Life

Headline

2018 Saint Chinian, now £7 – instead of £8, Asda
2018 Saint Chinian, now £7 – instead of £8, Asda 2018 Saint Chinian, now £7 – instead of £8, Asda

2018 Saint Chinian, now £7 – instead of £8, Asda

France’s Rhone Valley produces lovely, if slightly unusual, savoury white wines but in this example the Languedoc is using two of the grapes often found in Rhone whites (Grenache Blanc and Marsanne) to create equally enjoyable wines.

Savoury herbal touches surface and mingle with grapefruit, pear and peach fruit and the lively acidity that supports it. This is a versatile summer wine and one to impress around the barbecue.

Flores de Soligamar Rioja DOC, Lidl, £7.99

Made from the classic Rioja blend of Tempranillo and Garnacha, this is a youthful and impressive Rioja. Though best known for oak-aged reds, some modern Rioja wine is made in a way that expresses the Garnacha grape’s bright, raspberry fruit. Tasty and appetising, it has a fruit-driven, juicy style – it’s smooth with a good, dry finish. A rich and easy drinking red that’s good value at the price. A perfect red to serve with duck or a sweet curry.

WINE OF THE WEEK

For hundreds of years, the caves in its central Italian homeland were used to induce botrytis in grapes (but after – not before – picking) and, consequently, Orvieto became famous for sweet wines. Now, most of its white wine is dry, but the great value 2017 Contralto Orvieto Classico (£5 at Sainsbury’s) is medium-dry with honey influenced, ripe pear and red apple fruit and hints of baking spice although pink grapefruit acidity provides a balance.