Chez Pierre Blanc 2011 France M&S

Chez Pierre Blanc 2011 is a wine that falls under the new designation of Vin de France ( Vin de Table with no Geographic Indication!) It is a new category which has to be made in France ( anywhere and may have mixed grapes from different region) and can have the variety on the label. It is a way that France sees that it can compete on the wider stage of the New World competative market.
It is supplied by M&S at £5.99 is a blend of 65% Ugni Blanc, 20% Colombard, 10% Gros Manseng and 5% Chardonnay , all this comes in at 11.5% abv. This wine has seen no oak so is fresh, bright and fruity, and this is obvious on both looking at the wine and on the nose, low aromas of pear, apricot, green apple, and honeysuckle with a hint of pea shoots, on the palate this is dry, with tangy acidity and flavours echoed what is on the nose, the length is quite short with a lemony finish. This is a fresh simple wine that lacks real complexity, it has been produced in large volumes and won a bronze at the IWSC .
Score : 80

Cave Saint Pierre Cote du Rhone Blanc made by the Skalli family 2006

Cave Saint Pierre. Preference. Cote du Rhone Blanc  Skalli  2006
The Skalli family, a great  Southern France wine making family, make a selection of wines from the Rhone (mainly S Rhone) and this is a simple wine which is great with food, it retails at about £6 and is a mix of Grenache Blanc, Viognier and some Clairette. This golden wine has aromas of apricot, pear and a little tropical fruit, on tasting it we found that it was mouthcoating, spicy fruits and a pleasant citric finish that was creamy but maybe a little hot, it was great with food as it had good acidity and was creamy. Great wine for the money!