6 Great Deals From The January Sales.

So, it’s mid Jan and I’m feeling thirsty so I thought I’d have a look to see who’s got silly wine deals on this January. The New Year sales are normally filled with gut-rot, but there are often a few gems hidden in the mix, so I had a browse.

I then consulted Fred (the money man) who showed me our stock sheet and it turns out I really shouldn’t be ordering any more wine, so I’m going to share my shopping list with you, and I hope it helps.?

Quickly before I do though, it comes with a caveat. Please only buy enough to get you through to about March as we’re going to have a massive sale some time before then. Fred and I are currently fighting, I mean discussing, how many of our delicious wines he’s going to be offering deals on to get them out the door. He thinks we’ve got far too much and he’s probably right.

First up, Majestic: They’ve got a deal on?Magnums of Guigal's. This delicious Cotes du Rhone is just under ￡20. It’s a classic!?Always brilliantly made with ripe, chunky, spicy fruit. A proper Sunday lunch job.??They are unfortunately not available online, but you can find them in all stores near you.

Then have a cheeky peek at Farr Vintners. If you’re not familiar with Farr, they’re a bit different by quoting everything in bond. This unnecessary complication means you need to add duty (￡2.23 a bottle) and VAT at 20% to their prices. They do it all for you and send an invoice with everything included. Here are two crackers from them this January:

Chateau Cantemerle 2016.?This?Classed Growth?red Bordeaux from an amazing vintage at ￡225 for 12 bottles in bond, which works out at under ￡28 bottle inc VAT. Very impressive wine for the money!?Please find here.

2nd up from Farr is this delicious Tuscan red - A?gold medal winner at the Decanter World Wine Awards.?It’s only an IGT (meaning it falls short of achieving the full DOCG classification of Brunello du Montalcino) but it’s made by one of the legendary producers of Tuscany, Carlo Ferrini, dubbed by Jancis Robinson as ‘Mr Merlot’. This belter comes in at ￡230 for 12 bottles under bond. So about ￡28 a bottle once you paid duty, VAT and delivery.?Please Find here.

If you’re as confused on 'duty' as I used to be, don’t worry,?Gavin Quinney’s article?on changes to duty in the UK takes you through the process with ease.?

I’m always in the market for a delicious fizz at a reasonable price and here’s a favourite of mine from Waitrose: Graham Becks Bottle Fermented Fizz?- Chardonnay and Pinot and a dead ringer for a tasty, fruit filled Champagne…

Staying with the supermarkets my last two recommendations come from Sainsburys. Their Taste the Difference range is very good, and they’ve got some cracking deals on at the mo. if you fancy some more tasty?Sunday lunch?reds, then grab some of this:

Chateau d’Agassac?- a wonderful Bordeaux red (from maybe the coolest looking Chateau) that I’ve known and followed for a long time. It’s soft, juicy, rich and approachable. A great deal at ￡18 a bottle. Pop it into a decanter an hour or so before serving and you’ll have some very happy guests.

?For some deliciously refreshing, fruity dry white wine, I’d get a few bottles of their tasty?Verdicchio di Metallica.?This Classico Superiore is made by the Piersanti family winegrowers, and it fits to every occasion. This makes it real value for money at ￡9 a bottle

So, there’s what I would be buying if I was allowed to do so! Hope it’s interesting and do let me know what you make of the wines if you choose to shop.