northern Italy that it's easy to write it all off as the same, but Gavi is very definitely a level up. Think fuller body, bolder flavour and a more defined floral nose.
This week's wine from Lidl is such amazing value it's worth dstocking uop and could be an ideal candidate for your spring house white.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
2nd March 2026
Finest Prosecco
Tesco £8.25
Drinker Rating 89
There's a whole lot of Prosecco out there right now - and as such there's bound to be a whole lot of very average Prosecco knocking around too.
The good stuff is usually labeled up with the name of the best sites and this is generally Conegliano Valdobbiadene, so if you see these words you might pay a quid more but you'll almost certainly be getting better wine.
This Finest Prosecco from Tesco isn't from labeled as anything special however it does have the requisite peach skin and fresh apple notes, it's a super sipper and is VERY cocktailable at a great price.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
16th February 2026
Meadowlands Chenin Blanc
Marks & Spencer/Ocado £8.50
Drinker Rating 89
South African wine is really blossoming right now. Maybe it's to do with the increasing maturity of the vines, the greater experience of the wine makers, maybe it's as simple as favourable exchange rates - whatever there's never been a better time to buy their wine.
They've made Pinotage their very own red grape - and why not, it was created there. And as for whites they are staking a claim on Chenin Blanc - particularly on affordable easy drinking Chenin.
This one form M&S comes in at a staggering £8.50, offering amazing value for money for an everyday easy drinking fridge filler.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
9th February 2026
Chianti Reserva
Lidl £7.29
Drinker Rating 90
The classics are classics for a reason right? Citizen Kane, Great Expectations, Seabrooks Originals - all their very own thing. And so it is with wine, but some of the classics do fade a little and Chianti is one such.
It's not had a high profile since Hanibal Lecter came along, and maybe it's fall from the limelight is in part his fault - who knows and I certainly don't want to upset him.
Old style Chianti is a thing of beauty, a classic black cherry Italian food wine, medium bodied and easy drinking - but REALLY good with food.
This one from Lidl is at an amazing price and is perfect winter drinking.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
2nd February 2026
Iskar Rara Neagra
Aldi £7.99
Drinker Rating 91
Sometimes you stumble across a real unassuming superstar in the unlikliest of places and this week's wine is just that - reminds me of the time I shared a lift with Harry Styles!
This one from Moldova made from Rara Neagra, (tick that one off your grape bucket list) looks deep and inky. It's full bodied and warming rich with silky intense black fruit.
Do give it a go, it's a real star and Moldova is well worth exploring - particularly at this price!
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
26th January 2026
Blueprint Old Vine Garnacha
Waitrose £7.25
Drinker Rating 90
Just for the avoidance of doubt Garnacha is the same grape as Grenache the brambly, spicy red grape of the southern Rhone - but when grown in Spain it's called Garnacha.
It's a really versatile grape that can produce a wide range of food friendly reds and also some decent rose and fortified wines.
Here it's grown on old vines producing really solid quality, lots of red fruit character, cherry and raspberry and some lovely violet floral notes.
Super stuff at the price!
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
19th January 2026
Varzea Vinho Verde
Lidl £4.89
Drinker Rating 90
So if you're in the midst of a damp-ish January here's a lovely lower alcohol wine from Lidl to keep you going.
There's been a horrible trend toward low and mid-strength wines in the UK - and these are forced and contrived in order that we pay less duty. Can I suggest instead that we focus on wines that have a naturally lower ABV and up steps Vinho Verde.
This has a wonderfully light CO2 prickle and is fresh and easy drinking at only 8%.Perfect before we all go absolutely mental in Feb!
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
12th January 2026
Gable Lodge Shiraz
Marks & Spencer/Ocado £9.00
Drinker Rating 89
So just to get this clear - if you didn't know, syrah and shiraz are the same grape, but...
In general syrah is from France and shiraz is from what used to be known as the New World (Aus, New Zealand, S Africa, Chile etc.). Despite being the same grape there does seem to be a stylistic difference which can be helpful when buying.
Syrah tends to be a little tighter, more angular tannins and a hit of Mediterranean herbs, whereas shiraz can be fuller bodied, fruit forward and a little sweeter in general.
This one from South Africa is called shiraz but is more toward syrah in style. I hope this helps! Either way it's gorgeous sunshine in a glass and just what we need in the middle of winter.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
5th January 2026
Aloha Zeta Rosato
The Wine Society £7.25 (offer price)
Drinker Rating 88
After all the indulgence of Christmas it's easy to see why so many people jump on the Dry Jan bandwagon - but for those of us who share a birthday in the first month of the year this is never the way.
Instead what we need as an antidote to all the Christmas indulgence are drinks that are naturally lighter, simpler and just plain easy drinking.
This beauty from The Wine Society is just the ticket, made with the corvina grape it's a pale pink from northern Italy with just enough character to keep you interested but light enough to refresh.
If like me it's your birthday this month get someone to buy you membership of The Wine Society, £40 for a lifetime of wonder.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
23rd March 2026
Hortas do Caseirinho
The Wine Society£6.75
Drinker Rating 90
Portugal is not particularly known for its sparkling wines but I think The Wine Society have found a little gem here.
This is a really light and elegant white sparkler, a little hint of citrus and peach with a very gentle fizz - this is 'frisante' rather than 'espumante'. And just look at the price!
Remember to buy wines from The Wine Society you must be a member, lifetime membership costs just £40 and is worth every penny and makes a great gift for the wine lover in your life.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
16th March 2026
Koopmanskloof Pinotage
M&S Ocado £9.00
Drinker Rating 90
Pinotage is South Africa's very own grape, it was created there in 1925 and has at long last found its place.
I say that as it was always a little odd and angular in it's early days and could have aromas of burnt rubber or farmyard (and ot in a good way). Often wine makers would develop a 'cellar palate' where they became imune to these off-putting characteristics and the public went cold on the grape for a while.
Happily it's very much a winner these days, better technique in the winery and better grape selection mean you get super wines at really good prices like this one from Koopmanskloof.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
9th March 2026
Gavi
Lidl £7.69
Drinker Rating 89
Gavi is one of the classic Italian whites and something that can help if you want to step your wine journey up from pinot grigio from that fine nation.
There's so much very boring, neutral white wine from northern Italy that it's easy to write it all off as the same, but Gavi is very definitely a level up. Think fuller body, bolder flavour and a more defined floral nose.
This week's wine from Lidl is such amazing value it's worth dstocking uop and could be an ideal candidate for your spring house white.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
2nd March 2026
Finest Prosecco
Tesco £8.25
Drinker Rating 89
There's a whole lot of Prosecco out there right now - and as such there's bound to be a whole lot of very average Prosecco knocking around too.
The good stuff is usually labeled up with the name of the best sites and this is generally Conegliano Valdobbiadene, so if you see these words you might pay a quid more but you'll almost certainly be getting better wine.
This Finest Prosecco from Tesco isn't from labeled as anything special however it does have the requisite peach skin and fresh apple notes, it's a super sipper and is VERY cocktailable at a great price.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
16th February 2026
Meadowlands Chenin Blanc
Marks & Spencer/Ocado £8.50
Drinker Rating 89
South African wine is really blossoming right now. Maybe it's to do with the increasing maturity of the vines, the greater experience of the wine makers, maybe it's as simple as favourable exchange rates - whatever there's never been a better time to buy their wine.
They've made Pinotage their very own red grape - and why not, it was created there. And as for whites they are staking a claim on Chenin Blanc - particularly on affordable easy drinking Chenin.
This one form M&S comes in at a staggering £8.50, offering amazing value for money for an everyday easy drinking fridge filler.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
9th February 2026
Chianti Reserva
Lidl £7.29
Drinker Rating 90
The classics are classics for a reason right? Citizen Kane, Great Expectations, Seabrooks Originals - all their very own thing. And so it is with wine, but some of the classics do fade a little and Chianti is one such.
It's not had a high profile since Hanibal Lecter came along, and maybe it's fall from the limelight is in part his fault - who knows and I certainly don't want to upset him.
Old style Chianti is a thing of beauty, a classic black cherry Italian food wine, medium bodied and easy drinking - but REALLY good with food.
This one from Lidl is at an amazing price and is perfect winter drinking.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
2nd February 2026
Iskar Rara Neagra
Aldi £7.99
Drinker Rating 91
Sometimes you stumble across a real unassuming superstar in the unlikliest of places and this week's wine is just that - reminds me of the time I shared a lift with Harry Styles!
This one from Moldova made from Rara Neagra, (tick that one off your grape bucket list) looks deep and inky. It's full bodied and warming rich with silky intense black fruit.
Do give it a go, it's a real star and Moldova is well worth exploring - particularly at this price!
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
26th January 2026
Blueprint Old Vine Garnacha
Waitrose £7.25
Drinker Rating 90
Just for the avoidance of doubt Garnacha is the same grape as Grenache the brambly, spicy red grape of the southern Rhone - but when grown in Spain it's called Garnacha.
It's a really versatile grape that can produce a wide range of food friendly reds and also some decent rose and fortified wines.
Here it's grown on old vines producing really solid quality, lots of red fruit character, cherry and raspberry and some lovely violet floral notes.
Super stuff at the price!
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
19th January 2026
Varzea Vinho Verde
Lidl £4.89
Drinker Rating 90
So if you're in the midst of a damp-ish January here's a lovely lower alcohol wine from Lidl to keep you going.
There's been a horrible trend toward low and mid-strength wines in the UK - and these are forced and contrived in order that we pay less duty. Can I suggest instead that we focus on wines that have a naturally lower ABV and up steps Vinho Verde.
This has a wonderfully light CO2 prickle and is fresh and easy drinking at only 8%.Perfect before we all go absolutely mental in Feb!
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
12th January 2026
Gable Lodge Shiraz
Marks & Spencer/Ocado £9.00
Drinker Rating 89
So just to get this clear - if you didn't know, syrah and shiraz are the same grape, but...
In general syrah is from France and shiraz is from what used to be known as the New World (Aus, New Zealand, S Africa, Chile etc.). Despite being the same grape there does seem to be a stylistic difference which can be helpful when buying.
Syrah tends to be a little tighter, more angular tannins and a hit of Mediterranean herbs, whereas shiraz can be fuller bodied, fruit forward and a little sweeter in general.
This one from South Africa is called shiraz but is more toward syrah in style. I hope this helps! Either way it's gorgeous sunshine in a glass and just what we need in the middle of winter.
Cheers!
DRINK OF THE WEEK
5th January 2026
Aloha Zeta Rosato
The Wine Society £7.25 (offer price)
Drinker Rating 88
After all the indulgence of Christmas it's easy to see why so many people jump on the Dry Jan bandwagon - but for those of us who share a birthday in the first month of the year this is never the way.
Instead what we need as an antidote to all the Christmas indulgence are drinks that are naturally lighter, simpler and just plain easy drinking.
This beauty from The Wine Society is just the ticket, made with the corvina grape it's a pale pink from northern Italy with just enough character to keep you interested but light enough to refresh.
If like me it's your birthday this month get someone to buy you membership of The Wine Society, £40 for a lifetime of wonder.
Cheers!