Finally some weather to get excited about but I’m not getting too carried away with talk of Rosè in the garden etc because you know what will happen. Instead I’m going to go as close to Rosè as possible and a wine that would be equally enjoyable to quaff away in the garden should we get a good warm sunny few days. Cave Saint Verny Pinot Noir (£11) from the Auvergne region of the Loire Valley. Often referred to as the belly of France or it’s green lung, the Auvergne sits in the very heart of France but ultimately remote. The largest volcanic area in Europe and largely mountainous; the vines straddle the 45th Parallel, sharing the same Latitude as those of the Northern Rhone and Bordeaux, although at between 350 and 570 metres altitude, the cooler climate is more suited to Pinot Noir. Fresh and aromatic with sappy green notes, hints of herbs and ripe cherry fruit on the nose. The palate is elegant and textured with smooth, sappy red cherry fruit. Beautifully expressive and elegant. A pure, lighter-style red wine with no harsh edges. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into a bit of this excellent little wine throughout the Spring/Summer and should the temperatures creep into double figures or even as high as the low teens then I’ll be refreshing myself with a chilled one of these.
http://oldlockett.making.me.uk/shop/puy-de-dome-pinot-noir/
