SPRING is in the air and the daffs are starting to bloom. Meanwhile this nation’s wine drinkers should be turning their backs on all those heavyweight winter reds and looking for something more seasonal to sip.
I’ve picked out three French white wines, this week, with which you can raise a toast to le printemps.
The Society’s Celebration Cremant du Loire 2010 is a refreshing and affordable alternative to Champers.
It is made for the Wine Society by Gratien & Meyer, a Champagne and sparkling Loire producer which this year celebrates its 150th anniversary. Hence the “celebration” word on the wine label.
A blend of mainly chardonnay and chenin blanc, with about ten per cent cabernet franc and pinot noir, it is nicely dry and crisp, with quite long flavours of citrus and subtle floral notes.
I find off-dry wines work really well as an aperitif but also pair with spicier dishes. The slight sweetness somehow counters the heat of the food.
On offer at Waitrose from Wednesday is Clos de Nouys Vouvray 2012, which drops nicely into the off-dry category. It is made with chenin blanc from the Vallée de Nouys, in the famed Vouvray region of the Loire.
This is an elegant, balanced, floral and dare I say, feminine wine, with flavours of lemon sherbet and green apple. Perfect to drink on its own, it would also go brilliantly with grilled fish.
Languedoc producer Jean-Claude Mas, owner of the tongue-in-cheek wine brand Arrogant Frog, has launched a new fun label called “Striking French!”.
Do check out Striking French! Viognier 2012, which despite the comical label is quite a serious wine. The grapes are from a vineyard in the Côteaux du Limousin, and have been partially oak-fermented, giving it a rich style.
Smooth, balanced and creamy in the mouth, it is a peachy, perfumed wine with vanilla and some spicy notes too.
• The Society’s Celebration Cremant du Loire 2010, £11.50 from The Wine Society 17/20
• Clos de Nouys Vouvray 2012, £9.59 down from £11.99 (from March 12) at Waitrose 18/20
• Striking French! Viognier 2012, £9.99 at Majestic 17/20
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