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Le Velette: ‘Lunato’ 2007 (Orvieto Classico Superiore DOC): This property looks across a deep valley to the cliff on top of which sits the magnificent city of Orvieto. Le Velette pride themselves on combining the best of traditional methods and the best modern technology. ‘Lunato’ is an orvieto classico and it epitomises the technical skill and love that go into their wine-making. Why is it that all Italians love the moon? It seems to stir their collective soul, and whilst we’re sure that the Umbrian sun had more to do with the excellence of ‘Lunato’ than the moon, perhaps it does owe something to nocturnal inspiration as well. This decidedly dry wine has a golden or straw colour (depending on the light) and lovely hints of vanilla on the nose. Full flavour, from a mix of five grapes. To be drunk, if possible, overlooking a cathedral. |
| £8.50 a bottle, £102.00 a case |
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Niccolai-Palagetto: Santa Chiara 2007 (Vernaccia di San Gimignano DOCG): We had trouble deciding which of the Niccolai-Palagetto range to buy. They all seemed to slip down so beautifully, even at ten o’clock in the morning. In fact, everything about San Gimignano was a touch dizzy-making. Dante praised its charms when he visited the city in 1300, so we were in august company. Ghirlandaio’s stunning frescoes decorate its cathedral walls. They shot Tea with Mussolini in the main square. Its famous towers, which dominate the landscape for miles around, are thought to have inspired the architecture of Essex University. How inspiring is that! The Niccolai-Palagetto company produces several white wines from the vernaccia grape, but this one we thought had the edge. Santa Chiara comes from the property’s oldest vineyards, and it spends six months barrel-ageing before it’s bottled. Perfumed on the nose, it fills the mouth with round, full fruit flavours, which resolve into a lasting, tingling finish. All hail, Caesar! |
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£8.95 a bottle, £107.40 a case |
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Frey-Sohler, Tokay-Pinot Gris 2007 Rittersberg (AC Alsace): T his gold medal winner is a great example of the unique Alsatian style – a blend of the French and the German. The nose spicy and full, the flavour round and terrifically fruity but with a totally dry finish. A versatile wine – match it with any highly flavoured dish or use it as an aperitif or an accompaniment to a quiet evening on the sofa and DVDs of Great British Journeys. |
£9.50 a bottle, £114.00 a case |
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Domaine de Bel Air 2006 (AC Pouilly Fumé): Opinion differs as to the relevance of the word “fumé". Does it refer to the wine's gun-flint aroma or the smoky grey bloom on the ripe grapes. Either way, this makes a terrific apéritif, or the perfect partner to fish or chicken in a cream or lemon sauce. Sad how one bottle never seems quite enough ... |
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£10.50 a bottle, £126.00 a case |
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Château Jandille 2007 (AC Entre-Deux-Mers): Another truly versatile wine that deserves a space in even the most selective cellar or wine store. It’s a blend of sauvignon blanc, semillon and muscadet; the result is reminiscent of summer meadows – a fresh, grassy wine with a strong hint of honey about it, but bone dry. |
£7.50 a bottle, £90.00 a case
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Domaine de la Présidente “Grands Classiques” 2007 (AC Côtes du Rhône): Everyone has got very excited about this wine and it is delicious. Although it’s quite dry, the dominant viognier grape lends a suggestion of apricots as the wine hits the back of the throat. Good, full finish, and a bit of a kick to make you feel seasonally naughty. |
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£9.95 a bottle, £119.40 a case
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Cellier de la Thibaude 2007 (AC Sancerre): A typical Sancerre – the familiar grassy-gooseberry flavours of the sauvignon blanc grape are readily apparent, if slightly more subtle here than in the examples you might find from New Zealand, say, and its balanced acidity ensures a long, dry and satisfying finish. Essential terrace drinking. |
£11.50 a bottle, £138.00 a case |
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Clos de Bannon 2007 (AC Sancerre): The House of Fouassier makes a dazzling array of Sancerres, but this Clos de Bannon is quite special. Packed with flavour and more complex than most sauvignon blancs. Serve it by itself, or with poultry or strongly-flavoured fish, but it’ll sink a delicate young trout as surely as one of Ted Hughes’s pike. Smells better than pike …
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£11.50 a bottle, £138.00 a case |
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Domaine des Valanges “Les Cras” 2003 (AC Saint-Véran): The vineyard lies in the steep-sided village of Davayé, southern Burgundy, where winemaker Michel Paquet has been earning stars and medals for many years. Good fruit, hints of vanilla and unsleeved banana - works well with grilled fish or goat’s cheese. We think this is terrific value for a Burgundy of such quality and pedigree.
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£9.70 a bottle, £1114.00 a case |
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Château Beauchêne “Vignobles de la Serrière” 2006 (AC Châteauneuf-du-Pape): A veritable treat, and something of a rarity in Britain - only 6% of the appellation’s production is in white wine. Château Beauchêne is a very successful blend of roussanne, bourboulenc, grenache blanc and clairette, producing a wine that is rich, but not cloying, with a long, satisfying finish. Remove from fridge twenty minutes before drinking and serve thrilled.
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£13.60 a bottle, £163.20 a case |
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Frédéric Corpel range: These are four wines we have selected from the Corpel range that we think are not only delicious but also outstanding value for money - our new range of wines for everyday drinking. See also Red wines. |
| Roussanne/Marsanne 2005 (Vin de Pays d'Oc): an interesting blend of grapes that produces a fruity white wine that's ideal for parties. |
| Sauvignon Blanc 2005 (Vin de Pays d'Oc): deliciously fresh white wine, dangerously easy to drink. |
| Rosé "Baquière Haute" 2004: flamingo-pink colour and a freshness that brings back those holidays in the Midi. |
£5.25 a bottle
£60.00 an unmixed case (12 bottles of one wine)
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