Ventoux 2017 Remy Ferbras

Ventoux 2017 Rémy Ferbras, France, 14%

(£8.79, Waitrose)

How’s about this, then?

A mini Châteauneuf-du-Pape under a tenner. A fine way to warm the cockles and delight the taste buds during the winter season ahead.

It’s a blend of mainly Grenache with 20% Syrah and 10% Mourvèdre, grown on the slopes of Mont Ventoux (familiar to many a cyclist as an infamous stage on the Tour de France).

It’s made by Les Grandes Serres, a negociant located in Châteauneuf-du-Pape. Enjoy!

(Peter, 6.5/10, Oct 2019)

More recommendations from Waitrose’s wine range, as tasted in October 2019, are as below. Particularly good are the elegant Newton Johnson Pinot Noir, sumptuous Winston Churchill 2008 (although it should durn well be at that price), perfumed Mockingbird Hill Riesling and gorgeous Tokaji.

Sparkling – Let’s Get Fizzical

• Follador Prosecco Superiore Torri di Credazzo Valdobbiadene 2018, Italy, 12%, £14.99
• Waitrose & Partners Blanc de Noirs Brut Champagne NV, France, 12.5%, £23.99
• Waitrose & Partners Special Reserve Vintage Brut Champagne 2008, France, 12.5%, £25.99
• Pol Roger Brut Vintage 2009, France, 12.5%, £80
• Taittinger Comtes de Champagne Blanc de Blancs Brut 2007, France, 12.5%, £130
• Pol Roger Sir Winston Churchill Champagne 2008, France, 12.5%, £170

White – Fresh & Racy

• Mockingbird Hill Riesling 2018, Australia, 12%, £8.99
• Waitrose & Partners No 1 Don Luis Fino del Puerto, Spain, 15%, £11.99
• Waitrose & Partners No 1 Solera Jerezana Palo Cortado, Spain, 19%, £11.99
• Tyrells HVD Single Vineyard Semillon 2014, Australia, 10.5%, £23.99

White – Mellow Yellow

• Torre del Falasco Lugana 2018, Italy, 13%, £8.99
• Clos de Mosny Montlouis Sec 2017, France, 13%, £25.99
• Château La Louvière 2013, France, 12.5%, £24.99
• Prunier Les Vireuils Meursault 2016, France, 13.5%, £39.99

Rosé – Tickled Pink

• Hedonist Sangiovese Rosé 2018, Australia, 13%, £14.49 (Waitrose Cellar)

Red – Feeling Fruity

• Waitrose & Partners Mencía 2017, Bierzo, 14%, Spain, £9.99
• Domaines Dominique Piron La Chanaise Morgon 2017, France, 13%, £14.99
• Bolney Estate Pinot Noir 2018, England, 12%, £16.99
• Joseph Drouhin Chorey-les-Beaune 2017, France, 13%, £17.49
• Newton Johnson Walker Bay Pinot Noir 2018, South Africa, 14%, £17.99
• Neudorf Tom’s Block Pinot Noir 2016, New Zealand, 13.5%, £25.99

Red – Big Smoothie

• Remy Ferbras Ventoux 2017, France, 14%, £8.79
• Waitrose & Partners No 1 Douro Valley Reserva Quinta de la Rosa 2017, Portugal, 14%, £11.49
• Baron de Ley Club Privado Rioja Reserva 2015, Spain, 13.5%, £12.99
• Journey’s End Sir Lowry Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, South Africa, 14%, £14.99
• Château Maris Les Planels Cru La Livinière 2016, France, 14.5%, £17.99
• Chateau Musar 2001, Lebanon, 14%, £27.99
• Henschke Keyneton Euphonium 2014, Australia, 14%, £39.99
• Muga Prado Enea Gran Reserva Rioja 2011, Spain, 14%, £48

Sweet – Sticky Fingers

• Waitrose & Partners No 1 Château Suduiraut Sauternes 2011, France, 14%, £15.99 (half)
• Disznókö Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2015, Hungary, 11.5%, £19.99 (half)
• Crociani Vin Santo di Montepulciano 2014, Italy, 15.5%, £19.49
• Gunderloch Nackenheim Rothenberg Riesling Auslese 2016, Germany, 7.5%, £26.99 (half)