(2022) From Savoie in eastern France, this is 100% Trousseau fermentated and aged 12 months in wooden vats and demi-muids, 10% new. Typically pale and transluscent rim, and a sweet cherry and earth fragrance, hinting at pulpy strawberry but with a serious side too. In the mouth there's a raft of soft, sweet fruit, dark and gently spiced, an underpinning leafiness adds a layer, but it is the sweet and delicious fruit that persists into a fresh, nimble finish.
(2021) 100% Mondeuse, and 30% aged in concrete 'eggs', the rest in steel. Vivid crimson colour and very plummy and juicy on the nose, damsons and a certain pastille and floral note somewhere in the mix is attractive. Dry and has an earthy streak that is lovely on the palate, adding a firm, dry aspect to the ripe and fleshy fruit, tannins and acidity fine and balancing into a long, tangy finish.
(2021) In the east of France, close to the Swiss border, Savoie is a mountainous area that is relatively unfamiliar name on UK wine shelves, so nice to have this example from Lidl. Grapes in the blend are unidentified, but almost certainly include a high proportion of Jacquère, the dominant local variety. With only 11.5% alcohol, it's a delicate, very fresh and very charming wine, the nose all orange blossom and peach down, the palate filled with sweet pear juice and peachy fruit, light-bodied and almost weightless, with a dry finish as decent acidity kicks in.
(2017) At first glance this is classy looking with its gold label and 'Blanc de Blancs' the biggest message on the label, but scrutiny doesn't reveal much more except it is made in France, with the traditional method and is Extra Dry - which means sweeter than Brut. The Corney & Barrow web site reveals it is sourced from Savoie, but confusingly describes it as Chenin Blanc in one place, and Ugni Blanc in another. This was not my favourite wine of this small range: don't get me wrong, it is well-made and more than acceptable fizz, apple-scented and flavoured with a bready background, but the sweetness doesn't sit entirely happily with the acidity and the whole picture is just a tad non-descript.
