The Herald - The Herald Magazine
French wines not just to be drunk by thirsty cyclists
AS donnedtour enthusiast,finest Asda’stheof wines France.Tour Frencha greenhe deto has allowA wine France jersey cycling selectedbuyer customersreachesto and createEd some wine Bettsitsto a of wine peak,has the experiencecyclingLoire more “The is importantlycyclists throughfamousthe are routefor the greatin its Paysfor via naturalwine.a wines.de treatla In beauty Loire. whenfact, this andThe is Atlas produces sauvignon Sauvignonthe blanc’scrisp Blanc,yet original refreshing Tourainehome Wine and 2014 producesThe (£5.97,sunny fantastic LanguedocAsda) wines at in fair the prices.south d’OcTry DomaineBlanc 2014de Sainte (£7.49, Rose Waitrose) Coquille which viognier, has fruity racy chardonnaysauvignon blanc,and floral heady muscat. overtones, With it’s deliciousbright, fresh peachy and juicy.
CorbieresTearing across region, the Chateau landscape Asco to the Corbieres 2014 (£5.50is a from full-bodied,£7, now until rustic Julyred that 25, offers Tesco) excellent value. The chaser attention, of it’s the smoothpack that and deservesrichly fruitedour withand a black bouquet cherry, garni blackcurrant,presence. spice After crossing all those hills and valleys and cycling through the spectacular French Alps and Swiss plains, thirsty fans can start thinking about the wines of the Burgundy region that borders Franche-Comte when the riders reach the 16th stage. Blazing saddles will find the flinty freshness of Morrisons Petit Chablis 2014 (£8.50, Morrisons) extremely reviving with plenty of lemon and citrus fruit and well-balanced acidity. Alternatively, this breakaway Burgundian from the Cote de Beaune is a real stage winner. With a creamy note from time spent in oak, Albert Bichon Saint-Romain 2012 (£24, Oddbins) chardonnay shows depth and texture with ripe peach, pear and lemon drops with bright acidity and a citrus note on the refreshing finish.”