Esprit de Labastide, Gaillac Perlé 2012, France
This is arguably the perfect wine for a hot and sunny summer, being white, suitable for serving well chilled, fresh, and relatively low in alcohol at 12% abv. It comes from Gaillac in the South West of France, where Perlé is a speciality style: this is not a sparkling wine, not even 'frizzante', but it has the merest hint of spritz on the tongue to give it extra perkiness. Made from 100% Mauzac, one of the area's local varieties, the nose is all about crisp and crunchy green apple and lemon - very summery and clean. In the mouth the sparkle is virtually undetectable. It is dry and all about clarity and cleanliness - it's like a very grown-up, not sweet lemonade, with such nice thrust and agility. Watch the video for more information and specific food matching ideas. £5.95, The Wine Society, but see all stockists on wine-searcher.
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