An easy-drinking white blend? Elisabeth 2023 is your bottle

The Colombard grape, which is thought to be related to Chenin Blanc (one of the world’s great grapes) makes up the majority of this wine. The lesser percentage is given to Sauvignon Blanc, which here makes its presence stridently known.

Colombard is typically grown in the Côtes de Gascogne and is often blended with other white wines of the region: Ugni Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc and Gros Manseng. 

It was also used in the production of Cognac and Armagnac until being largely replaced by Ugni Blanc (aka Trebbiano in Italy).

I’ve always enjoyed the white blends from this region for their dry and easy-drinking fruity appeal and also for their reasonable prices. Whenever I see Côtes de Gascogne I’m quick to give it a chance as I can’t recall ever having something truly awful. It may never be “great” but it’s always value for money.

Colombard presents with tropical notes of passion fruit and guava but also yellow stone fruit like quince and pear. The Sauvignon Blanc here carries classic aromas of gooseberry and even some cassis. 

The palate is moderately creamy and soft with a throughline of acidity courtesy of the Sauvignon Blanc, resolving into a grapefruit and lime pith finish. 

This is a wine built for immediate consumption and not for the cellar. Enjoy this with a lunch of chicken scallopini and salad. Or even a curried apple and chicken salad sandwich.