RAISE A GLASS
(£8.95). Falanghina is a native Italian variety and my glass was splashed with notes of apricots with a slight creamy nuttiness.
Just a couple of bottles along was my go-to red of the evening not just on taste but on value for that taste.
Bricco Rosso Suagnà Langhe Rosso 2013 (£8.50) is a blend of 60% dogliani dolcetto with 40% nebbiolo.
It’s a grape pairing which spoke to me of dried herbs, leather, dusty floors, but also fresh bright cherries and a punnet of strawberries.
Kumeu Village Hand-Harvested Chardonnay 2018 (£10.95) with peach and apple notes and a touch of complexity from lees stirring. A next-door wine on the same table wowed me with its elegant notes of red fruits and herbs.
The wine was Xinomavro Jeunes Vignes, Thymiopoulos 2018 (£10.95) which is neither easy to say or to write. But by golly it is easy to sip. It’s a Greek grape, reminiscent of pinot noir. I enjoyed my lovely evening of choices!
As an aside, the society (thewinesociety.com) is running an Everyday Rhône 2018 offer on cases until
March 8. Purely in the interests of scientific investigation, I’ve tried a couple of them. Viognier Grès du Trias, Coteaux de l’Ardèche, Vignerons Ardéchois 2018 (£9.95) is a white which is peachy, rounded and donates a touch of freshness in the glass.
The red (£8.50) is a blend of grenache and syrah. The wine has plummy fruits and is full and giddy on the nose. It’s a delight to sip as the fruit mellows and frisky spice dials itself up a few notches.
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I’VE been enjoying a pink gin as I binge watch a box set. Adnams Copper House Pink Gin (£29.99, online from adnams. co.uk) is created with the botanicals juniper, orris root, coriander. cardamom, sweet orange peel and hibiscus flower. The gin’s pink twist is via the addition of raspberry.
It’s a pretty blush colour, and the raspberry aroma flirts fruitily with your senses, but they’re as delicate as a feather falling softly to the ground.
It’s lovely with just a chunk of ice or dress it up with a simple tonic.
■ Jane is a member of the Circle of Wine Writers.
Find her on social media and online as One Foot in the Grapes.