Last of the summer whites: Richard Esling August 25

And a little more pink! Summer seems to be fading fast as we clutch on to it with our fingernails, hoping the sun will shine a little longer and it won’t get too cold just yet.
Last of the Summer Whites SUS-200824-143628001Last of the Summer Whites SUS-200824-143628001
Last of the Summer Whites SUS-200824-143628001

As far as the weather’s concerned we’re never happy anyway. One minute it’s too hot, the next it’s too wet. This is England, where we should be used to getting four seasons in the same day. We have had a fabulous spring and summer up until this week, but now we seem to be back to reality with a bump. We may forget, but this is what August weather is like normally.

As far as the grapevines are concerned it’s not all bad news. The dry weather over the past few months has been great for the vineyard cycle, with little disease and great flowering conditions, so a little rain now to plump up the grapes before harvest will be welcome. But summer’s not over just yet and it’s still time to enjoy a glass or two of cool, refreshing white or pink wine, even though we may need an umbrella for our picnics and our socially distanced garden drinks may have to be under a hastily erected tarpaulin!

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Marius Blanc from the Languedoc region of southern France is made from the Vermentino grape variety, originally from Italy. From my personal point of view, this wine has a lot going for it. I love the white wines made from Vermentino, be they from Italy, Corsica or Southern France. Appealing ripe fruit aromas are backed up with a grapefruit and stone-fruit palate, with balanced acidity, minerality and freshness. The winemaker is Michel Chapoutier, one of my favourite producers of wine mainly from the Rhone valley. Marius Vermentino is described as ‘elegantly casual’ and is perfect to continue that holiday feeling, as a glass on its own or with shellfish, veal and even fruity desserts. Around a tenner a bottle from various on-line retailers, some with good offers on six bottles

Talking of Corsica, it’s the perfect place for making rosé, and whilst we cling on to summer weather, Umanu Rosé 2019 from the Wine Society at £8.95 is pale, dry, light, flowery and fruity. Made from Cinsault and the local sciaccarellu grape varieties, it is eminently quaffable. Great with those healthy Mediterranean style summer salads.

Another fabulously priced white from The Wine Society (£6.95!) is Duo des Mers 2019. Grapes are sourced from two different regions of France, meaning this wine is categorised simply as ‘Vin de France’. Sauvignon comes from Gascony and Viognier from the Languedoc and the blend works very well. ‘A glass of pleasure’ as it says on the label. Suggested accompaniments are fish dishes, but in fact it went equally well with a Marmite and cheddar cheese toasty!

Beaujolais to most people conjures up visions of light, fruity red wine. But the region also produces dry white from the Chardonnay grape, producing a wine similar to a light, white, Burgundy from slightly further North. Chateau des Jacques Beaujolais Blanc 2018 Clos de Loyse, made by the top Burgundy producer Louis Jadot, has succulent fruit and firm acids, together with the buttery, creaminess of Chardonnay and good length on the finish. Pair with grilled or roasted white meats and poultry. Going to press, this is £13.99 instead of £16.99 from The Ministry of Drinks.

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