Majestic Wine revealed this week that customers are turning to eastern European wines to beat price rises from more prestigious regions, with sales increasing more than threefold in the year to April. But eastern Europe, especially Hungary, Bulgaria and Romania, has always offered good value – as those of you who remember the 80s and 90s will recall. The only surprise is that we haven’t been drinking more of them in the intervening period. Prices have crept up, admittedly, but not as much as in some classic wine regions. Look to countries such as Slovenia, Greece and Turkey, which also offer rich pickings for the intrepid drinker. Here are six to whet your appetite.
Kronos pinot noir 2014 Dealu Mare
(On offer at £7.99, Ocado)
Romania is one of the best value sources of pinot noir, although here it’s made in a much richer, more robust style than burgundy.
Anfora Trio 2015
(£40.50 a case of six, £6.75 a bottle, Marks & Spencer)
Warm, rich, brambly red from Turkey to drink with kebabs, aubergines and other big-flavoured Turkish food.
Semeli Mantinia Nassiakos 2017
(£9.95, The Wine Society)
Greece, you might be surprised to hear, makes some stunning whites – this one from the indigenous moschofilero grape. Perfect with fish grilled simply on the BBQ.
La Bellemente pinot grigio rosé 2017
(£4.75, Morrisons)
Bit sweet for me, I must confess, but if you like an off-dry style of rosé, you can’t argue with the price of this one from Moldova. Chill well (the wine, not you, although there’s an argument for that, too).
Royal tokaji hárslevelü 2017
(£9.99,Majestic on a mix six deal)
Get your tongue around this tricky-to-pronounce grape variety (it’s harz-leh-vey-loo) and you’ll be rewarded with a juicy, mouthwateringly fresh white from Hungary.
Late harvest tokaji 2016
(£7.99 for 50cl, Lidl)
Lidl regularly lists wines from eastern Europe, especially Hungary, from where this luscious dessert wine comes. Heaven with an apricot tart.
