Well it seems summer is finally here and it’s time to whip out a few tasty whites to sip in the sun whether in the garden or out at the seaside. Here are three that we’re currently cracking open. Don’t forget your coolbag!
La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc 2022 RRP: £9.99 or £7.99 mix six Stockist: Majestic – find it here
Summer cries out for a classic French Sauvignon and one which is affordable enough to drink almost every day.
Pick this one off the shelf by spotting its label of ‘La Belle Angèle’ – the muse of the French Impressionists. This is a Vin de France which means the Sauvignon Blanc grapes have all come from different places to be blended. The result is a crisp and refreshing wine that is super Sauvignon with its citrus, apple and gooseberry notes.
The grapes are gathered in the early morning harvesting of the grapes before being aged on the lees. This fruit forward wine makes a perfect summer aperitif in the garden or will happily pair with seafood or a creamy goats’ cheese salad.
Ormarine Villemarin 2022 RRP: £9.99 or £7.99 mix six Stockist: Majestic – find it here
You get a hint of salinity here as the vinyards of the Piquepoul Blanc grapes slope down beside the Mediterranean Sea from Montpellier to Béziers and get the sea breezes.
Ormarine is the largest producer of Picpoul de Pinet and this makes a nice option to Sauvignon Blanc . Along with the saline hints there’s a fresh minerality as well as white flower aromas and lemon and grapefruit flavours.
The classic match for Picpoul de Pinet is oysters, read more about choosing and preparing oysters here, but many fish dishes will work well, even good old fish and chips, a platter of sushi or even goats’ cheese and crackers.
Abbotts & Delaunay Les Fleurs Sauvages Viognier 2022 RRP: £9.99 bottle or mix six £8.99 Stockist: Majestic – find it here
Grown quite high on hillside vineyards of single varietal Viognier in the Hérault and the Aude Valley in the South of the Minervois and in limestone and pebble vineyards, plenty of rainfall and sunshine concentrate the flavours in the grapes.
Some might find this wine reminds them of Condrieu, with its notes of peach, apricot, almond, as well as ginger spice and orange blossom.
On the palate it’s creamy and textured thanks to that lees ageing, the early morning picking of grapes and the exclusion of malolactic fermentation all of which ensures a balancing freshness to the wine.
A great match for spicy food like a Thai green curry, or richer fish dishes like grilled lobster you could even try it alongside an apricot tart.