Côtes Du Rhône Blanc, Rive Droite Rive Gauche 2018

White Rhônes are a relatively new but increasing enthusiasm of mine, not needing the bottle age of good white Burgundies and of course they are far more affordable. This wine of Denis Deschamps is made primarily with the glorious viognier grape - whose highest expression Condrieu costs more than £35 - blended with the very old bourboulenc grape that may have originated in ancient Greece and is an important constituent of white Châteauneuf-du-pape. I think simply delicious.

"I love such wines - soft, supple and creamy - and this, with its notes of apricots, peaches and citrus is charming." Jonathan Ray, The Spectator

This inexpensive “natural” white Rhône is produced by les Vignerons d’Estezargues, a very interesting small cooperative of ten growers whose wines are made separately, each from their own terroir rather than blended together, with no sulphites or additives of any sort. A rare find from a small village to the west of Avignon.