£8.49, Waitrose
Terret Blanc is an ancient grape variety that has languished, unloved, in Languedoc for decades. It gets lobbed into blends now and then, but rarely gets its own show. Winemakers Laurent Calmel and Jerome Joseph, the dynamic duo behind both the Villa Blanche and Calmel & Joseph labels, are changing that with a minerally, zesty, dry white that has elements to appeal to Chablis drinkers on one side and Sauvignon Blanc drinkers on the other. There’ll be defectors from the better known Languedoc white, Picpoul de Pinet, too. As well as the citrus zest and salty, mineral weight, Villa Blanche Terret has tangy apple and juicy, green pear flavours. It doesn’t need food, but it’s a natural for simply prepared fish and shell-fish, including ceviche, and anything dressed with vinaigrette or citrus.
Villa Blanche Terret Blanc 2016, Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, France
£8.49, selected Waitrose and waitrosecellar.com