How Mr Wheeler’s ‘damn good autumn wines’ derailed my sober October

It’s been something of a liver-challenging few days for the lushes of Spectator Towers. A fascinating volumetric tasting of 2013 Château Angludet (served to 60 readers during lunch from halves, bottles, magnums, double magnums and an imperial) was followed by the first day of term at the Spectator Wine School and by a memorable Spectator Wine Club lunch with Henry Jeffreys presenting his excellent new book on the pioneers behind the English wine revolution, Vines in a Cold Climate, alongside some appropriately fine English vino.

When I tell you that I then dashed home to taste 18 wines for this offer, courtesy of Mr Wheeler, you’ll probably understand why my supposed Sober October has been such a washout.

But, heck, these were great occasions, hugely enjoyable, and I reckon that this selection of bestsellers and what Mr W’s Johnny Wheeler calls ‘damn good autumn wines’ is pretty fine too.

The 2022 Domaine de la Baume ‘Elisabeth’ Viognier (1) is a cracker, the follow-up to the 2020 we offered here some time ago. 100 per cent Viognier from the heart of the Languedoc, it’s full of peach and apricot notes and even a hint of raspberry, strangely, and a touch of spice. It’s everything that decent Viognier should be except expensive. Just imagine what a northern Rhône version of this quality would cost. £11.95 down from £12.95.

The 2022 Domaine de la Jasse Blanc de Blancs (2) is also from the Languedoc, some 30 mins from Montpellier, and another great favourite of readers. A blend of unoaked Viognier and Chardonnay, it does everything that you want it to do. It’s soft, creamy and aromatic with beautifully judged ripe fruit, surprisingly good acidity and an appetisingly off-dry to dry finish.