Our scout and buyer for the Languedoc-Roussillon is Mark Hoddy. He's always searching the region's vineyards, to check out the vintage and the finest parcels of grapes. This is an ace find Mark discovered first in 2019 via an old friend in Corbières. Close by is Domaine La Lirande, a small estate founded in 1912 by the grandfather, François, in the tiny village of Coulobres. Every year, the Syrah from the domaine's 8 hectares of 40-year-old vines stands out for quality. Just taste the richness of this seductive red. Ripe black fruit, velvety, with smoky liquorice and wild herb notes, it's young, so best with hearty dishes like pasta bake or at a barbecue.
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In his book Grapes and Wines Oz Clarke rightly laments “the Muscat grape is treated with casual disregard by the majority of wine drinkers”. How so, when Muscat (aka Moscatel) is as old as wine itself, and so versatile it makes outstanding wines that can be sweet, dry, sparkling or fortified? Those in the know love Muscat for its exotic perfume and for the fact that it is perhaps the only wine that actually tastes of fresh grapes.
So without further ado get stuck into a glass of this Moscatel Rosado, unearthed by our award-winning Buyer for Spain. This modern, fruity, medium-dry, semi-sparkling rosé from sunny Valencian vineyards is addictively moreish. Savour well chilled – on its own or with grilled prawns or summer berries.
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New Zealand has been wowing the world with its terrific Sauvignon Blanc whites. It seems wine lovers can’t get enough of it.
This is a refreshingly elegant white from the Holdaway estate in Marlborough. The family started the farm in 1854, buying up land in Wairau and Dillons Point, now two key areas for vines. Their previous vintage was described by Sam Kim in the Wine Orbit as "impressively aromatic" with "excellent concentration, together with terrific fruit purity and vibrancy." And quality in 2021 was even better, so look forward to great tangy-fresh glass. Tasty solo, with seafood, noodles or creamy risotto.
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