Jonathan Ray Jonathan Ray

Wine Club 23 January

I don’t know about you, but I was rather crushed when the Chief Medical Officer, Dame Sally Davies, declared that none of us should be drinking more than 14 units of alcohol a week. It was only a few days ago that we chaps were permitted 21.

I can’t say that I’ve exactly taken Dame Sally’s advice to heart, although I have been taking it a trifle easy this month, if only to prepare for a forthcoming long weekend in Madrid (the recommended limit for men in Spain being a gratifying 35 units).

The trouble is that what I grandly call my cellar (really a cobwebbed cupboard under the stairs) took something of a battering during the recent New Year festivities and there are gaping holes in the racks where once dozens of bottles lay gently slumbering. I’m sure you’re in the same position. Hooray, then, for this timely offer from Tanners, specifically put together with replenishment in mind.

And for those still smarting from their Christmas expenditure or concerned by Dame Sally’s announcement, we’ve ensured that all the wines are priced at under a tenner and all but one are within the recommended range of 12% to 13% vol.

The 2014 Tanners Sauvignon (1) is made in the Languedoc by François Lurton, flying winemaker extraordinaire. It has a more modern twist to it than some, thanks to François’s research into Sauvignon Blanc overseas, especially in Chile and Argentina. Full-flavoured and juicy with plenty of gooseberry and citrus, it’s crisp and cleanon the finish and a mere 12% vol. Priced at £8, down from £8.50.

Readers lapped up the 2014 Tanners White Burgundy (2) when we offered it last year, so no apologies whatsoever for its reappearance. Produced from a first-rate vintage by the very fine Cave de Viré Co-operative just north of Mâcon, it’s superb value at less than a tenner (we had to twist Tanners’ arms just a wee bit).

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