Domaine Muré, Clos Saint Landelin, Grand Cru, Vorbourg, Pinot Gris, 2016, Alsace, France
At over £40 a bottle this is not a cheap bottle of cheap but it is amazing, so subtle and elegant that Domaine Muré clearly know their stuff. A medium body wine with long length and flavours of citrus, pineapple and hints of grapefruit and apricot it wants you to savour every drop. Its not an every day wine for most people but I would recommend trying it on a special occasion.
Domaines Schlumberger, Spiegel, Pinot Gris, Grand Cru, 2021, Alsace, France
Domaines Schlumberger are well known for excellent wines and this Spiegel, Pinot Gris, Grand Cru is very good, very good indeed. Dry with apricot and plum with blossom and honey, its texture is weighty with a creaminess that makes you just want another glass. At under £20 a bottle its very good value too.
Domaine des Brosses, Alain Girard et Fils, Sauvignon Blanc, 2022, Loire, France
Ah, french sauvignon Blanc is far more subtle than the usual New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc. While this is not the greatest wine to come out of France it is a well made, on the drier side with flavours of citrus and softness that makes you happy to have another glass. At over £15 a bottle its a bit pricey but rather nice.
Leftfield, Albarino, 2023, Gisborne, New Zealand
This was the first Albarino from Gisborne in New Zealand that I have tasted and I’m blown away by the quality. Soft and rounded with lemon, peach, melon and a hint of herbs. It’s balanced and delicious and at under £15 a bottle great value. Forget food, just enjoy it on its own and loss yourself in the flavours.
Rhonea, Notre Dames Des Vignes, 2022, Cotes Du Rhone, France
This dry white blend from Rhonea from the Cotes Du Rhone Villages has Grenache, Viognier and Clairette. It’s a dry white with lemon, grapefruit and peach notes. I really liked the freshness and clarity. Zesty salad or fish would lift this wine further.
It’s like a Fiat Panda 4×4, unexpectedly better when tried than you thought before.
This Muscat from Domaine Schlumberger in the Alsace, France is very good, very good indeed. Off dry but with flavours of pineapple, peach, mangoes it’s fresh and vibrant. Great on its own or with fish and curries it’s quite delightful. At £15 it’s cheap for the quality. Its like getting a 2nd hand electric car and realising it’s rather good and now pretty cheap.
Tikves Winery, Babuna White
Made from Albariño, Chardonnay and Viognier this white blend from North Macedonia is rather good. Medium bodied with flavours of apple and pears with a floral notes and an aromatic undertone which ties it all together. At about £15 a bottle it’s like a Ford Fiesta with alot of upgrades.
Laurenz V, Charming Grüner Veltliner, 2021, Austria
This “Charming Grüner Veltlinez” from Laurenz V is like wrapping yourself in a fresh, cool duvet on a winters night. Soft and round this dry white wine makes you feel that its not only good to love Austrian wine but that you should be drinking it each week and that its actual a health drink because it make you feel so relaxed. Fresh with lemon and lime and a silky undertone this is probably best drunk on its own so you can feel the character on each component. Its not a serious gold medal winner but the Silver medalist that you should be trying because its easier to love. At under £20 a bottle its not bad value.
Aldi, Blütengarten, Riesling, 2023, Germany
Aldi have done it again with a great dry(ish) white white that is just meant to be drunk, enjoyed and not thought about. Its not going to win a gold medal but at £4.40 a bottle, yes, that cheap its amazing value. Citrus, green apple, melon, a light minerality and freshness sits in the back ground. Its one that I do buy every now and again because its just nice to have something light and easy. It’s like a fiat 500, does the job of getting you around but does shout about it.
Dr Hermann, Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese, 2007, Germany
Wow, wow, wow. This Riesling from Dr Hermann was magnificent. Off dry with complexity and length the flavours of lemon, citrus, peach. honey and a little petroleum made this a truly excellent wine. We paid about £20 a bottle on a trip to Germany. I wish I could have brought a case back. Even at £40 or £50 a bottle it’s worth trying just for that brilliant wine making.