Château Saint Roch Lirac AOP Blanc 2021, 0,75 L

This is the epitome of love at first sip. If you have a penchant for wines from the south of France, this one will easily captivate your heart. Crafted from four grape varieties typical of the region, it offers a wonderfully complex profile with a serious demeanour. In a warm climate like this, producing fresh white wine is no simple feat, but the conditions of 2021 seem to have been perfect for achieving just that.

Partly aged in steel tanks and barriques, the wine exhibits a striking golden-yellow hue in the glass, accompanied by enticing aromas of ripe pear, apple, peach, and subtle honeyed notes. These flavours carry through to the palate, where bright fruitiness intertwines with hints of honey and a pronounced pear character. Initially sweet and full-bodied, the wine's acidity gradually emerges, adding a refreshing balance. Notes of bitter almond and resin emerge in the final stretch, culminating in a remarkably long finish.

This is a standout wine that pairs beautifully with robust dishes and can even stand in for red wine on occasion. Yet, it's also a delightful experience to explore wines like this that defy expectations and offer a unique journey of flavours.