Three Co-op Wines

Whoever sources the Co-op's Champagnes clearly knows their stuff - the wines are always excellent; we add in here two more classics - a lovely off-dry Loire white and an aged Rioja.

Lanson Black Label Champagne (£33.99, currently reduced to £23.99) pale sandy yellow with a bready, green apple, autolytic nose. Ripe orchard fruits and citrus freshness; linear, mineral and persistent with a fine mousse.

Good.

Drink as an aperitif or match with canapés.

Vouvray Domaine Les Perruches 2013 (£8.49, currently reduced to £7.49) A Loire classic; spiced baked apples, beeswax and yellow stone fruit with a flinty minerality; off-dry, which may not appeal to all, yet fresh and a really lovely old-school wine.

Match with gravadlax or chicken liver pate.

 

Marques de Valido Rioja Reserva 2010 (£8.99, currently reduced to £5.99) ruby-red aged Rioja with red fruit, spices and some herbiness. Pure, fresh and mellow with a persistent finish. It shows rather better on the nose than the palate, but at this price you can't ask for much more.

Match with roast red meat, especially lamb.

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