A bumper offer this week from our old chums Yapp Bros. Led by step-brothers Jason Yapp and Tom Ashworth, the much-lauded Wiltshire wine merchant is celebrating its 50th anniversary and corks have been popping for weeks. Indeed, having just returned — more than a little liverish — from a trip to Alsace in their company, I can vouch for the fact that Jason and Tom take their celebrations seriously and I was led badly astray in Colmar. The wicked step-brothers have form in this regard. I’m still haunted by that night in the transvestite nightclub in Avignon and I should have known better. What a naïve fool I am…
Anyway, to the wines. The 2018 Domaine des Oullières ‘Harmonie’ (1) is a delectably fresh, creamy and slightly herbal blend of Grenache Blanc and Vermentino from Provence. The domaine has been in the Ambrosio Collomb family for seven generations and the wines are beautifully crafted, with this one making a very fine aperitif. £11.25 down from £12.25.
The 2018 Gérard Cordier Reuilly (2) comes from one of the lesser-known appellations in the Loire Valley and is cracking value when compared to similar quality Sancerre or Pouilly-Fumé. Made from 100 per cent Sauvignon Blanc, it’s crisp, fresh and bone dry with a firm mineral core. If you like pure, uncomplicated Sauvignon you will love it. £12.75 down from £13.75.
The 2018 Domaine Saparale Rosé (3) is from Corsica and an estate I visited a year or so back with the Yapp boys after they had stumbled upon the wines quite by chance in a local bar when overcome by thirst. Blended from Vermentino, Sciacarello and Nielluccio, it’s a charming pale pink and full of herbs, spice and wild strawberries.
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