If you are hotly anticipating the warm weather rolling in this spring, you aren’t alone.
Spring officially began on 21 March and will last until the summer solstice on 21 June. It’s the season of new beginnings: flowers bloom, light evenings return, and many people feel their spirits lift as the warm weather returns.
One thing you might be looking forward to this spring is sipping a delicious glass of wine in your garden or sharing dinner with friends.
If you love indulging in a glass of wine in the evening, you might always be searching for new wines to try. Although drinking should always be done in moderation, enjoying a glass of thoughtfully made and lovingly aged wine is one of life’s great pleasures.
So, here are three French wines to sip this spring, plus, how wine could be more than just an enjoyable accompaniment to an evening meal this year.
3 super French wines to sip this spring
1. Red wine pick: Chateau ‘Lalande-Borie,’ Saint Julien, 2009
If you are searching for a deep, rich red wine to pair with red meat or sip by itself on a sultry evening, Lalande-Borie 2009 should be top of your list.
This beautiful Saint Julien red wine has been aged over 13 years, and is made up of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 40% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc.
Grown and made in the famous wine province of Saint Julien in Bordeaux, France, Chateau Lalande-Borie 2009 emanates tones of dark fruits and fruit-coated tannins.
Lalande-Borie 2009 is a top-shelf wine that may be reserved for a spring dinner party with family or friends. It can be purchased from most independent wine sellers for approximately £40.
2. White wine pick: Simmonet-Febvre, Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons, 2017
Spring and summer are the ideal seasons for a crisp dry white wine such as this Chablis Chardonnay from iconic wine producer Simmonet-Febvre. Founded in 1840, the house of Simmonet-Febvre has been supplying wine globally for almost two centuries.
This Premier Cru Vaillons 2020 white wine is made from grapes grown on the banks of the Serein River in the Chablis province of southern France. The vineyard’s south-westerly position gives it optimum access to the Mediterranean sun, ripening the grapes to an incomparable deliciousness.
Ideal paired with seafood, salad and fresh greens, you can buy it from Waitrose for £28.99. Reserve it for dinner with friends or enjoy it alone – Simmonet-Febvre’s dry white is not to be missed.
3. Rosé pick: Caves D’Esclans, ‘Whispering Angel,’ Côtes de Provence Rosé, 2019
If you have a penchant for rosé wine, Whispering Angel is a now-famous rosé that has captured the attention of wine enthusiasts all over Europe.
The stunning vineyards of Caves D’Esclans are located in the south-east of France, close to the Swiss border, and adjacent to the Mediterranean coast.
Made by Sacha Lichine, known globally as the “master of rosé,” Whispering Angel combines flavours of apple, pink grapefruit and peach. It can be served with fish and makes a particularly good accompaniment to salmon. Alternatively, enjoy it by itself during a relaxing evening in the garden.
You can buy Whispering Angel from most wine sellers for around £20. Enjoy Whispering Angel with meals or as an aperitif – in any setting, it is a truly classic rosé that will help you unwind and relax in the spring months.
Wine could be a viable investment in 2022
As you may already know, the markets proved volatile in the first quarter of 2022.
If you are assessing your allocations and considering your diversification options, wine could be a viable choice for you this year.
Indeed, wine is an increasingly popular alternative investment – and it’s clear why. According to The Times Money Mentor, the overall value of fine wine rose by 13% in 2020. What’s more, Knight Frank reports that while the markets took a considerable downturn during the Covid-19 pandemic, the value of fine wine remained steady by comparison.
So, as well as a delicious accompaniment to a summer meal, wine could be a potential investment opportunity for you this year.
Remember: the value of your investment can go down as well as up and you may not get back the full amount you invested. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future performance.
