Catharsis White 2021, Cathar(tic) Wines, France

Richard Bray started making wine in 2008 when working at a bottle shop in St Andrews, helping out a mentor who had taken a job making wine in France near the Spanish border. He started doing his own thing in 2016, making small amounts. In 2019 he made slightly more of the small amounts, which means there is more to go around.

This wine is a blend of Macabeo and Vermentino and is one of those whites that has presence without being shouty in the aromatics department (though it does have a gently floral note). It has texture and really good with robust fish dishes. It's also a great snacking wine - anchovies on some buttered baguette, a little ham and celeriac remoulade. 

Richard, originally from Boston, is also an author. He wrote Salt & Old Vines about his experiences making wine in the Roussillon and Material Remains, about love, death, Medieval ruins and university life.