A couple of wines on promotion, today, for you to relish.
Adding a slightly ironic twist, both are superficially “out of place”.
One is French wine from a variety more usually associated with South America.
The other is the reverse – a Chilean white from a variety normally considered a Rhône option.
However mixed up the geography is, both wines are tasty and pretty good value.
Enjoy them both.
As is normal here, pictures and hyperlinks are provided where possible to guide you straight to the right wine on shelf or web page.
First, then, the Malbec
2021 La Patrie Cahors Malbec (£7 – instead of £7.50 with a Nectar card until 4 February – at Sainsbury’s and 12% abv):
Having featured a South American malbec last week, I am highlighting a European example this time – after all malbecs originated in France, not Argentina.
This “homeland” example is softened, I fancy, by small proportion of merlot and that sort of blending is not uncommon in Cahors given how robust its local versions can be.
Opulent with a fragrance of soft fruit, this one contains full bodied damson, bramble and blackcurrant flavours.
Those are coupled here with firm tannin, lively acidity and supporting traces of allspice and mint.
Next the Rhône white far from home
2024 Wildstone Reserva Roussanne (£7.99 – instead of £8.99 until 11 February – at Waitrose and 13.5% abv):
Roussanne is now produced well beyond its Rhône Valley stomping ground, as this example from Chile’s Colchagua Valley demonstrates.
Back in France, its richness, aromas and savoury backdrop means it is often blended with other white wine varieties.
This, though, is 100% roussanne and underlines its legendary stylish elegance with a greengage, grapefruit and orange flavour range.
Complementary components include sharp apricot acidity with saline and fennel influences providing that sought-after savouriness.
After today’s focus on my view of what to buy, Thursday considers making some of those selections yourselves via Tastings.
7 responses
Hi Brian
I do enjoy a Cahors, for me I enjoy the more intense style (and it seems to get more intense as it goes up in price), the savoriness, and almost meaty flavour, also a little heavier on the tannins. I remember Sainsbury’s used to do a lovely Cahors Malbec called ‘Les Bouysses’ which was superb, not sure they still sell it now.
There is nothing wrong with the more fruitier, velvety Argentinian style though, and there are many good ones out there.
It is interesting that growers from Cahors and their equivalents from Argentina meet to learn from each other about malbec. That way, both region’s outputs improve but each retain their distinctiveness.
I remember when I was young in the 1970s buying Cahors directly from the vineyards, that you could practically stand a spooon upright in.
I loved it but you can’t find anything like that now, not even at the vineyard..
No, too much market resistance I fear. Excessive density and too much tannin both seem to be no-no’s these days.
Very much enjoying Damp January.
The Wildstone Roussanne is another Brian belter.
Looking forward tonight to an innovative Wine Society tasting event in Chester where we are going to try 30 different grape variety wines and then have a jolly time blind tasting to try to identify which country they come from.e.g.France or Argentina etc.Spitting is optional.
£30 for two and half hours of education ,quality wines,conversation and entertainment.
Where else would most of us get a chance to do this?
Followed by a nice meal with three other family members.
So it’s going to be Try, Damp and Convivial January for me- so, so much better than Dry.
That sounds fun, Paul, although hard work!
Last week I attended a “Try January” Wine Society tasting in Royal Tunbridge Wells. The format was to take 10 different wines, and offer 2 alternatives to each. It was interesting to see, and try, what they considered alternatives to Pinot Noir, Gamay, Chardonnay etc. So a total of 30 wines plus 4 wines to blind taste to match up to their descriptions. It was actually one of their best tastings I’ve attended, and I’ve been to quite a few! An eclectic and thoughtful selection of wines.
Glad that roussanne resonates with you, Paul. I was not totally sure about featuring it (savoury whites do not hit the spot for everyone) but, hey-ho, fortune favours the brave.