Fancy trying a bottle of something new but not sure what to pick? That’s why we’re here. Drop in to see us and we’ll happily provide some grape related inspiration.
We regularly select some wines that we think are interesting and let you know why. You’ll see these wines in our shop with a ‘Vino Gusto recommends’ sticker on. Take away a copy of our tasting notes or have a read of them here…
Luberon Blanc, Famille Perrin, Southern Rhône, France, 2019, 13%
This wine we might describe as ‘quaffable’.
Made to be a super fresh ‘zippy’ take on what you could expect from a white Rhône wine. Lots of delicate floral notes on the nose – take your pick from jasmine, to white blossom, to rose petal – this wine has it all! There is a gentle citrus aroma, with plenty of stone fruit to thicken the plot further.
On the palate, the wine is bone dry with high acidity. Lots of fleshy, stone fruit flavours and a refreshing salinity make this wine a juxtaposition that we can’t get enough of.
Pass me another glass…
Beaujolais-Villages Blanc, Jean-Marc Baurgaud, Beaujolais, France, 2018, 12.5%
Beaujolais is often overlooked for its ability to produce excellent white wine. Granted, they don’t make much down there but the best producers craft some stunning examples. In fact, Jean-Marc ripped up a single hectare site of Gamay in Lantignié to replant with this wonderful Chardonnay in 2010.
The wine is unoaked and didn’t go through malolactic fermentation (which usually creates a creamy, distinctive texture) but still has a lovely waxiness and great mouthfeel. The purity of the stone fruit is really noticeable – balanced perfectly with lovely acidity.
A real treat. We weren’t looking to list a Beaujolais Blanc, but we couldn’t resist this bottle after a tasting.
`Wanderer’s Heart` Cape Red Blend, Thorne & Daughters, Western Cape, South Africa, 2019, 13.5%
Thorne & Daughters are widely acknowledged as the forerunners of the ‘New Wave’ wine movement in South Africa. They produce innovative, thought provoking blends, sourced from 15 selected vine growers all around the Western Cape.
An intense and complex red blend from Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Bright ruby in colour. On the nose, well-defined aromas of black cherry, blackberry and ruby grapefruit combine with spicy notes of cinnamon and cedar. On the palate, the wine is poised with soft, chalky tannins and a vibrant acidity which carries the pure fruit flavours on to the lingering finish.
Is the wine light and bright? Not really. But elegant, fresh and subtle. Absolutely. We don’t know its place, but we know it’s delicious.
Carignan IGP Côtes de Thau, Baron de Badassière, Languedoc, France, 2019, 13%
Maybe the best value wine on our list. We have a few from Baron de Badassière and they punch above their weight. Now considered a ‘peasant wine’, but in the 18th century, the vineyard belonged to Baron Charles Emmanuel, a colourful character who was rumoured to be the illegitimate son of King Louis XV…
This wine is bright red in colour with deep purple hints. The nose is aromatic and lifted, with cassis, plum and herbs giving way to spice and a touch of game. The palate is medium to full with attractive berry fruit intensity, fresh acidity and firm but smooth tannins. Too often we hold red wine from the south of France to the stigma that it will be overly tannic, underripe and over extracted. This bottle couldn’t be further from that. Pure, elegant and utterly drinkable!
