Graham’s Six Grapes Reserve Port

DOURO, PORTUGAL NV

Graham’s is of course one of Port’s most celebrated names, with a long history of producing some of the Douro’s finest vintage and aged tawny wines.

But, like all the brands in the Symington Family stable, it is also capable of making Ports that deliver remarkable value for money, offering an introduction to the house’s style while still leaving the consumer with change from £20.

The Six Grapes Reserve Port is one such wine—and has been for more a century. It takes its name from the shipper’s practice of marking a barrel with one to six grapes. Six stands for “complexity, balance and structure” – quality sufficient for vintage Port, but also to go into what has become Graham’s flagship bottling.

“Youthful bramble nose, just slightly raisiny,” the judges said.

“It’s silky, opulent palate with plenty of bright, concentrated fruit and a rich finish with hints of milk chocolate but predominantly bold bramble fruit. Easy drinking and rather moreish. Very good value.”

Fells

RRP £15 ABV 20%

Best Value Ros Wine Trophy

Helfrich Family

La Baume Rosé

IGP PAYS D’OC, FRANCE 2022

“If the impetus for the global 21st-century rosé boom at first largely came from Provence, it hasn’t taken long for producers further west in southern France to catch up – and today’s best Languedoc and Roussillon pastel pinks are very much a match for their eastern neighbours.”

That’s how we began our description of last year’s winner of the Wine Merchant Top 100 Best Value Rosé Wine Trophy. And it applies again this year, with another worthy Languedoc pink taking the spoils. A blend of 60% Grenache and 40% Syrah, it’s the work of GCF’s Languedoc estate, Domaine de la Baume, and it captivated the judges with its “classic southern French rosé stylings.”

“Delicate salmon pink colour, with candied red fruits and sherbet on the nose. The palate has a bit of weight to it, with rounded fruit flavours of peach, grapefruit, strawberry and lemon flesh. It finishes well with nicely balanced tangy acidity and a bit of pepper spice. Very, very good value.”

GCF Exclusive

RRP £12. 99 ABV 13.7%