An evening from the archive
Is the Price Difference Worth It?
- Date
- Wednesday, 18 February 2026
- Time
- 19:30
- Host
- Simon Collins, Solent Cellar
- Theme
- Value vs fine wine — paired tastings
Simon Collins, proprietor of Solent Cellar in Lymington, challenged the room with an elegant proposition: four grape varieties, each tasted at a modest and a fine-wine price point, members voting on whether the premium was justified. Sauvignon Blanc (Touraine vs Sancerre) and Pinot Noir (Mosel vs Burgundy) earned a firm yes; the Viognier pair and Riojas returned a more equivocal maybe — though the Reserva had its advocates.
The wines
What we tasted
- 1
Domaine Baron de Pre Touraine
Domaine Baron de Pre· Sauvignon Blanc· Touraine, Loire, France· % abv
Modestly priced Sauvignon Blanc, £13.49
Tonight £0RRP £0
Vivino 3.7/5 · 46 ratings
Pairs with lamb, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), poultry, mild and soft cheese
View on Vivino - 2
Pierre Martin Mont les Montes Damnes Sancerre
Pierre Martin· Sauvignon Blanc· Sancerre, Loire, France· % abv
Fine wine Sauvignon Blanc, £32.40. Verdict: Yes, difference noticeable and worthwhile
Tonight £0RRP £0 - 3
Mont Rocher IGP Viognier
Mont Rocher· Viognier· IGP, France· % abv
Modestly priced Viognier, £10.99
Tonight £0RRP £0
Vivino 3.7/5 · 1,109 ratings
Vivino avg £11.95 · our RRP £0
Pairs with pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), spicy food, poultry
View on Vivino - 4
Benoit Roseau Condrieu
Benoit Roseau· Viognier· Condrieu, Rhône, France· % abv
Fine wine Viognier, £48.00. Verdict: Maybe — distinct difference but price gap felt too high
Tonight £0RRP £0
Vivino 4.0/5 · 81 ratings
Vivino avg £49.99 · our RRP £0
Pairs with pork, rich fish (salmon, tuna etc), mature and hard cheese, poultry
View on Vivino - 5
Age of Grace Viognier
· Viognier· South Africa· % abv
Third Viognier served at buffet, mid-ground between the two, £32.00
Tonight £0RRP £0 - 6
Daniel Fries Vom Schiefer Pinot Noir
Daniel Fries· Pinot Noir· Mosel, Germany· % abv
Modestly priced Pinot Noir, £28.00
Tonight £0RRP £0 - 7
Tollot-Beaut Chorey-les-Beaune
Tollot-Beaut· Pinot Noir· Chorey-les-Beaune, Burgundy, France· % abv
Fine wine Pinot Noir, £46.00. Verdict: Yes, difference noticeable and worthwhile
Tonight £0RRP £0
Vivino 4.1/5 · 7,508 ratings
Vivino avg £49.00 · our RRP £0
Pairs with beef, veal, game (deer, venison), poultry
View on Vivino - 8
Martinez Lacusta Crianza
Martinez Lacusta· Tempranillo· Rioja, Spain· 2020· % abv
Modestly priced Rioja Crianza, £18.99
Tonight £0RRP £0
Vivino 3.9/5 · 236 ratings
Vivino avg £17.50 · our RRP £0
Pairs with beef, lamb, veal, poultry
View on Vivino - 9
Martinez Lacusta Hinia Reserva
Martinez Lacusta· Tempranillo· Rioja, Spain· 2012· % abv
Fine wine Rioja Reserva, £26.00. Verdict: Maybe — Reserva felt worthwhile by many
Tonight £0RRP £0
That's a wrap on this one.
Missed it? There's always another evening around the corner.