Spring is in the air and Easter is just around the corner, so it must be time to crack open some lively French wines and welcome in the warmer (we hope!) weather. This selection of wines from southern France are perfect for enjoying seasonal favourites like fish and spring lamb as well as fresh herbs and vegetables – and there’s even one which goes perfectly with chocolate. Bring on the Easter eggs!
Edouard Delaunay Septembre Chardonnay 2020
This elegant Burgundian Chardonnay comes from Edouard Delaunay in the Hautes Côtes, an estate which was founded in 1893 by the great great grandfather of the current owner, Laurent Delaunay. Grapes from the Côte d’Or are complemented by a selection from the heights of the Mâconnais, adding roundness and fruitiness to the blend, and from the Yonne in Chablis for minerality and freshness. Citrus, lemon and orange blossom aromas mix with a hint of barley sugar and white chocolate, followed by notes of melted butter, frangipane and hazelnut on the palate. An excellent match for a traditional Good Friday fish dish like salmon en croûte. Great value at £15.99 or £13.99 mix six from Majestic.
La Belle Angèle Pinot Noir 2021, Vin de France
An approachable, fruit-forward Pinot Noir made from expertly selected grapes in various areas in Languedoc, from the plains of the Hérault not far from the sea, between Beziers and Valras-Plage, and from the Minervois. Aged in vats for six to eight months before bottling, the wine is subtle and soft with juicy flavours of ripe red cherries and mixed red berries mingling with herbs and spices from the garrigue vegetation found across the area. The perfect balance of rich flavour and freshness, this would be delicious with Easter Sunday roast lamb. £9.99 or £7.99 mix six from Majestic.
Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fruits Sauvages’ Pays d’Oc, Malbec 2021
Produced from 30-year-old, low-yielding vines from a selection of terroirs in Languedoc, this is a rich, fruity, spicy red which is fresh and elegant. The delicate balance of power and subtlety is achieved through a careful combination of grapes – those sourced from the Orb Valley, in the Hérault department, bring depth and colour to the wine while those sourced from the Western Aude bring finesse and a tangy red berry character. Part of the blend is aged in oak for between six and nine months, while the remainder is aged in stainless steel. With aromas of liquorice and red and black fruits, with spicy notes, this is a well-structured wine with good length and fine tannins. It can pair well with chocolate, making it a good choice to enjoy while feasting on Easter eggs! £11.99 or £9.99 mix 6 from Majestic.
La Belle Angèle Sauvignon Blanc 2022, Vin de France
Those on the search for a classic French Sauvignon at an exceptional price, need look no further than this elegant example with an equally elegant label featuring La Belle Angèle, a beautiful muse of the French Impressionists. Bottled under the Vin de France classification with Sauvignon Blanc grapes sourced from different sites, this is a crisp and refreshing wine full of typical old-world Sauvignon characteristics such as grapefruit, apple and gooseberry. The wine’s freshness is achieved by early morning harvesting of the grapes, while a month of lees-ageing in vats ensures a satisfying mouthfeel. This fruit-forward wine would pair perfectly with a spring asparagus risotto. £9.99 or £7.99 mix six from Majestic.
Abbotts & Delaunay ‘Les Fleurs Sauvages’ Pays d’Oc, Viognier 2022
This single varietal Viognier is made from grapes grown on hillsides at an average of altitude of 150m to 200m in the Hérault and the Aude Valley in the south of the Minervois. Thanks to the neighbouring Cévennes and Pyrenees mountain ranges, the limestone and pebble vineyards benefit both from plenty of rainfall and sunshine which concentrate the flavours in the grapes to an incredible intensity. This is a decadent, fragrant wine reminiscent of Condrieu, bursting with notes of peach, apricot and almond, as well as ginger spice and orange blossom. While the palate is creamy and textured thanks to lees ageing, the early morning picking of grapes ensures a balancing freshness to the wine. A delicious match for a Sunday roast chicken with tarragon and roast potatoes. £11.99 or £9.99 mix six from Majestic.
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