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What We’re Drinking: Simon & Rare Vineyards Marsanne Viognier





Seasonality of wine drinking is something I don't subscribe to particularly. While I can certainly see the attraction of choosing rosé on a blistering hot day, I often find myself picking up a good red wine for my picnics. Despite this fervent desire not to conform on this particular topic, as I sat at my desk thinking of a recently tasted wine to write about, with sunshine pouring in through the window, I found myself drawn to a white wine I tasted last week.

I had tried all of the Rare Vineyards' wines apart from the Marsanne-Viognier, and found them to be uniformly excellent. They have managed to successfully combine the very best of the New and Old worlds. Marsanne is typically found in Northern Rhône whites from Hermitage, and Viognier also has its home in Northern Rhône but in the appellation of Condrieu. They've taken these two classic Rhône varietals and ripened them in the south of France until they are bursting with typical New World intensity of peach and melon flavours, yet they have still managed to retain that wonderful palate cleansing freshness which is typical of Old World wines.

This wine really blew me away. I couldn't believe the amount of flavour and varietal character present from such a competitively priced wine. At last the Domaine Trotignon Sauvignon Blanc has a challenger, at least in my eyes, for our best value white wine. Try it, I guarantee you won't be disappointed.

To see what the other members of CellarVie Wines chose for the ‘What we’re drinking’ section and why, click on links below.

Eliott - Veramonte Pinot Noir
Jon - ‘Piluna’ Primitivo
Sophie - Bourgogne Blanc 'Clos de Loyse' 2009
Eliott - Touraine Sauvignon Domaine Trotignon
Charlotte - 1847 Oloroso Dulce Sherry
Simon - Errázuriz Single Vineyard Carmenère 2009
Jon - Chardonnay Grand Cru 2008, Tenuta Rapitalà
 
 

Written by: Simon Robins

Simon Robins is somewhat of a wine expert, not just in the liquid, but planning and analysis, logistics and operations management - having spent eight years working for the UK's largest wine mail order company. 

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21.05.13
FEATURED

UK consumers seek better quality as sales of wine over £7 increase


According to the latest figures from market analysts Nielsen, the average price of a 75cl bottle of wine has increased to £5.11 on the back of escalating taxation, but UK consumers are increasingly opting to spend more on better quality wines. 

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