Graham and Wendy presented their choice of wines for a 3 course al fresco luncheon to a smaller than usual group of about 10. They spent over 20 years in France near Clermont-Ferrand, getting to know wines from numerous regions and discovering their favourites, and are now back in the UK. Unlike on previous occasions, where the challenge for the wine tasters has been identifying the country first and then the wine variety within that country, Graham and Wendy disclosed the country of all 3 wines - France, not unsurprisingly - before any tasting. So the challenge was to identify the region, then growing area, then Appellation d'Origine Contrôlée (AOC), and finally the grape.
Accompanying the wines on the evening were crackers and 3 really nice cheeses - Lancashire, Emmental, and Smoked Shropshire Red.
Below are Graham and Wendy's food choices for the luncheon and details of each wine to accompany the food.
Starter
Salmon and Prawn Mousse
Muscadet Servre-et-Maine
| Region | Pay de la Loire |
| Area | Muscadet |
| AOC | Muscadet Sevre-et-Maine |
| Grape | Melon de Bourgogne |
| Year | 2022 |
| Price | £10.50 (Sainsbury's) |
Bright fruit and citrus notes, zesty, crisp and flinty. The Server-et-Maine region's vineyards are planted on granite hills which give the wine its zesty, crisp and flinty character.
When buying Muscadet look for the words"Sur lie" on the label which means that the wine has been bottled straight from the fermentation barrel or vat unracked. Maturing on the sediment deepens both the flavour and texture.
Main Course
Yvette's St. Nectar and Tomato Tart
Fleurie
| Region | Burgundy |
| Area | Crus de Beaujolais |
| AOC | Fleurie |
| Grape | Gamay |
| Year | 2022 |
| Price | £10 (Tesco, with Clubcard) |
One of the 10 individual Crus de Beaujolais, Fleurie is in the centre. Good young Fleurie epitomises the spirit of the region. Perfumed, fruity, silky, and limpid, it is a joy to swallow.
The label describes it as having a bright and expressive palate with flavours of juicy ripe red fruit and hints of spice.
Dessert
Gooseberry Fool
Gewurtztraminer
| Region | Grand Est |
| Area | Alsace |
| AOC | Gewurtztraminer |
| Grape | Gewurtztraminer |
| Year | 2022 |
| Price | £11.00 (Morrison's) |
The label describes it as being sweet and spicy with a hint of juicy mango. Other descriptions are spicy with aromas of rose petals, lychees, and grapefruit. In fact this wine is medium dry.
If you want a sweet Gewurtztraminer look for the words "Vendage Tardive" on the label which means that it is from the late harvested grapes.