RAISE A GLASS
That’s it then. Holidays are over and we’re on the downward side of the year heading to autumn and winter.
I returned from a few days in Brittany last week. It was good to be back and to have special paw taps from the doggie.
We sat in the garden to watch for squirrels. I sipped a reminder of French sunshine in the form of Mouton Cadet Organic Rosé 2021 (RRP £12.95, and as I write it is £9.95 online at slurp.co.uk). It was a gloriously sunny day, and the glass glinted as this pink swirled and danced.
It’s a blend of four Bordeaux grape varieties – merlot, cabernet franc, malbec and cabernet sauvignon. The label is a statement of where the grapes grow, not far from the Atlantic coast near Bordeaux.
It has crisp red fruits – think raspberry and cranberry – and a zesty freshness, just like an ocean breeze.
You may love a red Châteauneuf-du-pape, but have you ever tried a white one?
Asda Extra Special Châteauneuf-du-pape (£18, but look out for offers) is ripe with white peach, honey, greengage, squishy red apples and flowers. It has a soft mouthfeel and is a rather lovely sip.
As the grapes grow in a warm climate in the south of France, it’s not overly acidic (if that’s something that turns you off).
I’ll stay in Asda with an Italian red and Asda Extra Special Rosso Di Montalcino (on offer at £14) which I thought was charming with its cherry inflections and a hint of spice. The tannins are soft and gentle and the wine is an all-too-easy sip.
And so to a chardonnay, which isn’t too testing on the palate, but is pleasantly drinkable with friends. I know this, as I conducted that scientific experiment.
Santa Rita 120 Reserva Especial Chardonnay (£8, Sainsbury) is unoaked, so you can allay any fears if an oaked chardonnay is your worst nightmare.
The grapes grew in the Colchagua Valley which runs west to east in Chile.
This means growing grapes can be influenced by the Pacific on one side, or the Andes on the other. The wine has notes of sunny side up peaches and apricots, with a softness on the palate.