WINNING
REVIEWED BY WES GAME
FRANCE
Domaine Gadais – Muscadet.
AUSTRIA
Danaris – Gruner Veltliner
£8 Majestic/Laithwaites/Marks and
Spencer
£8 Majestic & Sunday Times Wine Club
This wine is a little different and comes from
the Loire Valley. The Muscadet grape (also call
Melon de Bourgogne and Melon Blanc) has a
more subtle flavour compared to New World
Sauvignon Blancs. Recently a friend you
doesn’t like white wine actually drank a glass!
This Muscadet is “sur Lie” which means the
wine has spent more time in contact with the
lees (sediment at the bottom of the tank once
fermentation is completed). This adds additional
flavours e.g. grapefruit, melon and sometimes
yeast. This wine also has a small amount of
natural fizz, which gives a different perspective
on the wine. Be adventurous and try it.
Austrian wine is not just becoming known in
Europe but also worldwide. Its signature grape
variety, Gruner Veltliner, gives a very elegant
and crisp wine. With green apples and soft fruit
aroma, this slight off-dry wine is best drunk
young as it has not been aged in oak. With
more pear flavours than citrus it also has a slight
mineral taste. Overall a pleasant surprise and
different to other mainstream whites.
FRANCE
Tuffeau – Chenin Blanc
FRANCE
Chateau Malescasse –
Cabernet Sauvignon
£9-10 Laithwaites.
£12 Laithwaites
A medium bodied white from the Loire region
of Saumur which is renowned for Chenin Blanc.
Loire is France’s longest river and has a huge
range of vineyards, grape varieties and wine
regions. The cooler climate here gives this pale
gold coloured wine some gentle zing. Citrus
flavours are dominant but also peach and melon
add complexity. It’s still light and crisp with the
stoney/mineral impression. Very easy to drink
and another classis Loire Valle wine.
Another great Bordeaux classic from the HautMedoc Region. This vineyard lies between the
famous Margaux and Pauillac regions on the
Left Bank of Bordeaux. Whilst dark red in colour
it’s not a blockbuster of a wine. It’s a little more
elegant and smooth with plenty of blackcurrant
and dark fruit flavours. There’s certainly some
vanilla and light oak flavours as you would
expect but there is also some peppery damson
aromas. Very smooth with plenty of flavours
lingering on your taste buds. A great wine from
a great region.
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