Wow, it is Father's Day tomorrow and for the first time in years, it’s arrived before the summer, so what should you give dad on a cool overcast June day?
I'm starting from the assumption that it's wine, whisky or port of course, but I've got this wild theory that if we all will the sun to come out, it will do, so how about a white wine for the sunny weather?
Yep, there only one in my book if a sun dance is on the cards and that's Sauvignon Blanc, the grape that started the ‘Cats Pee on a Gooseberry bush’ craze in the 90s. If you’re too young to remember that, just sniff a decent Sauvignon and you will soon click on.
While Sancerre is the spiritual home and I still love them at Christmas, Marlborough in New Zealand is the region that really put the grape on the map with concentrations of fruit and acid that are off the scale.
So, what should you expect? Intense tropical fruits on the nose, perhaps white peach on the palate and a refreshing finish that's got enough acidity to strip paint. In other words, an intensely refreshing and crisp white that's perfect as an aperitif and pairs well with fish, crab or pork.
Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
Juicy melon fruits with hints of lemon in the background. Ideal with a summer salad or seafood dish.
Tescos £10
Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough
One of the most outstanding Sauvignons you can buy, with enough tropical fruits to feed a family and crisp refreshing acidity on the finish.
Winesdirect £18.99
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