Wines of the Month

Wines of the Month - July 2020:

The somewhat Biblical turbulence of Britain's weather this year has given us conditions at all ends of the spectrum, making it rather more complicated than usual to pick wines for this month's offer case. Should we pick warming wet-weather reds for roasts or lighter-bodied cuvées for chilling? Would the rosés and whites be perfect for al fresco imbibing, or will we discontentedly watch the rivulets of rain trickle down the window-panes? Being optimists rather than Eeyores, we've opted to stick with summer-intentioned wines - the sorts of quaffers one might imagine could be drunk on holiday, hailing from the depths of southern France. This monthly case contains a refreshing rosé from the Camargue delta of the Rhône, a wonderfully crisp white from the hills of the Roussillon, and a lighter red located just north of the Bassin de Thau, close to Montpellier.

Côtes du Roussillon: Les Sorcières du Clos des Fées Blanc 2018
Former Sommelier of the Year Hervé Bizeul turned his hand to winemaking in the late 1990s in a then-unfashionable wine growing area. Since then, others including Bordelais châteaux grandees, international investors and Rhône legend Michel Chapoutier have all invested in the Agly Valley with impressive results. Hervé's wines are now sought after across the globe. His 'Les Sorcières' white and red represent great value and an introduction to his personality and approachable house style. This aromatic blend of Grenache Blanc, Vermentino (aka Rolle), Roussanne and Macabeu is a wonderfully refreshing, citrusy and camomile-scented mineral white with sufficient weight to partner sardines, melon salads or lemon chicken.

Costières de Nîmes: Château Roubaud Rosé 2018
The art-deco 1930s illuminated label on Françoise and Guillaume Molinier's Costières de Nîmes rosé sets high standards for the contents, backed up by regularly winning awards in various Concours. A blend of Cinsault, both Grenache Noir and Blanc, and finished with spicy Syrah, its berry fruit aromas and flavours vie with bright acidity and subtle spice. Bold enough to cope with robust tomato and garlic-based dishes, it pairs particularly well with the local Camargue wild rice.

IGP Vin de Pays de l'Hérault: Domaine Roquemale 'Meli Melo' 2018
This organic gem is a bit of a treat, being distinctly quaffable and a delicious rarity. Colour in wines usually comes from skin contact after pressing so red or black skinned grapes tint the clear juice. This, however, is largely made from the almost unique red-fleshed grape Alicante Bouschet (a close relation to Grenache Noir) and is fresh, juicy and vibrant with lovely black fruit and a touch of pepper. A very versatile wine that brings barbecued sausages to new heights. If sausages are off the menu, peppered mushrooms would be a worthy alternative.

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 £83.90, plus £10 delivery to a mainland UK address. Offer price saves £16.90).