Wine doesn’t have to be expensive to be classed as fine, according to one expert (Image: DisobeyArt via Getty Images)
When the subject of fine wine arises, most people automatically picture vintages that will set you back hundreds or even thousands of pounds per bottle. However, the notion that wine can only be considered fine if you splash out a small fortune is entirely misguided, according to one professional wine investor — who has even singled out three everyday wines sitting on your local supermarket shelves that he believes have the potential to become truly fine with age.
“It’s a myth that the cost of a bottle of wine will determine whether it’s fine,” said David Jackson, founder of fine wine marketplace, Squelch.
He continued: “A £500 bottle of wine doesn’t become fine simply because of its price and the well-known vineyard that it comes from, as the wine itself could be totally average, or awful even. In reality, there are plenty of genuinely fine wines that sell for under £20 and that are available at the local supermarket and can be picked up by anyone.”
So what actually makes a wine fine? According to David, it all comes down to the quality of what’s inside the bottle, rather than the label adorning the outside.
David continued: “First up, fine wines will always have complexity, balance and length. Complexity is when a wine has aromas and flavours that change as you drink it and as it sits in the glass.
“Balance is when it’s not too acidic or fruity, or doesn’t come with too much tannin, but has a bit of everything. As for length, that’s all about how long the taste of the wine lasts in your mouth after you have swallowed it. As a rule, the longer the taste lasts, the finer it is.”
David Jackson, founder of fine wine marketplace, Squelch (Image: Squelch/Newspage)
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David explained that another crucial hallmark of a fine wine was its capacity to mature gracefully: “Wines that are considered fine will almost always have the ability to get even better with age, which goes back to the wine’s underlying balance, or structure. A wine that isn’t fine will usually start getting worse after a certain length of time.”
David Jackson’s three wines under £20 that will be fine with a bit of time
Tesco
El Enemigo Cabernet Franc, Gualtallary, Argentina £18.50
David suggested this could become the next “IT” cabernet franc. Produced high in the Argentinian mountains (nearly 1,500 metres altitude for this particular vineyard), an area not traditionally associated with cab franc, this is exceptional stuff. Rich, full-bodied and warming, with ripe notes of blackcurrant, spice, cedar and tobacco. Oak-aged, it delivers genuine wow factor.
An investor has explained some supermarket wines with fine potential (Image: U.Ozel.Images via Getty Images)
The latest release, 2023 – the one you’re most likely to find in Tesco – earned a well-deserved 94 points from Patricio Tapia, South America’s leading wine critic. The world’s finest cab franc, Cheval Blanc (don’t be misled – this is a red wine) from Bordeaux, will cost you £300 to £400 per bottle. This remarkable offering delivers 90% of the enjoyment for just 5% of the price.
Chateau Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon, Columbia Valley, USA £19 (£17 if you buy 6)
Wines produced further down the US coast in the Napa Valley tend to carry eye-watering price tags, David said. Often justifiably – they can be made in minuscule quantities and depend on a from-the-cellar-door distribution model. The problem is, the “cult wine” label is applied far too liberally nowadays to justify extortionate prices. Not in this case.
This is Washington’s oldest winery, crowned Winery of the Year by Wine and Spirits Magazine some 22 times. Truthfully, I have no idea how they manage to offer such a premium product at this price point – so I’d suggest snapping it up while stocks last. Their absolutely cracking Chardonnay is also stocked at Majestic for £19.
Terre Del Barolo DOCG Barolo, Italy £19 (reduced from £24)
Quality Barolos command very high prices, David said. This is because the Nebbiolo grape from which they’re crafted is notoriously difficult, and the regional wine-growing regulations demand only the very finest wine-making techniques.
The answer lies in co-operative wines, where the winery is owned by a collective of frequently tiny growers rather than one large producer. However, quality can be inconsistent. No concerns here – this is genuinely excellent stuff, backed by some 400 co-op members. Expect cherries and liquorice. You may even detect some tar or mushrooms. What really stands out is that umami richness Barolo is renowned for.
A note of caution. Barolos frequently let drinkers down simply because they are consumed too early. The advice here is to store this on its side in a dark cupboard for a year or two. Do that, and you will have something truly exceptional to look forward to.
