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2021 Domaine de Maltaverne Pouilly-Fumé ‘L’Ammonite’
Regular price £20.99 Sale price £18.89 Save 10%A very ripe and unusually rich example of Loire Sauvignon Blanc.
Tasting Notes
Nose
A honeyed and gently aromatic nose with a savoury, toasted fennel seed note.
Palate
The palate is a rich and ripe reflection of this warm vintage, balanced by smoky, grassy flavours typical of Sauvignon Blanc.
Production
The vineyards are planted on Kimmeridgian soil (fossilised clay-chalk, superb for low yields and mineral content) and face south-southwest, giving increased exposure to the sun. They are fertilised organically. Harvesting is done partly by hand and partly by machine, depending on the vintage. Vinification is old fashioned and hands-off. Fermentation is done by indigenous yeasts and is followed by naturally occurring malolactic fermentation. This helps to soften the wines by converting the harsher acids to more palatable ones. Most unusually for a producer of Loire Sauvignon Blanc, winemaker Gilles Maudry believes in allowing full malolactic fermentation to run its natural course. The wine remains on its fine lees for 15 months after harvest, intensifying and enriching the flavours to balance the incredible freshness.
Producer
Domaine de Maltaverne is one of the few producers in the Loire that allows full malolactic fermentation to run its natural course. The owner, Gilles Maudry, is a former biologist who returned to his family’s Tracy-sur-Loire estate in 1984 when his father retired. Now working with his son Matthieu, who finished his viticultural and oenological studies in 2015, Gilles is a firm believer in minimal intervention: as long as his vineyards produce healthy grapes, picked at optimum maturity and vinified with care, then the wine can be left to determine its own evolution. The beautiful label features an illustration of the fossilised ammonite shells found in the vineyard, sketched by an artistic wine lover following a tasting to represent what he visualised upon tasting this wonderful wine.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content |
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites & no other allergens |
Serving Suggestion | Serve between 10°C and 12°C |
Food Matches | Goes with just about anything! Traditionally salmon, mussels or crab/lobster and chicken or veal, but also mushroom dishes, particularly an omelette. |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian approved |
Appellation | Pouilly-Fumé |
Origin | Loire |
2014 Joseph Perrier Cuvée Josephine
Regular price £135.52 Sale price £121.97 Save 10%Cuvée Joséphine celebrates the touching story of Joseph Perrier, a father who, on the occasion of the wedding of his daughter Josephine, offered her the very best champagne he could make.
For that occasion, he designed the most beautiful hand-painted bottle which was decorated with fine gold. Today’s cuvée, named for Joséphine and celebrating our history, has only been made in the years 1982, 1985, 1989, 1990, 1995, 1998, 2002, 2004, and 2008.
Tasting Notes
Nose
The nose opens with fresh and sweet notes intertwined. A succession of captivating aromas suggests great complexity: butter, sweet spices, dried fruits, and candied fruits. The mineral freshness predominates.
Palate
On the palate one finds an intense and finely fruity vinous expression. The balance is perfect. The flavours of spices, dried fruit and candied citrus dominate within a taut mineral frame.
History
Founded in 1825, Joseph Perrier has been owned and run by the same family since 1888. Current director Benjamin Fourmon represents the 6th generation. Champagne Joseph Perrier owns 21 hectares of vineyards, situated in the heart of the region on the right bank of the River Marne, around Hautvillers and Cumières – two villages classed 93% in the ‘échelle des crus’.
They are mostly planted with Pinot Noir but include 2 hectares of Chardonnay. The cellars stretch over three kilometers and date back to the Gallo-Roman period. The chosen name for these cuvées is no accident, nor any false claim to grandeur - ‘Cuvée Royale’ alludes to the historic relationship between Joseph Perrier and Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, as the royals’ Champagne of choice - probably the highest honour any Champagne House can hope to earn.
All the wines are made with a keen focus on freshness and purity, a theme which runs right through the range and really shows its worth in the vintage cuvées which show impressive energy and poise and remarkable ageing potential. Aside from the royal connection, Joseph Perrier has been associated with some pivotal events, which represent great human achievements, from the celebrations around Concorde’s inauguration in 1976 to, more recently, the Noble Prize in Medicine.
Accolades
- Bettane & Desseauve 2020 - 18,5/20
- RVF 2020 - 17,5/20
- Vinum - 19/20
- Decanter - 96 pts
- James Suckling - 92 pts
- Wine Advocate - 90 pts
Specifications
Year | 2014 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 52% Chardonnay and 48% Pinot Noir. |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage | 4.5g/l |
Food Matches | The fresh style of Cuvée Josephine works perfectly with a dish such as a carpaccio of Saint-Jacques. It will complement the tender flesh of a sea-bass and intensify its flavours. Its vinosity can balance the richness of smoked game. The ripe fruit can also partner a dessert of candied apricots and nuts, picking up on the rich pastry notes. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Champagne Mandois Brut Origine
Regular price £34.99 Sale price £31.49 Save 10%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 |
2021 Chateau Maucoil Chateauneuf-du-Pape Blanc
Regular price £28.95 Sale price £26.06 Save 10%A very proper, full-bodied, organic white from the southern Rhône.
Tasting Notes
Intense and vinous on the nose, leading into a bright, mineral-inflected yet rich palate that is subtly floral and beautifully textured with a full, long finish.
Producer
Château Maucoil’s vineyards are primarily located in the sandy-soiled northwest of Châteauneuf-du-Pape appellation, but its white grape varieties are planted in Urgonian limestone soils close to the river in the southwest of the region.
Vineyards have been managed organically (certified in 2014) and yields are kept to around 25 hl/ha. Harvesting is by hand and grapes are sorted before vinification.
After a cold skin maceration and pressing, alcoholic fermentation is maintained at 18°C and malolactic fermentation is prevented in order to preserve the wine’s freshness and acidity. The wine is unfined and aged in vats to bring out the varietal aromas and body, synonymous with white wines from the southern Rhône.
Did you know?
Maucoil is one of the few Châteauneuf-du-Pape estates that has conserved all thirteen of this famous appellation's original grape varieties, and grapes must pass through three rigourous stages of manual sorting before being deemed of high enough quality to be made into wine.
The estate's old vines (the youngest are merely 40 years old; the oldest date back to 1895!)
Château Maucoil (pronounced “moh-kwahl”) originally served as a base for Roman legions who were attracted by the spring that runs through the property!
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Grenache Blanc 90%, Bourboulenc 8%, Clairette 2% |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Blend |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Organic |
Food Matches | Pair with rich cuisine, shelfish, grilled salmon, veal cutlets with chanterelle mushrooms. |
Origin | Rhône, France |
Appellation | Châteauneuf-du-Pape |
2022 Domaine Henry Pellé Menetou-Salon Morogues
Regular price £22.99 Sale price £20.69 Save 10%A stunning wine from the star of Menetou.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Aromas of ripe white peach and blackcurrant leaf, with hints of super-ripe fruit and lime notes.
Palate
The palate has lots of refreshing citrus zest, nettle and grassy characters, lovely minerality and a slightly creamy, honeyed finish. Refreshing acidity and good balance.
Production
The grapes are sourced from seven different parcels of vines in the commune of Morogues, all planted in Kimmeridgian limestone-clay marl soil which imparts elegant mineral tones. The vineyards face south-west, south or south-east and gain the maximum benefit of the morning sun to fully ripen the grapes. The individual parcels of grapes are vinified separately to allow the fullest expression of their unique terroirs and each parcel adds a different dimension to the whole. The wines are left on their fine lees until bottling to enhance complex flavours and regularly stirred to gain richness.
Producer
Straddling the Loire appellations of Sancerre and Menetou-Salon, Domaine Pellé produces world-renowned, terroir-expressive wines from its family-owned vineyards. Fourth-generation winemaker Paul-Henry Pellé pays meticulous attention to viticulture and winemaking, ensuring that the pure varietal flavours and aromas of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir and the natural characteristics of the Kimmeridgian vineyards are expressed in your glass.
A Note on Sustainability
Domaine Henry Pellé began its sustainable approach to viticulture in 2007, by using no weed killers, chemical insecticides nor anti-rot products. The 10-hectare domaine is cultivated using methods that maintain natural balance and that work the soil in the traditional way, for example weeding, clearing and grape thinning by hand. This year, the company is taking a further leap towards sustainability, aiming to become carbon neutral and seeking to develop geothermal and solar panel projects. As of 2020, the domaine will be certified as organic by ECOCERT.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian, Sustainable |
Food Matches | Serve nicely chilled before or at the beginning of a meal but also with shellfish or delicate white fish, especially with a creamy parsley or dill sauce. |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Menetou-Salon |
Pierre Moncuit Cuvée Brut Rosé Grand Cru Mesnil N/V
Regular price £45.99 Sale price £35.99 Save 22%Tasting Notes
Colour
Salmon pink, with fine and persistent perlage.
Nose
Fresh and mineral, with notes of red berries and brioche.
Palate
Elegant, clean and juicy, with savory aromas.
History
The Moncuit family has been making superb champagne in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger, in the heart of the Côte des Blancs, for more than 100 years. Pierre Moncuit had recognised the intrinsic quality of his terroir and, together with his wife Odile, strove to make the best possible champagnes from his grapes. Nicole Moncuit and her brother Yves, along with her daughter Valérie, are now in charge of the domaine and make sublimely complex, delicate wines from 20 hectares of Grand Cru vineyards. The palate of the Cuvée Pierre Moncuit Delos Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is delicate and refined with citrus fruit and yeasty notes. It is perfect as an apéritif. The vintage Cuvée Millésimée Grand Cru Blanc de Blancs is an outstanding wine, truly representative of the perfect vintage conditions and expressing the full potential of the terroir and the grapes. The Vintage wines are always aged for between 5-10 years. The Grand Cru Brut Rosé is made from 75% Chardonnay from Le Mesnil and 25% Vin Rouge d’Ambonnay
Awards
- The Champagne Brut Rosé Grand Cru by Pierre Moncuit won the Silver Medal at the Concours Mondial du Rosé 2015
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 75% Chardonnay and 25% Vin Rouge d`Ambonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Champagne |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment but can be cellared for 3-4 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dosage | 8g/L |
Food Matches | Wonderful as an aperitif but also with bowls of fruit and sabayon. |
Serving Suggestion | To be served between 8 and 10°C. |
Features | Vegan and Vegetarian |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
Cave de Turckheim Cremant d'Alsace N/V
Regular price £16.95 Sale price £15.26 Save 10%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 |
N/V Grandial Brut Dry Rosé
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £7.99 Save 20%Tasting Notes
Colour
Stunning salmon-pink tones, very attractive colour.
Nose
Intense and fine, dominated by notes of red berries.
Palate
The combination of fine bubbles and delicate aromas makes this a delightfully light and silky rosé. Aromas in the mouth evoke red berries, cherries, strawberries: mellow and well-balanced.
Production Method
The grapes are harvested mechanically and pressed directly. Alcoholic fermentation takes place under controlled temperature
Soil
Clay-and-limestone.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Bobal grapes |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 11.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8.63 units |
Type | Sparkling Wine / Fizz |
Residual Sugar | 20g/l |
Cellaring Potential | 12 months |
Food Matches |
Serve as an apéritif but also to complement red berries desserts, fruit salads and some fruit pastries. Serve at between 6-8°C. |
Origin |
Penedes region (Spain). |
2023 Cuvée Jean-Paul Blanc Sec, IGP Côtes de Gascogne
Regular price £8.69 Sale price £7.82 Save 10%A deliciously aromatic, bright, and zingy dry white!
Tasting Notes
Nose
A fresh nose of lime, basil, freshly cut green grass, and guavas.
Palate
The medium-bodied palate continues with more grapefruit, subtle passionfruit, and zingy tropical lemon.
Production
The rolling hills between the scattered medieval towns and villages of Gascony in south-west France are predominately white wine country. For many decades growers here have provided Boutinot with an excellent source of Colombard and Ugni Blanc, which together provide a pleasant mix of tropical and herbecaeous flavours. Vines are generally trained using the Guyot system and vigorous grape selection is used to capture both the fresh aromatics and provide the longevity needed to maintain the consistent flavour profile for which Cuvée Jean-Paul is known. On delivery to the cellar, the grapes are cooled then undergo maceration on skins for 10-15 hours before pneumatic pressing and cold settling to preserve the aromas. We then keep the wine on fine lees to retain maximum freshness before crafting into the final cuvée. To ensure freshness, we blend and bottle up to four times a year - an intricate process essential to maintaining stylistic continuity and quality, one which demands knowledge of how each component parcel will evolve.
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
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Colombard 75%, Ugni Blanc 25% |
Country | France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.3 units |
Type | White Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 1 - 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
|
Origin |
IGP Cotes de Gasgone |
2020 Elicio Vermentino
Regular price £11.59 Sale price £10.43 Save 10%A brilliant all-occasion wine & one of the purest expressions of Vermentino you’ll find
Tasting Notes
Colour
A strikingly clear pale-yellow colour
Nose
An intense nose of wild citrus and pineapple
Palate
A very refreshing wine with a pleasant acidity. A very crisp, light and flavourful white wine.
The Varietal
Vermentino is a grape primarily found in Italy, which makes this particular bottle of Vermentino from France something worthwhile. Elicio Vermentino comes from the Mediterranean IGP wine region, which consists of land on the southeast coast of France and encompasses parts of the famed Provence and Rhone Valley winemaking regions. An IGP is one of three ways a winemaking region can be named in France that indicates quality and can be found on the label of any wine coming from France.
This is the kind of wine that can accompany you while thinking, reading, writing, or late night working. It’s easy-drinking, doesn't need food, and is relatively low in alcohol.
Specifications.
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Vermentino |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Pairings |
It performs especially well with raw shellfish, Mediterranean-style seafood dishes, pungent Southeast Asian dishes, and shell beans.
|
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mediterranean IGP |
2013 Champagne Mandois Vieilles Vignes Victor Brut
Regular price £49.99 Sale price £44.99 Save 10%A magnificent, carefully-crafted blend: the Champagne is delicate on the nose and shows a creaminess on the palate created by its very fine bubbles. It possesses perfect harmony and long-lasting flavours.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Straw yellow gold with golden reflections
Nose
Notes of white peach and citrus, then evolved aromas ranging from yellow fruit, toasted brioche and hazelnut.
Palate
Victor 2012 is marked by freshness, delivering whites and citrus fruits. The aerial structure of this champagne persists in the mouth and brings a saline and mineral finish.
This “symphonic” Champagne is essentially composed of grapes from old vines of over 50 years of age growing in Mandois vineyards in Chouilly and Vertus. The low yields produced by these old vines provide both the structure and the balance between concentration and finesse essential to the creation of a fine Champagne.
In addition, in order to develop smoothness and complexity, a proportion of the harvest is vinified in oak barrels in the traditional method used by Victor Mandois over a century ago.
History of Mandois
The “birth certificate“ of the Mandois vineyards dates back to 1735 when the family decided to acquire some vineyards in Champagne. At that time, Jean Mandois, a contemporary of Brother Oudart, possessed and worked a few plots of vines on the hillsides of Epernay. 1860 was a revolutionary year in the long family history. This was the year when Jean Mandois' great-grandson, Victor Mandois, a visionary and trailblazer, took the decision that he would vinify and sell the wines of Champagne in Epernay.
Thanks to Victor's passion for his craft, shared by the ensuing generations inspired by his work, Champagne Mandois is now available around the world and is reputed to be among the great Champagne Houses.
Vinification
- 70% in stainless steel vat
- 30% in oak barrel
Awards
- 93 points - Wine Enthusiast
- Gold Mundus Vini
Specifications
Year | 2013 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Champagne |
Dosage | 5g/l |
Aging | 9 years on lees in 18th centuary vaulted cellars |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | Bistro - Scallops with vegetables & Gastro - Bresse chicken with morels |
Villages |
Chouilly, Vertus and the old vineyard of La Côte de Sézanne |
Origin | Champagne - France |
Appellation | AOC Champagne |
2023 Brotte Esprit Côtes du Rhône Blanc
Regular price £12.50 Sale price £11.25 Save 10%This is a fabulous introduction to the white wine of the Rhone Valley. Made up predominantly of Grenache Blanc, picked early to capture aromas such as citrus fruits and exotic fruits. Viognier and Clairette bring their complexity with touches of peaches and white flowers. The wine has wonderful complexity with excellent freshness and length.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale yellow with green hints.
Nose
Aromas of exotic fruits, white flowers and citrus fruits.
Palate
Wonderful complexity with notes of peach and apricot, this wine displays excellent freshness and length.
Vinification
Direct light pressing if carried out with a new pneumatic press. Cold settling takes place overnight at 10°C. Alcoholic fermentation is in stainless steel tanks at a low temperature between 16 – 18°C. No malolactic fermentation is allowed to preserve the freshness. Maturation is on the fine lees with regular stirring in stainless steel vats for 6 months. Bottling is in March/April of the year following the harvest.
History
Since 1880, five generations of the Brotte family have been making wines with passion and authenticity. The fruit for this wine comes from selected small wine producers in the Rhône Valley, all of whom have been partners of Maison Brotte for several decades. The vines are planted on a very beautiful clay-silt terroir and which benefit from a lot of sunshine. The hot and dry climate therefore favours the ripening of the grapes and the good health of the vineyard.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grenache Blanc, Viognier, Clairette |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Serve as an aperitif or enjoy with barbecued shellfish, seafood and citrus fruits salad, chicken dishes, sweetbreads with morilles or alongside desserts of candied fruits, vanilla millefeuille or apricot pie |
Origin |
Southern Rhône |
NV Cave de Turckheim Mayerling Brut, AOP Crémant d’Alsace
Regular price £16.79 Sale price £15.11 Save 10%The Crémant d'Alsace appellation denotes sparkling wines made in the traditional method. Effervescent and refreshing, this is the perfect wine for celebrations.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Gently aromatic with fresh apple scented fruit.
Palate
Flavours of apples and white flowers. A fine mousse and soft, creamy texture from extended lees aging. Elegant and well-balanced finish with a calming zing of acidity to refresh and entice.
Producer
Grapes are selected from vineyards with diverse soils - limestone, granite, gravel, marl and sandstone - which impart different characters and styles to the overall blend, and harvested by hand and machine, depending on site. This gently sparkling wine is made using the 'méthode traditionnelle' with a secondary fermentation in bottle and a dosage is approximately 9g/l. Cave de Turckheim looks to create a lightly sparkling style with a fine mousse and delicate fruit flavours. Its crémants are therefore aged on lees for longer than the appellation regulations require; for 24 months rather than 12 in this case.
Production
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 which 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 | NV |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle
|
9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food matches | Serve chilled as an appetiser, with a sweet dessert or even after a meal for the perfect post dinner refresher. |
Dosage | Brut |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | AOP Crémant d'Alsace |
Origin | Alsace |
2022 Pasquiers Grenache Noir, Pays d'Oc
Regular price £8.95 Sale price £8.06 Save 10%A textbook fruity southern French Grenache; rich and dark with no hard edges.
Tasting Notes
This Grenache Noir from the deeps south of France is steeped in texture and character. Rich black fruit and sweet spice on the nose with more intense berry fruit and liquorice on the palate.
Production Method
In the south western part of the Languedoc, Boutinot’s Guillaume Létang found this parcel of well tended 40 year-old Grenache Noir. Cordon trained (in an area where bush vines are more common) these old vines thrive on silt and sand, their roots buring deep into the soils in search of water. Fully ripened by the Mediterranean sun, once harvested the grapes are destemmed and macerated at cool temperatures prior to fermentation. To fully expresss the ripe black / red fruit flavours of this 100% Grenache Noir the wine was vinified without the use of oak.
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.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grenache Noir |
Country | Languedoc, France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | An ideal partner to Mediterranean cooking, olives, crusty bread and tasty cheese, roasted vegetables and herb infused red meats. |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | Pays D'Oc IGP |
NV Louis de Grenelle 'Perle' Cremant de Loire Rose Brut
Regular price £16.99 Sale price £15.29 Save 10%
Radiant, Unctous and Fruity! Sublime Expression of Cabernet Franc
Finesse oblige! If it doesn't "have" to be champagne, then the best alternative is Crémant: a pure-bred rosé made from 100% of the noble red Cabernet Franc grape.
Tasting Notes
Colour
The soft pink marble colour combines with a swirling stream of fine bubbles, evoking a light sensation.
Nose
The fresh and subtle nose is characterised by its strawberry notes.
Palate
The smoothness of the foam gives this wine a lovely mouthfeel. The pleasant attack leads into the strawberry nose, giving way to aromas of English sweets to end on a subtle and lingering finish marked by red berries.
Producer
Over 150 years of History! Founded in 1859, this independent and family run Maison Louis de Grenelle has passed down its expertise through the generations. It continues the tradition of making sparkling wines in the depths of its cellars burrowed underneath Saumur in the heart of the Valley of Kings, the Val de Loire.
Specifications
Year | NV |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Cabernet Franc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% |
|
9 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food matches | This sparkling wine is a marvellous match for mousseline desserts and red fruit sorbets. It also goes well with white chocolate desserts or mascarpone mousse with red fruits. Serve between 6-8C. |
Ageing | 15/18 months on racks |
Dosage | Brut |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | AOC Crémant de Loire |
Origin | Saumur, Loire Valley |
2023 Cuvée Jean-Paul Rouge, IGP Méditerranée
Regular price £8.69 Sale price £7.82 Save 10%Crowd-pleasing, bistro-style red and stalwart of Boutinot's house wine offer.
Tasting Notes
A classic southern uncomplicated Rhône red which is deliciously drinkable yet serious enough to accompany food.
Nose
Rich fruit and an appealing herbal freshness
Palate
Lusciously textured with plum, strawberry and a touch of spice.
Production
South-eastern France is swathed in sunny vineyards and peppered with pretty villages that lend their name to famous appellations. In the bistros of these villages, local vignerons often choose not to drink the wines bearing the village name. Instead, they cannily favour a glass of IGP, aware that, although made to different guidelines, wines from the larger IGP Méditerranée can be made from plots which share very similar characteristics to these more prestigiously classified vineyards. Cuvée Jean-Paul Rouge is now sourced from this wider area, working with specialist growers who own such plots. Grenache and Syrah are selected from individual vineyards, specifically for the profile they will each give to the final wine. Classic vinification techniques continue - temperature-controlled fermentation to gain immediate fruit flavours, with maceration lasting between 5 to 10 days before the wine is pressed. For the final blend, an understanding of how each component will evolve is critical in maintaining the consistent and very drinkable style expected of Cuvée Jean-Paul - a judgement which can only be made with many years’ experience of creating blends.
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 domains, 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
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Grenache 20% Syrah |
Country | Rhone France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | 1 year max |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
|
Origin | Rhone |
Appellation | IGP Mediterranee |
2020 Elicio Grenache Merlot
Regular price £11.59 Sale price £9.99 Save 14%The "Elicio" wines ("evokes", "recalls", "remembers" in Latin) were created in the early 2000s, in memory of happy days spent in the heart of Provence, between Ventoux and Luberon.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Nose
The expressive nose reveals notes of red and black fruit jam, licorice and sweet pepper.
Palate
Earthy, juicy, luscious fruit - blackberry & blueberry. A bold mouthfeel coats the entire palate and a low acid leaves balanced tannins to slowly melt away.
The Region
Elicio Red Blend hails from the southern Rhône Valley. This region has a history of delivering excellence in a bottle. Elicio builds on this reputation by bringing you a smooth Grenache and Merlot red blend. However, a blend of Grenache and Merlot is rarely seen in the wine world, which makes this bottle unique. But don’t be scared, this uncommon combination has been blended into a wine that pairs deliciously with the warm summer weather.
This wine is an excellent pair with the early warmth of the year — the subtle sun rays on pale, wintered skin. This bottle is bold, packing a punch of earthiness and juicy, dripping fruit. With a bold mouthfeel, it really coats the entire palate sliding down the sides and leaving a dusty dry feeling. The acid is low and it leaves the tannins to slowly melt away on your palate.
Specifications.
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Grenache 50% Merlot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Pairings |
Light dishes and fresh cheeses.
|
Aging Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Appellation | Mediterranean IGP |
2021 Domaine Félix Bourgogne Aligoté
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.49 Save 10%An underrated French vinous gem worth rediscovering.
Tasting Notes
Soft citrus and mineral notes are followed by riper citrus on the palate, with good body and some chalky textural elements coming through. Very moreish on the finish with refreshing acidity to the end.
Method of Production
Produced from grapes grown on clay-limestone and Kimmeridgian Portlandian soils, Aligoté is an early-ripening and high-acid grape variety. Traditional winemaking methods are employed to produce a fresh and delicately fragrant white.
Producer
Energetic and charismatic, Hérve Félix has a small estate where he passionately produces a range of artisan wines. Founded by his ancestors in 1690, the estate remained in its 11 hectare form for three hundred years. In 1991, new plots of vines were purchased and the family now owns a total of 32 hectares mainly in Saint Bris Le Vineux, 8km south of Auxerre and 16km west of Chablis. A series of further investments in cellar equipment over the subsequent years has shown that, in winemaking, tradition does not exclude dynamism or modernism.
"This place may look a little chaotic, but the whites go into bottle young and fresh... This is one of Saint-Bris's oldest families, Nicolas Félix having been second alderman in the revolutionary year 1789". Burgundy, Anthony Hanson.
A Note on Sustainability
Although an advocate of reasoned agriculture since 1996, Domaine Félix is not as yet officially accredited.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Aligote |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
12% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Recommended for an apéritif, espcially mixed as a Kir but delicious too with grilled or steamed white fish and simple salads. |
Origin | Burgundy |
Appellation | Bourgogne |
2021 Vallet Frères Bourgogne Blanc
Regular price £21.99 Sale price £19.79 Save 10%Traditional white Burgundy.
Tasting Notes
This beautifully balanced and classic white Burgundy has a savoury, salty, baked peach and biscuity nose with a rich and broad palate that is balanced with moreish, acidity. The oak is well-integrated on both the nose and palate giving texture followed by a long, intense finish.
Method of Production
Chardonnay grapes sourced from Gevrey Chambertin and Auxey Duresses. Regular plowing and minimal fertilisers as well as minimal pruning to promote vigour and reduce yield. The grapes are hand picked and transported to the winery in small containers. Fermentation in foudre followed by transfer to 1 year old French barriques (Berthoumieu) for 12 months. During this time the barrels are rolled to stir up the lees - this happens 4 times a year after which the wine is left on its lees for a further 3 months. The wine is fined with bentonite prior to bottling but not filtered.
Producer
Founded in 1864 by Pierre Bourée, Vallet Frères is now in the hands of the fourth generation of the family, Bernard and Jean-Christophe Vallet. The family owns vineyards in Gevrey-Chambertin, in the Beaune Premier Cru of Les Epenottes, and in the Grand Cru of Charmes-Chambertin, as well as the entire monopole vineyard of Clos de la Justice, also in Gevrey-Chambertin. Vallet Frères is also a négociant, and sources the best grapes from growers in other areas, with whom it has worked closely for decades.
The wines it produces are complex, fine and authentic examples of Burgundian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The Vallet family’s wines have been imported to the UK by Boutinot for over 30 years and today they’re distributed to top independent wine merchants and Michelin-starred restaurants across the country.
A Note on Sustainability
Vallet Frères is keen to work in an as environmentally friendly method as possible, using techniques such as regular maintenance of the soil by ploughing, applying the minimum of phytosanitary treatments and the controlling of vine vigour and yields through careful pruning. The Vallets tend their vines very traditionally and advancements in the vineyards have been limited: for example, only manure has been used as fertiliser for the last half a century which has encouraged wild asparagus to grow amongst the vines. Harvesting is manual, as the family is opposed to the use of mechanical techniques.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegan & Vegetarian |
Food Matches | Glam up your Roast Chicken dinner with this classic white Burgundy |
Origin | Burgundy |
Appellation | Bourgogne |
2023 Cave de Turckheim Tradition Gewurztraminer
Regular price £13.99 Sale price £12.59 Save 10%Textbook Alsace Gewurztraminer - elegant and harmonious.
Tasting Notes
A fantastic balance of ripeness, varietal character and finesse, with a fragrant rose water and lychee nose, lemon aromas and a slight steely character. The palate is the ideal balance of richness and freshness, with notes of rose petal, honey and faint hints of lemon.
Production
Produced traditionally by winemaker Michel Lihrmann - pneumatic pressing, temperature controlled fermentation, no fining and light filtration before bottling - to preserve the fruit, aroma and elegance of the grapes. His philosophy is to make wines with good acidity and fruit balance whilst retaining freshness and harmony.
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. The growers are aiming for HVE Level 3 certification in late 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.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gewürztraminer |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian, Sustainable farming |
Food Matches | Try with blue cheeses, exotic cuisine such as the lemongrass flavours of Thai food or fish/chicken curries featuring ginger, mustard seed and spice. |
Origin |
Alsace, France
|
2022 Brotte Crozes-Hermitage La Rollande
Regular price £20.95 Sale price £18.86 Save 10%Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value! Freshness and Harmony are two words that can sum up this wine.
Tasting Notes
Colour
This wine is of a dark colour with hints of deep purple.
Nose
On the nose it has intense blackcurrant and violet aromas with spicy notes of white pepper, liquorice, vanilla, black olives and a hint of laurel leaves.
Palate
A harmonious and firm palate, suggestive of cherries and blackcurrant with long and well defined tannins on the finish. The long and flavourful finale reveals black fruits notes.
Vinification
Ploughing of the soils, de-leafing and green harvest during the year. The grapes are hand harvested at full maturity. Grapes are then de-stemmed and crushed. The maceration last 15 days in stainless steel vats at a medium temperature (26°C – 28°C) in order to preserve primary fruit aromas. The wine is then aged in 100 year old oak vats and concrete vats for 12 months.
History
Since 1880, five generations of the Brotte family have been making wines with passion and authenticity. The fruit for this wine comes from selected small wine producers in the Rhône Valley, all of whom have been partners of Maison Brotte for several decades. The vines are planted on a very beautiful clay-silt terroir and which benefit from a lot of sunshine. The hot and dry climate therefore favours the ripening of the grapes and the good health of the vineyard.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Shiraz / Syrah |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Food Matches |
Enjoy with duck breast in green pepper sauce with potato dauphinois, veal prune and almond tagine, soft cheeses or even ice cream with chocolate & star anise sauce. |
Origin |
Southern Rhône |
2020 Brotte Les Hauts de Barville Châteauneuf du Pape Rouge
Regular price £29.99 Sale price £26.99 Save 10%Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value!
Tasting Notes
Colour
This wine is ruby with purple glints.
Nose
Rich symphony of red fruits (strawberry dominates), spices, truffles and guarrigue (scrub land).
Palate
Rich and unctuous, with long lasting aromas of red fruits and spices, the cuvée will seduce the amateurs of fruit in its youth, and those who will age the wine (up to 10 years) to savour its full potential and unique truffles and garrigue notes.
Vinification
Sustainable viticulture, de-budding, de-leafing and green harvest limit the yield and increase the quality. Hand-picking,, de-steming, gentle crushing are followed by a controlled fermentation at 28°C, and a 3 to 4 week maceration. The tannic Grenache, Syrah and Mourvèdre are aged in French oak barrels, while the softer Grenache is matured in concrete vats and 100 year old large oak casks to preserve the fruit.
History
Since 1880, five generations of the Brotte family have been making wines with passion and authenticity. The fruit for this wine comes from selected small wine producers in the Rhône Valley, all of whom have been partners of Maison Brotte for several decades. The vines are planted on a very beautiful clay-silt terroir and which benefit from a lot of sunshine. The hot and dry climate therefore favours the ripening of the grapes and the good health of the vineyard.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grenache, Shiraz/Syrah, and Mourvedre |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 14.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.9 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Food Matches |
Enjoy with beef in black olives sauce, grilled rib steak in pepper sauce, beef & vegetable stew, fresh goat cheeses, chocolate fondant. |
Origin |
Chateauneuf du Pape AOC |
2023 Cicada Rouge by Chante Cigale
Regular price £10.99 Sale price £9.89 Save 10%Cicada takes its name from the famed ‘singing cicadas’ of Provence and this is a lively, fruit-forward red from the Southern Rhône.
Tasting Notes
Fresh, ripe red berries with a bit of forest floor. Yummy, ripe red and black cherries, a pinch of spice and some softly, boisterous tannins. Lovely balancing acidity completes the picture.
Producer
Domaine Chante Cigale is located within the village of Châteauneuf-du-Pape and has been owned by the Sabon Favier family for several generations. Consisting of 41 hectares, the domaine benefits from old vines, some of which are veritably ancient at over 100 years old. Alexandre Favier took over from his father, Christian, and is part of a new wave of producers in Châteauneuf-du-Pape, combining modern technical expertise with time-honoured winemaking practices.
Alexandre is lauded by notable journalists including Steve Danzier and Jancis Robinson for his deftly-made and reasonably-priced wines. Domaine Chante Cigale has also built a reputation for specialising in white wines, of which they produce more than any other estate in the appellation.
Production
Alex Favier sources the grapes for his IGPs from land the family owns in the Vaucluse; grapes for this come from 2 lieu-dits in Travaillan to the west of Gigondas – La Marteillère with clay soil for the Grenache & L’Hers on limestone for the Carignan, vines are 30 years old. Hand-harvested and de-stemmed, short maceration in concrete for the Grenache plus aging in 5 yr old Burgundy barrels for the Carignan to round out the tannins.
Sustainability
As you might expect from someone born and raised on an estate named after singing cicadas, Alexandre Favier keenly promotes the biodiversity of his vineyards. He is very conscious of his role as guardian of his land for future generations and Chante Cigale is currently in conversion to full organic status.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 80% Grenache Noir, 20% Carignan |
Country | Rhone France |
|
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
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Origin | Vin de France |
Appellation | Vin de France |
2019 Caravinserail 'Cascavel' Luberon Monts et Vertige Ventoux Rouge
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £12.69 Save 15%Tasting Notes
Colour
Deep ruby red color.
Nose
The nose is dominated by fresh black fruits (cherry, blackcurrant), with notes of undergrowth, delicately spicy, finishing with mineral notes.
Mouth
The palate is tense, with a dominant fruity (cherry) and a finish of sweet spices (licorice).
Background
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
Carignan, Grenache, Syrah |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 15% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 11.3 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 2021 - 2025 |
Food & Serving Information |
Delicious with red meat in a sauce, stew of boar, deer, duck breast. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved, mostly Organic |
Origin | Rhône, Ventoux |
Appellation | AOC Ventoux |
2021 Domaine de la Motte Chablis Vieilles Vignes
Regular price £20.99 Sale price £18.89 Save 10%Complex and full-flavoured expression of Chablis from vines averaging over 50 years of age.
Tasting Notes
More full-bodied, complex, and intense than the regular Chablis from Domaine de la Motte. The nose is very much Chablis with an earthy, chalky element. The palate is rounder, however, with ripe fruit and herbs - the small amount of oak influence in this cuvée gives the wine a rounded aspect with old vines bringing depth and complexity.
Production Method
Low-yielding vines grow on north-facing kimmeridgian and chalky clay soils surrounding the village of Beine. From here Adrien selects parcels from vines approaching a minimum age of 50 years for his Chablis Vieilles Vignes. Harvesting is both by hand and machine 50/50. After a short cold maceration and gentle pneumatic pressing, the wine is racked and fermented in stainless steel for 15 days at 21ºC. Around 10% is fermented in large (600l) oak barrels for 15 days and remains in oak for 8-12 months - the rest in stainless steel. Malo follows the alcoholic fermentation in early January.
Producer
Domaine de la Motte is a 25 hectare, family-run winery handed down from father to son since 1950. Now under the stewardship of Bernard Michaut, an ex-chef, who works with his son Adrien. Their winemaking is meticulous and the wines are benchmarks for the region. They are fastidious about producing concentrated, mineral and very precise wines that reflect the particular terroirs of Chablis, with vines on both Portlandian and Kimmeridgian soils. Motte's wines are regularly chosen for the Tastevinage label, a rigorous selection by the Confrérie des Chevaliers de Tastevin of wines they regard as offering the best of the region in terms of quality and style.
Awards
-
2022 IWSC Silver Medal (2020 Vintage)
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Chardonnay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | The perfect match for Burgundian cheeses such as Epoisses; slightly creamy, richer meals with chicken or fish; moussaka; spinach and ricotta pie. |
Origin | Chablis, Burgundy |
Appellation | Chablis |
2022 Ginestet Classique Lussac-Saint-Émilion
Regular price £14.99 Sale price £13.49 Save 10%Good value satellite Saint-Émilion.
Tasting Notes
A very classy Claret nose leads on to a ripe, flavoursome Merlot palate, smooth with a pleasingly long finish for such a good value wine.
Producer
For over a decade Boutinot has been in partnership with leading Bordeaux négociant Ginestet, to offer high quality wines from a selection of châteaux in key appellations as well as consistently fine, benchmark Bordeaux wines.
Production
Lussac is a village to the North West of Saint-Émilion, granted appellation status in 1936. Predominately Merlot vines averaging 25 years of age grown on gravelly/clay soil. Grapes are carefully harvested before being destemmed and crushed and transfered to temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Fermentation last around 10-15 days, with 7 days maceration.
Sustainability
As both a négociant and a producer of its own wines, Maison Ginestet has long been convinced of the need to work the land in a viable manner and it places substantial emphasis on partnerships with sustainable agriculture-accredited winegrowing estates. Some growers are fully organic, and Ginestet is certified to bottle wines made from organically grown grapes.
In 2006, Maison Ginestet set up an international wine school at its Carignan-de-Bordeaux site. Through the Ginestet Wine Academy, Maison Ginestet shares with its commercial partners the expertise it has gained over more than a century of producing and marketing Bordeaux wines.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Merlot 80%, Cabernet Sauvignon 25%, Cabernet Franc 5% |
Country | Bordeaux France |
Alcohol content |
14% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Blend |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting info |
Features | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Fantastic with a classic Sunday roast and also good with lamb dishes.
|
Origin | Montagne de Saint Émilion |
Appellation
|
Saint-Emillion Grand Cru |
2021 Château de Belleverne Beaujolais Villages
Regular price £13.49 Sale price £12.14 Save 10%Beaujolais Villages made in the traditional way to give classic red fruits with savoury undertones.
Tasting Notes
Appealing with lots of depth of fruit and concentrated aromas of ripe raspberry and soft summer fruits.
Production Method
Château de Belleverne is owned by the Bataillard family – Didier, his brother Alain and nephew Michael. Founded on just 8ha in 1969, the family’s vineyards now total 36ha with plots in four of the ten Beaujolais Cru - Juliénas, Chénas, Moulin-à-Vent and Saint-Amour. Belleverne’s Beaujolais Villages vines are planted on light, sandy soils surrounding the domaine and village of La Chapelle de Guinchay, 3km east of Chénas. Viticulture conforms to the ‘High Environmental Value’ (HVE) principles; a certification Belleverne gained in 2018 to ‘a guarantee that the pressure applied to the environment by farming practices (on air, water, soil, climate, biodiversity and landscape) is kept to a minimum.’
In Beaujolais vinification traditionally includes carbonic maceration, where the weight of the grapes naturally crushes the thin-skinned Gamay. Didier and Alain prefer a semi-carbonic maceration and have mastered the technique of cooling the grapes in each tank to slow the process down. This slower fermentation, of 8-9 days for their Beaujolais Village parcels (they vinify each separately), achieves a greater expression of fruit character in the final wine. Their relationship with Boutinot’s Samantha Bailey stretches back to 2014 and now they allow her exclusive ‘first’ access to their cellar to taste each cuvée and create the blend for the fresh and approachable style she seeks for Château de Belleverne Beaujolais Villages.
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.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | Awaiting Info |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan, Vegetarian |
Food Matches | This Beaujolais Villages offers a fresh, herbaceous core which is a wonderful match to a platter of charcuterie, grilled sausages and tangy goats cheese. |
Origin | Beaujolais / Maconnais |
NV Les Fleurs Blanches, Vin Mousseux
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.99 Save 10%Fruity fun fizz! Organic too!
Tasting Notes
Bright and lively, packed with orchard fruit, and with all of the white flower aromas its name suggests. The perfect party wine, this is soft, approachable, and all too easy to drink.
Production
Made in the same way as Prosecco, this tank-method organic sparkling wine is crafted in a deliberately vibrant and youthful style. It has been simply but classically packaged.
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Airen |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 11.5% |
Units of Alcohol | 8.63 units |
Type | Fizz |
Food Matches | The ideal apéritif, alongside canapés or an antipasti selection. Serve between 8-10°C |
Cellaring Potential | 12 months |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Vegetarian, Organic |
2019 Domaine Roblin Sancerre Rouge 'Terres Blanches'
Regular price £24.50 Sale price £22.05 Save 10%A fresh bright and charming expression of Loire Pinot Noir.
Tasting Notes
Warm, red berry fruit characterizes this fresh Pinot Noir. Ripe tannins are balanced by fresh acidity and subtle oak on the finish.
Method of Production
Grapes are grown on 15-year-old vines, planted at 8,000 vines per hectare on clay and chalk soils with areas of Portlandian clay. Yields are usually between 40 and 50hl/ha. The grapes are 100% destemmed after harvest and are allowed to cold soak for several days before temperature-controlled fermentation. Pigeages and pump-overs take place during maceration, which lasts between 20 and 30 days depending upon the vintage. Malolactic fermentation is carried out in cuves and demi-muids, followed by ageing for 10 to 12 months. This wine is bottled straight from the barrel without fining or filtration.
Producer
The small village of Maimbray, just to the north of Sancerre itself, is home to both Domaine Roblin and to Domaine du Pré Semelé. In fact the Roblins are just across the road from the Raimbaults and share a similar story of two brothers – 4th generation Matthias and Emile in this case – taking over from their father and implementing new ideas to move the family Domaine forward.
They have a total of 19 hectares of vines with a terroir made up of Kimmeridgian and Portlandian chalky clay (Terres Blanches) soils, spread across 45 separate parcels of vines, on the slopes around the villages of Maimbray and Sury-en-Vaux. Their vineyards are planted with 85% Sauvignon Blanc and 15% Pinot Noir, and in the winery their intervention is minimal: gravity does the work of pumps, and the wines see long lees ageing. The wine style is very pure, fruit-forward yet fine, and really top quality.
Sustainability
Vineyards are worked with the greatest of respect to the environment; no chemical pesticides or herbicides are used; carbon dioxide emissions are kept as low as possible; there is crop cover between rows of vines to help combat soil erosion, and green harvesting is practised to restrain yields and improve ripeness. Although not yet HVE accredited or certified organic, the Roblins employ many of the practices of both.
Specifications
Year | 2019 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Pinot Noir |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matching |
Would work deliciously with a well-ripened Brie or Camembert. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Features | Sustainable farming methods, Vegan & Vegetarian |
Origin | Loire |
Appellation | Sancerre |
N/V Baron De Rothberg Demi-Sec
Regular price £8.79 Sale price £7.49 Save 15%Sparkling Semi-Dry Wine - great for parties!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Light yellow, clear, fine and persistent bubbles.
Nose
Fruity, fine and elegant.
Palate
Rich, harmonious and balanced wine.
Production Method
Machine harvest. The basic wine is fermented at a low temperature. The 2nd fermentation takes place in tanks at 14° C for 2 weeks, followed by dosing.
Soil
Chalk
Specifications
Year | N/V |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar |
100% Airen (from the Mancha - Central Spain) |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 11% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 8.25 units |
Type | Sparkling Wine / Fizz |
Residual Sugar | 36g/l |
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Food Matches |
As an aperitif and with desserts. Serve at between 10-12°C. |
Origin |
Mancha (central Spain). |
2020 Lurton Bla Bla Merlot
Regular price £10.95 Sale price £9.86 Save 10%Production
Vinification in thermo-regulated stainless steel vats. Little maceration. Fast running off. Aged in stainless steel vats for 6 to 8 months.
Producer
Lurton Family is one of the largest wine Dynasty's in the world. Vignobles Andre Lurton is a family estate, established in the 1950's by Andre Lurton, and one of today's largest and most important producer of the Bordeaux region. A visionary and force of nature, Andre Lurton founded the AOC Pessac- Leognan in 1987, pioneering its aromatic white wine style. Today both reds and whites from Pessac Leognan have earned a reputation for great value. Today one of his son's is leader of the company.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Merlot |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
14% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Best for sharing with friends, whilst sharing stories and free from worry! |
Appellation | AOC Entre-deux-Mers |
a
2022Lurton Chateau Bonnet Sauvignon Blanc Semillion
Regular price £13.59 Sale price £12.23 Save 10%Production
The process of winemaking is both an art and a science, meticulously detailed through each step. After the initial skin-contact and settling, the must undergoes fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, ideally between 18 to 20°C, to preserve the wine's delicate aromas and flavors. Omitting malolactic fermentation retains the wine's natural acidity, providing a fresher taste. The wine matures on lees for four months in tanks, enhancing its complexity, followed by a further two months in the bottle, resulting in a wine with a maturing potential of two to three years. This careful balance of conditions and time frames is crucial for developing the wine's character.
Producer
Lurton Family is one of the largest wine Dynasty in the world. Vignovles Andre Lurton is a family estate, established in the 1950's by Andre Lurton, and one of today's largest and morst important producer of the Bordeaux region. A visionary and force of nature, Andre Lurton founded the AOC Pessac- Leognan in 1987, pioneering its aromatic white wine style. Today both reds and whites from Pessac Leognan have earned a reputation for great value. Today one of his son's is leader of the company.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillion |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
13% ABV |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches | Perfect wine as an appetizer, or to match with seafood / white meat |
Appellation | AOC Entre-deux-Mers |
a
2020 Brotte Creation Grosset Cairanne
Regular price £17.50 Sale price £15.75 Save 10%Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Intense ruby colour with garnet glints.
Nose
The nose offers a combination of fresh fruits such as raspberry and redcurrant. Spicy notes of cinnamon and garrigue stand out. The wine will gain in suppleness over time, and in jammy aromas of raspberry and plum as well as undergrowth.
Palate
The wine is generous and spicy with notes of wild strawberries, raspberries and redcurrants. Touches of toast and sweet spices add complexity. The mouth is full and the finish is persistent.
Vinification
Sustainable viticulture, de-budding, de-leafing and green harvest to limit the yield and increase the quality. Hand-picking into small cases and fast transportation to the winery to avoid berries’ crushing and oxidation. Destemming, gentle crushing. Fermentation at 28°C, followed by a 3 week maceration. The wines are matured in concrete vats to develop the fruit and 100 year old large oak barrels to develop the unctuosity and length during 9 months.
History
Since 1880, five generations of the Brotte family have been making wines with passion and authenticity. The fruit for this wine comes from selected small wine producers in the Rhône Valley, all of whom have been partners of Maison Brotte for several decades. The vines are planted on a very beautiful clay-silt terroir and which benefit from a lot of sunshine. The hot and dry climate therefore favours the ripening of the grapes and the good health of the vineyard.
Critics
- 90 points Wine Spectator | Offers a stream of juicy cassis, fresh red currant and dried herbs that race alongside smoked sandalwood and pencil lead shavings, with incense and floral notes adding lift. Well-built, with a firming frame of tannins bringing shape and a salty mesquite note at the close. Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre and Carignan. Drink now through 2025. 6,000 cases made, 1,500 cases imported.
- 89 points James Suckling | A weighty Southern Rhone red that’s got plenty of ripe plum and blackberry character with a touch of violet. In spite of the obvious dry tannins on the full-bodied palate, this remains rather mellow.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"Another delight from Brotte - all the intriguing garrique characteristics as the other reds in the range. If anything the fruit is even more generous here - verging more to the red than the black - and it’s very drinkable, soft and moreish but with enough. Backbone to go on for a while yet." September 2024
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grenache Noir, Syrah, Mourvèdre, Carignan |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 14% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Food Matches |
Enjoy with Serrano ham, wild mushroom risotto, grilled beef, goat cheeses. |
Origin |
Southern Rhône |
2023 Brotte Côtes du Rhône Villages Laudun 'Bord Elegance'
Regular price £13.89 Sale price £12.50 Save 10%Tasting Notes
Colour
This wine is a luminous golden yellow, it is complex, with a viognier signature.
Nose
Apricot first dominates and evolves towards green apple and sweet almond. Ripe mango and floral rose hints give it an elegant and exotic character.
Palate
The initial freshness is followed by harmonious smoothness and elegance. The wine has a good aromatic complexity, with long lasting citrus and white peach aromas.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested by hand at maturity early in the morning. . After a strict cold settling (10-12°C), Grenache is vinified with the aim to extract most of their freshness (very low fermentation temperatures, numerous rackings …). The cuvée is aged on fine lees to bring smoothness and elegance, which are in perfect harmony with the aromatic freshness.
History
Since 1880, five generations of the Brotte family have been making wines with passion and authenticity. The fruit for this wine comes from selected small wine producers in the Rhône Valley, all of whom have been partners of Maison Brotte for several decades. The vines are planted on a very beautiful clay-silt terroir and which benefit from a lot of sunshine. The hot and dry climate therefore favours the ripening of the grapes and the good health of the vineyard.
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Viognier, and Roussanne |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 14% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches |
Enjoy with fish brochettes, seafood and lime, oven grilled lobster with salted butter, grilled or creamy poultry with cèpes, fresh goat cheese and mixed salad leaves, mango soup with its red fruit coulis. |
Origin |
Southern Rhône |
2023 Brotte Baies Dorees Viognier
Regular price £11.95 Sale price £10.76 Save 10%Only 7 miles along the road from Châteauneuf-du-Pape but not as well known globally so represents much better value!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Clear yellow wine with green tinges.
Nose
The bouquet offers a unique aromatic range including citrus flowers, exotic fruits, apricots, white-fleshed stone fruit and jasmine.
Palate
Intensely fruity and well balanced this wine is mouth-filling which works in harmony with the flavours of exotic fruit and toasted brioche.
Location
The majority of the grapes come from the Gard department, particularly the commune of Laudun on the right bank of the river Rhône.
Terrior
“Baies Dorées” (golden berries): A tribute to the Viognier grape variety. The berries of this grape variety, native to the Rhône region, turn amber and golden when ripe. We have selected vines planted on a gorgeous silty-clay terroir which receives a great deal of sunshine. The hot, dry climate helps the grapes to ripen well and also helps to maintain the vineyards in good health
Vinification
Gentle pneumatic pressing. Strict cold settling at 10°C for 48 hours before alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel tanks for 15 days at temperatures of 18° to 20°C. No malolactic fermentation to preserve the freshness and primary fruit aromas. Maturation in stainless steel vats for 3 months.
History
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of alcohol per bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Food Matches | Serve as an aperitif or enjoy with toasted goat’s cheese, carpaccio of tuna, white asparagus with hollandaise sauce, brandade de morue, fillet of sole in lemon butter, chicken and green olive ragout, a cheese platter. |
Origin |
Southern Rhône |
2021 Domaine de la Rochette Touraine Gamay
Regular price £12.99 Sale price £11.69 Save 10%This is Gamay Noir with white juice. The vines resulting from massal and clonal selections are between between 10 and 30 years old. Planting density is 6500 vines per hectare. Average yields are 50 to 55 Hl/Ha, barely a liter of grape juice per vine.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Ruby-red colour, bold, garnet red highlights.
Nose
Aromatic, elegant, subtle violet aromas, intense fresh fruit aromas, subtle strawberry aromas, generous raspberry aromas, subtle cinnamon aromas.
Palate
Elegant, delicate, smooth, violet overtones, generous fresh fruit hints, vanilla hints, fresh tannin, round, slightly mineral, light body, good intensity, long length.
Soil
The soil type "Perruche" is made of flint clay with more or less silica and gravel. Most of the plots are on the first Cher's hillsides, with good exposure and a fairly large slope allowing the flow of excess water.
Vinification
The berries are picked and sorted for quality. Fermentation takes place in concrete vats, which allows a natural micro-oxygenation of the juice. The fermentation is of “semi carbonic” type, which is to stay shielded from air and in an environment of carbon dioxide, making it possible to obtain more elegant and fruity aroma.
The history of Domaine de la Rochette en Loire
Domaine de la Rochette has been in Vincent Leclair's family for four generations. Taking over his father's fifty hectares of vines in 2014, Vincent Leclair has made a few changes to the management of the vineyard, adding his own touch. For example, he keeps the grass in the rows to enrich the soil via other types of plant, and he has also stopped using insecticides, preferring instead sexual confusion hormones: a highly effective means of combating insects harmful to the vines. He then invested in new equipment, much more precise in its application.
These include new tanks and new tractors. Although he is an enthusiast of organic viticulture, he admits that it is rather difficult to implement because the Touraine region experiences a lot of rain throughout the year, resulting in a higher risk of disease. With his new equipment, he has nevertheless managed to reduce his treatments by around 50%. Treatments against mildew and powdery mildew, two diseases that are rampant in the vineyards, are therefore carried out as little as possible. The estate is HVE certified.
Accolades
- Silver Medal - Concours des vins des Vignerons Indépendants 2023
- Gold Medal - Concours international Gilbert et Gaillard 2023
Specifications
Vintage | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 75cl |
Cultivar | 100% Gamay |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alcohol |
Units of Alcohol per bottle | 9 units of alcohol |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential |
Drink within 3 years at a temperature of around 8-10°C. |
Food Matching |
Enjoy with red meats, cold cuts, and goat's cheese |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Origin | Loire Valley |
Appellation |
AOC Touraine |
Champagne Nicolas Feuillatte Réserve Exclusive Brut
Regular price £35.99 Sale price £32.39 Save 10%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 |
2023 Domaine de Vedilhan Sauvignon Blanc
Regular price £9.50 Sale price £8.55 Save 10%A richly flavoured yet very proper Sauvignon Blanc from a single Domaine in the south of France.
Tasting Notes
A wonderfully sunny style of Sauvignon Blanc, broad and quite tropical with delicate smokey notes, ripe citrus acidity and a richly-textured finish
Production
Domaine de Vedilhan (pronounced 'Domaine de Ved-ee-ohn') is the estate of the Fayet family based in the village of Moussan, close to Narbonne. Uniquely, a brook runs around the estate which provides much needed water in this very hot climate, giving the wines their freshness and appeal. Vines are managed using the 'lutte raisonnée' method and terroir is a combination of limestone, sand and sea shale, meaning the vines dig deep for their nutrients and thus produce excellent quality grapes. 50% of the production from this Domaine is used for Boutinot wines. Since 1999, our winemakers have been working closely with the Fayets on all aspects of the production, from when to harvest to the exact blend or style of wines.
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.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Single domaine Sauv Blanc from the South of France. More depth, complexity and texture than Bellefontaine - but with the same citric acidity and ripe fruit flavours. A good step up from Bellefontaine and bang on the money at under a tenner." Tasted June 2024
Specifications
Year | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Sauvignon Blanc |
Country | France |
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Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 8.6 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | A fuller-bodied Sauvignon which works well with a vegetable pilaf, a chicken tagine or a saffron-infused risotto Milanese. |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | IGP Pays D'oc |