£10.90–£12, Gorey Wine Cellar, lovewhatyoueat, Bath Road Beers, Beckford Bottle Shop, Cork of the North, SW Bottle Shop, Red & White
An approachable, fruity red that's just right for the season. That's not to say it wouldn't go down well in winter too, it's just that it's really refreshing drunk lightly chilled on a warm evening.
In terms of flavour, think sun-dappled raspberries plucked straight from the bush, mulberries, peppery spice and a whiff of garrigue herbs.
The blend is typically southern – Syrah, Carignan, Grenache and Mourvèdre – but made in a juicier, more supple and immediate style than some of the more concentrated, old-vine wines from Côte du Roussillon Villages. The area is renowned for its old vines and Petite Immortelle's back label refers to 'these ancient vines'.
It comes from Domaine Bousquet's vineyards way down south in the Agly Valley west of Perpignan, but it's a collaborative effort with globe-trotting winemaker and Master of Wine Liam Steevenson and his team at Vineyard Productions.
You can drink it without food, but it's also a red you can drink (lightly chilled) with fish or with a plate loaded with charcuterie. It would handle a meze-style assortment of dishes well and it's a surefire picnic wine (with a screw cap). 13.5%. Empty bottle weight: 404g.
Petite Immortelle 2018, Côtes du Roussillon Villages, France
£10.90–£12, Gorey Wine Cellar, Red & White, lovewhatyoueat, Bath Road Beers, Beckford Bottle Shop, Cork of the North, SW Bottle Shop
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