Also, what you planning on eating? Budget the obvious one though, one bottle of really good stuff or twenty bottles of good stuff?
I'd recommend the Virgin Wine club offer works out at about £6 a bottle for 12 bottles and then cancel the ongoing payments, decent selection from them. Nothing out of this world but a good offer for someone who wants to try something different.
Simple answer @brb would be to go to one of the wine clubs, they always have pre Christmas offers, always. Laithwaites, Times Wine Club, Naked Wines etc. Then you can buy a cheap box of whatever you want, and they will be very good wines. You'll usually get a couple of extra bottles thrown in or some glasses. You need to look at the T&C's, you'll probably sign up to receiving another box once a quarter which you will be able to postpone or cancel, you won't be obligated to have to have any more, you just have to be alert to the e mail telling you they plan to send you a box. Last year I got Deep Red's from The Times. They are superb. I've had two boxes since at 'full' price they are so good! You can buy box or red, white, rose or mixed.
Too many Christmas’s away but always had champagne for breakfast with smoked salmon and cream cheese bagels. Rest came from Lidl bar the Pinot noir & pouilly fume.
Ok. Thanks lads. Let's put the question another way, if you were to go out to the off licence now, for a bottle of a red or a bottle of white for the evening, what would be your bottle of choice? Only reason I ask is I don't tend to be a wine drinker, I'd prefer spirits, rum or jd (if I'm not having beer)....well anything really. But if I fancied a change, but didn't want to be a disappointed by a bottle of vinegar. I was just curious more than anything of people's tastes.
I'm just interested what you would go for in the office licence. I don't really worry about budget, if I think I'm getting value for money. Maybe give two options, your cheap selection and your more expensive alternative.
I'd disagree there, haven't had a good Saint Emilion in years and the price has dropped which tells a tale. I'd swear by French 10 years ago but they are tricky ****ers and keep all the good stuff for themselves. @Chief may back me up here, if you buy a bottle in France it'll probably be better and much cheaper than a bottle of French from the supermarket over here.
Yeah I’m massively swayed by spending a week there for the Euros. I’ve no doubt there’s better out there for the same price from less fashionable locations.
For my taste I'd go Cabernet Sauvignon and stick to France Spain or Italy, new world stuff can me more hit and miss. I'd want to spend around £8 and would look for a bottle that clearly takes pride in their product, with a nice label accompanied by tasting notes and a bit about the vineyard.
I bet it's spectacular stuff out there. See the bit in my post where I suggest they keep the good stuff.
I don't mind paying the money, as long has the money is going on the wine, and not just because it's got a fancy label and bottle.
I've paid more and had some bang average stuff. The label thing sounds a bit silly but it's served me well. End of the day if you take pride in something you'll want the finished product to look good and you'll want to tell the consumer a bit about it. If there's a shabby label just slapped on they probably don't really care and that'll reflect in the taste.
