(2024) From the Grand Chais de France, a large producer with wineries across France, this is a blend of Colombard, Ugni Blanc and Gros Manseng. It's labelled as a Vin de France, the cross-regional appellation, though those varieties all speak of the Southwest. It's what I'd call a very handy, all-purpose summer sipper. Aromas are clean and fresh, red apples and citrus, a little hint of creaminess. With only 11% alcohol it could be a fine, cheap garden wine if we enjoy an Indian summer, with crisp and dry flavours yet abundant, pert fruitiness making it easy to sip on its own or match to salads and lighter dishes. Not every wine has to be full of complexity and intrigue: some are just the right wine at the right price for everyday drinking. Watch the video for more information.
(2024) Developed in Switzerland, Cabernet Sauvignon has been crossed with an undisclosed disease-resistant variety. This is both organic and 'no added sulphur', opening with a fairly high-toned, floral and Beaujolais-like character as well as some juicy blackcurrant. In the mouth it is smooth and again, so reminiscent of a good Beaujolais village, with a sappy edge to black fruits, gentle acidity but a nicely crisp and refreshing acidity. I would chill this ideally, for a very pleasant summer red with its 12.5% alcohol.
(2024) Made from Cabernet Blanc, a new drought and mildew resistant grape that's a cross of Cabernet Sauvignon and unspecified resistant partner varieties. It is creamy, ripe and really rather nice. It opens with a hint of green fig, but mostly ripe, tropical fruit hinting at banana and ripe Ogen melon. The palate is fruit filled and juicy, with excellent citrus acidity balancing the finish.
(2024) A Vin de France wine with 12.5% alcohol, this has a moderately pale peachy-pink colour. The aroma is a touch sherbetty, with a fairly neutral raspberry note. It's a little bit rough this, with tutti fruitti flavours and some sweetness and rather raw acidity. Not a big fan of this one personally. £7.99 mixed six and Scottish price.
(2024) This Vin de France wine comes from vineyards on red clay soils, is certified organic, and made with minimal sulphur. Trendily capped with a wax seal over the DIAM cork, it is fresh with bright apple and lemon and a hint of stomething stony - almost Chablis-like. In the mouth there is ripeness to the fruit, but the featherweight 11% alcohol and crisp acid structure gives it a light and flowing, seafood-friendly style.
(2024) One hundred percent Cinsault from red sandstone soils, this organic certified wine come from 10-year-old vines. It is made with indigenous yeasts and no added sulphur, and does not see oak. Luminous cherry/magenta in colour, this is buoyant stuff, reminiscent of Beaujolais perhaps with some floral and rose notes over cherry and watercolour paintbox aromas. Beautifully bright and fresh fruit, overflowing with vivid cherry and juicy plum, a nice depth of tannin and refreshing core of acidity to balance. Delightful little wine.
(2024) Quite reserved aromatically, a touch of apple and and lemon. Dry, but lacks any punch or real vigour for Sauvignon. Reasonably well balanced, but rather insipid and felt a bit tired. Vin de France, so no regional information given. £16.99, but 'Angels' buy for £12.99
(2024) I received samples of this Blanc and its Rosé partner, and tasting it without knowing its price, I instantly new it was a bit of a game-changer for zero alcohol sparkling 'wines'. The fact that it retails for £30 does not surprise me as it is a near as damn it to the holy grail: a de-alcoholised wine with a fair bit of character retained. Certified organic, de-alcholised Chardonnay is blended with other natural ingredients, to give a lightly vanillin, fruity character on the nose, then the gently effervescent palate is dry and apple/pear-fruited, with floral, summery notes and a little feeling of sweetness, despite there being no added sugar. It's a drink that lies somewhere between Champagne and Prosecco in character, and whilst it is never going to fool a Champagne drinker, it does have a pleasing character that they should enjoy. Free shipping on two bottles from the producer web site, and in stores including Selfridges, Fortum & Mason and Hedonism at around £30.00. Watch the video for more information.
(2024) A Vin de France, this pulls together Pinot from Burgundy, the Loire Valley and the Languedoc and is a fresh, unoaked expression. Medium density of colour, with aromas of raspberry and some floral/herbal hints, it has a pleasant red fruit character overall. In the mouth this walks a nice line between prettiness with its rose petal nuances, and a little bit of structure with firmer, darker fruit notes and a delicate spice and olive note adding a bit of extra interest.
(2023) Rather in the style of lower alcohol Sauvignons that have been flooding out of New Zealand in recent years, this wine has a lowly 9.5% abv. It is a Vin de France, so a cross-regional blend. It has a fruit-basket brightness aromatically, with lots of tropical fruit and peach-down softenss. Easy-going and well-balanced, the palate delivers more of the same with enough acidity to finish dry and fresh. The lower alcohol does water down the flavour somewhat, but if looking for less alcohol it does the job well. £9.49 as part of a mixed dozen
