August Wines of the Month: summery goats cheese friendly whites

on 01/08/2014 at 9:00 am

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I’m down under in Australia at the moment where it’s winter – a wet one too which at least is keeping the viticulturists happy. As for back home, assuming July’s sweltering heatwave continues (and without a trace of bitterness from me!) my August Wines of the Month are both matched to that most summery of cheeses, goats cheese. In fact my August reccos are all about the match, so do give them a try!

Henry Pellé ‘Les Bornés’ Menetou Salon 2012 (Menetou Salon, Loire, France)

Naturally, the Loire is the place to be in chévre heaven so this stalwart of Oddbins’ Loire range (I’d forgotten just how good) perfectly illustrated my “go local” food and wine matching tip for my Oddbins’ The Palate bootcampees, not to mention the equal or echo the acidity of the food principle. It’s a fresh and tangy, fruity Sauvignon Blanc with the palate weight to work well with mild but creamier styles of goats cheese – the classic log (pictured bottom right). A refreshing palate-cleansing finish has lovely elderflower lift. £13 at Oddbins.

Wolf Blass Gold Label Riesling 2011 (Eden Valley/Clare Valley, South Australia)

After a (fabulous) vertical of Wolf Blass Black Label back to 1979 (watch this space for my report) our palate cleanser came in the very delicious form of this lively but richly fruited lemony/limey Riesling – a cleverly assertive companion for Vinoteca’s goats curd, mint and green onion crostini. The Riesling ran – you might even say sprinted off – with the mint quite beautifully. I confess, I’d thought the two might clash. A brilliant match which I shall be trying at home! I notice that Majestic have the 2007 vintage on deal at £9.99 when you buy two bottles but the fresher more goats curd friendly 2010 is down to £12.50 at Asda.