Really like both of these, although they’re quite different – go for the first if you want fruit impact, the second if you prefer more minerally aspects Emile Balland ‘Les Beaux Jours’ Coteaux du Giennois 2014, Loire, France (£12.99 Oxford Wine Company) Lots of flavour here, with gooseberries & blackcurrant […]
Loire
Domaine de l’Ermitage Menetou-Salon Blanc 2014, Loire, France (£12.95 From Vineyards Direct) Really grown-up style of Sauvignon, fruity with lemon, apple and greengage to the fore, but also herby/earthy restraint, and keen sappy bite to the finish. S- Aotea Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Nelson, New Zealand (£15 Flagship Wines, Aged in […]
Sauvignon Blanc: the Loire & Nelson
Domaine de Rosette Chinon 2014, Loire, France (£9.49 Marks & Spencer) Young, refreshing, almost crunchy style, with a slightly leafy edge to the earthy raspberry and cherry flavours, and a hint of tar on the finish. S- Domaine du Colombier Chinon 2012, Loire, France (£7 Sainsbury’s) Showing its maturity both […]
Two supermarket Chinons
A fascinating contrast between this pair – both are very tasty. Clos du Gaimont Vouvray Sec 2014, Loire, France (£10.99 Virgin Wines) Starts off all elbows, with taut, slightly bruised green apple and pear flavours tinged with notes of herbs and pebbles, and with its zingy acidity front and centre. […]
Chenin Blanc from the Loire & South Africa
Three very different rosés Arndorfer Rosa Marie 2014, Austria (£17.99 Caves de Pyrene) On the red wine side of rosé, with plump strawberry flavour – fresh and cooked – alongside the peppery Parma violet character from the Grüner Veltliner, and with a bite of tannin on the finish. Fascinating. S- […]
Rosés from Austria, Greece & France
Spring in a glass Joseph Mellot Menetou-Salon Les Thureaux 2013, Loire, France (£17.65 North & South Wines, Kingsgate Wines, Noble Green Wines, Village Wines (Amersham), Village Wines (Ware), Evingtons, DeFine, Partridges, Amps Fine Wines, Halifax Wine Company, Sunninghill Wine Merchant, Thomas Peatling, Harrisons Fine Wines, Taylors Fine Wines, BJT Hanby, […]