Wine of the Week - Les Crus de Sud Lirac

In turbulent, troubled times such as these, blessed reassurance is a balm. Switching channels from the jarring news headlines to the return of County Championship on the radio, this listener is instantly transported to a better, calmer place. Regional accents sketch the scene, conveying the state of play, as the studio ground hops around the country, each commentator bringing the audience to their part of the world and the cricket into the listener’s home. Add to the scene the warming sunshine through the kitchen window and the songbirds going about their business to a bright cloudless blue backdrop - a tranquil springtime to hunker down in while the world descends into chaos.

There is a magnificent escapism in listening to sport on the radio, the skill of the commentator and summariser to deliver the listener into the heart of the action. The three Johns are the favourites at The Lavenders: Messrs Agnew, Hunt and Murray are masters of the commentary art and each transcend their individual sports to rank among true broadcasting greats. 

Away from the welcome return of the cricket, a recent opportunity to reconnect with our favourite wine region has brought further welcome escapism. The heart of the Southern Rhône valley is where we first met and holds a special place in our hearts. Gorgeous, fragrant, opulent reds and whites (with the odd fruity dash of rosé too) are the region’s signature in the domain of Grenaches red and white. Châteauneuf-du-Pape is the best known, of course, but Rhône crus like Gigondas, Vacqueyras and Rasteau to mention but a few also resonate with wine lovers the world over too.

Lirac is one of the lesser known crus, so resultantly represents great value for the savvy wine buyer. One of the southernmost Rhône crus situated to the north west of Avignon, Lirac has been making wines for two thousand years but has been famous for this since its wines found favour in royal courts in the sixteenth century Europe. Afforded Côtes du Rhône status in 1947, the region produces on average two million litres of wine per year.

Les Crus du Sud Lirac sees parcels of Grenache, Syrah and Mourvedre expertly blended and matured, without oak, for a harmonious, fragrant red comprising notes of blackberries and sweet spice. Moreish and easy drinking, it is a wine paired well with escapism, for kicking back and enjoying with a good book, a bit of telly or, indeed, some cricket on the radio.