So, there I was, not-quite idly scrolling through the Buon Vino website. Scrolling with intent, you might say. They had featured some pet nats on their Instagram feed, and that suddenly sounded like what I needed in my life. More pet nat. (This, as a general rule, is a good idea overall.) So I went to browse and buy, pet nats and more. Which, in due course, I did. As I was browsing, I came across this wine. I recognised it. I had it on a trip to Paris back in 2016 or so. I don’t remember where I had picked it up, but I do recall sitting in my hotel room drinking and enjoying it. So for old time’s sake, I wanted to try it again. Here it is.
In the glass
Even before we get to the glass itself, this one deserves notice. Picking the bottle up, it was rather hard not to notice the sediment and non-filtered status of the wine. TY commented (remotely, replying to a photo I shared) that it was ‘terrifying.’ TE added, helpfully as always: ‘Eek.’ To be fair, she did also ask how it was.
So, in the glass, it’s cloudy. It’s a lovely shade of something. Not quite peach. I imagine TE coming up with something like ‘faded watermelon.’ No, I take that back. She would probably come up with some obscure Japanese colour reference. And be offended when I couldn’t relate to what she was talking about: ‘well, it’s sort of 紅梅色, but not exactly, you know?’ ‘Erm, not really.’ (Exasperated noise.)
The nose
At first, nothing. Then, once I let it warm up a bit more, I get something that’s perhaps peach, or perhaps not. Some sort of light red berries, at any rate.
The palate
Sparkly. Yes, I really wrote that. Not sparkling, but sparkly. Go figure. That was my reaction – more sparkly than some restrained, sparkling Champagne or something. Fizzy in a fun way. Light to medium body. Quite dry. High acidity. Decent finish. At first I don’t get much in the way of fruits. Just the fizz and acidity. But then I employ the classic tactic: Let it go flat. Seriously. Then I come up with red currants and a hint of strawberry.
I ended up doing this out of order. I was so excited to try the wine that I forgot to sniff before taking a taste. Although, given my sense of smell, it really didn’t matter.
Rating
Yummy-plus overall, Very pretty on visuals. It’s a very enjoyable wine, especially if you let it warm up a bit from the fridge. Not room temperature, but definitely let it sit a bit once out of the fridge. It’s good on its own, but even better with food. Ah, yes – white pizza with wild boar saucisson sec. That was it. Very nice pairing, at least when I make the pizza. Your mileage may vary.
Sustainability
Organic, Biodynamic, no filtration or fining.
The technical info
11.5% ABV, Cabernet Franc, Pineau d’Aunis & Grolleau, £25 from Buon Vino.
Other stuff
I’ve had to rely on Google and ChatGPT for the Japanese colour stuff. I hope I did ok!