La Grille Touraine Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Loire Valley, France (£8 Majestic) Brisk, bracing style, tangy citrus fruit pepped up by hints of herbs and elderflower, with a light ‘feline’ edge adding further interest – in a good way… B(-) Masson Blondelet Pouilly Fumé 2015, Loire, France (£15.99 Ocado) The richness […]
Cabernet Franc
Due in Lidl stores Nov 24th 2016 Sassi del Mare Beneventano Falanghina 2015, Campania, Italy (£7.99 Lidl) Lovely floral-tinged nectarine, ripe orange and fennel flavours, and a light almondy note, but just as impressive are the lightly gritty texture – gritty as in the texture of a just-ripe pear – […]
Lidl’s New Italian Wine Collection
Kaiken Terroir Series Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec/Petit Verdot 2014, Mendoza, Argentina (£9.99 Wholefoods, Fenwicks, Cornelius Beer & Wine) Rich, juicy and ripe, with dark plummy baked berry flavours and notes of, vanilla and marzipan. There’s also a smoky note, maybe from the Petit Verdot, that stays just about the right side of […]
Two Cabernet Sauvignon-based blends from Argentina
Sauvion Crémant de Loire NV, France (£13.99 Oxford Wine Company, Flagship Wines) Balances a bracing green apple tang against honeyed richness to good effect, crisp zesty finish. B(+) Terroir La Baume Saint Paul Crémant de Limoux Brut* NV, Languedoc, France (N/A in the UK) Quite a plush, rich style, with […]
Four sparkling French wines – but no Champagne…
Etoile de Mer Luberon Rosé 2015, Rhône, France (£8.99 Majestic) Smart presentation, and smart wine to match. Pale in colour, but packs in the red berry and herb flavours, but finishes in crisp and precise fashion. Would drink a lot of this at a barbecue. B Delaire Graff Cabernet […]
Two Pale & Interesting Rosés
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 […]