ON THE GRAPEVINE

BY SAM WYLIE HARRIS

France at a glance... when you want to seek, savour and pluck the perfect palate pleasers, France leads the field. We’ve pulled together some top drops to appreciate the wine capital of the world...

Baron de Guers Picpoul de Pinet 2021, France, £9, Sainsbury’s

Picpoul’s one of the most recognized varieties from the LanguedocRoussillon, where its Mediterranean coast lends a wonderful saline quality to this crisp, dry white. Known for its tall, slim bottle, Picpoul translates to ‘lip stinger’ – and this one offers all that lovely lemony, zesty freshness, nuances of white peach, lime, a salty, minerally note and good acidity. One for oysters.

Muscadet Sevre-etMaine Sur Lie Les Gautronniers BonnetHuteau, 2020, France, £13.60, Tanners

Another seafood-loving white, Muscadet’s enjoying a renaissance. Shaped by the cool sea breezes of the Atlantic Ocean at the western end of the picturesque Loire Valley, this one offers weight and freshness. With characteristic stone fruits and lemony concentration, there’s good depth with white blossomy notes and a fresh, long minerally finish.

Louis Latour MaconLugny Les Genievres 2020, Burgundy, France, £17.99, Hennings Wine

An unoaked Burgundy blonde from the southern Maconnais, the overall impression is a rich, creamy, elegant chardonnay, with a wonderful purity. The ripe, white peach and pear flavours really shine with lemon meringue notes, backed by fresh acidity.

Henry Fessy Fleurie AOC Beaujolais 2018, France, £15.49, Waitrose

A really beautiful Beaujolais; harmonious easy-drinking charms are enriched by delightful, heady florals when you head to the famous Fleurie region. With juicy, fleshy cherry and blackcurrant flavours, hints of raspberries, mineral undertones and soft spice lingering on the silky finish.