Dry January? Are you kidding? What dry January? I’m sorry, but I really don’t think this is the year to be considering such things. Having sought a number of opinions, the consensus was this: don’t be such an idiot, now is not the time.
At Mrs Ray’s behest I did try my best, though, and managed almost three weeks before discovering a well hidden but fully stocked bar on my careening wagon. I was undone in a trice and have been grinning ever since. Anyway, we’ve made it to the cusp of February and, courtesy of FromVineyardsDirect, I’m delighted to present the ideal wines with which to fill the gaps left by Christmas, NYE and bloody lockdown.
As we all know, a Muscadet keeps the doctor away and the 2016 Comte Leloup du Ch. de Chasseloir Muscadet de Sèvre et Maine Sur Lie (1) is the perfect preventative medicine. Made from hand-harvested, century-old Melon de Bourgogne vines — the oldest in the region — the wine has weight, depth, texture and character. It has apple freshness, too, and is extremely drinkable. £10.95 down from £11.95.
Six wonderful wines with which to fill the gaps plus a first class Crémant and a stunning bin-end red
The 2017 Domaine du Bicheron Mâcon-Péronne (2) is FVD’s best-selling Burgundy by far and an old favourite of the Speccie Wine Club. Mrs R and I drained a bottle just last night and revelled in its freshness, its old vine concentration, its whisper of honey and its sense of restrained exuberance. In short, we loved it. £11.95 down from £12.95.
The 2019 Domaine de la Motte Beauroy Chablis 1er Cru (3) is a complete delight and hats off to FVD’s David Campbell for finding such a toothsome Premier Cru Chablis at such a modest price.
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