Two French wines from O’Briens this week; one refreshing white and a warming red for these cold evenings. The Chatelain des Jacques is a Vin de France, meaning it could come from any or several parts of the country, but the Loire Valley is the home of French sauvignon blanc, so I suspect it comes from there. The best-known names here are Sancerre and Pouilly-Fumé, but there are plenty of other good wines too. Look out for Touraine, Quincy, Menetou-Salon and Coteaux du Giennois.
Merlot produces some of the greatest wines of Bordeaux. In some areas it is blended with cabernet sauvignon, where it provides plump ripe fruits to fill out the otherwise tannic cabernet. The wine below comes from the Languedoc – a large wine region running along the Mediterranean coast. Here, as in this case, the increased sunshine means riper, fruitier wines.
Chatelain Desjacques 2023, Vin de France
12%, €15.99 down to €9.99
Fresh lemon zest on the nose and palate with zingy crisp apple and pear fruits. A good sipping wine, or to drink with salads, seafood or lighter pasta dishes.
Belles Eaux Merlot Mistral 2023 Merlot
14%, €15.99 down to €9.99
An easy smooth medium-bodied red with plums and cassis. Perfect on its own, but better with firm cheeses and charcuterie.
