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Brancott Estate Living Land Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Brancott Estate Living Land Series Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2018, 12.5%, New Zealand

(£9, Tesco)

This is a wine that wears its virtuous side very firmly on its sleeve.

If the ‘Living Land Series’ branding doesn’t get the message across then the ‘Organic and Vegan Wine’ banner on the front label certainly does.

Is it all a bit too obvious and self-righteous?

No, in a word.

The branding actually works pretty well – the Living Land Series is well established and it’s not as if they’ve slapped ‘organic and vegan’ clumsily onto an existing Brancott label. (Brancott’s a big, generally decent Marlborough outfit now owned by French drinks conglomerate Pernod Ricard and which was a pioneer of Sauvignon Blanc in the early days.)

And wine drinkers, especially those interested in these matters, are crying out for more clarity in terms of which wines and drinks are vegan and organic. So it’s all welcome – why shouldn’t wines like these champion their virtuous credentials?

As for the wine itself, it’s very good.

It’s not a typically extrovert, super fresh Marlborough Sauvignon. It’s a bit more self-contained and complex – quite grown-up, if you like.

Aromas of roasted pepper, ripe gooseberry and apricot give way to a succulent, food-friendly palate profile with a touch of spice on the finish.

What’s more, it’s on offer until 28th October, down to £9 from £11.

(Peter, 6.5/10, Oct 2019)

Some other recommendations from the Tesco portfolio, as tasted in October 2019, are as below.

Highlights include a great value Cava made by Segura Viudas, wonderfully vibrant Fino sherry, an elegant Provençal rosé by the makers of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s pink wine, plus some great value reds.

Sparkling – Let’s Get Fizzical

  • Tesco Finest Vintage Cava 2016, 12%, Spain, £9
  • Tesco Finest English Sparkling NV, 11.5%, England, £19
  • Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne NV, 12.5%, France, £20
  • Tesco Finest Premier Cru Champagne Rosé NV, 12.5%, France, £23

White – Fresh & Racy

  • Tesco Finest Aged Fino Sherry NV, 15%, Spain, £6 for half bottle
  • Tesco Finest Gavi 2018, 12.5%, Italy, £8.50 
  • Tesco Finest Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019, 12.5%, New Zealand, £8
  • The Doctors’ Sauvignon Blanc 2019, 9.5%, New Zealand, £9
  • Tesco Finest Tingleup Riesling 2018, 12.5%, Australia, £9
  • Brancott Estate Living Land Series Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2018, 12.5%, New Zealand, £11

White – Mellow Yellow

  • Cono Sur Gewürztraminer 2018, 13%, Chile, £7.50
  • Tesco Finest Falanghina del Sannio 2018, 13%, Italy, £9
  • Louis Jadot Saint-Véran 2018, 13%, France, £10
  • Bellingham Homestead Chardonnay 2017, 13%, South Africa, £11
  • Bellingham The Bernard Series Chenin Blanc 2017, 14%, South Africa, £13

Rosé – Tickled Pink

  • Studio by Miraval Rosé 2018, 13%, France, £12

Red – Feeling Fruity

  • Tesco Chilean Merlot 2019, 12.5%, Chile, £4.35
  • Tesco Malbec Comté Tolosan 2018, 12.5%, France, £5
  • Tesco Finest South African Cinsault 2019, 14%, South Africa, £7.50
  • La Vieille Ferme Rouge 2018, 13%, France, £7.50
  • Tesco Finest Cahors 2018, 12.5%, France, £7.50
  • Stormhoek Pure Organic Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2019, 13%, South Africa, £7.50
  • Tesco Finest San Antonio Pinot Noir 2017, 14%, Chile, £9
  • Tesco Finest Peumo Carmenere 2017, 13.5%, Chile, £9
  • Tesco Finest Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018, 13.5%, New Zealand, £13

Red – Big Smoothie

  • Tesco Finest Rioja Reserva 2014, 13.5%, Spain, £8.50
  • Bellingham Homestead Pinotage 2017, 14%, South Africa, £11
  • Bellingham Homestead Shiraz 2015, 14%, South Africa, £11
  • Tesco Finest Rioja Gran Reserva 2012, 13.5%, Spain, £11.50
  • Tesco Finest Angelica Sur Malbec 2016, 13.5%, Argentina, £18
  • Tesco Finest Margaux 2016, 12.5%, France, £22

Sweet – Sticky Fingers

  • Tesco Finest Dessert Semillon 2015, 10%, Australia, £6 for half bottle