Grow Your Own Magazine

well, best in someone's opinion
As I usually just go on price, I was pleased to find this site that you can search by supermarket, by price, by rating, by special offers.
For the sake of scientific comparison, I will be printing off each shop's list and trying all the recommendations
http://www.supermarketwine.com/

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

Our local "supermarket" (convenience store), is an exceptionally crappy Budgens. This isn't on the list. Surprising as the one thing it DOES do quite well is the offy part.

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"I prefer rogues to imbeciles as they sometimes take a rest" (Alexander Dumas)

My favoriate wine is not on the list?

Tesco finest savingon blanc from chile under £5 as well!

Mandy

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No mater when time you set out, you always get there at the same time

I prefer independent suppliers for all the same reasons that I go to the local butchers and greengrocers, having spent a whole lotta dosh on supermarket wine in the past.

(Otherwise a cheap Rioja (crianza/reserva) never goes amis!)

mmm I think I'll open a bottle!

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Any excuse will do Two Sheds
Asda have a special offer at the moment. 3 bottles for ten pounds. Some of them normally sell about 8 pounds and very good they are. Just had to try them out

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

I do like a drop of red, and the Co-op Long Slim Chile (Cabernet) at just £2. 99 a bottle is good value and very palatable.

Yikes they are sooooo expensive. Having started brewing my own (okay so some are from kit) last year - I now grudge paying more than £2 a bottle unless it is something really special! Actually, the home-brewed Chardonnay (kit) is around a quid a bottle and perfectly enjoyable - seconded by everyone drinking wine at our party last night - nobody said no to a second, third or fourth glass!!!

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

And at least your wine has minimal air miles Shirl, unlike the Supermarket vino.

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~ What do I think of Western civilisation? I think it would be a very good idea ~ Gandhi

I find the wines from kits taste a bit chemical. Once you get into a routine of the annual round of fruits and flowers that you can make into wine you can keep a reasonable 'background cellar' going and then add supermarket wines to this. Incidentally - a large amount of the cost of your wine is the bottle and the labels (and the factory costs for doing same.) If you pay £2 the wine in there is ultra cheap. £4 and the wine is more than twice as good.

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vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated Aug 29th 2008

Maybe that depends on the kit. Then ones I do use grape concentrate as the base, so no more chemicals than the supermarket wine. I did try a more expensive kit and the wine was definately better but even the cheapie is as good as the supermarket wines (in my opinion anyhoo). I am getting into 'country wines' but find the kits are quick and simple and good for everyday enjoyment while the 'properly made' wines take longer to age (none ready to drink yet) and deserve slower consumption

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

I agree with Flummery re the chemically taste of kit wines, although that applies to a lot of commercial wines too, even quite supposedly good ones.

I make "country wines", have done for many years although I have no stock at the moment. I haven't made any for about three years due to my OH's illness and death .

I also make kit wines but do not use all the chemicals included in the kit. I treat them more like the "country" wines.

I've got the liveliest elderberry I've ever made on the go at the moment. And 5 large Kilner jars of Sloe gin .

I hope there are still some blackberries and sloes around as I had to curtail my picking activities when I sprained my ankle. Doesn't do a lot for the 'lotty or the garden either.

Now who has got a load of apples they don't want?

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"I prefer rogues to imbeciles as they sometimes take a rest" (Alexander Dumas)

Hoping to go apple picking today - do you have a really good recipe you would like to share please? I have 5 gallons of apple wine brewing at the moment and would like to try a different recipe with the next lot.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

I use the one from CJJ Berry's book, the one with 10% crab apples. I'm at work at the mo so don't have it to hand. Another reason I have trouble picking/gardening/winemaking/preserving, and the dark evenings don't help .

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"I prefer rogues to imbeciles as they sometimes take a rest" (Alexander Dumas)