TISSOT, BARGAINS, HORIOT. ALL GOOD THINGS.

Hey,

Can you believe there’s another Bank Holiday this weekend? Where has May gone?! If you don’t want to run dry, you've got until 2:30pm today to lock in your refreshments.

Plenty of nice bits to talk about again this week. While we await our yearly stash of Tissot, I’ve dug up some gems to keep things ticking over, although quantities are a bit tight. The Crémant is back and tasting better than ever. Champagne in everything but name. A healthy chunk of Topped-Up Savagnin from 2020, this has mellowed out and is rearing to go. A few strays of its Sous Voile sibling too. Rose Massale, the aromatic Chardonnay delight, is always a personal favourite. The single site Sursis from Château-Chalon is back alongside a new friend, La Mailloche. Finally, I’ve managed to bring you the top wine from the mighty esteemed range. This Curon bottle is up there with the finest liquid known to man. Not cheap but an absolute collectors item. IFYKYK.

It’s not all high-end though as we’ve also got a lovely pair back in from Vino di Anna, both made in a traditional Palmento. The Sicilian winemaking building of yesteryear where gravity does the heavy lifting. Far from old school, both the Bianco and Rosso are modern in their drinkability and refreshment.

Then there’s a wild Georgian thing that defies easy explanation. A chaotic, joyful blend that’s just seriously fun to drink. Priced exactly how I like it. Speaking of the unexpected, we also picked up a new English fizz. A blend of Gamay, Pinot Gris and Chenin (yep, really). It’s from the guy behind the Tillingham stuff, and his new Walgate label feels a bit more grown-up but still brings plenty of energy. One hell of a wine, wrapped up by texture and a modest ABV. One to toast the long weekend with.

Lastly, whilst on fizz, let us take a hop, skip, and a jump to the birthplace of bubbles. No champagne is cheap, but Horiot makes some mighty fine examples that should defo cost a lot more. I saw a bottle of Moët in the corner shop going for about the same as this, I know where my money’s going. This vintage bottling is vinous and subtle at the same time. One for the fancy stems. Plus, we have the salty solera that’s just crying out for something fresh out of the fryer.

I could go on, but I’ve just seen the pallet truck pull up on the Kingsland road… More on that next week.

ILY,

Fionn

xxx