Primitivo

I am mildly surprised to find that this will be only the third red P in my collection and that the last one was seven years ago. I really must do better.

Several years ago The One and I were invited to dinner by some kind friends, just before they relocated to Eastbourne. Another good friend who grew up in the same seaside town often described it as the place that people go to, to die, and then don't. I'm happy to report that in the case of our dinner hosts he has been, to date, quite right. At least about the second clause. In a small world type of way, it turns out that the distaff side of our dining companions is, in fact, my other friend's cousin.  But I digress. I don't remember what meal was served, but I do remember the wine. This is because on tasting it, The One immediately demanded to see the bottle. This is rare as, apart from dessert wines and Vouvray (demi sec), not many wines provoke a truly positive response. That bottle was Pillastro, an award winning Primitivo available through Laithwaites and the many wine clubs who front that supplier, such as the Sunday Times Wine Club. This week we have the same grape, from the same region:

Week P (2021) Castellore Primitivo 2019. Aldi £4.99 

This is not the same wine. That one, still reasonably priced at £10.99 from Laithwaites, is more than twice as expensive and as I drank a couple of them (not together) within the last year I can confirm it remains a good choice.  Rich, fruity and comforting it has enough body and structure to accompany strongly flavoured foods or, with discretion, enjoyed over a game of cards. And there's another tenuous connection. 

Yet another friend (I'm at risk of sounding like I want to give the impression I have many friends; I certainly have more than I deserve, but am grateful for that) has over the last couple of years become a regular partner and opponent at the bridge table. His prior knowledge of the game has been invaluable in helping both The One and me slowly getting to grips with this captivating game which we started learning, without the very necessary coaching, a few more years ago. Our games together usually take place on a Friday and have a 'drinks and nibbles' break built in between rubbers two and three. It was on one such Friday that our friend recommended this week's wine.

I hoped it would turn out to be a bargain alternative to Pillastro, after all word has it that Aldi can be the source of some real bargains, especially either side of the £10-£15 price bracket. I read only this week that Aldi had been awarded 'Wine Supermarket if the Year' by the International Wine and Spirit Competition (IWSC). This is indeed a prestigious achievement, even if I was on more than one occasion an associate judge in that competition! I had such dreams. In practice this is a different style of wine. Pleasant, easily drinkable and enjoyable but not as rich and satisfying. It is fruity, although lighter and less like the Californian Zinfandels that the Pillastro reflects. Zinfandel and Primitivo are the same grape, which also goes by the name of Crljenak Kastelanski in its native Croatia, and it is popular in Puglia, if you will pardon the alliteration.

Will I buy it again? Probably. At £4.99 it is very cheap and better than the price. Simple, enjoyable but not stunning.