Wines of the Month
Three seasonal wines for January, always open for tasting at our shop in Mere.
Free next day delivery with this offer case
January Wines of the Month - A trio of delights:
January can sometimes feel like the morning after the night before, following a busy festive season. Our resolution chez Yapp is always to drink better and outside of our comfort zones, so it's a welcome time to re-evaluate favourite regions, grapes or styles that have been oft overlooked or, perhaps, have fallen out of fashion. This month's choices are a trio of delights from the Languedoc, Loire and Rhône that deliver on flavour whilst remaining lower in alcohol.
Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie: Domaine de la Mortaine 2018
Good Muscadet is always a terrific accompaniment to fish, yet has been somewhat superseded by upstarts from the New World, Italy or indeed the Languedoc (Picpoul de Pinet, anyone?). We've been shipping this wine from the Chéreau family since 1973 and its crisp minerality, yeasty umami and flinty finish has made it a perennial Yapp favourite. Garlanded by Quentin Blake's terrific label (created 1986), the richer 2018 vintage has bags of character and pairs well with grilled Dover sole, oysters or crispy tofu.
Collines Rhodaniennes: Cave Saint-Désirat Gamay 2018
Beaujolais Nouveau in the latter decades of the 20th century somewhat ruined the reputation of the Gamay grape, where rushed harvesting, pressing and fermentation produced one-dimensional wines. This delicious example from the ever-reliable co-op at Saint-Désirat in the Ardèche bursts with juicy berry fruit, fresh acidity, yet is underscored by a herby depth which brings another dimension to the finish. Great with pesto (or pistou) and pasta or tomato-based dishes.
IGP Vin de Pays de l'Hérault: Domaine Roquemale 'Meli Melo' 2018
The Languedoc department of the Hérault is about the most transformed wine region of France in the last two decades. Vin de Pays d'Oc was the country's engine room for bulk wines, often of mixed quality. Investment in winery equipment and a desire to preserve previously-shunned grape varieties has brought wines like this to the fore. Dominique & Valérie Ibanez base their spicy 'Meli-Melo' on the red-fleshed Alicante Bouschet grape, which is fleshed out this vintage with a touch of Cinsault and Syrah, giving it a little more plummy fruit and peppery spice than usual. Pair with any dish ripe with roast garlic and black pepper.
Santé,
Grant Berry.
(Two bottles of each wine shown are included in this six-bottle case. Our standard list price of these wines would be £68.30, plus £10 delivery to a mainland UK address. Offer price saves £19.30).
2 x Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie: Domaine de la Mortaine 2018£0.00
There's Muscadet, and then there's Muscadet. The Chéreau's bone dry Muscadet which is both 'de Sèvre et Maine' and 'Sur Lie' has been consistently excellent since we first shipped it 40 years ago. This zesty, palate-tingling wine makes a bracing aperitif, and goes down a treat with oysters, mussels and other 'fruits de mer'.
2 x Collines Rhodaniennes: Cave Saint-Désirat Gamay 2018£0.00
This Gamay Vin de Pays des Collines Rhodaniennes from the Cave de Saint-Désirat co-opérative drinks well lightly-chilled in the Summer and makes a fine accompaniment to all manner of picnics, barbecues and light lunches.
2 x IGP Vin de Pays de l'Hérault: Domaine Roquemale 'Meli Melo' 2018£0.00
This inspired discovery from a recent foray into the heart of the Languedoc is 100% Alicante, organic and relatively low in alcohol. Think of it as a quaffable, sun-kissed Beaujolais of the South!
