A tasty selection this week courtesy of FromVineyardsDirect.com, the masters at snuffling out tucked-away treasures for bargain prices. FVD’s founders, Esme Johnstone and David Campbell, have impeccable contacts and seem to know everyone who matters in the regions that matter. As a result, they nab tiny parcels of this and that from both well-established and up-and-coming producers and we, dear reader, are the-beneficiaries.
First, the 2015 Esterházy Estoras Grüner Veltliner (1) from Burgenland in Austria. I once spent a lot of time in Austria and have always loved its signature grape. When in the right hands, as here, GV somehow manages to combine the lusciousness of Pinot Gris, the bouquet of Riesling and the acidity of Sauvignon Blanc. This example, made for the Esterházy princes by Josef Pusch, one of Austria’s most gifted winemakers, also has a spicy minerality and a tasty, peppery nuttiness to it, as well as a long dry finish. Spot-on as an aperitif, fine Grüner Veltliner is famously adaptable and food-friendly and goes as well with meat dishes as it does with fish. £10.45 down from £10.95.
The 2014 Clotilde Davenne Bourgogne Blanc (2) is too. Fresh, crisp, zingy, bone dry and with great purity of unblended, unoaked Chardonnay fruit, it’s a Chablis in all but name from the-village of Prehy in the Chablis appellation. Clotilde Davenne make great wines at great-prices — but I fear subsequent-vintages will be more expensive, because a shockingly savage frost has wiped out this year’s harvest. Snap this up while you can. £10.95 down from £11.45.
The 2015 Mas de Cadenet Sainte Victoire Rosé (3) is one of the most popular wines we’ve offered, so there’s absolutely no apology for giving you another chance to get your mitts on it before summer’s out. A wonderful salmon/onion-skin pink, it’s a typical Provençal blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah with wild strawberries and peppery spice on nose and palate.
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