July 2024 - It Must Be Wine O'clock

A well-balanced wine with a lingering, herby finish …

Cru des Côtes du Rhône Vinsobres 2021 (Southern Rhône)

Situated at the northern tip of the southern Rhône, where the grapes benefit from mountain breezes and cool summer nights, Vinsobres, one of the seventeen ‘crus’ of the Rhône valley, produces fresh, smooth, fruity wines with notes of garrigue.

This is a full-bodied wine with aromas of cherry, raspberry and vanilla on the nose, leading to blackberry, cassis, liquorice and chocolate on the palate. A blend of Syrah and Grenache grape varieties, it is a well-balanced wine with a lingering, herby finish.

A perfect match for a Sunday roast, grilled meats or with ripe cheeses.

Available from Sainsbury’s (£12)

A delightful Cabernet Franc from the Loire Valley

Saumur Rouge ‘Les Plantagenêts’ Cabernet Franc 2022 (Loire Valley)

The Loire Valley offers a hugely diverse range of wines, red, white and rosé, and each of the four sub-regions along the length of the river are subject to different climatic influences which are reflected in the wine styles, but overall the Loire Valley has a cool climate.

Cabernet Franc is well suited to the Loire since it flowers and ripens early, and this wine from The Wine Society is a very good example of the light-medium bodied, fruity and flavourful wines typical of Saumur.

With herbal notes, strawberry and cherry on the nose, and blackcurrant and a hint of spice on the palate, this is a balanced wine with medium tannins and acidity.

A wine to enjoy by itself or with grilled / roasted meats or vegetables. It will also go well with cold cuts or soft cheeses.

Available from The Wine So ciety (£9.25)

A perfect summer wine …

The Society’s Exhibition Santorini Assyrtiko 2021 (Greece)

Santorini, a windswept volcanic island in the Aegean, is particularly known for its dry white wines made from the Assyrtiko grape variety and this example from the Wine Society displays the perfumed aromas and concentrated flavours of citrus and stone fruits for which the grape is renowned.

A full-bodied, smooth wine with rose blossom and citrus on the nose, and citrus and peach on the palate, this is a crisp, refreshing wine with high acidity and a lingering finish. A well-deserving Silver Award winner in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2023.

Enjoy it as an aperitif with a few olives, or as a perfect pairing for a fish or chicken dish, or a Greek salad.

Available from The W ine Society (£17.50)