Helen McGinn And just like that half term is on the horizon. To be honest I’m not sure what month/week/day it is half the time anymore. I blame lockdown. And maybe hormones. Whatever, it’s been a busy few weeks and I’m looking forward to a bit of a break. I’m almost done on my second fiction book so more news on that soon but if you want a sneak peek of the cover (and you can pre-order!) click here. Talking of breaks, I thought you might want to top up the wine rack ahead of half term so I’ve teamed up with The Whisky Exchange and we’ve got a mixed case of wine worth £68 to give away! Thanks to having one of the best buyers in the business, Dawn Davies, in charge they’ve got an amazing wine range and Dawn has picked a brilliant selection of hidden gems for the case. I adored every single one. See my reviews for more details on the wines and to be in with a chance of winning all you need to do is leave a comment on the blog below and a winner will be picked at random next week. Good luck!
T&Cs: UK residents only, must be over 18years old to enter. Competition closes on 26th May at 11.59pm. The winner will be notified by email and the prize will be sent to the winner after that date.
This post is sponsored by The Whisky Exchange. See The Whisky Exchange for more details.
Current white in the fridge: Costadune Zibibbo Secco
Price: £11.95 - Buy From The Whisky Exchange
If you’ve never stuck your nose into a glass of Zibibbo before you’re in for a real treat! Think peaches sprinkled with apple blossom and you get the idea. It’s such a fabulous grape variety and if ever there was a time to be drinking a wine like that it’s now. Seriously made for summer.
Current white in the fridge: Tikves Smederevka
Price: £8.45 - Buy From The Whisky Exchange
Macedonia might not spring immediately to mind when thinking about what wine to have tonight but honestly, Smederevka is a real mouthful. Not just the name, but the flavours of the grape including peach, apple and a touch of lime. Refreshingly different and dangerously drinkable. Quite the best combination.
Current white in the fridge: Framingham Classic Riesling
Price: £14.95 - Buy From The Whisky Exchange
A properly good Riesling from a great producer in the Wairau Valley in Marlborough, it’s bright, bold and bone dry with gorgeous lime fruit guaranteed to shake up the taste buds. Brilliant with anything fresh and spicy like Thai or anything herby & chilli-flecked.
Current red in the rack: Cereza Cara Sucia Durigutti
Price: £11.95 - Buy From The Whisky Exchange
Meaning ‘cherry’ in Spanish, the Cereza grape mostly found in the Mendoza region in Argentina produces wines that look more like dark rosés or light reds. And this one really does, as Dawn says, taste of cherry cola and thyme. A gorgeous summer red, stick it in the ice bucket on a hot day and glug from tumblers.
Current red in the rack: Les Chiens Catalans Rouge
Price: £8.45 - Buy From The Whisky Exchange
Although it’s impossible to ignore those beautiful puppy dog eyes on the label, we all know it’s what’s inside that counts. In this case, a brilliant juicy red made from a classic Southern French blend of grapes. Full of bright berry fruits with a touch of spice, this is quite happy on its own but loves a plate of food (preferably tomato sauce-drenched pasta).
Current red in the rack: Cantina Goccia 3Q
Price: £12.45 - Buy From The Whisky Exchange
Talk about message in a bottle. This one comes in a Frugalpac, otherwise known as a cardboard ‘bottle’ made with 94% recycled paperboard. It’s way more sustainable than glass (lighter to transport, completely recyclable) and what’s inside is a lovely, juicy, slightly-earthy-in-a-good-way Italian blend of Sangiovese, Cabernet and Merlot grapes. Win win, in other words.
FYI: new book link goes to pre-order Kindle version only, so might come as a surprise to anyone wanting to pre-order the print version
Would love to win these amazing wines to share with family.
This sounds amazing, would love to win this prize.
By the way, I’d love to win the wines, I love trying new varieties and there’s a few there I’m not familiar with.
Puppy dog eyes on a bottle of red🐶. That would go in my trolley. They all sound interesting and would be lovely to win them. I would use our first socially distanced family get together as an excuse to taste test them. 🤪
That Zibibbo sounds very interesting, I love a Viognier so this sounds like a summer version of that maybe? I’ll seek it out to try
Always up for both trying new and winning free wine, so throwing my comment in the virtual ring!
Love reading the reviews and will definitely check out these wines!!
You had me at “win free wine”…. 😜
Surely every half term should come with wine?!
Mmm free wine and another book – brilliant 👍
Would love this to celebrate a decade since getting married. Lots of wine drunk then and since
I love a KMWC blog.. and an opportunity to catch on Saturday kitchen… great news re second book… and wine… 👍😜🍾
I feel the need to stick my nose in a glass of zibibbo!
Looks like a delicious selection of wines – perfect for half-term!
That Smederevka sounds really interesting – nice to see some less common varities and countries getting some attention.
I’m definitely stuck in a bit of a wine rut, buying the old faithful grape varieties week in week out so would love this to broaden my horizons!
Thanks Hels, I’m drinking a Dash as we speak based on your SK recommendation!
Ooh lots of wine in the fridge and rack… It MUST be coming up to half term! 😉
Thanks to KMWC I am on the BEST wine discovery journey!
Late to the party, I’ve only just read your KMWG (I devoured it cover to cover in 3 bedtime reads!) and now spend a very long time perusing the wine aisle.
I will have to check out The Whisky Exchange and continue to seek the cure for my Sauv Blanc grape rut! Would love to win a box of their faves! Xx
My wine rack and fridge are bereft of wine, oh for the chance to replenish both and taste some exciting new wines .
Love your recommendations on SMK. Have any of the special guests invited you out to lunch after they’ve been blown away by your choices?
I cam find lots of hard working school staff to help me with the wine over half term!
Love reading or watching your reviews and then making the trip to buy the wines and sample them; an adventure. Wouldn’t have thought of buying wine from The Whiskey Exchange, so that’s a great tip. Thanks
Love following you and your amazing wines! Just in time for summer too… bring it on!
These look amazing choices. Would live to try. Since buying your book in lockdown I’m excited about trying different grapes.
Half term – sunshine – peace and quiet – a good book and a glass or two of wine from this selection. I’ll take any combination!
Saturday kitchen 4 life. We love you hels,
All these wines sound banging especially the Sicilian number.
I know the feeling about not knowing what day it is! Treat every day like a Friday I say and treat yourself to a glass or two… fingers crossed for the competition!
Have pre-ordered the new book on Kindle and am looking forward to it! Also, would love to win the wine. Definitely in the knackered mother category with a 12 week old and a five year old 🙂
Some really unusual wines on there! Would love to try them.
We tried the cremant you recommended the other day and it is fabulous! May have to place an order to try some of these even if I don’t win.
I would love to win!
Would love to win these wonderful wines and serve them at a family get together. 20 months since seeing my family this would be the icing on the cake to celebrate that reunion. Looking forward to reading your new book.
Love the Whisky Exchange but have never bought wine from them – looking forward to trying a few more
Varieties that we aren’t familiar with and if we are feeling generous, may even share with friends 😂
Mandarosa wines are to die for! Would be a very happy and appreciative recipient of a half term treat!
Misleading company name! I would ♥️ to win…
I love watching Saturday Kitchen and have tried a few of the wines from less well known grapes that you’ve recommended.
Not a duff one yet and so winning this mixed box would allow even more adventures in developing my range of quaffable wines!
The Zibbo sounds divine! Mandarins a wines are fantastic and who wouldn’t want to win!
Mmmm all of those wines sound delicious! Just in time for sunshine
Yes please to all of this – half term & wine!! Also about to start marathon training that week so need the hydration🥴.
What a lovely prize. Trying to expand my wine knowledge and varieties tasted so this will be perfect.
Love your work Helen!
Wow that’s an unusual selection of wine. Would be great to try some of those.
That sounds like a really interesting collection of wines. I don’t think I’ve ever tried a Macedonian wine so the Tikves Smederevka sounds particularly intriguing.
Half term, how? In need of wine… yes! Loving exploring the new wines your recommending 🙂
*you’re
Love the sound of these wines. I do love a quirky label. Like a book cover, I’m always attracted to the label. I’ve yet to be disappointed by any of Helen’s wines.
Be the perfect weekend if these fine wines turn up on my door!!
Not heard of Whiskey Exchange- probably didn’t expect them to sell wine! Who wouldn’t want to win wine??! 👍🍷
Woohoo. Sounds like a great case to be lucky enough to win. 😊
These wines sound like a cracking way to get summer underway! I love a Zibibbo and would love to try Macedonian wine. What a great prize.
I’m Stuck in an Italian wine rut. Send help and wine. This wine would be a lovely addition to our little half term break in Norfolk.
Wow, these all sound like great wines and so unusual. I’m off to look at the website in case I don’t win the free case!!
Ooh free wines that sound amazing! Count me in! Will have a look at the website in case I don’t win!
Count me in! What a treat it would be win and try these wines. Fingers crossed 🤞😊
Zibibbo – really like this grape. great recommendation!
These all sound fabulous!🥂 I’ve learnt so much about wine and discovered so many new bottles since watching Helen on Saturday Kitchen and listening to her blog. I have a special list on my phone of all wines recommended by Helen, so that when I am in the named shop, I can buy and try. I haven’t been disappointed yet! Thank you😊
Yes please would love to win these to share with my family.
Yes please to a free box of interesting / different wines. I’m studying my L3 at the moment 🙏
Love reading and watching your reviews and then making the trip to buy them and enjoy; an adventure. Wouldn’t have thought of buying wine from The Whisky Exchange, so thanks for that great tip.
I’d love to win the wine! Love your blogs and your books. Thanks x
Fabulous forward thinking and eye catching packaging from The Whiskey Exchange. Perfect for half term. Love reading your blog, it makes me smile 🙂
I always look forward to hearing about your recommendations & broadening my wine palette, these wines sounds amazing 🙌🏻
Win win > what a great manta . I was disappointed with not being able to pre-order a hard copy as I love a good paper book relaxing with my wine by the river.
Count me in, love exploring wines I wouldn’t ordinarily try. Sounds a tempting selection.
Thank you for showing us the way
These sound great! Always looking to expand my knowledge and range of wines!
Win win indeed! Reading this has made my mouth water. I’d love to win these hidden gems, they sound fabulous.
If there’s wine going, I’d love to win it 🍷 😊
Ooooooh yummy yummy…… would love these for after my baby is born in 7 weeks….. would make a fabulous return to my wine journey!!
Your emails never go unread! They are so familiar to my life as a Mum. The idea of popping red wine in an ice bucket and glugging from a tumbler is novel. If I win I will give it a whirl. Enjoy half term when you finally get your feet up your choice of wine at home now sounds delightful xx
Hi there. Have loved your Quarantini IG videos with Kat. And I’d love the chance to win some wine !!!
Would love to win these wines, love trying something new , all your recommendations have been brilliant!
Half term + wine = just what mummy needs! Fingers crossed, sounds fabulous!
Exciting different varieties, we all need pushed out of our lockdown ruts, this mix of wines would be just the kick I need. Thank you
All new wines to me, and I wouldn’t have thought of the Whisky Exchange for buying wine,. Every day’s a school day! Many thanks for all that you do!
Lovely sounding wines!
Sounds like an interesting selection to investigate. To win it would be fabulous!
Every birthday especially when it falls on a Bank Holiday should have good wine. I’d especially look forward to tasting the intriguing sounding Cantina Goccia 3Q with family. 🍷
Every birthday, but especially a Bank Holiday birthday, deserves good wine to share with family. These all sound wonderful especially the Cantina Goccio 3Q.
Would welcome the chance to share these for a Bank Holiday birthday with family. The Cantina Goccia is intriguing. 🍷
I’m looking forward to trying some of these wines-and 🤞winning some 😊🥂🍷
Wine is essential kit at half term isn’t it?! Especially when my eldest has just finished his GCSEs and Yr11, end of an era, time to celebrate! X
What an amazing-sounding array of wines! If nothing else, it would be worth trying the Macedonian offering… 🤤
I’m loving trying all the new wines I see you recommend so would love a new bottle or two to try over half term.
I’d love to win some wine, I have birth on Saturday and am so looking forward to having wine again.
What a fabby selection of wines. So different and from such unusual wine producers.
Fingers crossed.
Yummy – a different selection to try! I’m enjoying your appearances on Saturday Kitchen.
You’re so right, Macedonian wine? Who knew? Will definitely try, thanks Helen
Yes please, wines sound fantastic!
They all sound wonderful! Would love to win 🤩
Wow those wines sound very interesting. I love a fruity red wine and my husband is always interested in a good Riesling. Would love to win 😊
Omg. How good is this. Fantastic book and now the chance of some fantastic wine.
Love you on Instagram, bought many of the recommended wines. Also love you videos great humour 🤞🏼💐🥂
The wines look really interesting and I’d love to try them “free”. 🤞
Wines sound delicious! Yes please enter me for the comp; perfect timing to top up wine rack for half term! Insanely excited that I’ve just pre-ordered “In Just One Day” to be auto-delivered wirelessly to my Kindle on 5 August 2021 – Setting aside the day to put my feet up, glass of wine in one hand, kindle in the other! Can’t wait x
Win wine it said on your Insta! Yes my mind shouted!!! 🙌❤️🙌
Just preordered this book after reading This Changes Everything. I cannot wait until August to read the next one… with wine!
🍷 📚 ❤️
Watching the rain run down the window and dreaming of sitting in the sunshine with a chilled glass of Zibobbo
would love to win the wines! Fingers crossed, although hard to hold a wine glass like that!
I’m new to KMWC but always enjoy your recommendations and fun you bring to Saturday Kitchen. I’m always interested in the red wine offerings and should summer ever arrive will be trying a chilled Cereza Sera blah blah
I can’t wait for half term, and the Zibibbo sounds like the perfect way to celebrate!
These wines sound interesting – not tried any of them but definitely willing to try 🙂
Wow! They are sound amazing…ready for sharing once the restrictions are fully lifted in June…party anyone??
Win Win drew me in! what fab sounding delicious wines 🙂 also really looking forward to book 2!! number 1 was great x
What’s to lose?!
Interesting wines and a new book – what’s not to love!?!
Brilliant selection of wines. Your recommendations on Saturday Kitchen have kept me going during this pandemic!
Loving all I’m learning and tasting!!! Saturday breakfast and Wine Time with Kat is just hilarious 😊
I’m loving finding new wine as a result of your recommendations…you haven’t disappointed me yet!
Yes, please! Absolutely loving following you and trying new wines. Thank you.
Good luck with the book launch!
Half term wine supplies desperately required here – i promise to make tasting notes! (cannot guarantee they’ll make much sense mind….)
Would love to try these wines as invariably I stick to the tried and tested an these sound delicious.
Love reading your blogs and up for a chance of winning some goodies
Ooh i’d love to win some lovely wine!
I want wine!!!
Love trying the wines you recommend and it’s totally broadened my outlook on different varieties of wine…..keep em coming!
Only just heard about you, and cant wait to try some wine and hear more! 🙂
It’s always 5 o’clock somewhere in the world!!! ……..hic
Some very interesting wines listed , can feel a few purchases coming my way . Loved your first book looking forward to reading this one .
Love trying the wines you recommend. Fingers crossed 🤞
Would be delighted to win anyone of these wines. They certainly are different out of the box thinking wines. Current White In The Fridge: Tikves Smederevka- sounds delicious with the fruit quoted especially my favourite peach!!
Please enter me in n the prize competition. Thank you.
Who says there’s no such thing as a free lunch? Hang on… wine can be lunch, can’t it?
Can’t beat a good bottle of wine with your partner to start the weekend
The Cereza Cara Sucia Durigutti sounds delicious. I love a good Red Wine.
Love your name ‘Knackered mothers wine club’
Great prize. Would love to win
After last year, every mother needs some wine.
Ohhh yes please…….good luck everyone 💕
Would love to try these wines – every wine we have tried on your recommendation, we have loved and passed the word on. Here’s hoping!
Fingers crossed. great prize
Fingers firmly crossed. Hic! 🙂
My glass is waiting 🍷
The Costadune Zibibbo Secco looks like a delicious fruity treat! Nothing better than a cool glass of wine on a hot Summers day!
What a great prize: one my mum would appreciate!
would be nice to give these a try
It would be so amazing to win a bottle for my wedding anniversary in July
😋😋😋 Yum… yes please
This is a lovely post and such a great selection of wines! I would absolutely love to win this and have the opportunity to share them with my loved ones. Good luck to everyone who entered xx
wine, wine, wine? YES YES YES 🙂
Framingham Classic Riesling – a little expensive but well worth it as a treat
I’ve love to win some wine and maybe it might stop raining so we can go outside for a BBQ
I would love to win this wine as quite frankly I could never afford to own such a vast amount of wine any other time! I have a 20 year anniversary coming up, as well as my husband’s and daughter’s birthday so this would be utterly perfect to celebrate with!
What an excellent giveaway. Would absolutely love to win this for my wife. Good luck everyone x
Oh theres a few there i havent tried that would be lovely to win
I’d love to win these quality wines for our summer parties.
What a great prize 🍷 I loved This Changes Everything and can’t wait to read your new book. Good luck with the launch Helen 😊
They all sound lovely – after years of staying safe with a frascati or Pinot Grigio, I’m following your recommendations and trying new things – living pecorino and Gavi , would love to try these new ones too if I win x
perfect prize! I could celebrate wine o’clock every day of half-term!
Fantastic prize! Good luck guys!
I would love to try these wines xx
A nice range of wines that I’d love to try!
🤞🏻🤞🏻🤞🏻
I would love to try this wonderful selection of wines. Great for a summer BBQ with friends x
Several new wines to try. What is not to like. Fingers crossed here.
Wine me!
Great way to try some new wines. Fingers crossed for the win 🤞🏻
I’m new to wine – not drinking it of course but appreciating it.! Your book and a virtual wine club has helped me through lockdown and developed my appreciation of red. Would love to win, add to my journal of wine notes and hopefully find some I would buy again.
A lovely selection of wines, and interesting reviews. I would love to win these and share with my mum.
Absolutely would love to win win(e) as a special treat and enjoy the experience of new tastes. Have visited the Barossa Valley in Australia and had my first wine tastings there and loved it. What a joy to revisit that experience yet once again
Always love your recommendations on here and Saturday Kitchen! Looking forward to giving some of these a try and maybe bagging a freebie at the same time 🙂
Paper bottles? whatever next!
Fantastic – Id love to try them out
In the words of Roger the alien “I like wine”
These all sound delicious – I would love to try the Cereza.
I am knackered, please send wine x
My birthday is on bank holiday Monday, this will be my second birthday spent in the garden with the family, we’re protecting a clinically vulnerable child so not much chance of a night out….wine would certainly help!
Loving the sound of Costadune Zibibbo Secco, perfect for a lazy afternoon in the garden
Some great wines in this prize. Fingers crossed
These wines all sound incredible – would love to win.
Life is speeding up again so these lovely wines would be ideal to relax!
The Cereza Cara Sucia Durigutti 2019 sounds really intriguing. Would love to try that.