Surely, everyone loves a problem solver; someone who beats the odds to overcome major challenges.
Today’s selections, while not quite “Snatching Victory from the Jaws of Defeat”, do highlight successful outcomes from unpromising circumstances.
One involves a producer who has crafted a lovely wine from a difficult vintage in Southern France.
Before that, we see how a potentially unsuitable grape variety helps produce a tasty wine in South Africa.
Happily, both wines currently attract useful discounts.
Speed is essential though; the offers shown here expire today or tomorrow.
In the usual way, hyperlinks and pictures are used where possible to help you locate the bottle in question.
A neat blend that benefits everyone.
2022 Gable & Grace Chenin Pinot Grigio (£5.99 – instead of £7.99 until 6 June – at Waitrose):
Broadly speaking, pinot grigio has problems in South Africa because the heat there makes its grapes ripen too quickly.
While that optimises floral and tropical fruit flavours, it leaves insufficient acidity to create fresh and lively wines.
This example turns all that to its advantage by blending PG with chenin blanc.
The second variety provides the acidity while the pinot adds those ripe tropical fruit elements.
So, the main result here is a cocktail of rounded mango, pear drop and ripe melon flavours that build on the wine’s opening cooked apple aromas.
Those elements are accompanied by gentle lime acidity with touches of honey and tangerine.
Great results from a tricky year
2021 Prestige de Calvet Cȏtes du Rhȏne Villages (£6.50 for Clubcard holders – down from £7.50 until 5 June – at Tesco):
The 2021 vintage in Southern France encountered many challenges – including major frost damage at the outset.
Therefore, wines from that year may need to be approached with caution.
Here, though, is a skilfully made example that you can buy with confidence.
In addition, its “Villages” suffix shows it is from the (often reliable yet affordable) second level up the Rhone Valley hierarchy.
While its deep colour catches your eye, your taste buds will be equally impressed.
Rich, succulent plum and luscious loganberry flavours are combined with delicate minty undertones.
With gentle tannins and a refreshing citrusy zest completing the picture, this is a must-try for anyone yet to discover how good “everyday” Rhônes can be.
See you again on Thursday when, once again, my regular Sunday Best choices join forces with suggested Friday treats to showcase wines just a rung or so up the quality ladder.
