This wine has a history going back 2,000 years in France’s Rhône Valley, but the first bottle I found and enjoyed was in Curaçao, off the coast of Venezuela.  What a find it was at the Carrefour supermarket – it was incredibly fun to drink, and absolutely delicious.  

Produced in France’s Rhône Valley, it’s made out of a maximum of 75% Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains and 25% Clairette.  Naturally sparkling, it undergoes the first fermentation in a vat and the second in bottle.  

Pale lemon with a persistent, soft and dainty mousse, the aromas showed jasmine and white flower with peach and pear.  The palate is delightfully doux, but with excellent acidity, so it’s not sticky or heavy.  Flavours include more white flowers and nectarine, Clingstone peach, and fruit cocktail. 

Super delicate and light at only 7% abv., this is a wine you can literally drink all day long – as I did, poolside.  The price was equally remarkable.  Everyone should know about this kind of wine – why hasn’t it had a marketing renaissance?  If you ever come across a bottle in the sparkling section, buy it!