A selection of wines to mark the arrival of spring
With winter storms piling in one after the other in recent days, its easy to forget that spring is just around the corner.
That is if you follow the meteorological calendar as opposed to the astronomical calendar, the former having spring start on March 1 and the latter on March 20. I personally adhere firmly to the meteorological version, particularly since my garden is already bright with pale mauve crocuses and mini daffodils. Time then to start laying in some stocks of light fresh wines for the new season. Time also to start dreaming of those European summer holidays we’ve all been missing over the past two years. The following wine selection will transport you to those sunny climes, with their sandy beaches, cool terraces and inviting pools. The selection is made from wines chosen by the expert buyers at The Wine Society.
Cuvée des Conti 2020 is an organic dry white from the Bergerac wine region in the Dordogne Valley. Made from a blend of Sémillon, Sauvignon and a little Muscadelle by the top Chateau Tour des Gendres, this is a first class, fruity, dry white from an underrated region. Packed full of flavour, it has stone fruit with tangy lemon hints, delicious ripe fruit and good length on the finish. Great value at £9.95. Imagine yourself sipping a glass on the terrace of a Dordogne villa.
Moving further south to the magical island of Corsica, Corse Blanc Terra Nostra 2020 is a fresh, crisp white made from the local Vermentino grape, a particular favourite of mine. Softly aromatic, the intense fruit flavours evoke the stunning Corsican landscape, proud of its heritage. A deliciously modern wine, retaining the typicity of the region. Perfect with a Salade Niçoise or smoked mackerel. £9.50.
Chateau Vignelaure 2020 from Coteaux d’Aix en Provence in the south of France, produces a full and fruity white from a blend of Vermentino, Sauvignon and Sémillon, combining all the grape varieties of the previous two wines. The property also makes a fabulous rosé, refreshingly crisp and flavoursome at any time of year, not just in the summer. The wine has a small proportion of my favourite Vermentino, but is mainly from a blend of Grenache, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon. A delicious, full flavoured wine from a top producer, which is the embodiment of the stony, Provence terroir. £13.50.
The last wine in my selection, though fresh, crisp and dry, comes from the baking hot south of Spain. Romate Fino Perdido is a bone-dry sherry – fortified wine, yet wine, nonetheless. Still under- appreciated by many, sherry is fantastic value for the quality and is also a wonderful accompaniment to many dishes. The Sanchez Romate bodega in Jerez is one of the oldest existing wineries in Spain, dating from 1781, still remaining fiercely independent. A rich and mature style of Fino sherry, deep gold in colour with unmistakable, intense Flor yeast aromas. The rare style of this eight-yearold wine is bordering on an amontillado, yet remains clean and fresh. Excellent with crab salad, goat’s cheese quiche and many seafoods. Unbelievable value at £7.95 a bottle.
By Richard Esling BSc DipWSET . Richard is an experienced wine consultant, agent, writer and educator. An erstwhile wine importer, he runs a wine agency and consultancy company called WineWyse, is founder and principal of the Sussex Wine Academy, chairman of Arundel Wine Society and is an International Wine Judge. @richardwje winewyse.com