A selection from the Waitrose World Fair of Wine

Travel is easier than ever before. But for those who want to enjoy all that the world has to offer without leaving the comfort of their own home, Waitrose has come up with a special deal.

The supermarket’s Newport branch, in Shropshire, is offering a round-the-world tour of the globe’s finest vineyards with plenty of special deals on offer. From September 2 to 27, customers can pick up bargain basement buys with big discounts on offer. The entire showcase includes offers on 48 wines and Waitrose wine buyer Andrew Shaw says the quality is first class.

He says: “Creating a World Fair of wine, the wine team has chosen special parcels from the world’s best wine -making regions to encourage wine lovers to explore some of the more interesting grape varieties from countries such as Italy and South Africa, as well as wines from some more unusual sources, such as Morocco.

“The showcase will also feature some of the world’s best loved and more popular Italian, French, Californian, South African and New Zealand wines.”
We asked him to talk us through some of the highlights from the range:

Warwick The First Lady

Warwick First Lady 2007, South Africa, Save £4, £10.99 to £6.99

Andrew says: “This is a delicious, ripe 100% Cabernet Sauvignon wine, fermented in open top fermenters and matured for 15 months in barrel. The wine is called “The First Lady” after the first owner of Warwick Estate, Norma Ratcliffe. Norma was a pioneer winemaker in the South African wine industry and the first wine she made at Warwick was a Cabernet Sauvignon, released in 1984.”

Domaine de Mayole Cabernet Sauvignon

Domaine de Mayole Cabernet Sauvignon/Syrah 2007, Morocco, Save £4, £9.49 to £5.49
Andrew says: “A generous blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Syrah, made from vineyards within the Beni M’Tir appellation, on the high continental plateau between the Rif and Atlas mountains. Dry winds, low rainfall and cold nights combine to produce excellent ripening conditions. Domaine Mayole takes its name from a French winemaker who fell in love with Mount Zerhoun and planted vines along its gentle, undulating slopes.”

Shearwater Sauvignon Blanc

Shearwater Sauvignon Blanc 2008, Marlborough, Save £4, £11.99 to 7.99
Andrew says: “The winemaking team led by Simon Waghorn of Astrolabe fame used quality grapes from the Waihopai, Wairau and Awatere valleys of Marlborough. Night-harvested to preserve purity and intensity of flavour it displays both tropical and gooseberry fruit flavours with a Loire-like minerality. Perfect with shell and white fish. Suitable for vegetarians.”

Morgenhof Estate Chenin Blanc

Morgenhof Estate Chenin Blanc 2008 Stellenbosch, South Africa, Save £3, £10.99 to £7.99
Andrew says: “An elegant South African Chenin Blanc with rich and toasty flavours. This white has a wonderful expression of citrus, lime and passion fruit flavours, which is beautifully balanced with French oak on a creamy palate that finishes with a lingering freshness. It would be hard to find a better wine to team with smoked fish or chargrilled chicken.”

Errazuriz Max Reserva Merlot

Errazuriz Max Reserva Merlot 2006 Aconcagua Valley, Chile, Save £4, £10.99 to £6.99
Andrew says: “Plummy Chilean Merlot with silky-soft tannins. The fruit for this wine is sourced from vineyards situated in the Aconcagua Valley, 150 km north of Santiago. Made from Merlot with a touch of Carmenre in the blend, this wine has a soft and supple palate full of cherry, vanilla and sweet spices.”

Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc

Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2008 Marlborough, New Zealand, Save £3, £8.99 to £5.99
Andrew says: “A delicious Sauvignon Blanc that’s fresh and crisp. This is an aromatic wine with zesty citrus fruit and a flinty finish. To capture the pure fresh fruit flavours this wine is closed with a screwcap. Distinctively Marlborough style.”