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Hand-picked wines from Domaine Viranel

With Tuesday’s collection being purely for white wines, we thought that you may appreciate some reds to go alongside them. 

Another seldom praised but always worthy of it are the wines from Domaine Viranel in Saint Chinian. This excellent estate is worked in a sustainable fashion by the Bergasse-Milhe brothers Nicolas and Arnaud. The wines are simply delicious and they make a complete spectrum of wines but we simply adore the white Viognier, the Intuition Saint Chinian and Les Aromes Sauvages, the latter from the Alicante Bouschet grape. This grape was always thought to need years for the wines to soften in the bottle but with the genius wine-making techniques of Nicolas and Arnaude, It’s virtually drinkable from the tank! If you like games such as hare or even wild boar if you can get it, this will be a fantastic partner. 

The Intuition Saint Chinian is a blend of Syrah, Grenache, Mourvedre and Carignan that is a beautifully textured and complex wine with full and open aromas of sour cherries, violets and liquorice. The palate is generously fruited with spicy black fruits foremost and soft ripe tannins to finish. Show it a rib of beef and it will leap from the glass. Other good dishes are the roast pigeon and braised neck of lamb. 

Finally, the Viognier is a masterpiece and unlike many Viognier based wines, it’s fresh as a daisy and very crisp on the palate. It has a delicate nose of white flowers and citrus fruits. A sensual palate marked by good acidity. The aromatic palette is dominated by notes of lemon, grapefruit and speckled with aromas of apricot. With a fresh and persistent finish, it’s a really great wine.