Supermarket wine: A white and a red from sunny south of France worth seeking out

This week we delve into the sunny south of France with two wines from Dunnes Stores. The Languedoc-Roussillon is one of the world’s largest vineyards stretching along the Mediterranean from the Spanish border in the west to the Rhône valley in the east. In an area so large, it is not surprising that microclimates and soils vary, but by and large this is a warm sunny region, perfect for ripening grapes.

Both wines below are made using a number of different grape varieties; the white wine is a blend of Grenache, Vermentino and Marsanne which, together, make for an attractive wine. Tautavel is a sub-region in the Roussillon close to the Spanish border. Here the warm climate and granitic soils produce full-bodied rich red wines. The wine below is a blend of three traditional varieties, Syrah, Grenache and Carignan.

Vaugelas Blanc Les Falaises 2022, Languedoc Blanc Domaines Bonfils

Mouth-watering fresh peach and pear fruit with a good, rounded finish. One to enjoy with prawn dishes, or grilled salmon with a herb butter. 13% abv, €8.96, down from €11.20 from Dunnes Stores.

Tautavel Réserve 2020, Côtes du Roussillon Gérard Bertrand

Rich and powerful with plenty of spicy, herby ripe dark fruits and light tannins on the finish. Try it with grilled red meats, or firm cheeses. 14.5% abv, €8.96, down from €11.20 from Dunnes Stores