27/07/2014 – Esprit de Labastide, Gaillac Perlé 2012

Esprit de Labastide, Gaillac Perlé 2012, France
The perfect hot and sunny summer wine, being white, suitable for serving well chilled, fresh and relatively low in alcohol at 12% abv. It comes from Gaillac in the South West of France, where Perle is a speciality: this is not a sparkling wine, not even petillant, but it has the merest hint of spritz on the tongue. Made from 100% Mauzac, the nose is all about crisp and crunchy green apple and lemon – very summery and clean. In the mouth the sparkle is virtually undetectable. It is dry and all about clarity and cleanliness – it’s like a very grown-up, not sweet lemonade, with such nice thrust and agility. Watch the video for more information and specific food matching ideas. 5.95, The Wine Society, but see all stockists on wine-searcher.