Festive Entertaining
Let’s get this party started! We’ve hand-picked some crowd-pleasers that will suit both your budget and your wine credibility. Forget random supermarket selections, let us deliver you what you need for the winter festive season and beyond. There are 2 bottles of each of the following:
1. Amulana Organic Sparkling NV, Chile 12% x2 bottles
Made the same way as Champagne and using the same grape varieties (Chardonnay and Pinot Noir), this Chilean Organic winery is making a fantastic alternative. The talented winemakers of Santa Emiliana have made a delightful sparkler with lifted fruit character and hints of pineapple and apricot, underpinned by a biscuity palate and underlying acidity.
2. Adobe Reserva Sauvignon Blanc Casablanca Valley 2022, Chile 13% x2 bottles
Organic, 91-point (James Suckling) Sauvignon Blanc from the renowned cooler climate Casablanca Valley. The complex nose presents citrusy notes of grapefruit and lime with a subtle touch of freshly crushed bay leaf and white pepper. The smooth palate bursts with citrus freshness balanced by good volume and persistence.
3. Cavit Terraze della Luna Pinot Grigio 2022, Italy 12.5% x2 bottles
Fear not, with over 35 years of buying Italian wines, we know how to pick out a good Pinot Grigio, and this one has a twist! This wine doesn’t only have a gold medal, but 15% Chardonnay in the blend. Stone fruit, apple and floral nose. The palate shows delicate yet complex floral notes, a rounded mineral character and an attractive green apple leading to fresh lemon acidity on the finish.
4. “Les Volets” Pinot Noir 2022, France 13% x2 bottles
It’s not easy finding good-value Pinot Noir, but we’re proud to stock this one. Like a halfway point between Burgundy and New World styles, it offers a bright ruby red colour, with upfront aromas of freshly picked raspberries and an underlying savoury leesiness. Fleshy red fruits continue to the palate and are joined by fine tannins and juicy acidity - proper Pinot Noir!
5. False Bay “Old School” Syrah 2022, South Africa 14% x2 bottles
One of the best value wines we’ve tasted all year! Made by the talented makers from the top-rated Waterkloof Estate, it seriously rivals a Syrah from the Northern Rhône. Full yet elegant with bramble fruits, lifted berry fruit and some earth and meaty aromas. The palate is structured and well-balanced with fresh red fruit characters, gently spicy notes, fine tannins and a refreshing natural acidity.
6. Tesoro de los Andes Malbec Bonarda 2022, Argentina 14.5% x2 bottles
Bounding with energy, we love the overt fruit and attractive spiciness of this wine. The nose offers an appealing, mixed spice, bramble fruit followed by dark, damson and savoury overtones on the palate. The finish is smooth, rounded and nicely balanced.
Our inaugural curated case for Spring!
We’ve been open since 2016, and there are some wines that our customers just keep coming back to time and time again, so we thought they’d make the perfect mixed case to kick things off!
1. Vidal Sauvignon Blanc 2024, New Zealand 12%
Intense aromas of passionfruit and fresh herbs lead into a palate of vibrant, tropical fruit flavours. A distinctive and classical Marlborough style, quite direct and forward.
Fruit for this wine was grown in the Awatere and Wairau Valleys where typical warm days and cool nights provide classic flavours, intensity, and definition. Vineyard selection for this wine was based on each site's potential to produce wines that show tropical fruit flavours and generosity – it’s got more about it than so many we’ve tasted at this level! The overt fruit flavours of this wine make it a great apéritif but also goes well with tomato-based dishes such as ratatouille or even a Rogan Josh curry.
2. Pouilly Fumé 2023 AOP Domaine Barillot, France 13%
Aromas of citrus fruits (hints of lemon and grapefruit) with developing floral notes of acacia and lily. The refined palate shows freshness and gives a real sense of place. The fruit is gentle but ever-present, and the flinty mineral character so typical of this region gives a definition to this wine, whilst a delightful roundness develops on the finish.
Pouilly Fumé and its neighbour Sancerre in Central France are the spiritual home of Sauvignon Blanc, and their wines are revered around the world. This wine can be enjoyed on its own but also goes well with seafood, grilled fish, and roasted asparagus. Pouilly Fumé is also the perfect match for the local goat’s cheese, considered the best revered in France.
3. Pouilly Fuissé 1er Cru “Au Clos” 2020 AOP Domaine de Pouilly, France 13.5%
From its golden colour to the honeyed, almond, and citrus notes along with the integrated oak aromas, you know you’re in for a treat with this wine. The palate is rich and sophisticated, well-rounded with a structure that is persistent but allows the fruit flavours to further develop whilst retaining a freshness from the pleasing balancing acidity. A world-class Chardonnay.
After a 10-year application process, the French National Institute of Origin and Quality (INAO) approved the classification making Pouilly-Fuissé the first appellation within Burgundy’s Mâconnais sub-region to benefit from premier cru vineyards. Pouilly Fuissé is a highly respected Appellation in the Macon area of southern Burgundy. Known for great value compared to the big guns of Puligny Montrachet, Meursault et al in the Cote d’Or, this example from old vines and maturation for 9 months in oak barriques punches well above its weight. Feeling hedonistic? Yes, you can enjoy it on its own, as many of our wine bar customers indeed do, but with food, it’s very versatile. Anything in a buttery or creamy sauce, be it fish, white meat, or vegetables. Mushroom risotto. Seared scallops. Roast chicken. Crumbly cheeses. You get the picture!
4. Hahn Pinot Noir 2022, USA 14.5%
Aromas of red and dark cherry, raspberry and strawberry are joined by subtle touches of vanilla and toasty oak. The palate is medium-bodied with silky tannins, a soft round mouthfeel, excellent acid balance and notes of earthiness on a long, lingering finish.
Some wines do exactly what they say on the label, and this is no exception. What the label doesn’t tell you is that this winery, founded in 1980 and still family-owned and run, has been a pioneer in developing Monterey County as a region for growing premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. There’s more to Monterey than cheese, Clint Eastwood and abundant seafood. Enjoy on its own or goes well with charcuterie, herb road chicken and hard cheeses.
5. Trustello Primativo 2023 IGT Puglia, Italy 14.5%
Deep red colour with fresh varietal aromas such as blackberry and cherry, which develop and become more complex over time. The palate is well balanced between the soft tannins and gentle acidity.
Organically grown Primativo (similar grape to Zinfandel but a bit more savoury) from the sun-kissed Puglia region (the heel) of Italy. This bombshell of a wine is sometimes referred to as a “mini Amarone” and the comparisons don’t end there. First passage harvest is vinified in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, then a second harvest is done 10 days later with a traditional vinification, only for the resulting pomace (pulpy residue after crushing) to be used for a secondary fermentation of the first harvest before blending. A lot of work has gone into this wine – enjoy with Charcuterie, Roast lamb and anything with lentils or bacon.
6. Rasteau AOP 2021, Domaine la Soumade, France 15%
Dominated by Grenache (with some Syrah and Mourvèdre), this is a wonderfully ripe, fresh, juicy and succulent wine with black and red fruits. There are ripe and silky tannins on the finish with a hint of spice plus some freshness which adds balance.
Rasteau became a “Cru” in 2010, which puts it on the same level as well-known local heavyweights Chateauneuf du Pape and Gigondas. André Roméro, owner and winemaker, is described by American critic Robert Parker as the superstar of the region and that’s not easy praise to get. Close your eyes and you can imagine yourself in the garrigue of northern Provence whilst you’re back home enjoying a very British Sunday roast. Or any other kind of food, you’ll find an excuse!
