ON THE GRAPEVINE
SAM WYLIE-HARRIS ON... FRENCH WINES TO SIP AND SAVOUR
IF YOU could only drink wine from one country, chances are France would be right up there, so we’ve rounded up some favourite styles...
Abbotts & Delaunay Viognier 2018, Pays D’Oc, £9.99 each or £7.99 Mix Six, Majestic: Among the finest French grapes, this offers exotic honeysuckle, apricot and violet notes with creamy apricot and succulent peach flavours, underlined by ginger spice. Rich, round and utterly delicious, it’s the perfect parcel from the sunny Languedoc.
Tesco Finest Chablis 2019, £13, Tesco: A bright Burgundy blonde and model of unoaked chardonnay, this citrus scented Chablis has the all-important stony minerality we look for, with elegant citrus and apple flavours backed by refreshing acidity. Stylish with a fine, persistent finish.
Saint Max Rosé 2019, Provence, £40.50 for case of six bottles, Justerini & Brooks: A rosé for all seasons, especially when you’re in the need for a little Provencal pick-me-up and escapism. The palest, prettiest peach, it’s round and refreshing in an easy drinking style, with ripe red berry aromas and seductive red fruit flavours, with just right acidity, sense of place and lots of appeal.
Berry Bros & Rudd Good Ordinary Claret Label by Poppy Lennox 2018, Bordeaux, £11.95, Berry Bros & Rudd: There’s lots to love about Berry’s bestselling, best-value Bordeaux. With its beautiful depth of ripe fruit – think a wealth of, brambly fruit and blackcurrant, with warm, smoky aromas and a velvety finish. Their fifth limited-edition label, only 15,000 bottles are available.
Cuvee du Vatican Reserve de l’Abbe Cotes du Rhone 2019, £11.99, Laithwaite’s: A southern French fruit bomb, the Rhone’s, sumptuous, grenache-based blend screams sun-soaked vineyards and Mediterranean climate. Packed with flavour, it’s richly concentrated with aromas of plum and cherry preserves in a voluptuous style, with Herbes de Provence, alongside sweet spice.
Morrisons The Best Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2018, £16, Morrisons: Made in partnership with Ogier, one of the appellation’s star producers, this oozes charm, finesse and elegance. A soft and seductive wine. Dark fruit aromas and aromatic herbs lead to deep raspberry, prune and ripe, raisiny fruit on a velvety palate, with a long, seamless finish.