Posts
Congratulations
And jubilations
I want the world to know I'm happy as can be
"Congratulations" Cliff Richard (1968)
June is a month of multiple celebrations - the Diamond Jubilee, an extra day off work. Plus Wine of the Month is one year old.
And who knows, after the wettest drought on record, the current heatwave might even last over the extended Bank Holiday weekend, so those street parties won't be a wash-out.
So, feeling all jubilatory, our Cambridge-based wine merchants have decided to push the boat out a bit with a patriotic, celebratory theme.
You can't get more patriotic and celebratory than English fizz - and this is a superb example by any standards.
Made from a blend of Orion & Chardonnay grapes using the traditional Champenoise method, this is from a 3ha vineyard in Boxted near Colchester, known as Carter's Farm.
Sipped in the garden on a summer's eve, in the glass this is the colour of an early sunset.
On pouring, it foams enthusiastically with a fine mousse - initially light and fresh, after an hour or so, it opens up to show ripe orchard fruits on the palate, a savoury leesiness, food-friendly acidity and a persistent, yeasty finish.
With complexity, finesse, good length and balance, this is a really good bottle of vintage fizz.
Made from a roughly equal blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier, this Joseph Perrier Cuvee Royale is aged for three years in the winery's Roman-era cellars.
It foams enthusiastically on pouring and is bright with a pale golden tint in the glass.
The nose is distinctly fruity, whilst the palate shows ripe orchard fruits and leesiness; there is crisp-apple acidity, aromas of brioche and a fine mousse.
Long on the palate, it has a persistent, savoury finish and has all the balanced, elegant and complex finesse you would expect of a wine that counts at least two British monarchs amongst its supporters.
Moscato d'Asti is a low alcohol, semi-sweet frizzante with flavours of ripe peach, apricot, galia melon and a touch of sherbert.
If you are having an afternoon tea and need something celebratory to cover all bases (sweetness and fizz) without breaking the bank, this could be your perfect solution.
It comes in a half-bottle, but packs in plenty of ripe-fruit flavour, and is refreshing enough to drink at a garden party.
Denbies Vineyard Select Chalk Ridge Rosé 2011 - £10.99, Noel Young Wines
This English rosé is made with Rondo, Dornfelder and Pinot Noir. Unfortunately at the time of going to press, there were no stocks available for review, but it is due into Noel's shop in time for the bank holiday weekend.
Noel describes it as vivid pink in colour, full of tangy cherry, strawberries and cream. Vibrant and just off-dry making it a great BBQ street party wine.
Recommended Wine
With such a range of styles and prices, there is no overall winner this month - just for great wines for street parties and celebrations. Jubilee-tastic.
Links
Bacchanalia - http://www.winegod.co.uk/
Cambridge Wine Merchants - http://www.cambridgewine.co.uk/
Joseph Barnes Wines - http://www.josephbarneswines.com/
Noel Young Wines - http://www.nywines.co.uk/
Image credits - Jubilee Bunting http://www.salcombetrading.co.uk/artisan/weaver/jubilee-bunting-crowns/c-pow0002/
Cake - http://floor-to-ceiling-books.blogspot.co.uk/2011/01/1-year-old-today.html
No comments:
Post a Comment