- Abruzzo
- Alentejo Region
- Amarone DOCG
- Aude
- Bardolino DOC
- Barossa Valley
- Bio-Bio Valley
- Bordeaux
- California
- Casablanca Valley
- Castilla y León
- Central Valley
- Chianti DOCG
- Clare Valley
- Colchagua Valley
- Coonawarra
- DO Jerez
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- Victoria
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- Vinho Verde
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- Western Australia
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- Aglianico
- Albariño
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- Alvarinho
- Aragonês
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- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
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- Goldmuskateller
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- Muscat
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- Negroamaro
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- Tinta Roriz
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- Touriga Nacional
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- Tripat
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- Verdicchio
- Vermentino
- Viognier
- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
- Xarel-lo
- Zweigelt
- Abruzzo
- Alentejo Region
- Amarone DOCG
- Aude
- Bardolino DOC
- Barossa Valley
- Bio-Bio Valley
- Bordeaux
- California
- Casablanca Valley
- Castilla y León
- Central Valley
- Chianti DOCG
- Clare Valley
- Colchagua Valley
- Coonawarra
- DO Jerez
- Douro Valley
- Eden Valley
- Gavi DOCG
- IGP Collines Rhodaniennes
- Maipo Valley
- Muscadet Sèvre & Maine
- New South Wales
- Pavia IGT
- Pays du Gard
- Piedmont
- Pouilly-Fumé
- Provence
- Rapel Valley
- Rioja
- Sicily
- South Australia
- Touraine
- Trentino DOC
- Tuscany DOCG
- Valpolicella DOC
- Victoria
- Vin de France
- Vinho Verde
- Vouvray
- Western Australia
- Western Cape
- Aglianico
- Albariño
- Alicante Bouschet
- Alvarinho
- Aragonês
- Arinto
- Bobal
- Bonarda
- Brunello
- Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon
- Carignan
- Carmenère
- Catarratto
- Chardonnay
- Chenin Blanc
- Cinsault
- Corvina
- Durello
- Espadeiro
- Feteasca Alba
- Fiano
- Frappato
- Friulano
- Garganega
- Gewürtztraminer
- Glera
- Godello
- Goldmuskateller
- Grenache / Garnacha
- Grillo
- Grüner Veltliner
- Loureiro
- Malbec
- Malvasia Fine
- Malvasia Nero
- Merlot
- Molinara
- Mourvèdre / Mataró / Monastrell
- Muscat
- Nebbiolo
- Negroamaro
- Palomino
- Parellada
- Passerina
- Pedro Ximénez
- Petit Verdot
- Pinot Bianco/ Pinot Blanc
- Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris
- Pinot Meunier
- Pinot Noir
- Pinotage
- Primitivo
- Riesling
- Rondinella
- Roussanne
- Sangiovese
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Semillon
- Shiraz / Syrah
- Tempranillo
- Teroldego
- Tinta Barroca
- Tinta Roriz
- Torrontés
- Touriga Franca
- Touriga Nacional
- Trebbiano
- Trincadeira Preta
- Tripat
- Verdejo
- Verdicchio
- Vermentino
- Viognier
- Viura Blanco / Macabeu / Macabeo
- Xarel-lo
- Zweigelt
2023 Tierra Alta Cabernet Sauvignon
Regular price £8.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Expressive Cabernet crammed full of varietal character and finesse.
Tasting Notes
Bursting with red and blackcurrant fruits, this is a really soft and pure Cabernet with gentle tannins and a hint of green pepper on the finish. Cool herby flavours mingle with red fruits and a nice touch of acidity.
Production
Sourced from selected areas of the Central Valley. Relatively cool short fermentation to preserve fruit aroma with maceration on the skins for only a few days to extract a nice colour but minimal tannins. Early bottling to keep the wine's youthful style.
Producer
Our winemaking team have been building relationships across Chile over the past two decades, sourcing fruit and wine from across the Central Valleys. We work with a number of small family growers who pay particular attention to quality and ensure that our winemaking team has the best possible fruit to work with . Freshness and purity are the preferred hallmarks of Boutinot's Chilean wines.
Each vintage Boutinot winemaker Guillaume Letang travels the vineyards of our grower partners, blending that year's truest expression's of Chile's unique terroirs.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Chile |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Organic, Sustainable |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Matches well with herby meat dishes, sausages or stuffed baked red peppers. |
Origin | Rapel Valley |
Appellation | D.O. Valle Central |
2023 Tiki Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc, North Canterbury
Regular price £14.79 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Colour
A delicate, pale green/gold.
Nose
Passionfruit driven on the nose, this wine presents with soft acidity across the palate, showing tropical notes of lemongrass and grassy flavours.
Palate
A rich and complex wine with a lovely balanced finish, range of flavour and length.
Vintage
The La Niña weather pattern was the dominating influence of our 2023 growing season, which brought less hot North-westerly winds, normally a mainstay of our season, and replaced them with regular cooling Easterly winds. The start to spring was cool with temperatures below average. Despite that, as the season progressed, temperatures picked up and we experienced good flowering conditions, resulting in a healthy and balanced crop. Summer saw us experience 30+ degree days mixed in with considerably colder spells. Over Autumn we experienced more of the same, with temperatures fluctuating between spells of beautiful warm sunny days, followed regularly by cold southerlies.
These weather patterns, while presenting a challenge, meant the team started picking later allowing for sugar levels to rise. Minimal rain over this time meant the fruit could be held on the vine allowing it to reach our desired levels of ripeness.
Winemaking
The fruit was harvested at maximum flavour as assessed through frequent tasting in the vineyard by the winemaker. We picked across the vineyard at different times and degrees of ripeness to allow the individual cuvees a range of site expression. Extended skin contact time was used prior to crushing to enhance extraction of the aromatic compounds. The fruit was then very gently pressed to avoid harsh phenolic extraction and the juice allowed to cold settle. The clear juice was fermented at low temperatures using a range of yeast renowned for their ability to enhance the Sauvignon Blanc aromas. A balanced amount of residual sugar was left in the wine to complement the acidity and to add palate weight and structure.
Awards & Accolades
- 17/20 Jancis Robinson
- 5 Stars (94 points) | Sam Kim Wine Orbit
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | New Zealand |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.38 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
2023-2025 – will continue to develop for a further 5 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Fresh grilled fish like calamari or swordfish, this wine is lovely with salmon flavoured with dill and recipes that include fresh herbs like basil, coriander, rocket and mint. |
Appellation | Waipara Valley, North Canterbury |
2023 Uva Non Grata Gamay
Regular price £10.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%For centuries maligned, mistreated and misunderstood, Gamay was outlawed by Philip the Bold in 1395. Some vignerons rebelled, hiding forbidden Gamay vines amongst ‘noble’ Pinot Noir. In their honour we ‘release’ the deliberately disruptive Gamay, bottled without appellation and without rules!
Tasting Notes
Bouncy, crunchy Gamay, this is an irresistible fruit bomb packed with fresh, primary fruit aromas and the delicious soft red berry flavours of gorgeous Gamay at its best.
Production Method
Gamay loves the granite/siliceous soils of the vineyards in the hills to the northwest of Lyon in eastern France. Grapes were hand-picked deliberately early to maintain freshness. In the cellar, they are vinified using traditional carbonic maceration techniques (where fermentation is started by the weight of berries in the vat, crushing those below) followed by a short cuvasion to maintain the up-front, juicy fruit character.
Producer
Like all good stories, that of Boutinot France is both long and a little bit complicated! Boutinot began as a tiny importer in 1980, specialising in French wines. Paul Boutinot himself began by personally selecting the wines from France, back in the UK he would unload the trailer by hand. And deliver the crates of wines to customers himself. But good things grow and by the end of the decade we had become a bigger and better company. A company that not only sought out great wines but made them too. After 10 years later, Boutinot France started in January 1990. The first office was in the middle of the vines in Julienas; perfectly located to navigate the Beaujolais and Macon regions on the quest to make beautiful wines.
Samantha Bailey, who started as a wine enthusiast, was there at the beginning of this adventure. Since then, she has grown into our Master Blender and has key responsibilities: building long-standing relationships, tasting, understanding the terroir and appellations, and pushing the boundaries. She is at the heart of the whole process from blending to quality assessment, making sure there is always a Boutinot touch in every cuvée. We are proud to also count Guillaume Letang and Julien Dugas in our winemaking team. Guillaume oversees the South of France and Languedoc, whilst Julien looks after our property in Cairanne. Together they have the local knowledge to select and blend the very best wines from throughout. Eric Monnin oversees every aspect of production and makes sure everything our winemakers blend and source is top quality.
Today, Boutinot’s French office has recently relocated to Macon, and has over 20 employees who take care of production across the whole of France, covering fresh whites and rosés from Gascony, mineral wines from Burgundy, and joyful varietal wines from Languedoc among others. We don’t use any single model to source our wines; instead, a combination of sources are used, from large-scale, high-quality co-ops to small, family growers and single domaines, as well as our own vineyards in Cairanne and Saint-Vérand. Drawing on the expertise of our four winemakers and a network of partner growers, we seek to deliver the highest quality-to-price ratio possible for every wine.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Another delight. Medium to full-bodied with lovely ripe fruit, some spiciness, and a silky smoothness that lets the flavour linger and makes this a long-lasting mouthful. Got the weight and length of a much more expensive wine than it is. Delicious and keeps on giving until the last drop! Paired beautifully with our Venison Steaks." Tasted February 2024
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
Country | France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Try with charcuterie, grilled herby chicken kebabs, or sausages on the barbeque. |
Origin | Vin De France |
2023 Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Colour
Pale yellow in color with light green hints.
Nose
This Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc wine has complex and elegant nose offers up aromas of lime, grapefruit, pineapple and pear complemented by floral and mineral touches.
Palate
In mouth it is fresh, well-balanced with a rich acidity and soft body, where citric and tropical fruits reappear with mineral finish that delivers complexity and elegance.
Background
Ventisquero began making wine in 2000. Today, the winery is led by a young, creative team of entrepreneurs who guide us to a single purpose: creating distinctive, high quality wines. They look for innovative ways to communicate with their target audience and to market our products around the world.
Under the guidance of head winemaker Felipe Tosso, the winery was built in the Coastal Maipo Valley, where grapes for their first wines were produced. Three years later, they ventured into the Casablanca Valley and the prestigious Apalta Valley, the source today for Vina Ventisquero's premium wines.
With estate-owned vineyards in Chile's top wine producing areas – Coastal Maipo, Casablanca, Leyda and Colchagua – and extensive research to uncover the secrets of the country's unique terroir, Vina Ventisquero seeks to produce wines of the highest quality and consistency.
Awards
- 2017 Vintage: Commended – International Wine Challenge
- 2016 Vintage: Bronze – International Wine Challenge
- 2007 Vintage: Commended – International Wine Challenge
- 2008 Vintage: Silver – Mundus Vini
- 2006 Vintage: Commended – Decanter World Wine Awards
- 2005 Vintage: Gold – Concours Mondial de Bruxelles
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | Chile |
|
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
This wine is ideally paired with salads, shellfish, cebiches and mild, white fish in lime or lemon preparations. It goes wonderfully with fresh cheese or cream-based dishes and white meats, but can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif. |
Appellation | Valle De Casablanca |
2023 Vila Nova Vinho Verde
Regular price £9.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Great tasting, modern Vinho Verde from the super reliable Vila Nova estate.
Tasting Notes
Floral, citrus and gentle tropical aromas lead on to a palate that is deliciously off-dry with flavours of ripe melon and sherbet lemon acidity. The finish is refreshing with a classic spritz.
Production
Casa de Vila Nova is located in the sub region of Sousa, the Vinho Verde Demarcated Region, in the North of Portugal. The vinho verde vineyards are exposed to the Atlantic Ocean winds and influence. Soils, microclimate, grape varieties and the unique characteristics of the wine culture, distinguish it from all other wine regions of the world. The grapes are harvested by hand in 20 kg boxes that are quickly transported to the winery where they are destemmed and soft pressed and temperature-controlled fermentation.
Producer
Casa de Vila Nova is owned by the Lencastre family, of aristocratic Portuguese lineage (one of their ancestors became the first Baron of Varzea do Douro in the 1800s). This land has been in their family since the 12th century - the ivy clad tower that still remains from that time is now surrounded by Vila Nova (new house) that was built in the 1700s, and the property was gradually extended over the centuries.
The estate is near the town of Penafiel, close to the eastern border of Portugal's vinho verde wine region, around a 30 minute drive east from Oporto. In the late 1970s the family planted vines over 12 hectares - mainly local Portuguese varieties. In 2008 Bernardo Lencastre and his brothers took over the running of the property, revitalised the vineyards and began making vinho verde and bottling their own wines - the first generation to do so. They now have around 42 hectares of vineyard.
Here, in the Entre-Douro-e-Minho sub-region of Sousa, their vineyards are influenced by winds from the Atlantic Ocean - creating the perfect climate to ripen varieties such as Avesso, Loureiro and Alvarinho.
Awards
- 2019 Vintage - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 Gold
- 2019 Vintage - Sommelier Wine Awards 2020 Trophy
- 2016 Vintage - Simmerlier Wine Awards 2017 Silver
Alan's Personal Notes
"I can’t remember the last time I drank Vino Verde - probably sometime in the Eighties - but I don’t know why - as this is delightful! Off-dry with ripe fruits offset by a citric minerality making this an extremely enjoyable glass with great flavour and balance. Perfect for the spring/summer weather that’s about to happen- so I’ll be drinking VV a lot more over the next few months!" March 2022
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Loureiro; 15% Avesso, 35% Arinto |
Country | Portugal |
Alcohol content
|
11% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergy Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matching |
Great as an aperitif - or serve with salads, sushi and grilled fish
|
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Origin | Vinho Verde |
Appellation | DOC Vino Verde |
2023 Vinazza Garganega Pinot Grigio
Regular price £7.89 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Now recognized as Garda DOC, this Garganega Pinot Grigio is chosen from premium vineyards situated between Lake Garda and Vicenza. The inclusion of Garganega lends a more distinctive and flavorful profile to the wine compared to many standard Pinot Grigios.
Tasting Notes
Aromas of fresh apple and citrus. Crisp and zesty on the palate with a lightly honeyed, floral note on the finish.
Production
Produced from Garganega grapes grown in the Garda DOC region between Lake Garda and Vicenza, with the addition of 15% Pinot Grigio. Gentle pressing, fermentation at 16 to 18C with selected yeasts, bottling after 3 months on fine lees.
Producer
Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Garganega & 15% Pinot Grigio |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content | 11% |
|
8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | Pair with grilled white fish, risotto, and light appetizers like prawn cocktail. |
Cellaring Potential | 1 year |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Garda DOC |
2023 Waterkloof 'Circumstance Cape Coral Mouvèdre Rosé'
Regular price £13.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Mourvedre is perfect for Waterkloof, with its head in the sun and feet in the sea. So, not one to follow fashion, Paul Boutinot has made it the most planted red grape on this biodynamic farm. Cape Coral Rosé has vindicated that decision, promptly proving itself to be one of the finest rosés in The Southern Hemisphere, if not The World. Pale in colour and discreet of fragrance, yet with a palate weight and texture that makes it a decidedly gastronomic rosé.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale salmon colour
Nose
Delicate aromas of peach, spice and herbs are prominent on the nose.
Palate
A fresh, yet broadly textured mouthfeel with a long, savoury and deeply satisfying finish. This rather grown-up wine makes a wonderful partner to almost any dish you care to prepare.
'Rooibos! Distinct terroir character here – whether it’s fynbos or tea or whatever, it certainly seems to reflect its home. Excellent softness and complexity. As valid a fine wine as many reds or whites – really shows what great rosé can do. Finishes with a long, mealy length.' – Richard Hemming MW, JancisRobinson.com, 17/20
'A delightfully pale coloured Rosé. Delicate red berry aromas combined with a flinty note are prominent on the nose. The palate is soft with a lingering fresh acidity on the aftertaste. Traditionally the wine is served chilled on its own, but also marries well with spicy, tuna-based sushi.' – Nadia Barnard
Awards
The Wine Merchant Top 100 2016 - 2015 Vintage
Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude and vintage. The Mourvedre vines are dry-farmed, windswept and low-yielding. Production is a minuscule (for rosé) 5 tons per hectare. Grapes were hand-harvested followed by a gentle whole-bunch pressing in a horizontal basket press, to extract only the finest juice. No further maceration of the juice with the skins was allowed. The juice was run down via gravity into tank and left to settle naturally for 12 hours. From there the clean juice was racked off to wooden fermenters to start the natural fermentation spontaneously, relying on wild yeasts that occur naturally in the vineyard. The reason why Waterkloof ferment in older wooden fermenters is to ensure a slow ingress of oxygen throughout the process and therefore a longer fermentation without picking-up any oak aromas. The wine was then left on the primary lees to add further complexity before bottling. The wine then spent a minimum of six months on lees. No fining, just a light filtration. The only addition was a small amount of sulphur before bottling.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned, organic, biodynamic and WWF Biodiversity Champion farm perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented young Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. To learn more please visit their website.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Mourvèdre |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.2 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Anything goes, whether it be sushi, spice or even steak! |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Stellenbosch |
2023 Waterkloof 'Circumstance' Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £12.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Crushed laurel on the nose with more than a nuance of residual seaside salt.
Palate
This has a big and textured palate with stone fruit and fennel hints – it is rich and minerally, showing even a slight rocky quality about it. As bracing as the wind through the vines at Waterkloof.
Production
Living soils and a natural approach to winemaking means that each of the single-varietal wines in the Circumstance range is truly defined by the circumstances influencing the chosen varietal and vineyard blocks, including soil, aspect, altitude, and vintage. These factors combine to produce low yields, balanced grapes, and wines with a true sense of place. The Sauvignon Blanc is from three windswept, south-facing (less sun exposure) blocks 270-300m above and a mere 2 miles from The Atlantic. The vines are 20 years old and production was a miserly 4 tons per hectare. Waterkloof follows a traditional, minimalistic approach in their gravitational cellar which means interfering as little as possible with the winemaking process. This allows the flavours prevalent in that specific vineyard to ultimately express themselves in the wine. To achieve this goal, all grapes are whole-bunch pressed, which ensures that juice is extracted in the gentlest way. The juice is then settled naturally for 24 hours. Naturally present wild yeast is employed to ferment the juice, mainly in old 600litre barrels (90%). This leads to a longer fermentation process with a slow release of aromas and a more structured palate. The natural fermentation process took 7-8 months to complete, after which the wine was left on the gross less for another 6 months. There are no added acid or enzymes during the winemaking process, with only a light filtration and a small addition of sulphur added as a preservative prior to bottling.
Awards
- The Wine Merchant Top 100 2019 - 2017 Vintage
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Ideal with fresh oysters or fresh crayfish on the grill. Great with a goat's cheese too. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | South Africa |
2023 Waterkloof Seriously Cool Chenin Blanc
Regular price £12.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
A bright, vibrant style of Chenin with aromas of citrus, white flowers and a hint of honey. Ripe and full flavoured with a rounded mouthfeel thanks to long fermentation and extended lees contact. Nice concentration of stone fruit characters with hints of dried apricot and mango. Good balancing acidity on the clean, fresh finish.
Production
Crafted from 30-40 year old bush-vine vineyards in the Helderberg area supplemented by fruit from another dry grown block in Stellenbosch. The vineyards are close to the ocean, which ensure a long growing season and allows for ripe fruit with good concentration and a balanced acidity. Production from these grand dames of South African viticultural heritage is a miserly 4 tons/hectare. Waterkloof follow a traditional, minimalistic approach in their gravitational cellar which means interfering as little as possible with the winemaking process. This allows the flavours prevalent in that specific vineyard to ultimately express themselves in the wine. To achieve this goal, all grapes are whole-bunch pressed, which ensures that juice is extracted in the gentlest way. The juice is then allowed to settle for 24 hours after which it is racked from the settling tank into stainless steel tanks, concrete eggs and older 600 liter barrels. They do not inoculate the juice with commercially cultivated yeast, but allow the wild yeast prevailing in the vineyard to ferment the juice. No additional acid or enzymes are added during the process. The natural fermentation process took 5 months to complete and only a light filtration was used prior to bottling. The only addition is a small amount of sulphur before bottling.
Producer
Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004, Waterkloof is a family-owned farm using organic practices. The farm is perched high up on the windswept Schapenberg, overlooking False Bay and The Atlantic Ocean. Living soils, naturally low yields and a long growing season help provide talented Cellarmaster Nadia Barnard with naturally balanced grapes that are imbued with a truly defining sense of origin. Those grapes are then transformed into wine with a minimum of intervention. The resulting wines are fine, inimitable and best enjoyed with food.
Sustainability
As well as being ECOCERT certified as organic, and working biodynamically, Waterkloof goes much further than many in its efforts to be a highly sustainable winery. A member of The Integrated Production of Wine Scheme, a voluntary environmental sustainability scheme established by the South African wine industry in 1998, and of The Wine and Agricultural Ethical Trading Association, a multi-stakeholder, non-profit voluntary organisation which actively promotes ethical trade in the wine industry, it is has also been a member of the World Wildlife Fund’s Biodiversity & Wine Initiative from its inception. Through a partnership between the IPW and the BWI, Waterkloof is a WWF Conservation Champion and has in place a formal nature conservation plan that includes: clearing approximately 55 hectares of land from alien invader species and restoring the Cape’s precious indigenous flora and fauna; re-establishing natural vegetation in previously disturbed areas; introducing preventive erosion control measures; providing migration corridors for species between isolated areas of natural vegetation; mulching of winter cover crops to create a healthy environment for the natural predators of vine pests and installing perches for birds of prey for natural rodent control measures.
In the vineyards, drip irrigation is used only on young vines as a more efficient system to conserve water. Most of Waterkloof is dry-farmed; the biological control of pests is employed as an alternative to chemical spraying; annual legume cover crops are sown to add nitrogen to the soil and annual grain cover crops are sown in alternate rows as a carbon source and to return nutrients to the soil; earthworms are farmed and their casts are used to make a tea, which is used on the cover crops and soil as a living fertiliser; 380-400 tons of compost a year are made each year to boost carbon matter in the soil, to enhance its water holding capacity, and to boost the level of microbes in the soil keeping it fertile and alive; and, as part of the estate’s biodynamic regime, various foliar feeds are made. No damaging herbicides, pesticides or fungicide are used, only natural predatory fungi and metabolites to control mildew and to build the plants’ immunity. Six Percheron horses are used to plough, compost, spray and harvest the vineyards to reduce damage to the soil and vines and to reduce carbon emissions. Using the horses also teaches the handlers the rare skill of training these horses. A flock of chickens reduces the number of pests in the vineyard and returns nitrogen to the soil and compost, as well as providing fresh, free-range eggs for the restaurant. A small herd of cows is kept, which is key to producing biodynamic composts and teas, and a flock of sheep and a herd of goats are allowed to graze in the vineyards in winter to naturally reduce the level of weeds and vegetation between vine rows, as well as to put nitrogen back into the soil.
In the cellar, waste water gets pumped through a stainless-steel filter into a bioreactor where it is combined with the rest of the waste water from the building. Aerobic bacteria remove most of the contaminants before the water is pumped into a sand bed to remove any solids. From there, it runs into a reed bed for a final clean up and it is then used to irrigate the young vines. Peroxide is used a cleaning agent in the cellar as it breaks down in water after 15 minutes, leaving no residue. The cellar itself is built into the hillside to maintain a stable temperature, to avoid pumping the wines and hence reducing energy usage. Used boxes, dividers, bottles, screwcaps, plastics, paper and labels are recycled with an external company that take everything away for recycling. Old, unused bottles are sold to bottle recyclers who wash and resell them.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian, Vegan, Sustainable, Natural |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Great with seafood, pasta, salads, chicken... just give it a go with anything you want. |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | South Africa |
2023 White & Sea, Colombard, Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £10.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A delightful, fresh, and crisp example of Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes
Bright lemon-green in colour. Intense and fruity, with lovely aromas of green apple and grapefruit. Very refreshing on the palate
Viticulture
Gascony is both wild and beautiful all at the same time... With its rolling countryside dotted with maritime pine and cypress trees, its luxurious vineyards and medieval hilltop towns, the area is one of the most preserved French treasures. Home to viticulture since Roman times, the IGP Côtes de Gascogne shares the same area of production as the Armagnac appellation. Gascony is also famous for its rich gastronomy and its “douceur de vivre” or easy-living atmosphere. The Colombard and Sauvignon Blanc grapes are predominantly produced in the Côte de Gascogne area of the South-West of France. The region has a fantastic reputation for fresh white wines. Capable of adapting to the hot climate, it provides nice acidity with lovely flavours. The resulting wines are crisp and fresh, with very intense aromas of lime, nectarine and grapefruit.
Production
The winemaking process is designed to preserve freshness and to enhance the aromatic potential of the wine. The berries are harvested at night, when temperatures are low, as soon as they have reached optimal maturity. The crop is then pneumatically pressed in order to extract only the premium juices. The fermentation process is carried out at a low temperature to preserve aromatic intensity. All these steps create a fragrant and refreshing white wine!
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
'This is an interesting wee find from a very good wine co-operative in the s of France. Dry, fresh and crisp with a dollop of citric & tropical fruit giving great mouthfeel, complexity and balance without breaking the bank. I reckon this will become a successful crowd pleaser for our community - so get your order in quick as stocks are limited - so says the wine doctor.
A delightful easy drinking little number - perfect with any seafood or chicken dish - or salads.' November 2024
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Colombard 80%, Sauvignon Blanc 20% |
Country | France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Savour it slightly chilled as an aperitif or paired with marinated vegetables, grilled fish, and shellfish.
|
Origin | Vin de France |
Appellation |
IGP Cotes de Gasgoine |
2023 Wild House Chenin Blanc
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Bright, textural stuff from old, unirrigated bush vines in the Coastal region grown on sandy soils over granite bedrock.
Tasting Notes
Ripe peach and tropical fruit on the nose with fresh citrus notes. Honeyed and textured on the palate with crisp acidity and hints of mandarin and lychee leading to a bright, juicy finish.
Production
Chenin is the backbone grape varietal of South Africa – it’s the most profusely planted variety in our country and is closely associated to our wine-making identity. To capture the true sense of place and terroir, we’ve made this wine a 100% unoaked Chenin Blanc. Fermenting only in stainless steel ensures the freshness, character and liveliness of the wine is maintained. To tame some of this energy and add more complexity and depth to the final wine, I’ve kept it on its fine lees for approximately nine months. This also adds to the lush mouthfeel and keeps the wine fresher for longer.”
Producer
Wild House is a lifestyle range which reflects a place of raw energy, a weather-beaten hut exposed to the storm-swept slopes of the Cape's mountains. Inspired by the ever-shifting views of the landscape and weather from each aspect of the house, we crafted this range of wines to reflect the land we call home.
Alan's Personal Notes
"WOW - and WOW!! A beautiful, soft, easy-drinking Chenin. Not the most complex but full of fresh clean pineapple aromas and fruit with great balancing acidity!! Incredibly well balanced and appealing for the affordable price tag!!"
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chenin Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Brilliant with seafood, poultry, chargrilled vegetables. |
Origin | Coastal Region |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2023 Wild House Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An impressive addition to the Wild House range, predominantly from Elgin grown fruit, a coastal region renowned for high quality, cool climate Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes
A vibrant cool climate style of Sauvignon with intense citrus and crushed nettle aromas. Ripe, concentrated fruit is offset by a grapefruit tang and leafy characters. Taut and mineral with a long, textural finish.
Production
Hand harvested grapes from Elgin, supplemented by small parcels from cooler sites in Paarl and Franschhoek, were gently pressed and the juice settled for 48 hours. Naturally fermented in stainless steel tanks, with no additions other than a small dose of sulphur, and kept on the gross lees for 5 months.
Producer
Wild House is a lifestyle range which reflects a place of raw energy, a weather-beaten hut exposed to the storm-swept slopes of the Cape's mountains. Inspired by the ever-shifting views of the landscape and weather from each aspect of the house, we crafted this range of wines to reflect the land we call home.
Sustainability
Wild House wines are certified as part of South Africa’s sustainability accreditation, the ‘Integrated Production of Wine’ (IPW) system. The IPW scheme, started in 1998, consists of a set of audited guidelines specifying agricultural practices, manufacturing practices and bottling activities.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Silver 2022 Vintage
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Simply cooked sea bass with a salsa verde, lemon roasted chicken or aromatic thai dishes. |
Origin | Coastal Region |
Appellation | W.O. Coastal Region |
2023 Wildman Wine, Piggy Pop Pét-Nat
Regular price £24.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Wildman Wine leads the charge of fun fresh and fault free Australian Pet-Nat, driven by the maverick spirit of founder and winemaker, Tim Wildman MW.
Tasting Notes
The 2023 vintage represents 10 years of Wildman Wine (first vintage 2014) and we couldn’t be happier with the result. The colour is “liminal pink”-that shade that sits between dry rosé and chillable red. The aromas are a riot of cherries-red cherry, cherry pip, glacé cherry-all the cherries! The palate follows up with pomegranate, blood orange, spice and a savoury, amaro twist of raspberry salted liquorice on the finish. The bubble are soft and more foamy rather than aggressively fizzy, and there’s a mouth-watering freshness from the snappy Nero acidity and the zippy, crisp Arneis.
Production Method
The Nero d’Avola was fermented with around 50% whole bunch for twenty four hours before being pressed off skins to achieve a hazy, rose petal colour. The whites were partially fermented separately before being blended into the reds before bottling, not only does this add extra acidity and freshness but it also washes out some tannin without reducing the intense fruit flavours. By making the Piggy as a rosé blend of white grapes and red grapes we think we’ve given it even greater drinkability and a mouth-watering freshness. The wine is bottled at around 12 g/L residual sugar and completes its fermentation in the bottle resulting in a final pressure of around 3 bar, producing a gentle, frothy foam rather than an aggressive fizz. Wild yeast, no adds, no filtration, no fining, zero sulphur = 100% natural goodness.
Producer
Wildman Wine leads the charge of fun fresh and fault free Australian Pet-Nat, driven by the maverick spirit of founder and winemaker, Tim Wildman MW.
The production has evolved dramatically since the first vintage in 2014. Fruit, predominantly Nero d'Avola and Zibbibo, are now sourced from the top-quality regions of Adelaide Hills and McLaren Vale thanks to a growing network of contacts, with guest appearances from other Italian varietals, Arneis and Fiano. The charmingly named Astro Bunny and Piggy Pop have won over drinkers and journalists across the globe with their vibrant, complex yet easy-going characters.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Nero d'Avola 56%, Arneis 31%, Others 13% |
Country | Australia |
Alcohol content
|
13.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Rose Wine/Sparkling |
Food Match | Enjoy chilled, straight from the bottle—no shaking necessary. Perfectly paired with friends, pizza, parks, and sunsets for a delightful experience. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | South Australia |
2023 Zagare Vermentino
Regular price £8.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A vibrant and expressive Vermentino from Sicily's west coast, where many of the vineyards face the sea to benefit from light reflected from the waves. It's named after the delicate white flower of the lemon tree.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Ripe stone fruit aromas with preserved lemon characters and floral notes.
Palate
The palate has apricot, citrus peel and grapefruit pith, an appealing texture and minerality, fresh acidity and a gently savoury finish.
Production
Vermentino thrives near the sea, such as on Sicily's west coast where these grapes are cultivated - also the source of some of the island's best Grillo. Fermentation is in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks followed by a short period on fine lees.
Producer
Established in 2003, Adria Vini is a winemaking venture jointly owned by Boutinot and Araldica Castelvero, the leading co-operative in the Monferrato hills of Piemonte. Our aim is to produce authentic, well-priced still and sparkling wines from local grape varieties. All aspects of production, from grape selection through to vinification, maturation, blending and bottling are meticulously overseen by Araldica's winemaking team of Claudio Manera and Lella Burdese - assisted by Boutinot's Tony Brown MW. We source from a range of private growers and cooperatives, with whom we have long term relationships, principally in Veneto, Friuli, Lombardy, Sicily, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sardinia.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"More expressive and attractive than I was expecting from a wee cheapie. Lovely citric and peach fruits - a wee touch of creaminess and a slight salinity on the finish. Dry, medium bodied and very attractive for the price!"
"What 3 wine words? Dry, fruity, attractive" September 2024
Specifications.
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Vermentino |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Pairings |
Pairs delightfully with fish and seafood, as well as simple pasta dishes. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Terre Siciliane IGP |
2024 Iona Monipole, Elgin Highlands Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £14.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An elegant, well-balanced Sauvignon Blanc - Iona's Wine Making Philosophy - 'The Winemaker is the Custodian of the fruit'
Tasting Notes
Beautiful purity of limes and ripe gooseberry, with tropical, floral and fine herbal notes, ruby grapefruit and white pear drop on the finish. This is cool climate Sauvignon Blanc – vibrant, mineral, elegant, balanced and delicate, with a long, layered and complex finish.
Producer
At 420m above sea-level, set high above the picturesque Elgin Valley Andrew Gunn founded Iona. It is here overlooking the Atlantic ocean that he has secured some of the coolest vineyards in the Cape. In a country where cool climate vineyards are like gold dust, these vineyards are veritable nuggets. There is an extremely long growing season, allowing Andrew to create wines with complex flavours and a fresh, elegant style. The approach is hands off and the land is farmed according to organic and biodynamic practices with a particular focus on ensuring the health of the soils whilst pests are kept under control by the resident flock of geese that roam the vineyards.
Production
"We aim for elegance, balance and to express the unique terroir of the Elgin Highlands. Grapes were hand-picked into crates early in the morning to ensure that the grapes stayed cool. Each of the 9 blocks are harvested and vinified separately. After gentle pressing, the must was settled, maintaining a temperature of 6-8°C. Fermentation occurred at 14-16°C, using different commercial yeast strains particularly suited to Sauvignon Blanc. The wine was kept on the gross lees for 5 months and stirred regularly to enhance the richness of the mid-palate. The Sémillon component was fermented naturally in 2nd and 3rd fill 500L French oak barrels to enhance the mid palate weight and to add complexity to the wine. A selection of different Sauvignon Blanc vineyard sites were naturally fermented in 500L French oak barrels. The barrel fermentation component made up 4% of the final blend.
Accolades & Awards
Tim Atkin South Africa Report 2024 91 Points
Iona's spectacularly sited parcels are some of the highest and most dramatic in Elgin, producing a quintessential cool climate Sauvignon Blanc. Perfumed, salty and stony, this has layers of lime and grapefruit, a touch of vanilla and a briney finish. 2024-27. 91 Points, TA, 2024.
Specifications
Year | 2024 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 96% Sauvignon Blanc, 4%Semillon |
Country | South Africa |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units per bottle |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matching | Fresh asparagus complements chicken and seafood dishes beautifully, yet it's also delightful on its own. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Origin | Elgin |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
2024 Percheron Chenin Blanc Viognier
Regular price £8.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Nose
Vibrant and aromatic with subtle perfumed aromas, white peach and hints of jasmine on the nose.
Palate
On the palate it has tight, white, fleshy, stonefruit and fresh citrus flavours balanced by bright and lively acidity. A crisp, incisive finish with a touch of minerality helps deliver a delicious, flavoursome and characterful wine.
Alan's Tasting Note
"This is a delightful, cheeky wee white that delivers a lot of flavour for not a lot of cost. I get the jasmine notes but the fruit is more pear than peach to me. It’s unoaked but has a beautiful richness and length to the fruit that hides /balances the high acidity. As easy drinking as the red - a brilliant pair together."
Production
This wine is made of 80% Chenin Blanc and 20% Viognier. Grapes are grown on 30+ year old trellised Chenin and 15 year old Viognier in the Coastal region, mainly from Swartland vineyards. The climate is perfect for viticulture with the low rainfall summer months, tempered by cool afternoons and the cold winters allowing the vines to rest and to build up the reserves. Part of the Chenin Blanc is wild yeast fermented and kept on the yeast lees for as long as possible in order to achieve a rounded palate with good fruit concentration.
Producer
Boutinot South Africa is driven by our passion for discovery and desire to capture the real essence of South Africa in every bottle. It was the simple love of Loire Chenin Blanc that first led us to South Africa in 1994, where we pioneered the wild ferment style that has now been adopted by many producers in this region.
Since then we have been exploring the country's amazing vineyards to make fabulous wines from specific sites and plots that scream location, location, terroir.. Our home-grown South African winemaking team of JD Rossouw and Ryno Booysen drive the energy and enthuasiam for expressing the loveliest wines from their country, along with Samantha Bailey's expertise in finesse. The key is knowing the characteristics of each plot, understanding the benefits each cultivar can bring, breaking rules and pushing boundaries. We use a combination of knowledge, a love of nature and science to create versatile, expressive and food-friendly wines from a country that has been making wine for 360 years.
Specifications
Year | 2024 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 75% Chenin Blanc 25% Viognier |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.37 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Vegetarian & Vegan |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
Grilled prawns with plenty of garlic and chilli, whole lemon sole fried in butter and also delicate freshwater fish dishes. |
Origin | Swartland |
Appellation |
WO Coastal Region
|
24Seven Vodka
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
Local wheat and water combine in our seven-day fermentation process to create maximum character and mouthfeel. Multiple distillations are followed by a 24-hour filtration process through the most porous of carbons, coconut shell carbon. This crafts a spirit of exceptional purity and taste. An all-out approach has been taken to create something really special. Extremely long fermentation and filtering times way beyond anything the industry would consider, creating purity with character and smoothness.
With soft cream soda, light toffee, and subtle biscuit notes, we recommend you simply serve straight from the freezer or over ice.
What's Crafty all about?
Here at the Crafty Distillery, we have a plan. Using new technology, our own grain spirit, and locally sourced ingredients we want to create tasty, wallet-pleasing spirits for everyone who likes a tipple. We're a small committed team and we believe if a job’s worth doing, it’s worth doing properly.
A Bottle Like No Other
At Crafty we believe that a bottle design can not only look good, but also work much harder to add extra functionality. The end result is a more enjoyable experience with less impact on the environment.
MADE TO MEASURE
Our crafty measure is cleverly built into the 100% natural wood and cork stopper. It’s designed to let you pour the perfect measure every time – just fill twice for a standard 25ml serve. But it’s been created with something else in mind. To be enjoyed long after the gin’s finished – either to serve up another spirit, or to inspire some creative cocktail making.
AN EVOLUTIONARY DESIGN
Our new bottle shape is a bold and elegant evolution, with the same evocative colours of our region. What’s more, our name and lightning bolt icon now take centre stage.The illustration tells the story of our region’s landscape and natural larder. This creates added texture, which makes the bottle easier to hold and pour. You could say it’s a nice touch.
A BOTTLE DESIGNED TO KEEP ON GIVING
Our new bottle is 30% lighter by design. This helps to reduce the energy used in production, shipping and recycling.And, the short neck and unique wide opening are more than just visually striking. The bigger opening means there are lots of ways the bottle can be up-cycled once the gin is finished. Cheers to that.
Specifications
Bottle Size | 70cl |
Country | Scotland, UK |
|
40% |
Units of Alcohol per single 25ml serving | 1 unit |
Type | Spirit - Vodka |
Achroous Gin
Regular price £35.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Electric Spirit Co is distiller-owned and run. Started in 2015 by James Porteous, and award-winning graduate from the Heriot Watt Brewing & Distilling MSc, every drop is distilled and packaged by James at our shared Tower Street Stillhouse.
Tasting Notes
Achroous is carefully designed to be different while maintaining the distinct character of gin. Juniper and coriander, as well as orris, liquorice and angelica roots, make up the gin's backbone, with fennel seed and Sichuan peppercorn rounding out the short bill. The result is a gin with a resinous juniper base, and earthy floral aroma and a rich, spiced sweetness on the palate.
Not only is it tasty, but the Electric Spirit Co. has also gone to great effort to make the packaging for Achroous Gin be infinitely recyclable or biodegradable!
Awards
- Gold - Contemporary Style Gin - 2019 International Wine & Spirit Competition
Specifications
Bottle Size | 70cl |
Country | Scotland, UK |
Alcohol content | 41% |
Units of Alcohol per single 25ml serving | 1.03 units |
Type | Spirit - Gin |
Alan's Christmas Case
Regular price £91.99 Sale price £80.00 Save 13%NV Cantina di Soliera Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro DOC is a vibrant, sparkling red with rich aromas of black cherry and plum. It’s dry yet fruity on the palate, with smooth tannins and a refreshing, slightly tangy finish. A perfect match for charcuterie or rich pasta dishes. RRP £9.49
The 2022 Pierre Bourée Fils Bourgogne Blanc is a crisp and elegant white, offering fresh flavors of green apple, citrus, and subtle mineral notes. Its clean acidity and smooth texture make it a refreshing, versatile wine, ideal for seafood or light appetizers. RRP £23.99
The 2023 The Cloud Factory Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and vibrant, with lively citrus and tropical fruit aromas. Crisp acidity supports flavors of lime, gooseberry, and a hint of grass, finishing clean and zesty. A refreshing, easy-drinking white. RRP £11.49
The 2021 Los Cardos Dona Paula Malbec is a rich, fruit-forward red with ripe blackberry and plum aromas. On the palate, it offers smooth tannins and flavors of dark fruit, chocolate, and a hint of spice, finishing soft and well-balanced. RRP £11.49
The 2022 Paolo Leo Passitivo Appassimento Primitivo is a full-bodied red with intense aromas of ripe blackberries, plums, and a touch of spice. Rich and smooth on the palate, it offers flavors of dark fruit, vanilla, and subtle earthy notes, finishing with a warm, lingering sweetness. RRP £12.49
N/V Boplaas Cape Tawny 'Port' is a rich, smooth fortified wine with aromas of dried fruit, caramel, and toasted nuts. On the palate, it delivers flavors of figs, raisins, and a hint of spice, finishing warm and velvety with a lingering sweetness. RRP £23.50
Save 14% Off this sensational case!
ALT Sparkling Organic Chardonnay 0% Alc
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%An elegant, non-alcoholic sparkling wine, perfect as an aperitif.
Tasting Notes
A crisp and refreshing non-alcoholic sparkling white wine made with 100% Chardonnay grapes from sandy and calcareous soils in southern Spain. Crisp acidity & strong effervescence with hints of green apples & citrus peel accompanied with a floral aroma.
Notes of Green Apple, Biscuit and Jasmine Flowers.
What makes us different? From the Producer...
Award Winning
Both of our wines reached the very top in this years International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC 2022). Our Rosé is the highest rated non-alcoholic wine ever with 98/100 points.
Organic
We're proud to say that ALT. Chardonnay & Rosé are both certified Organic, meaning that we've gone through rigirous quality control and supply chain checks to ensure that our grapes are sourced from 100% organic wine growers.
Dry
Our wines have an extremely low sugar level. We do not need to add a lot of sugar to bring out a good taste, since we focus on raw materials with high quality and an uncompromising production process.
Vegan
ALT. is filtered using cross-flow filtration where as it's commonplace in the wine industry to use egg white. After filtration the liquid then goes through patenteded aroma recovery so that the finished wine is complex & delicious.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
0% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 0 units |
Type | Alcohol-Free |
Calories |
14 calories per 100ml |
Sugar |
2.9g per 100ml |
Food Matches | Perfect as an aperitif. |
Origin | Spain |
ALT Sparkling Organic Rosé 0% Alc
Regular price £11.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Our Rosé is the highest rated non-alcoholic wine ever with 98/100 points.
Tasting Notes
Alt. Sparkling Organic Rosé is a fresh and aromatic non-alcoholic sparkling rosé wine made with 100% Tempranillo grapes from sandy and calcareous soils in the middle of Spain.
Crisp acidity & strong effervescence with hints of summer berries & watermelon accompanied by an aromatic aroma.
Dry, Fruity, Mellow. Notes of Summer berries, Citrus peel & Aromatic spice.
What makes us different? From the Producer...
Award-Winning
Both of our wines reached the very top in this year's International Wine & Spirits Competition (IWSC 2022). Our Rosé is the highest rated non-alcoholic wine ever with 98/100 points.
Organic
We're proud to say that ALT. Chardonnay & Rosé are both certified Organic, meaning that we've gone through rigirous quality control and supply chain checks to ensure that our grapes are sourced from 100% organic wine growers.
Dry
Our wines have an extremely low sugar level. We do not need to add a lot of sugar to bring out a good taste, since we focus on raw materials with high quality and an uncompromising production process.
Vegan
ALT. is filtered using cross-flow filtration where as it's commonplace in the wine industry to use egg white. After filtration, the liquid then goes through patented aroma recovery so that the finished wine is complex & delicious.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Tempranillo |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
0% alc vol
|
Units of alcohol per bottle | 0 units |
Type | Alcohol-Free |
Calories |
16 calories per 100ml |
Sugar |
4g per 100ml |
Food Matches |
This goes just as well for food as for parties. Perfect as an aperitif, and preferably with salmon, chicken, salads, hummus, quinoa, soft cheese and snacks. |
Origin | Spain |
Amontillado Del Castillo Almacenista Sobrinos De Antonio Caballero, Bodegas Lustau NV (500ml)
Regular price £37.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This exclusive solera of Amontillado consists of 38 casks. It is aged for an average period of 18 years, in the cellars of the Castle of San Marcos in the coastal town of El Puerto de Santa María.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Beautiful bright amber colour with coppery reflections.
Nose
This wine shows aromas of hazelnut praline and candied orange zest with nuances of furniture polish and smoked wood in the background.
Palate
Dry, pungent and flavoursome, with refreshing acidity. Enormously nutty with a delicious salty spiced touch and an extremely long aftertaste.
Producers
During the early years, Bodegas Lustau operated as an Almacenista'. The Lustau family began bottling their own sherries and exporting by 1950. In the 1980s they expanded their range and introduced the Almacenista range concept of buying and maturing casks from small bodegas to share excellent quality names and styles with enthusiasts around the world.
In 1990 the winery was bought by the family-owned Louis Caballero group. Bodegas Lustau is considered a world-class benchmark for top-quality wines. Lustau produces all styles of sherry, from Manzanilla through to Pedro Ximénez, as well as special bottlings, single cask, VOS and VORS sherries. The En Rama range, produced from select barrels from each of the three towns, is a highly anticipated release each spring.
Lustau has, over the years, won multiple medals and trophies, including Best Spanish Winery' and Best Sherry Producer' at the IWSC and the Len Evans Trophy for consistency (won in 2011 and 2016) at the IWC.
Current cellar master Sergio Martínez took charge of the winery's oenological team in 2016, after more than 14 years' worth of experience with Lustau. Sergio has been awarded the Best Fortified Winemaker' trophy by the International Wine Challenge three years in a row, following in the footsteps of the late Manuel Lozano who had won this award seven times.
In 2022, Lustau celebrated its 125th birthday with a special release of three sherries in its Anniversary Collection, including a Manzanilla Pasada Papirusa, Amontillado Solera del Castillo, and a Vintage Sherry Añada 1996.
Specifications
Year | Non Vintage |
Bottle Size | 500ml |
Cultivar | 100% Palomino |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content
|
21.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11 units |
Type | Fortified Wine - Dry Sherry |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Serve as an apéritif, with “tapas” and nuts, or to accompany dishes such as consommés, foie-gras, cold and smoked meats, a cheeseboard, and even rich flavoured fish or seafood dishes. It is a wine that pairs perfectly with spicy Asian cuisine. |
Origin | Jerez |
Appellation | Jerez |
Ansom Damson Gin
Regular price £30.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Ansom Damson Gin, it is what it states on the label - it is damn 'Ansom!
The seasonal damson gin from Pocketful of Stones is made using locally sourced and hand picked damsons from around Cornwall.
Tasting Notes
Star Anise, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove and orange are added to the infusion, giving spicy and warming flavours without being overly sweet.
Best served after a hearty winter’s dinner accompanied by a cheese board and a fire place.
Cocktail Suggestions
A Dam Shame. Damson and Champagne. Acidic, tart and slightly sweet.
Specifications
Bottle Size | 70cl |
Country | Cornwall, England |
Alcohol content | 25% ABV |
Units of Alcohol per single serving 25ml | 0.625 units per serving |
Type | Spirit - Gin |
Blair's Christmas Case
Regular price £91.99 Sale price £80.00 Save 13%This case opens with a Prosecco from Terviso a lively and fresh profile with bright citrus notes of green apple and lemon zest, balanced by subtle floral hints. The crisp, effervescent bubbles provide a clean and refreshing finish, with a touch of ripe pear and a hint of sweetness that enhances its smooth, dry character. Just the thing to celebrate with whilst opening gifts around the tree! RRP £17.99
Franz and Friends Grüner Veltliner is a refreshing white with vibrant acidity and a crisp, clean profile. It opens with aromas of green apple, citrus, and a touch of white pepper. On the palate, flavors of ripe stone fruit and subtle herbal notes emerge, complemented by a mineral edge and a zesty finish. A real food-friendly wine for the festivities! RRP £13.49
Ventisquero Reserva Sauvignon Blanc offers a vibrant and expressive profile with bright citrus aromas of grapefruit and lime, complemented by notes of green apple and tropical fruits. The palate is crisp and refreshing, with a zesty acidity and a clean, mineral finish. A wine that goes wonderfully with fresh cheese or cream-based dishes and white meats, but can also be enjoyed on its own as an aperitif. RRP £12.99
Brotte Esprit Rouge is a smooth and well-rounded red with rich aromas of dark berries, plum, and a touch of spice. On the palate, it offers ripe fruit flavors of blackberry and cherry, layered with subtle notes of herbs and a hint of oak. The tannins are soft, providing a velvety texture, and the finish is long and harmonious. A versatile and approachable wine, ideal for pairing with grilled meats or Mediterranean dishes. RRP £12.50
Paul Wallace Braveheart Pinot Noir is a beautifully crafted, elegant red with a bouquet of fresh red berries, including raspberry and cherry, complemented by delicate floral and earthy notes. On the palate, it reveals bright acidity and silky tannins, with flavors of ripe strawberry and hints of spice, wrapped in a subtle layer of oak. A refined and well-balanced Pinot Noir, ideal for pairing with grilled salmon, roasted chicken, or soft cheeses. RRP £25.00
2016 Il Cascinone Palazzina Moscato d’Asti Vendemmia Tardiva is a fragrant, sweet wine with aromas of ripe peach, apricot, and orange blossom. Its lush, honeyed fruit flavors are balanced by crisp acidity and a delicate, refreshing effervescence. A beautifully smooth, indulgent dessert wine. RRP £9.99
Save 14% Off this sensational case!
Bohigas Cava Brut Reserva NV
Regular price £15.49 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Elegant and structured Cava Reserva from this family-run estate.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of fresh apple and pear, with citrus fruit and white flowers. Also lightly spicy notes of cinnamon and biscuit due to ageing.
Palate
The palate is structured with bright acidity, ripe stone fruit and a creamy mousse - well-balanced to give a rounded, long and gently textural finish.
Production Method
Grapes are sourced from 35ha of vines cultivated on the Can Macià estate, situated in the Anoia river basin, near Odena. They grow in clay-limestone soils and this, together with the Mediterranean-Continental climate and low rainfall, produces low yields with high acidity.
Slow but complete ripening makes this area suitable for the production of high-quality Cava base wines. The grapes are harvested by night, in cool temperatures. Bohigas Cava Brut Reserva is produced by the traditional method, with a second fermentation in bottle, the wine is kept on lees for at least 18 months before release (dosage is 6g/l).
The Estate
At 450m in altitude, the estate is the second-highest winery in the region and at the very limit of Cava production. Some of their vines are over 50 years old.
Mas Macià’s vineyards are now certified organic and the Bohigas family is planning to produce organic still wines initially before focusing upon organic Cava production.
Awards
- Bronze at the IWSC 2023
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 55% Xarel-lo, 30% Macabeo, 15% Parellada |
Country | Spain |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Sparkling Wine / Fizz |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergy Information | Awaiting Info |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Food Matches | This structured and well-rounded fizz is a versatile food match, but works particularly well with grilled white fish, chicken dishes and paella. |
Origin | Catalunya |
Appellation | DO Cava |
Caspyn Cornish Dry Gin
Regular price £35.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Born in West Penwith, the folks at the Pocketful of Stones Distillery have taken inspiration from the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. Of all her moods it’s those clear, fresh spring mornings that please the most.
Crisp and refreshing served with tonic, charming in a Martini and captivating in a Negroni.
Tasting Notes
A classic dry gin, with loads of floral (hibiscus flowers) and citrus notes (lemon and orange peel, lemon grass, lemon verbena), a freshness (Japanese tea), length and long sherbety finish (gorse and orris).
"We like to compare it to those early Cornish spring mornings. When it’s still a wee bit cold, the sea is that crystal clear blue but you know it’s still too cold to jump in to. You’re probably wrapped up, but you feel warm and it’s crisp, invigorating. You know those mornings."
Serving Suggestion
The Cornish Dry is perfect served with premium tonic, garnished with a twist of orange. Keep the garnish simple so that the flavours and aromas of the gin stand out. Delisious in a classic negroni or a dry martini but two of our favourite cocktails at the minute are a Dirty Gibson and a Marmalade Cocktail.
Dirty Gibson
- 2.75 oz Caspyn Cornish Dry Gin
- 3/4 oz Dry Vermouth
- 1 tsp cocktail onion brine
Stir well in a shaker with ice, then strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish & serve!
Marmalade Cocktail
- 2 oz Caspyn Cornish Dry Gin
- 1 1/2 oz fresh squeezed lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons Orange Marmalade
Make the 1 1/12 oz of fresh squeezed lemon juice, using about 1 small lemon or half of a larger one.
Fill a martini shaker half way full with ice. Add a few ice cubes to an 8 oz glass.
Combine all the ingredients into the martini shaker and shake for 30 seconds. Strain the contents of the shaker over the 8 oz glass.
International Awards
- IWSC Silver 2018 - Gin & Tonic
- The Gin Guide Awards - Category Winner 2018
- The Spirits Business - Silver 2018
Specifications
Bottle Size | 70cl |
Country | Cornwall |
Alcohol content | 40% ABV |
Units of Alcohol per single serving 25ml | 1 unit per serving |
Type | Spirit - Gin |
Caspyn Midsummer Dry Gin
Regular price £35.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Evocative of those long, lazy summer days spent with family and friends. Thirst-quenching and invigorating.
Tasting Notes
A refreshing take on the Cornish Dry. Designed to amplify those hot, long summer days spent in the sun with family and friends.
The folks at a Pocketful of Stone Distillery in Cornwall have taken their Caspyn Cornish Dry and infused it with fresh English cucumbers. The Midsummer Gin has a slight green hint to it from the natural ingredients being used (no sign of essences being used here!), yet still has all the hall-marks of the Cornish Dry Gin but with added extra earthy notes.
It is a mellow, refreshing drink. Perfectly served with good tonic water and slice of cucumber and / or mint for an extra fresh zing.
Perfect Serve
You can enjoy this gin with ice, tonic and strawberry as a garnish or simply a zest of lemon or mint & cucumber. And because it’s so smooth, it tastes fantastic just on ice!
Specifications
Bottle Size | 70cl |
Country | Cornwall, England |
Alcohol content | 40% ABV |
Units of Alcohol per single serving 25ml | 1 unit per serving |
Type | Spirit - Gin |
Castel del Lupo Pinot Noir Brut N/V
Regular price £14.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This appealing north Italian organic sparkler, produced from 100% Pinot Noir, has layers of honeyed fruit and toasty character.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of lemon and brioche with lightly toasty notes.
Palate
The palate is fresh and dry, with citrus and apple characters balanced by crisp acidity. The wine has a fine and persistent mousse with honeyed fruit on the long finish.
Production
Produced from a selection of estate-grown grapes in Casteggio and Calvignano - where the Pinot Noir vines are planted on south-westerly facing hillside sites (around 300m altitude), in chalky clay soils. The wine is then produced according to the Charmat method, with second fermentation in tank.
Producer
Castel del Lupo, in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, dates back centuries - and includes the eighteenth-century Palazzo Pegazzera. In 1974 three entrepreneurs took over this historic estate and began a regeneration process. Giovanni Doglio, whose father and grandfather were both Piemontese winemakers, has over 40 years of experience managing wineries. Recently joined by his daughter Federica, he has worked tirelessly to develop the estate. They have purchased more vineyards (to cover 100ha at around 300m altitude), planted new vines and built a new cellar. The vineyards are now certified organic. The winery's main focus is high-quality bottle-fermented sparkling wine, and much of the vineyard is planted with Pinot Noir for this purpose. However, these vines are also the source of fine still red wines.
A Note on Sustainability
Led by Giovanni Doglio since 1974, the team at Castel del Lupo is very keen to honour the long heritage of its estate which existed even before its inclusion on a map of the region in 1301. All of Castel del Lupos grapes are estate grown and the 100-hectare property is now fully certified organic to maintain the integrity of the environment, the ecosystem and soil fertility without resorting to artificial substances at any stage of the production processes.
Specifications
Year | NV |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Nero |
Country | Italy |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information |
Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable, Organic
|
Food Matches | A great match with rich pasta dishes and middle aged cheeses. |
Origin | Lombardy, Italy |
Appellation | DOP Pinot Nero Dell'ltrepò Pavese |
Cave de Turckheim Cremant d'Alsace N/V
Regular price £16.95 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Organic traditional method fizz from the largest holder of organic vineyards in Alsace.
Tasting Notes
This traditional method sparkling wine offers fine bubbles and fruity flavours. Applely, floral Pinot Blanc and spicy honeyed Auxerrois are traditionally vinified together, and the Pinot Gris brings body and weight. Fresh, intense and well-balanced, crisp and supple.
Production
Crémant d’Alsace is produced using the same traditional method as Champagne. There is a strict selection of organically-grown grapes, the use of dedicated cellar equipment, a second fermentation in bottle, no filtration other than degorgement, and the wine spends 24 months aging on its lees before release.
Producer
Widely regarded as one of the best co-operatives in the world, Cave de Turckheim lies at the mouth of the Munster Valley. Working closely with 180 partners, its vineyards span the full breadth of Alsatian terroir and grape varieties. Cave de Turckheim only produces wine from the grapes of its member growers, it is a récoltant not a négociant.
Substantial investment in the winery has enabled the team to vinify many parcels of grapes separately, offering Michel Lihrmann (senior winemaker for 25 years) the chance to highlight each wine's nuances in his signature dry, yet fruit-forward, style.
Committed to producing the highest quality wines, growers are encouraged to keep yields low - for example, Cave de Turckheim voluntarily caps yields for its Grands Crus vineyards at 45hl/ha rather than the permitted 55hl/ha - and to pick the grapes by hand. This is part of a long-term and innovative strategy of sustainability that includes developing the largest holdings of organic vineyards in Alsace, using natural alternatives to chemical treatments, and a green overview of all vineyard practices. Alongside some great organic wines, the extensive range runs from the excellent value Tradition wines right through to individual Grand Cru bottlings, plus fantastic Crémants d’Alsace and Vendange Tardive dessert wines.
Sustainability
An awareness of social and environmental concerns has always been high on the agenda for the Cave de Turckheim’s growers. They were among the first in France to practice integrated agriculture, an approach that combines the best of modern tools and technologies with traditional practices, lowering the consumption of energy and other resources, reducing environmental pollution, conserving biodiversity and promoting sustainability. In 2014, all the members of the co-operative obtained Agri Confiance Volet Vert (Green Section) certification and in 2015, they all obtained High Environmental Value Level 2 certification then went on to achieve the highest HVE Level 3 certification in 2019.
In 2008, a number of growers decided to commit to the rigorous standards of organic viticulture. As part of Alliance Alsace, approximately 70 hectares of vines are now cultivated organically, having obtained organic certification in 2011, with a further 30 hectares in transition. These vignerons have revived ancestral practices, tilling the soil and undertaking work that facilitates the elimination of weeds and the combat against the two major diseases: powdery mildew which is tackled with sulphur and mildew which is treated with copper sulphate. Natural fertilisers are also used (nettle, horsetail, comfrey and dandelion), fortifying the vines and increasing their natural resistance. Organic winegrowers meticulously observe their vines, enabling them to intervene in the right place and at the right time, rather than treating the plants systematically.
Turckheim’s commitment to the environment extends to the winery where it strives to conserve natural resources. Sorting waste for recycling, reducing its carbon footprint, using solar panels, and preventing pollution are just some examples of how environmental considerations are present in every aspect of its daily work. Committed to both the environment and its customers, Cave de Turckheim also plays an important role in the local economy.
To celebrate its 65th anniversary, Cave de Turckheim planted 65 trees in February 2022 to contribute to the reconstruction and maintenance of their vines and terroirs, as well as to the preservation and enhancement of wider landscapes. Local and ancient varieties were specially selected to contribute to the safeguarding of their genetic heritage.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Grape | Pinot Blanc, Auxerrois, Pinot Gris |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Fizz |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches |
An elegant apéritif, but a lovely option for a wide range of seafood, poultry or cheese dishes whatever the occasion. |
Origin | France |
Appellation | AOP Crémant d'Alsace |
Champagne CH de L’Auche Brut Sélection N/V
Regular price £25.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A great, well rounded, fruit-forward Champagne!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromatic notes of juicy pear and apricot on the nose are underpinned by more mature aromas of hazelnut and fresh bread.
Palate
The texture is creamy and full-bodied with well-balanced acidity and plenty of bubbles!
Production
Grapes for this cuvée are grown in the lieu-dit of "Auche" around the village of Janvry which lies just to the west of Reims. Firstly they are pressed in small stainless steel vats, before being transferred to ceramic vats for 12 hours to allow for natural clarification of the juice. Next, the clarified juice is moved to large steel containers where it remains from September to March, during which time fermentation takes place before finally being bottled for the secondary fermentation and lees ageing. Dosage is between 9g and 10g per litre to give a richness of profile and this Brut Sélection is comprised of 60% wine from 2017 with 40% reserve wines from 2014-2016.
Producer
The Cave Co-opérative de Germigny was created in the early '60s by a handful of winegrowers who wanted to pool their resources and craft their own Champagne. They aimed to celebrate the local terroir - the western slopes of the Montagne de Reims. Today the Co-operative works 115 hectares of vineyards covering 40 different crus, of which 5 are classified as Premier Cru. The Co-op members remain passionate about their shared values of respect for nature, protecting their heritage and working together.
Awards
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 - Silver
- Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 - Bronze
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Pinot Meunier 85%, Pinot Noir 15% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Champagne |
Dosage | 9g/l |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | A highly versatile style of champagne which could accompany canapés, mushroom-based starters, cheese and all manner of poultry dishes. Although, simply sipping it as an aperitif works very well too. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Champagne Gremillet Sélection Brut NV
Regular price £29.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%A stunning Champagne that delivers on all fronts!
Tasting Notes
Fresh floral aromas combine with characteristic sweet brioche overtones, balanced by peach skin and baked biscuit flavours with a crisp citrus finish.
Production
The vineyards, situated in the southern reaches of Troyes achieve greater ripeness which leads to a richer fruit and classic baked biscuit flavours mixed with characteristic toasty yeast overtones. Only the first, lightest pressings are used, as is usual for fine Champagne. Classic slow second fermentation in bottle followed by maturing on the lees for at least 18 months before being disgorged and released for sale.
Producer
The Gremillet estate was founded by Jean-Michel Gremillet in 1979 when he inherited a plot of vines from his mother, Lulu. Today, the house possesses over 40 hectares of vineyards and is situated in a small village 45 kilometres from Troyes - the historic capital of Champagne - and 180 kilometres south of Reims. The vines lie on steep, sun-drenched hillsides in Kimmeridgian clay-limestone soils. Pinot Noir is king here, and constitutes around 94% of Gremillet’s plantings, with the remainder dedicated to Chardonnay, ideal for creating a classic, baked biscuit, rich, fruit-flavoured Champagne.
A Note on Sustainability
This family-owned and run Champagne house is HVE 3 certified, and as much as possible it restricts its use of chemicals in the vineyards. One of its cuvées is certified organic by ECOCERT and hopefully, this is the start of a bigger process.
Awards
- Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2021
- Silver at the IWSC 2021
- Silver at the Champagne and Sparkling Wine World Championships 2020
- Gold at the Sommelier Wine Awards 2020
- Silver at the Decanter World Wine Awards 2019
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Matured on the Lees | 18 Months |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites & Milk |
Food Matches | Drinks very nicely well chilled on its own of course (but not on your own - this is the sociable drink par excellence after all!), but also recommended with light nibbles, salads and simple fish dishes. |
Features | Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Champagne Mandois Brut Origine
Regular price £34.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Hugh Johnson has written that Mandois is a "house to watch" and the Wine Spectator has previously awarded this fizz a terrific 91 points, outperforming some rather more famous rivals...
Tasting Notes
Colour
A pale golden yellow color with a rich perlage
Nose
The nose releases a bouquet rich in fragrance and intensity with ginger brioche, white flowers and fresh plums.
Palate
The flavor is straight and elegant but pleasantly opulent: candied cedar, salted caramel and honeysuckle.
Production
Champagne Brut Origine from Mandois represents the purest and most typical expression of the elegance of this great Maison. Produced from a traditional assembly of the 3 prince vines of Champagne (40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier) from all the crus of the property in the Epernay area, it is further enriched in elegance and intensity by wines of 3 consecutive vintage.
History
The Mandois family have been growers in Pierry, a suburb of Epernay since 1735. Their estate grown fruit still supplies them with 70% of their needs for the 20,000 cases per year that they produce. Claude Mandois believes firmly in the use of barrels for making top-notch Champagne, and his whole range of wines are produced in oak. The Origine is a brand new cuvee from the family that is tank fermented and then aged in old barrels for 6 months before being aged an additional three years on the lees.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 40% Chardonnay, 30% Pinot Nero, 30% Pinot Meunier |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | Can be cellared for 15-25 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage | 7g/L |
Food Matches | Wonderful as an aperitif but also with bowls of fruit and sabayon. |
Serving Suggestion | To be served between 6 and 8°C. |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut
Regular price £35.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%The Iconic Blue Label | Fresh & Dynamic
Tasting Notes
Réserve Exclusive Brut is an iconic Champagne that perfectly encapsulates Nicolas Feuillatte house style. Representing the entire Champagne appellation, every inch of the region comes together to reveal a glorious showcase: light, fresh and vibrant Champagne, effusing intense, expressive fruit, while extensive cellar-ageing brings appealing maturity to perfect style and consistency.
Aromas of juicy pear and crunchy apricot merge and weave in a beguiling fusion around a mass of delicate bubbles, gradually unleashing their true character over time.
Simple in its complexity, refreshing and impulsive, it is fabulously versatile with wildly contrasting flavours, and the ideal partner to pre-dinner nibbles, where Réserve Exclusive Brut encapsulates true Champagne spirit to perfection.
Blend
Aged for 3-4 years in our cellars.
The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each Champagne in order to enhance its flavours and aromas. The choice of reserve wine is crucial and takes into consideration a whole range of factors, including the proportion of cru wines, year of harvest, grape varieties, and vinification and ageing methods, in order to guarantee the intrinsic style of each Champagne.
Medals & Accolades
- Gold Medal - Sakura Japan Women Wine Awards 2021
- Silver Medal- Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2022 & Champagne Masters 2022
- Silver Medal 92/100 - International Wine & Spirit Competition 2022
- 92/100 - Wine Spectator December 2022
- 91/100 - James Suckling Tasting June 2022
Specifications
Vintage | N/V |
Bottle Size | 75cl, 37.5cl & 20cl |
Cultivar | 20% Chardonnay, 40% Pinot Noir and 40% Meunier |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Simple pleasures - Smoked salmon toasts, Ripe 18-month Beaufort cheese Relaxing Interlude - Marinated chicken and spring vegetable wrap, Rhubarb tarte tatin Fine Dining - Sauteed king prawn and coriander, Fish and coconut milk parcel, Sea bass sashimi Best served at 7-8C |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Rosé N/V
Regular price £44.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Nuanced and Graceful
Tasting Notes
Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a delicately nuanced Champagne literally bursting with red summer fruit flavours. A delicious cavalcade of redcurrant, blueberry and raspberry notes, combined with a hint of Gariguette strawberries.
From within its refined and vibrant structure, its clean flavours are extremely delicate and nuanced.
The Réserve Exclusive Rosé is a refreshing and exuberant Champagne offering fresh, light fragrances, and just perfect for summer drinking.
Elaboration
Aged for 2 - 3 years in the cellars.
The freshness and structure of this Champagne blend combine to perfection with the expressive fruit of the red wine making up 16% of the blend.
The Chief Winemaker adapts dosage levels to each Champagne in order to enhance its flavours and aromas. The choice of reserve wine is crucial and takes into consideration a whole range of factors, including the proportion of cru wines, year of harvest, grape varieties, and vinification and ageing methods, in order to guarantee the intrinsic style of each Champagne.
Blend
A harmonious blend of 10% Chardonnay imparting elegance and finesse, 45% Pinot Noir for roundness and structure and 45% Meunier for fruitiness and soft, supple character.
Medals & Accolades
-
Gold Medal - Mundus Vini Spring Tasting 2022
- Silver Medal - Rosé Masters 2022, Champagne Masters 2022, Decanter World Wine Awards 2022
- 92/100- Wine Spectator November 2022, James Suckling Tasting June 2022
- 15.5/20 - Gault & Millau - Guide des Champagnes 2023
Specifications
Vintage | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
10% Chardonnay, 45% Pinot Noir, and 45% Meunier |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Simple pleasures - Tuna carpaccio, Bellota and goats’ cheese bites, Red berry fruit salad, Strawberry shortcrust tart Relaxing Interlude - Spicy chicken samosas, Salmon sashimi, Red fruit pavlova Fine Dining - Roast duckling with turnips and cranberries, One-side pan-seared salmon “à l’unilaterale” and green asparagus, Spicy prawns in coconut milk AS AN APERITIF: best served at 7 - 8°C. WITH FOOD: best served at 10 - 12°C. |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Crafty Spirit Range Miniature Gift Set
Regular price £18.50 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Tasting Notes
The set includes:
24Seven Vodka 5cl… 24hour Coco Carbon Filtration & seven day fermented Scottish wheat. With soft cream soda, light toffee, and subtle biscuit notes, we recommend you simply serve straight from the freezer or over ice.
Hills & Harbour Gin 5cl … The Best Scottish London Dry Gin at the 2020 World Gin Awards. A smooth and vibrant gin that leads with juniper, delivers hints of the forest, tropical fruit, citrus spice, tangy sherbet and a subtle scent of the shore.
Hills & Harbour Gin Burnt Orange & Smoked Pineapple ... The world’s first Distilled Gin Cocktail. 100% Distilled Fruit - Smoked Pineapple & Burnt Orange. 0% Artificial Nonsense.
Specifications
Bottle Size | 3 x 50cl |
Country | Scotland |
|
40% ABV |
Units of Alcohol per single serving 25ml | 1 unit per serving |
Type | Spirit - Gin & Vodka |
De Toren Délicate NV
Regular price £19.99 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Redolent of roses and ripe-for-the-picking strawberries, the refreshing De Toren Délicate is an elegant red blend that combines red’s seductiveness with the undeniable drinkability of white.
Medium-bodied and immeasurably gentle, it offers up an abundance of juicy fruit and velvety, smooth tannins that lead to a sophisticated finish. Delicious on its own as an apéritif, it’s also the perfect consort to the lingering pleasures of Spanish tapas or a platter of the finest French charcuterie.
Tasting Notes
A seductive, elegant red blend from this Stellenbosch based red wine specialist.
Notes of juicy red fruit dominate on this wine, with some freeze-dried strawberries and raspberries and a touch of rose. Medium-bodied, velvety tannins and deliciously drinkable.
Behind the Wine
An innovative reimagining of red wine, the French-inspired De Toren Délicate is a fresh and light cépage that reveals its best assets when served slightly chilled. While it displays intense red undertones, this limited-production wine is soft and delicate on the palate, making it the perfect culinary consort, not to mention the reason a number of the world’s top dining establishments choose it specifically for their dedicated tasting menus.
Maturation
The Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are carefully matured in third fill French oak barrels for twelve months. The Malbec is fermented and aged in stainless steel tanks to retain the primary fruit aromas and freshness of the wine.
Accolades
- 87pts | Platter's
Specifications
Year | Non vintage |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Malbec 49%, Merlot 20%, Cabernet Franc 16%, Cabernet Sauvignon 15% |
Country | South Africa |
Alcohol content
|
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Cellaring Potential | De Toren Délicate should be enjoyed immediately, due to the low tannins. We want wine lovers to enjoy the wine as was intended from the beginning. |
Food Matches |
Perfect on its own as an aperitif or with a lunchtime salad, a tantalizing Spanish tapas or cheese platter, including a beautiful array of preserves, homemade jams, matured cheese and cured meats. This wine has very versatile food pairing possibilities. To release all the wonderful flavours of this wine, it is recommended to decant this wine at least one hour before the time and to serve this wine slightly chilled (11 - 13 degrees Celsius). |
Origin | Stellenbosch |
Appellation | WO Western Cape |
Diane's Christmas Cracker
Regular price £143.95 Sale price £120.00 Save 17%This case opens with a Pieter Ferriera Blanc de Blanc The experience on the palate is a display of classic yeasty tones beneath an ocean of fine bubbles, these being layered with flavours of lime pith, citrus peel and green almond, the wine finishing on a comforting brioche note. The experience is memorable, a Cap Classique focus and precision with a firm, well-integrated mousse and persistent bead – the universal lifeblood of a great bottle-fermented sparkling wine. Just the thing to celebrate with whilst opening gifts around the tree! RRP £38.00
Lurton Chateau Bonnet Bordeaux Rose is an impressively fresh delicate Rose with aromas and tasting notes of small red berries/strawberries. An amazing mouthfeel with a surprising finish. Will be delicious with your cold buffet during your festivities! RRP £13.99
Oldenburg Chardonnay offers a vibrant and expressive profile with notes of white peach, apricot and lime shining through. That beautiful creamy rich density, finishing with a lovely refreshing acidity which balances out the richness. Lingering aromas of honeycomb, almonds and lemon zest delightfully tickle the palate. Wonderful with seared trout & oven roasted baby potatoes with rosemary. A delicious addition to your Christmas table. RRP £30.99
Lurton Chateau Bonnet Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Thanks to expressive fruit , but without excessive concentration this red wine is unquestionably charming. With its fresh red cherry notes underpinned by subtle hints of spice. A great pairing for grilled meats and cheese platters. RRP £16.99
2017 Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir is a beautifully crafted, elegant and complex red with intense ripe dark fruit aromas underlined with bright florals and harmonious spicy oak notes. On the palate red and dark fruits are balanced with soft, silky tannins giving a long lingering mouth filling finish. A refined and well-balanced Pinot Noir, ideal for pairing with grilled salmon, but equally compliments rich red meats. RRP £26.99
2020 Classique Sauternes Ginestet (500ml) A classic botrytis on the nose, rich in honey and sweet floral tones with hints of citrus marmalade. The palate is rich and smooth with similar sweet floral and honeyed apricot flavours both with a faintly citrus note which makes it very moreish. A beautifully smooth, indulgent dessert wine perfect for your Christmas pud! RRP £16.99
Save 17% Off this sensational premium case!
Doña Paula Altitude Series Gift Pack
Regular price £50.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%Altitude Series contains some of the most recognizable labels from the Doña Paula winery. Its three members are blends that seek to reflect the expression of the different farms, and in particular the different dreams and altitudes at which the vines are planted. But at the same time, the common thread that sustains the line - and the winery - is clear: freshness.
Tasting Notes
The line begins with 2021 Doña Paula Altitude Series 969 : its yellow line logo represents the clay soil of Finca El Alto, located 969 meters above sea level in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza). It is a cut of Petit Verdot (55%), Bonarda (40%) and Malbec (5%) with an intense violet colour. On the nose, Petit Verdot brings aromas of blueberries and jasmine while Bonarda adds intense aromas of blackberries and raspberries. It stands out for its firm tannins and good volume in the mouth, Malbec offers an attractive structure and a long finish.
The 2019 Doña Paula Altitude Series 1350, with a greyish-white logo, comes from the stony and calcareous soils of Finca Alluvia, Gualtallary, Valle de Uco (Mednoza). It is a blend of Cabernet Franc (50%), Malbec (45%) and Casavecchia (5%) with an intense violet color. Cabernet Franc provides spicy and floral notes, while Malbec provides berries notes. It presents a good length and it is very persistent due to its tannins. It is an elegant blend with a great structure.
Finally, 2019 Doña Paula Altitude Series 1100, the one with the red logo, comes from pink caliche soils from Finca Los Indios located in El Cepillo, San Carlos. Uco Valley (Mendoza). It combines Malbec (60%), Syrah (30%) and Cabernet Sauvignon (10%) blended to create this complex and balanced wine of a deep violet color. In the nose, it has floral aromas – such as violet and rosehip – typical of the Malbec variety. The Syrah contributes spicy notes, good volume in the mouth and silky tannins, whereas the Cabernet Sauvignon complements the blend with a great structure.
Specifications
Altitude Series 969 | Altitude Series 1350 | Altitude Series 1100 | |
Year | 2021 | 2019 | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml | 750ml | 750ml |
Cultivar | 55% Petit Verdot, 40% Bonarda, 5% Malbec. |
50% Cabernet Franc - 45% Malbec - 5% Casavecchia |
60% Malbec, 30% Syrah & 10% Cabernet Sauvignon |
Country | Argentina | Argentina | Argentina |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol | 14.4% alc vol | 15% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units | 10.8 units | 11.2 units |
Type | Red Wine | Red Wine | Red Wine |
Suggested Serving Temp | Between 15°C and 18°C. | Between 15°C and 18°C. | Between 15°C and 18°C. |
Food Matches | Perfect to enjoy special dishes, such as a rack of lamb with sautéed mushrooms. | Delicious to enjoy with a rib-eye steak with quinoa risotto. | Beef tenderloin, blue cheese and spinach wrapped in pastry, and served with sweet potato purée and roasted pepper coulis. |
Dietary Information | Gluten-free, Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly | Gluten-free, Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly | Gluten-free, Vegan & Vegetarian Friendly |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites | Contains sulphites | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | El Alto, Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoz | Alluvia, Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley | Los Indios, El Cepillo, San Carlos, Uco Valley |
Dr Squid Gin
Regular price £49.00 Save Liquid error (snippets/product-template line 117): Computation results in '-Infinity'%This unique addition is served from a copper flask engraved with the scenery, wildlife, folklore and history that surrounds the distillery.
This fabulous gin - made with real squid ink - turns bright pink when you mix it with tonic!
Tasting Notes
Dr Squid Gin has been lovingly made by Pocketful of Stones Distillery down at Long Rock, Penzance. Let's start with saying the obvious; It is so good looking that it can be categorised as sexy!
Squid Ink is such a powerful ingredient that only a minimal amount is needed both for the distilling and colour or infusion of the gin. Vanilla was added to the base of the recipe to give a well-rounded mouthfeel and perceived sweetness, coupled with sea buckthorn for a tart, fresh fruit finish.
The gin is a savoury Mediterranean style gin, from coriander, sea buckthorn and squid ink, a smooth full mouth feel from vanilla and a slight spice, pepper. Dr Squid Gin opens up when tonic is added releasing floral and citrus notes of meadow sweet and lemon.
Dr Squid pours black and when mixed with tonic turns a vivid pink. It also makes for a great Gin Mule when poured over crushed ice and ginger beer.
A little tip here - pour it with the hole at the top - if you pour it with the hole at the bottom it can glub and spill (gasp!) - keep it at the top and its a perfect pour!
Specifications
Bottle Size | 70cl |
Country | Cornwall, England |
Alcohol content
|
40% |
Units of Alcohol per single serving 25ml | 1 unit per serving |
Type | Spirit - Gin |