Wednesday, 23 August 2023

Summer wines

A quick post to highlight a few summer wines enjoyed at Maison Hearnden.

My favourite reds are from the Rhone region of France. This Costieres de Nimes is geographically grown in the Languedoc but is actually a Rhone appellation wine. From the French south it benefits from the Mediterranean sun and sea influences.

It was full of great flavours, plenty of black cherries and blackberries with high notes of violet and a hint of spice on its finish.

Reading the label it's from Tulette so it may be produced by the superb Cellier des Dauphins as this is the location of their co-operative.


I first discovered Fish Hoek wine in 2011 but haven't seen it for a few years. It's a Fair Trade South African wine is made by Kumala

With a hint of green in the glass, tropical aromas and lime & gooseberry flavours this is my style of Sauvignon Blanc ... absolutely delicious 


The Accomplice Chardonnay is made by De Bortoli, I've enjoyed their wines before but not this range which I discovered at Adnams shop in Frinton-by-the-sea. 

It's a super easy drinking white wine that's full of peachiness, touches of pineapple and hints of oak. A great De Bortoli wine, I'm looking forward to the other wines in the Accomplice range.


I am a Sauvignon Blanc girl and this Chilean wine was deliciously crisp and refreshing. Bicicleta Sauvignon Blanc has hint of green in the glass, reflected in its green apple flavours with an edge of white peaches. 

Cono Sur is part of Concha y Toro, Latin America's biggest wine company. The Cono Sur range Bicicleta takes its name from the workers cycling to work on the vineyards.

Served chilled this is perfect anytime but for me its best on a summer's evening as the light begins to fade.


Making the most of the warm summer evenings dinner was a fish supper with this superb English wine from Biddenden purchased during last year's great visit. Biddenden were amongst the first English vineyards to plant this grape in the late 1960s with the first wine produced in 1972. 

Ortega 2021 was full of green flavours including apple and grapefruit with a lovely soft long lasting finish, delicious with a takeaway treat.


The most recent wine opened has been in the wine cellar a while, a Hungarian red from Lidl. 

Tündértánc was predominantly Merlot with Kékfrankos, a new grape discovered and thoroughly enjoyed. It was fruity with a good depth and lengthy finish, one I will be looking out for.


It hasn't been the sunniest of summers or the driest of days but the wine has flowed with many varieties tasted ... I wonder what will be opened next ... without a doubt it will be bubbles to celebrate a very special wedding!