I woke this morning to find blossom on our cherry tree. For a few blissful seconds I thought it was spring and that I’d slept through Christmas. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and I felt faint with joy. But reality – and Christmas Affected Doom, Depression and Despondency – soon kicked in: we’re still on the road to Noël.
At least that means fine wine is still to be had. This peach-laden offer from Yapp Bros is our last but one this year. Do get stuck in.
Quincy, in the Loire Valley, is the second oldest AOC in France and the 2021 Domaine des Bruniers Quincy (1) is the only wine that producer Jerôme de la Chaise makes. Pure Sauvignon Blanc, it has heady elderflower and nettles on the nose and a long, refreshingly dry gooseberry finish. It’s hugely enjoyable and cracking value compared with better-known Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé. £14.95 down from £15.95.
The 2021 Ch. La Canorgue Blanc (2) is from a gorgeous estate in Provence, made famous as the setting of A Good Year starring Russell Crowe. A shockingly awful romcom, its only highlight is a droll cameo by Tom Hollander, who gets all the best lines. Dire though the film is, the wine is spot on. A delectable blend of Roussanne, Marsanne, Clairette and Bourboulenc, it’s crisp, creamy and fruity with heaps of seductive peach, apricot, citrus and herbs. £16.75 down from £17.75.
Get stuck in to this peach-laden offer from Yapp Bros
The 2020 Reichsgraf von Kesselstatt ‘Alte Reben’ Riesling Trocken (3), from a 650-year-old family-run estate in the Mosel, Germany, is lovely, full of fresh green apples and just a hint of honey. It’s deeply refreshing and so light on its feet. Fine, dry, easy-going, crowd-pleasing, lowish-alcohol German Riesling as beguiling as this should be in everyone’s fridge.

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