Marchesi di Barolo Bric Amel Langhe 2018

July. Hot, thirsty weather. You automatically look for freshness, coolness in the beverage you choose to quench your thirst. Paradoxically, alcohol dehydrates; consider drinking water!

On that note, let’s just talk about freshness. Made up of sauvignon blanc, arneis and chardonnay, the Bric Amel, from Langhe (Piedmont, Italy) has all the freshness you could imagine.

The first scents and flavours are of boxwood, developing into peach and apricot as well as the exotic touch of citruses. What’s more, this enticing facet does nothing to cancel the mineral nature and clarity that are present.

Emphasize the freshness with a salad of fresh fennel bulb, cucumber and orange and you’re good to go.

Chateau Revelette 2020

At the very northern part of the appellation Coteaux-d’Aixen- Provence, Peter Fischer – German by birth – cultivates 30 high-altitude hectares of vines.

With major temperature fluctuations and even devastating hail to contend with, every vintage is a challenge. The chateau’s 2020 rosé demonstrates a sincere approach respectful of the terroir.

The nose offers subtle aromas of cranberry, strawberry, pepper and rosewater. In the mouth, great freshness to sustain the flavour complexities.

It’s dry and rich, pulled together for simple pleasure, but in particular for how it works with good food.

It’s a good match for a classic ratatouille or simply a plate of charcuterie meats.

Campo di sasso Insoglio Del Cinghiale 2019

In a blind test, I would have hesitated between a northern Côtes-du-rhône or Bordeaux (without naming the banks). But…no!

At the risk of repeating myself, the warm, sandy soil of Bolgheri, from whence come some of the grapes, is a real playground for Tuscan producers.

The Sangiovese gives way to a number of other international grapes, giving some wines a character more French than Italian. In both the nose and mouth, it’s in the body of the wine that the alignment of the grape varieties – syrah, merlot, cabernet franc, cabernet-sauvignon and petit-verdot – is expressed.

The expression of blue and black fruits dominates, followed by anise and floral flavours. Fairly short aging in used oak barrels provides a tannic charge, overall, well blended. In other words, vigour, power and elegance.

A tasty pizza with meat smoked on the grill would pair well.

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