Emiliana Signos de Origen ‘La Vinilla’ 2015, Casablanca, Chile (£15 Hanging Ditch) Fascinating wine, doesn’t try to overwhelm you with weight but instead lures you in with its ever-so-slightly exotic musky pear and peach flavours, floral aromas and refined citrus freshness. More wines like this please Chile… S(-)
Chardonnay
William Fèvre Petit Chablis 2014, Burgundy, France (£16.60 Wine Importers, Hailsham Cellars, Bubbles and Wine, The Wine Shop, John Hattersley Wines) Forget the Petit bit, this is fresh, vibrant wine with a light nectarine note alongside the floral citrus flavours and a crisp mineral note on the finish. Good for […]
Chardonnays from France & Chile
Goring Brut NV, Sussex, England (£31.45 Corking Wines) I love the gentle, ripe lime, apple and even raspberry flavours in this perky young wine. It’s crisp but never scrawny, and alongside the toasty notes, there’s a light hedgerow character to remind you of its origins. Good now but feels like […]
Assorted Sparklers from England & Italy
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…
Jean Leon 3055 Chardonnay 2014, Penedès, Spain (£13.99 Hailsham Cellars, Lancaster Wine Company, Dartmouth Wine Company) Rich and rounded, broad peach and pineapple chunk flavour, tinned fruit juice, smells fleshy but while there’s some lemony zip to bring some freshness, it’s not subtle – feels like yesterday’s wine… B- La […]
Chardonnays from Spain and California
Camel Valley Pinot Noir Rosé Brut 2013, Cornwall, England (£28.95 Booths) Very appealing forward style, with juicy strawberry (fresh and lightly cooked) fruit, hints of cream and vanilla, and a brisk finish. S Wiston Estate Sparkling Rosé 2011, South Downs, England (£36.00 Booths) Paler than the Camel Valley, and not […]