An alluring, haunting and silky smooth Rhône
2008 Côtes-du-Rhône Blanc, Saint-Cosme, Southern Rhône, France (£13.99, Richard Royds at The Haslemere Cellar, 01428-645081,
www.haslemerecellar.co.uk
).
Two amazing white Rhônes in one month – I am spoiling you! The craftsmanship and build quality of this wine is of the very highest order imaginable.
The usual white grapes have been employed – viognier, marsanne and roussanne – but cheeky little picpoul pops up too. It is responsible for the bracing minerality and piercing acidity which balances perfectly with the more flamboyant threesome’s lushness and magnetism.
There are not many cases of this wine available, sadly (and one less since I have bought one!), but do give Richard Royds a shout and sign yourself up to his mailing list. He is one of a handful of very serious independent wine merchants in the UK and it is no surprise that he has snaffled a decent parcel of this sensational wine.
Alluring, haunting and silky smooth, this is a wonderful antidote to oceans of Chardonnay, so treat yourself today. And while you are sniffing around the Haslemere Cellar look out for Saint-Cosme’s incredible reds – they are the epitome of the mighty Rhône in a glass.
• Matthew Jukes is a winner of the International Wine & Spirit Competition’s Communicator of the Year.