Champagne Jean Diot Cuvée Sélection NV, France (£19.95 Richard Dawes Fine Wine) Attractive mix of ripeness and freshness, young and lively, with toasty brioche notes alongside the raspberry, apple and citrus fruit, and a clean mineral tang to the finish. Not hugely complex but an appealing dainty style, and a […]
Yearly Archives: 2016
Joya del Rio Toro 2015, Spain (£8.99 Laithwaites) The gentle kick of alcohol, the generous dark plummy berry and blackcurrant flavour and the slight note of damson skin tells you that this comes from a warm climate, but it’s never too loud and pushy, and there’s a fresh edge to […]
Joya del Rio Toro 2015, Spain
Grand Mayne Côtes de Duras Sauvignon 2015, South West France (£9.95 from the vineyard) A wine that manages to be crisp and tangy, yet quite rich at the same time. Lots of zesty apple and citrus fruit with green characters – herbs, grass, nettles – to add further interest, but […]
Two whites from Domaine du Grand Mayne in South West ...
How, why, when, what, who? How dad, how do you milk a brown cow? How do you make ice cream? How do you sing when your mouth is full of string? How dad, how dad, how? Why dad, why does the sun stay in the sky? Why does my little […]
Since it’s National Poetry Day…
Il Grillo di Santa Tresa Vino Spumante Brut, Sicily, Italy (£12.75 Vintage Roots) A wine that grows on you, there’s some sprightly bitter lemon plus a richer honeyed nutty character, and as it opens up, a briny tang appears to add further character. B(+)
Italian Fizz – but it’s not Prosecco. Or Franciacorta. Or ...
Calmel & Joseph Les Terroirs Corbières 2014, Languedoc, France (£10-£11 Richard Granger, Martinez, Old Chapel Cellars, Ellie’s Cellar) A lovely combo of generous fruit flavours – Victoria plum , apple and blackberry pie, even pomegranate – with perfumed, herby notes and a cool fresh backbone of tannin and fresh acidity. […]