That's a good one !

Whilst in France last year we visited BeauVignac, one of the Languedoc's largest producers especially in the Etang du Thau area. When visiting these huge caveau it's hard to take it all in, especially if only a 'calling by' visit.

Everyone is always so helpful, so knowledgeable and ready to pour any (if not all) of their wines: another problem if driving by. You can read more about our visits to the caveau and domaines we visited in my previous post Wines of Languedoc 

One bottle at BeauVignac that caught our eye and was superb on tasting was Moelleux Blanc. It's blue bottle shone out amongst the usual green and white - especially with it's clear glistening contents.

Le Moelleux is a sweet wine but not a dessert wine. a floral nose with sweet citrus notes. It's flavour was full of oranges and lemons, citrusy yet slightly sweet, with floral highlights. A lovely finish that despite its sweetness was neither cloying or syrup. A blend of Picpoul Blanc and Colombard (grapes used in producing Cognac) it's a light wine at 10.5% with a slight watery edge but the finish is soft and long.

All told this was a very enjoyable wine; its look in the bottle and out, its nose, its flavour and its finish. We will be bringing more than the one bottle next time we're near the Etang du Thau.

Another 'good one' we have recently enjoyed is my penultimate tasting for Aldi's 17th Wine Panel. Estevez Chilean Cabernet Carmenére Syrah was a wine I knew I would enjoy settled on the sofa rather than with a meal... and it was!

A deep inviting red that had a great pour and a nose full of fruit with a spicy edge. It was full of dark cherries, plums, dried fruit with such a wonderful warming body. I don't normally enjoy tannins but the tannins in this wine were so soft, developing lightly with the spice, lovely tabacco notes and a smooth long finish.

Its characteristics derive from its three grapes:

Cabernet - its fruitiness

Carmenére - its creamy smoothness

Syrah - its spice

For me this was a bottle to sink into, hence the need to be sofa bound with a few nibbles. It really is a great wine, especially at £4.79 - thank you Aldi.

There are two more wines which I expect to say 'that's a good one' on opening - Canadian Icewine. For Christmas my Hubby gave me a bottle of Lidl Pillitteri Estates Riesling Icewine, as yet unopened as I am waiting to find the deserving dessert and opportunity to enjoy this sweet delight.

Icewine is made from grapes picked in December or January once the temperature has dropped below -8 degrees; Canada's terroir and winters make it ideal. The iced grapes are pressed immediately producing a small amount of highly concenrated juice often referred to as 'The Nectar of the Gods'.

And to our amazement on a visit to Lidl a the weekend it is now reduced to £7.99, as is the Cabernet Sauvignon Icewine - that's an amazing half price. Needless to say I now have both bottles to plan that special dessert/moment for.

I have no idea what wine we'll be opening this week - life is a little strange at the moment with Hubby retiring at the end of the month our plans are as comes just now. However I'm sure whatever it is I'll be letting you know all about it - cheers!