Wines of the Month

Wines of the Month - September 2020:

In rural France, September is always one of the busiest months of the year. Depending on the vintage conditions, 'les vendanges' usually starts in late August (though Ardèchois vignerons began picking Chardonnay this year over a fortnight earlier than usual) and continues through September and into October. Grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon prefer warm, dry conditions for final ripening whereas Sauternes and Monbazillac producers love misty September mornings and sunny afternoons to bring on noble rot. Chez Yapp, we cling to the hopes of warm September evenings and last chance sipping of summery rosés. This month's case covers all weather conditions, including the welcome return of our Charentais Sauvignon, a sun-kissed Chinon rosé and a brilliant Mediterranean red from the Camargue.

Domaine Gardrat: Vin de Pays Charentais Sauvignon 2019
After a brief hiatus in supply (a poor 2018 Sauvignon Blanc vintage on the Atlantic coast), Lionel Gardrat was delighted to resume normal service, proffering his delicious and good value Sauvignon Blanc in the 2019 vintage. It's been worth the wait, as this is a cracker – grassy and refreshing, with wonderfully ripe stone fruit, zingy citrus and a touch of tropical fruit character just starting to develop. Drink with poached white fish like Dover sole, green herb vinaigrettes or a courgette, basil and Parmesan risotto.

Chinon: Domaine Jean-Maurice Raffault Rosé 2019
Rudolphe Raffault's Chinon rosé is a relative minority in an overwhelmingly red-wine focused area. One of Telegraph Wine Correspondent Victoria Moore's 'Best Rosés of the Summer', she eloquently captured its essence: "There is a real joy to this Loire rosé, which dances brightly and fragrantly out of the glass, a mass of crunchy redcurrants and perfumed redcurrant leaves. Dry, but quite deeply coloured, this would go beautifully with lamb chops griddled on the barbecue, lamb burgers or a pomegranate and chicken salad. A delight."

Costières de Nîmes: Château Roubaud 'Cuvée Passion' Rouge 2016
Françoise and Guillaume Molinier's are fifth-generation winemakers in the Costières de Nîmes and their top red cuvée 'Passion' is a dead-ringer for a Côtes du Rhône, Lirac or Vacqueyras. Made from Rhône staples Grenache Noir, Mourvèdre and Syrah with a dash of Grenache Blanc for acidity, it's seasoned with a splash of rare local varietals to add interest. Chock-full of savoury, dark fruit aromas and flavours, it's paired locally with slow-braised Camargue beef, a dish which requires the meat to be marinated in wine and cooked low and slow with capers, onions, anchovies, olives and lemon.

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 £75.90, plus £10 delivery to a mainland UK address. Offer price saves £16.90).