There are wines you taste thoughtfully, swirl around the glass, discuss at length and perhaps even write tasting notes about. And then there are wines that mysteriously disappear from your glass while you are busy chatting to your girlfriends.
Lala V Rosé belongs firmly in the second category.
I discovered it yesterday at the exclusive launch party for Lala V Rosé with Lady Eliza Spencer, held at Hackstons in Knightsbridge. And, judging by the speed at which the bottles were emptied, I was not the only woman in the room who thought: Ooh, that went down rather nicely. Better have another.
And another.
Lala V is the creation of Lady Eliza Spencer, Princess Diana’s niece, and is inspired by her childhood connections to Provence and the joie de vivre associated with the French way of enjoying life.
Even the name is rather lovely. “Lala” comes from Lady Eliza’s childhood nickname, while “Vie” means “life” in French. So essentially, Lala V translates into an invitation to celebrate life. Frankly, I approve of any wine with that philosophy.
The wine is a Côtes de Provence Rosé, and its presentation certainly delivers the glamorous Provence fantasy: sunlit hills, warm afternoons, elegant gatherings and the sort of effortless sophistication that makes you briefly wonder whether you should be wearing linen trousers and carrying a wicker basket.
The bottle itself is beautifully elegant and would look perfectly at home on the table at a sophisticated summer party, girls’ night, birthday celebration or any occasion where you want your drinks table to look as though it has its own PR team.
So, what does it actually taste like?
Now, here I have to declare a little bias. I come from a wine-producing area and have worked in the wine industry, so I probably approach a bottle with slightly more scrutiny than someone who simply wants a delicious glass of wine after getting the children to bed.
My expectations around bouquet, complexity and structure are therefore rather demanding.
Lala V does not strike me as a wine designed to make a sommelier sit silently for ten minutes contemplating its philosophical meaning.
And that is absolutely fine.
In fact, I think that is part of its charm.
It is a pleasant, refreshing, approachable rosé, designed to be enjoyed rather than analysed to death. The bouquet was, to my taste, rather flat and I would have liked more aromatic complexity. But on the palate it was smooth, clean and refreshing, with a crunchy, fruity character and a nicely balanced, harmonious finish.
The colour is particularly pretty: pale pink with delicate salmon-coloured reflections.
And yes, I agree with the official tasting notes. There are ripe-fruit and citrus nuances, while the palate remains fresh and easy-going.
Because really, what is the job of a rosé?
To make you happy.
To refresh you.
To go beautifully with nibbles.
And, ideally, to make you say, “Who topped up my glass?” when you know perfectly well it was you.
The ultimate girls’ party wine?
This is where Lala V really shines.
At yesterday’s event, the women around me absolutely loved it. Nobody was sitting there demanding more tannins, debating acidity or asking whether the wine had sufficient tertiary development.
We were drinking it.
We were chatting.
We were eating.
And we were getting refills.
Most of us had two or three glasses.
It was simply too easy to drink.
For a party with lots of women, I can see exactly why this style of wine works. It is elegant without being intimidating, fruity without being cloying, refreshing without becoming aggressively acidic and sophisticated enough to look the part.
It is also versatile. Serve it at a summer lunch, a birthday party, a bridal gathering, a girls’ night, a baby shower, a picnic or simply on a sunny afternoon when you have somehow convinced yourself that folding laundry can wait.
The wine is priced at £27 and is available through Hackstons from 26 August.
Hackstons currently lists Lala V Rosé among its featured wines and describes it as exclusively available through the retailer.
And then there was Hackstons…
I must confess that the wine was not the only thing that caught my attention.
The event took place at Hackstons’ Knightsbridge store, and if you have even the slightest weakness for good whisky, entering the shop is dangerous.
I am very fond of whisky myself, and this place left me practically drooling. The selection of whisky, wine and spirits is impressive, but what really made the evening special was the staff. Everyone was incredibly friendly, welcoming and knowledgeable, making the whole experience feel personal rather than stuffy.
And because no wine tasting should ever be conducted on an empty stomach — particularly when women are involved — we were treated to a delicious selection of high-quality canapés, cheeses and cured meats.
Basically, someone had assembled my ideal evening.
Wine? Tick.
Whisky? Tick.
Cheese? Obviously.
Cured meats? I am only human.
Lovely company? Absolutely.
Would I choose it for my own party?
Yes. And I have to admit, the elegant bottle has already given me an idea.
My 50th birthday is coming up.
I had better start planning.
Now, where did I put that guest list?
Cheers to joie de vivre! ?
Hi, I’m Fran! I live in central London and I’m constantly out and about. I enjoy everything London has to offer: Art, Music, Theatre, Sports, History and whatever else has the power to entertain me. I’m looking forward to sharing my passions with you here!
