£12, Tesco
I can't quite believe this is my first Wine of the Week from the 2020 vintage. So much has happened this year, the southern hemisphere harvest seems aeons ago. Even Champagne started picking seven weeks ago... But enough musing, let's get on with the wine.
A zingy, citrus-facing white might not immediately seem a match for the current weather, but Semillon (70% of the blend) has mouthfeel – a delicate, oily roundness and suppleness that gives substance to the vibrant lemongrass, lime-zest, spice, elderflower and gooseberry flavours. A significant proportion of wild yeast fermentation has added further interest. Oak? Who needs it?
The name Classic has a threefold justification: Semillon Sauvignon Blanc is the classic white blend of Western Australia's Margaret River region, Vasse Felix was the region's original wine estate in 1967 and this wine was introduced back in 1987. Today it's made by Virginia Willcock with grapes from Vasse Felix's four vineyards undergoing organic conversion.
Drink it as an aperitif or with seafood such as crab, Thai-spiced or lemon-and-garlic fried prawns, or a lemony roast chicken. It would probably slice through macaroni cheese rather refreshingly too. 13%
Vasse Felix Classic Semillon Sauvignon 2020, Margaret River Australia
£12, Tesco
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