Wines of the Month - August 2022
Seasonal wines for August: "...chosen with temperature extremes in mind."
Free next day delivery with this offer case
July's searing heat across much of Europe brings to mind 'la canicule' (heatwave) in Bordeaux of July 2015. Given that vintage made for an excellent year's wine, we're keeping everything crossed for similar in 2022. August's selection of 'vins' has been chosen with temperature extremes in mind, or perhaps the prospect of sipping such treats in situ abroad...
Corbières: Domaine Py '3ème Cuvée' Blanc 2021
Corbières' holy trinity of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Roussanne make up its refreshing white blends. East of the walled city of Carcassonne, Jean-Pierre Py is an absolute master at getting the best out of each grape so they contribute more than the sum of their parts. Vermentino adds citrus zing, a saline minerality and refreshing acidity plus a little exotic fruit on the finish. Grenache Blanc brings its aromatic stone fruit and floral aromas plus a fluid, creamy texture. It's the Roussanne which joins everything together – with a little time in oak to add body and a little coconut and vanilla flavour – it brings richness and a rounded feel to the palate. It has an affinity with mussels in a garlicky cream sauce or most dishes involving olives, whether hot or cold.
Vin de Corse Sartène Rosé: Domaine Saparale 2021
Corsica's famed as the 'Ile de Beauté' and Philippe Farinelli's herb-scented and salmon-hued rosé pretty much encompasses the island in a glass. From his award-winning Domaine Saparale, it features 3 of Corsica's main grape varieties – Vermentino, Sciacarello and Nielluccio (Sangiovese). With bright berry fruit, grapefruit acidity and verve, this has a tendency to almost evaporate when opened (in our household at least) – especially when partnered with a king prawn Massaman curry, a plate of local charcuterie or as a pre-prandial palate sharpener.
Luberon: Château la Canorgue Rouge 2020
Nathalie Margan's upbringing in the Luberon as an organic 'vigneronne' feeds much of her Provençale winemaking philosophy. There's always a freshness and energy to the Château la Canorgue wines with regional favourites Grenache Noir and Syrah contributing most of this red blend. A good dollop of old-vine Carignan adds a certain 'garrigue' herb spice. She uses a combination of large oak 'foudres' and amphorae to mature her wines and the preponderance of bright cherry and plum fruit on the palate makes this a very agreeable drop. Suitable for summer butterflied lamb with lashings of rosemary and garlic, I'd certainly open it an hour or two in advance and lightly chill for 20 to 30 minutes before serving.
Santé,
Grant Berry - Shop Manager
(Two bottles of each wine shown are included in the six-bottle case. Our standard list price of these wines would be £104.90, plus £12.50 delivery to a mainland UK address - offer price saves £18.40. Four bottles of each wine shown are included in the twelve-bottle case. Our standard list price of these wines would be £209.80, with free delivery included to a mainland UK address - offer price saves £25.80).
2 x Corbières: Domaine Py '3ème Cuvée' Blanc 2021£0.00
This characterful organic white Corbières wine, a blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino and Roussanne, is fermented on its lees to impart as much flavour as possible. It has a pale straw colour, appealing wild flower and herb scents, and a lovely, rich orchard fruit palate underscored by deftly-integrated oak.
2 x Vin de Corse Sartène Rosé: Domaine Saparale 2021£0.00
A delicious rosé wine from a blend of three classic Corsican grapes - Vermentino and Sciacarello with a splash of Nielluccio. It makes a perfect al fresco aperitif or partner to dressed crab or lobster.
2 x Luberon: Château la Canorgue Rouge 2020£0.00
The dense, dark Château la Canorgue rouge has wonderful, wild herb scents and garrigue berry flavours supported by a framework of ripe tannins - a round and powerful Provence wine. Certified as an organic wine.
