Wine of the Week: Esprit de Labastide, Gaillac Perlé 2012, France

This is arguably the perfect wine for a hot and sunny summer, being white, suitable for serving well chilled, fresh, and relatively low in alcohol at 12% abv. It comes from Gaillac in the South West of France, where Perlé is a speciality style: this is not a sparkling wine, not even 'frizzante', but it has the merest hint of spritz on the tongue to give it extra perkiness.

Esprit de Labastide, Gaillac Perlé 2012, France

This is arguably the perfect wine for a hot and sunny summer, being white, suitable for serving well chilled, fresh, and relatively low in alcohol at 12% abv. It comes from Gaillac in the South West of France, where Perlé is a speciality style: this is not a sparkling wine, not even 'frizzante', but it has the merest hint of spritz on the tongue to give it extra perkiness. Made from 100% Mauzac, one of the area's local varieties, the nose is all about crisp and crunchy green apple and lemon - very summery and clean. In the mouth the sparkle is virtually undetectable. It is dry and all about clarity and cleanliness - it's like a very grown-up, not sweet lemonade, with such nice thrust and agility. Watch the video for more information and specific food matching ideas. £5.95, The Wine Society, but see all stockists on wine-searcher.

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