in vino veritas

The fuzz in Oxford

The following is a critical question for students everywhere. Despite the effects of globalization, the answer remains persistently local:

What are the best cheap wines?

In British Columbia, the best wine at around four quid a bottle is Farnese red, an Italian wine. (It is important that you let it breathe for at least half an hour.) It seems to be completely unavailable in the UK. The best wine in B.C. under seven and a half quid is Yellow Tail Merlot (red label), though some other Yellow Tail fans prefer the Shiraz Cabernet (purple label).

What are the equivalent wines in the UK? This question is especially pressing because I have been charged with bringing wine to a birthday party likely to be well populated with clever, highly cultured sorts of people.

Author: Milan

In the spring of 2005, I graduated from the University of British Columbia with a degree in International Relations and a general focus in the area of environmental politics. In the fall of 2005, I began reading for an M.Phil in IR at Wadham College, Oxford. Outside school, I am very interested in photography, writing, and the outdoors. I am writing this blog to keep in touch with friends and family around the world, provide a more personal view of graduate student life in Oxford, and pass on some lessons I've learned here.

5 thoughts on “in vino veritas”

  1. There’s a good Garanche Tempranillo that the Thresher (and affiliates) stock for about a fiver. It’s quite rich though. On the other hand, it’s a party, and the chances of anyone actually being able to identify the wine you brought as yours are probably fairly slim.

  2. Rob,

    The question is also one of general interest. I am sick of being presented with an unfamiliar slate of wines which seem to vary wildly in quality (as in B.C.) and where the quality doesn’t correspond closely to price (as in B.C.).

  3. Today’s photo is really good. Even the grainy ISO400 setting contributes to it.

  4. i like frontera. it used to always be on offer, but i’m not sure if it still is!?!

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