French/Italien Wines

[dummkopf]

I tend to stick to Australian red wines but fancy a change . I like Shiraz, Cabernet Sauvignon, but I don't like Merlot. Every bottle of French wine I've bought has so far been disappointing as I don't know what to look for. I did like chateau neuf du pape (was on offer in Tesco) but this is normally too expensive Can anyone recommend a french or italien wine for about �5/�6 that I could try for a change?

[Jules001]

I gave up drinking French red wine years ago as I too was getting fed up with the diappointment. Tesco do a Finest /Best range and the Valpolicella last time I bought it �4.99 was very good. You could also try some Rioja (Spanish wine, I know) or a Tempranillo, these are mostly very good with a few exceptions.

[beryllium]

There are some stunning french wines!!! but none at the price you are looking for I can recommend.
What I do recommend is that you seek a wine tasting course. So you can recognise the different flavours.
If you do come by a bit of extra cash I do recommend a Margaux.

[KenR]

So many wines to choose from there, but reliable Old World at the �5/6 range is on the tougher side. By the time you pay for the bottle, marketing and so on you have little left for the actual quality control.
Still, that being said you can find some good ones.
One is a Spanish one Campo Viejo which if you look round you can get for that price... better still if you can get the Campo Viejo Reserva.
If you can splurg for a few bottles at a time then a warehouse like Magestic could also be a way to go. Trouble is they have a 12 bottle minimum.

[kaztuz]

I never drink French/Italian wines, etc. I am definitely a New World Wine drinker - Australia, America, Chile, S. Africa. Far nicer than any European wine I have ever tasted.

[dummkopf]

Funnily enough Beryllium I did go on a wine tasting course last summer, it was only a one-day - and it was hilarious !
Brown Brothers Tarrango stuck in my head from that day and it was ok, lighter that I normally drink but again Australian. I'll have a mooch around Tesco tomorrow, thanks everyone for the tips.

[joannie10]

I cannot give actual names but have never selected a Spanish wine I did not enjoy. Cheers

[Cags70]

One of the best italian reds is Borolo you get it now and again on offer for about �6....netto recently....usually about �12.

I love it and have never tasted such a quality wine for the price....check the net for other retailers offers on it.

Leaves a lovely warm glow!!!!! I recently had 3 bottles with a colleague on the company in London...very naughty at �36 per bottle in a restaurant!!! Dont tell the boss LOL

[Billa]

The ones that I have tried in that price range are:

Cote a Cote Rouge: http://www.capitaldri...20056-750ml-p-59.html

La Pictotine - http://www.capitaldri...-lherault-p-1090.html

Il Banchetto Rosso - http://www.capitaldri...2008-75cl-p-1122.html

....to be honest, you might want to pay a bot more and get something even more super.... but these are the £5/£6 wines I recommend

Bottoms up!