AIrving

Last updated 01:00, Thursday, 18 October 2007

THIS week’s column has to be a rugby requiem for Argentina and France. But while the South America’s wine can also be a great over achiever the other somewhat fails to deliver its tantalising promise – much to England’s good World Cup fortune!

Both Argentina and France produce fantastic wine at different prices. The latter may be pre-eminent, often at a hefty price, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: if you want value for money where quality often exceeds the moderate price tag then no need to go past the Pumas!

Argento is a big brand name which has helped put Argentina on the wine map, both reds and white – some very good chardonnay.

Most of the reds I’ve had so far have been the Argento malbec, one which bargain wine guru Malcolm Gluck invariably puts into his best under-a-fiver category. Gluck’s dead right – this malbec rarely fails to please on any occasion. But after seeing it on special offer in Morrisons I decided to go for a different inexpensive Argento red – Bonarda, which is Argentina’s other signature red. Another excellent buy (at £4.77) is a Las Moras (Cleator Moor Co-op) produced by Argentina’s wine maker of the year.

It may not have the body of the malbec which is more like a cabernet sauvignon but what a gorgeously silky red this is, also a juicy quaffing wine.

The Argento bonarda in Morrisons has a pound off, so at only £3.99 it’s an absolute snip.

Argentina is now the world’s fifth largest wine producer in the world and the second in the so-called New World but how many shoppers are still reluctant to select one from the supermarket shelves?

It was surprising when Richard & Judy launched the immensely popular Wine Club on Channel Four most of its members hadn’t even tasted an Argentinean wine until one was featured on the show.

The fact is that Argentina has a veritable treasure trove of superb old vines but was drunk mostly by Argentineans themselves until the need for plenty more pesos forced Argentina to take a leaf out of Chile’s book by sharing what they’ve got – now take a look at the prices compared to the likes of Chile and Spain.. And like their rugger team they can certainly over achieve!

That can’t always be said about France, who still boast to be the best even though sales figures may suggest otherwise.

France, relying on reputation and a lot of confusing names for far too long, has had to start knocking down prices in its mid-price range to regain lost ground. Like their rugby team, French wine flatter to deceive but at its best you can’t beat it.

One good half-price French offering at The Co-op: Tour Des Vins Bordeaux. From reputable negotiants Barton & Guestier, this is a best buy at £4.49 for either red (merlot cabernet) and white (sauvignon blanc). Does it deliver its elegant promise? It does, both bonny wines for the price.