‘Tis the season for wine, indeed, and I love it! So when Marks & Spencer invited me to sample 12 of their best wines over 40 years of producing vino, I knew I wouldn’t miss it for the world!

I was so excited, in fact, that I was super early for the event and even got to chat with Marks & Spencer’s master sommelier Chris Murphy, who has been working for the wine department for 30 years. He asked me what I expect from the wine tasting event, and if we Filipinos spit wine (which most people usually do) during wine tasting activities. He also asked if we would mind that he’ll walk us through their seven reds, four whites, and one bubbly, since in other countries, people preferred to just go about tasting wine, and would only talk to the sommelier when they had any questions. I told him I’d really rather not spit the wine–I can’t bear the thought of wasting that sip of vino!— and that yes, we would love it if he can tell us more about each of the 12 wines he selected for our tasting activity that day.

Before I share with you the notes I made on each of the wines we sampled, first, a little bit of history: M&S first launched wines in 1973, almost exactly the same time of year as this press tasting. The original range consisted of eight wines, four sherries, and a small range of traditional ales: a white vin de table, Liebfraumilch, Premières Côtes de Bordeaux, a French sparkling white rubbing shoulders with three reds and a rosé: Vin de table rouge, Beaujolais, Chianti Classico, and Rosé d’Anjou.

Each of us in that small group of media people tasting M&S wines have our own favorites, but we all enjoyed the entire selection that afternoon. Each of these wines deserve a spot on your reunion or Noche Buena banquet, as well as on your list of gift ideas for loved ones. Here’s a quick look at the 12 wines we sampled, which come in a wide range of prices. (Note: Don’t judge a wine by its pricing; some of my faves from the bunch are actually rather affordable!):

1. Secano Estate Pinot Noir, P750
2. Domaine de Fontsèque Corbières, P995
3. Hunter Valley Shiraz, P1,195
4. Marqués del Romeral Reserva Rioja 2011, P1,295
5. Renatto Ratti Nebbiolo Langhe 2010, P1,495
6. The Gum Adelaide Shiraz 2011, P1,695
7. Chateauneuf-du-Pape Les Closiers 2010, P2,350
8. Vin De Pays Du Gers 2012, P295
9. Picpoul de Pinet 2012, P795
10. Clocktower Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012, P1,495
11. Moscatel de Valencia 2012, P450 (My favorite!)
12. Oudinot Cuvèe Brut Champagne, P3,495 (Another favorite! I’m a fan of whites and bubbly.)

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