Excitement for the Summer has already started kicking in with the extra bank holiday and warmer weather finally arriving. We have selected four great wines to see you through the month, from a deliciously juicy, crowd-pleasing Portuguese red made with native grapes, a show shopping Godello from Galicia, one of our best-selling Provence Roses and a charming, elegant Chenin Blanc from the west coast of South Africa.
Santhiago Tinto, Real Companhia Velha, Lisboa, Portugal 2020
Grape blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Alicante Bouchet, Aragonez, and Trincadeira
Winemaker: Real Companhia Velha is the oldest wine company in Portugal, with 260 years of uninterrupted history of Port production. Founded by the King of Portugal in 1756, the company broadened its horizons outside the Douro and developed vineyards in other regions, including Lisboa, preserving and honouring traditional techniques, whilst investing in the future with constant modernisation and experimentation in their vineyards.
Tasting note: An enchanting blend of indigenous Portuguese varietals with a proportion of the more familiar Cabernet Sauvignon. Richly fruited, with juicy dark berries, a hint of spice and wild herbal notes, giving lift and freshness to the wine. An approachable and easy drinking style, with an elegant structure, firm well-balanced tannins and defined, refreshing acidity.
Food Pairing: This would go very well with pasta dishes, curries and red meats.
Pagos de Galir Godello, Valdeorras, Spain 2021
Grape: Godello- a native white grape of Galicia in North West Spain.
Winemaker: The Virgen del Galir winery is located in Éntoma, a small village in Orense. It has been part of the CVNE family since 2018. The Galir Valley falls under the Valdeorras DO. The winery’s philosophy is to make wines that reflect the values of the land whilst respecting local traditions. This begins with the winery’s name, a tribute to 'Our Lady of Galir', the protector of the region’s vineyards. The white wines of Virgen del Galir are made with grapes from the Galir Valley, an area with a lot of slate and vineyards at high altitude.
Tasting note: The nose is delicate and mineral with floral, herb and citrus notes. On the palate the wine is vibrant, silky and elegant with good structure and a full body thanks to its lees ageing.
Food Pairing: A perfect match for seafood, fish, vegetables, white meats and stews.
Peyrassol #Lou Provence Rosé, France 2022
Grape blend: Cinsault, Grenache and Syrah grown in the sun-drenched vineyards of Cotes de Provence.
Winemaker: Situated in the heart of Provence near Brignoles, Commanderie de Peyrassol has undergone huge investment since its purchase by Philippe Austruy (owner of Ch. Malescasse, Haut Médoc) in 2001 and crafts beautiful rosé wines.
Tasting note: Charming aromas of peach and apricot fill the glass with underlying notes of nectarine. Bright and lively on the palate supported by racy, uplifting acidity that wraps around a core of more Summer berry fruit and white pepper spice finishing with impressive mineral precision. Delicious wine and possibly the BEST EVER from Peyrassol... looks like we are in for a good Summer!
Food Pairing: Perfect with a niçoise salad or smoked salmon and new potatoes.
Fryer’s Cove Chenin Blanc, Western Cape, South Africa 2022
Grape: Chenin Blanc - the most widely planted white grape variety in South Africa. The best Chenin Blanc possesses highly concentrated, rich, honeyed-fruit and refreshing acidity.
Winemaker: Founded in 1999 by Wynand Hamman, Fryer`s Cove is located 300km north of Cape Town in Bamboes Bay on the picturesque West Coast. Vineyards are located just a mere 800m from the shoreline, where cool sea breezes temper the hot, dry climate and allow production for low yield, world class wines that reinforce the wineries slogan of `forged of the earth, tempered by the sea. `
Tasting note: This is a crisp, bright and vibrant Chenin Blanc that is part (62%) fermented in stainless steel to retain freshness, with the remainder (38%) in third and fourth fill 300l French oak barrels for added complexity. Bright and enticing aromas of lemon, white peach and apricot with added tropical overtones. Crisp and clean on the palate with vibrant acidity that flows into a creamy, rounded mid-palate and supported by additional citrus and white stone fruit core. Excellent balance and weight.
Food Pairing: Pairs well with shellfish and spicy Thai and Indian curries
We hope you enjoy our June Selection. We would love to see your pictures of you enjoying our wines or if you have made any yummy food pairings, please join the conversation and tag us on Instagram @boncoeurfinewines.
