Apéro
When Friday arrives, one of the things I look the most forward to is the apéro. In winter, the ritual involves a glass by the fire while eating chips, nuts and olives and sharing the tales of my week with my better half. The time stops. It marks the beginning of the weekend.
For me, the perfect apéro is a dry, light, crisp and fresh still or sparkling white. In the summer, I also tend to reach out for rosé frequently. Here are three wines that will quench your thirst and kick off the weekend on a refreshing note.
Jo Landron Amphibolite 2020 Muscadet Sèvre et Maine ($25)
This is THE perfect apéro and I never get tired of drinking it. Light and delicate with juicy notes of citrus and subtle notes of fresh pastry and wet stone on the finish. Simply mouth-watering and the low alcohol (11.2%) will allow you to finish your first glass and reach for a second one without feeling tipsy. If you want to make your apéro more luxurious, Amphobilite is a great partner for fresh oysters.
Domaine Paul Cherrier 2020, Sancerre ($27)
Crisp and steely with a medium body and a pleasant austere profile. Discreet notes of fresh cut grass, lime and lemon mingle and quench the thirst. Offers a very classic version of Sancerre without breaking the bank. If you like to have cheese with your apéro, pick a fresh goat cheese to get the perfect match.
Nicolas Grosbois les jardins de mon père 2020, Côtes-du-Tarn IGP ($19)
Domaine Grosbois is a highly regarded domaine in the Loire Valley. Nicolas first came to Gaillac in 2016 out of necessity after losing 80% of its crop to frost. Today, the South-West project allows him to be sustainable even when vintages are tricker in the Loire Valley. This is a wine that goes into my category of “Good for you, Good for the planet”. Sustainability is at the heart of the family’s values. Made from a blend of Colombard and Mauzac, this organic wine is full of character. Concentrated notes of lemon Meyer, orange rind, honey and apple with creamy and chalky texture and a salty tang on the finish. Natural wine aficionados: you will fall in love!