2022 Cave de l'Ormarine Duc de Morny Picpoul de Pinet
Regular price £10.89 Sale price £9.58 Save 12%Vibrant and fresh, a perfect Picpoul!
Tasting Notes
Gently perfumed ripe melon fruit on the nose. The palate is ripe but retains excellent freshness, balanced by a touch of white pepper spice that is very typical of its grape variety. Deliciously long, the finish shows bright fruit and a clean, saline/mineral edge.
Production
Cave de l'Ormarine's vineyards lie at approximately 40 metres above sea level on a chalky clay plateau, rich in Cretaceous limestone and quartz. The vineyards lie to the North of the Lac de Thau and slope towards it. Ormarine's head winemaker Cyril Payon makes this Duc de Morny cuvée with a premium selection of grapes from 15+ year old vines, harvested at night to retain their aromatic freshness. They are de-stemmed and macerated on their skins followed by a fifteen-day fermentation without malolactic fermentation.
Producer
Cave de l'Ormarine is an award-winning co-operative which produces wines from the tiny Pinet de Picpoul appellation in the Hérault. The l'Ormarine cellar was established in 1922 when vignerons from Pinet joined forces and formed a winegrowers' association.
Today, the Cave de l'Ormarine is a conglomeration of five separate co-operatives from across the Hérault, each with their own specific terroirs and styles of wine. It is proud to have 470 members farming more than 2,500 hectares of vines.Its flagship Picpoul wines are fresh and terroir-driven, and hugely influenced by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Etang de Thau, which act as a thermal regulator for the vineyards. In fact, it is said of Picpoul that, "Son terroir, c'est la mer (Its terroir is the sea)."Cave de l'Ormarine has made significant investment in its winery, and prides itself on the high-quality standard and traceability of its grapes.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Spot on - clean, fresh as a daisy, lovely melon fruit titillated with a touch of pepper and a delightful, saline finish. Perfectly balanced and great for salads, shellfish, and chicken dishes. A bottle of this and a dozen oysters s’il vous plait. Bang on for a tenner - great value - over delivers and proves that coming off the well-worn path pays dividends." September 2022
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content
|
12.5% alc vol
|
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment and up to 3 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved, Organic |
Food Matches |
|
Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
2021 Cave de l'Ormarine Picpoul de Pinet Sélection
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%Classic Picpoul - appealing ripe fruit with a fresh saline lift on the finish.
A crowd-pleaser and a very well-made one!
Tasting Notes
Nose
Delicately perfumed, ripe melon fruit on the nose.
Palate
The palate is weighty and ripe but remains fresh and saline.
Production
Cave de l'Ormarine's vineyards lie at approximately 40 metres above sea level on a chalky clay plateau, rich in Cretaceous limestone and quartz. The vineyards lie to the North of the Lac de Thau and slope towards it. Cyril Payon oversees the production and grapes are carefully selected and picked at different times to capture different flavour profiles. They are de-stemmed and macerated on their skins followed by fermentation for approximately 2 weeks without malolactic fermentation.
Producer
Cave de l'Ormarine is an award-winning co-operative which produces wines from the tiny Pinet de Picpoul appellation in the Hérault. The l'Ormarine cellar was established in 1922 when vignerons from Pinet joined forces and formed a winegrowers' association. Today, the Cave de l'Ormarine is a conglomeration of five separate co-operatives from across the Hérault, each with their own specific terroirs and styles of wine. It is proud to have 470 members farming more than 2,500 hectares of vines.
Its flagship Picpoul wines are fresh and terroir-driven, and hugely influenced by both the Mediterranean Sea and the Etang de Thau, which act as a thermal regulator for the vineyards. In fact, it is said of Picpoul that, "Son terroir, c'est la mer (Its terroir is the sea)."
Cave de l'Ormarine has made significant investment in its winery, and prides itself on the high quality standard and traceability of its grapes.
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.8 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment and up to 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved; Sustainable practises & Organic |
Food Matches |
Perfect for any al fresco dining situation! Especially lovely with seafood - oysters, myssels and grilled fish & amazing with cheese. |
Appellation | AOP Picpoul de Pinet |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
2021 Fildefere Syrah Rose
Regular price £8.99 Sale price £7.91 Save 12%Tasting Notes
Colour
Intense and bright pink in color.
Nose
The aroma of this wine is powerful and contains notes of red fruits and flowers.
Palate
In the mouth the wine is soft, round and fruity. The aftertaste is harmonious, fresh and pleasant.
Vinification
This rosé has first undergone a cold maceration of 18 hours. This is that the crushed grapes have been refrigerated for 18 hours. After this, Fildefere Syrah Rosé matured in stainless steel tanks that are thermo-regulated. This is done to allow the aromas to develop.
Soil
The soil of the vineyards where these grapes come from consists of gravel, clay and limestone.
Alan's Personal Notes
'Well - this is a true WOW! A serious rose with great depth, complexity and power driving beautiful red soft fruit aromas and flavours with not a hint of residual sugar in sight!'
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Syrah |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | Rosé Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment - best enjoyed young. |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Sauvion Fildefere Syrah Rosé is delicious as an aperitif. Also delicious at the barbecue. |
Origin |
Languedoc Roussillon |
Appelation | IGP Pays d'Oc |
2020 Domaine de Guillemarine Picpoul de Pinet
Regular price £11.25 Sale price £9.90 Save 12%Fresh, zippy with apricot aromas and a saline finish. Drink this and imagine you’re by the sea….
Tasting Notes
Nose
This delicious Picpoul has classic aromas of white flowers and stone fruit.
Palate
Producer
Domaine de Guillemarine has been in the same family for generations and has recently undergone extensive renovations, with an increasing emphasis on lutte raisonnée farming practices. The local speciality Picpoul de Pinet is considered the 'Muscadet' of the south and is produced just metres away from the oyster beds of the Bassin de Thau.
Alan's Personal Tasting Notes
"Picpoul is the Muscadet of the South and this one is made just metres from the oyster beds of the Bassin de Thau. This is rapidly becoming my fave white - zippy, racy, refreshing with lots of stone fruit flavours and a delightfully refreshing lemon acidity - would love to try this with a plate of oysters." December 2021
Specifications
Year | 2020 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Piquepoul |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment and up to 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian approved; Sustainable practises |
Food Matches |
Perfect for any al fresco dining situation! Especially lovely with seafood & amazing with cheese. |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
2021 Domaine Saint Paul Grenache Gris Rosé
Regular price £10.50 Sale price £9.24 Save 12%This certified Organic & Vegan-Friendly rosé is possibly the prettiest pink we have!
Tasting Notes
Colour
Pale salmon pink color
Nose
It's delicate peachy colour reflects the exotic stone fruit and orange blossom on the nose
Palate
On the palate the wine has a softness and texture that some rosés lack, yet it retains a freshness to the finish. This wine fits perfectly into the centre ground between the more common summer fruit dominated rosés and the more textured white of the south of France.
Vinification
Direct pressing in a pneumatic press, settling after 48 hours at 8°C, alcoholic fermentation after yeasting at 14°C. Racking of wines and sulphating. No malolactic fermentation.
Estate
Domaine Saint-Paul is a fabulous organic estate, located close to Béziers in the commune of Colombiers in the heart of the Languedoc. Their focus is on traditional southern French grape varieties, with a huge amount of emphasis on work carried out in the vineyard to ensure the quality of grapes harvested is absolutely first class.
This hard work has resulted in a trio of exceptional wines.
Made predominantly from Grenache 'Gris' grapes that turn a pale pinky-grey colour when they ripen, this rosé is possibly the most attractive shade of pink of any we stock. Certified organic and vegan friendly.
Soil Type
The soil is mainly made up of limestone marl. There are traces of ancient fossilized mussels and oysters. These light soils allow a deep rooting of the vines which promotes the development and balance of the wines.
Specifications
Year | 2021 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | Grenache & Cinsault |
Country | France |
Alcohol Content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.4 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Organic and Vegan Approved |
Food Matches | It will be appreciated as an aperitif or with grilled meats and mixed salads. Serve chilled at 8C. |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
Appellation | Pays D'Oc
|
2022 Le Fou Pinot Noir
Regular price £10.45 Sale price £9.20 Save 12%Nose
Fuller than Pinot Noir from Burgundy, it has a warm, rich nose with aromas of black cherry compote.
Palate
The palate is nicely balanced with an exciting, savoury streak provided by ripe, tasty tannins.
Production
An unique take on Pinot Noir from two growers' plantings in the sun drenched vineyards of the Southern Languedoc. Picked at optimum ripeness, balancing phenolics and acidity then cool vinified to enhance the fresh fruit flavours. No oak was used to keep this wine as pure and sensual as possible.
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
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 |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Dietary Information | Vegan & Vegetarian Approved |
Food Matches |
Served slightly chilled, Le Fou is lovely with grilled lamb, cold meats, wild mushroom risotto or homebaked ham. |
Region | Languedoc |
Appellation | Pays D'Oc IGP |
2022 Domaine de Vedilhan Viognier
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%A well-balanced expression of French Viognier.
Tasting Notes
Honeysuckle on the nose; richly textured and nicely balanced with flavours of apricots and a satisfying delicate bitterness on the 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 Fayet’s on all aspects of the production, from when to harvest to the exact blend or style of wines. The Viognier was picked early and carefully selected and handled in the winery to maintain its acidity and fresh aromatics, and was vinified without 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.
Alan's Tasting Notes
'This is a gem! A classically French Viognier, with delicious fresh apricot fruit. Beautifully balanced with great texture. Perfect for a summer's evening in the garden, astounding value for a real quality dry, white style. Perfect on its own but will match really well with both Chicken and Pork. Really love it!' June 2023
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Viognier |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | Delicious with Thai or fusion food, or meats cooked in creamy or fruity sauces. |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | IGP Pays D'oc |
2020 Domaine Mas Belles Eaux Grenache Blanc
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.49 Save 15%Rich and full-bodied with fresh and subtle fruit notes.
Tasting Notes
Colour
A pale crystal yellow with green glints.
Nose
On the nose a very expressive combination of pear, banana and orange confit notes.
Palate
On the palate the wine is full-bodied, characterised by its freshness and the subtlety of its aromas.
Production Method
100% Grenache blanc on the lees for four months.
Specifications
Year | 2018 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 100% Grenache Blanc |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 14% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.5 units |
Type | White Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 1 to 2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
This wine is the perfect accompaniment to fish, white meat or cheese such as Comté. |
Origin | Languedoc Roussillon |
Appellation | Vin Pays D'Oc |
2023 Pasquiers Grenache Cinsault Rosé, Pays d’Oc
Regular price £9.99 Sale price £8.79 Save 12%Traditional southern French varieties of Grenache and Cinsault are expertly blended to show the character and finesse in this great house rosé.
Tasting Notes
This luscious and textural blend is very much a food wine; tangy red berries burst from Grenache to meld with gentle spice from Cinsault before the dry and fresh finish.
Production Method
Ripened under the Mediterranean sun of southern France, then harvested at the precise point where ripe fruit and fresh acidity are perfectly aligned, Grenache and Cinsault - two traditional French rosé varieties - are vinifed using the classic rosé-de-presse method. This involves a short maceration followed by gentle pressing to obtain the pretty colour of this sweetly-fruited, carefully balanced rosé blend without extracting unwelcome tannins.
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 | 2023 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 70% Grenache, 30% Cinsault |
Country | Languedoc, France |
Alcohol content | 12.5% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.3 units |
Type | Rosé |
Cellaring Potential | For immediate enjoyment |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches | A really versatile wine that will pair well with a variety of pasta dishes, barbeques and grilled chicken salads. |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | Pays D'Oc IGP |
2022 Le Petit Chat Malin Blanc
Regular price £8.99 Sale price £7.91 Save 12%A scrumptious Languedoc blend - one of our fine feline tipples which can be lapped up on its lonesome.
Tasting Notes
This textural dry white is bright and beautifully balanced. With fresh fruity flavours of citrus fruits, a touch of apricot, a twist of spice and aromas shining through, this is an easy-drinking wine that can be enjoyed all year round.
Production
Predominantly Grenache Blanc with Marsanne, Roussanne, and Viognier. Immediately after picking at optimum maturity the grapes are pressed and undergo cold fermentation. Malolactic fermentation is blocked in order to preserve the acidity in the wine.
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.
Alan's Personal Tasting Note
"Attractive French white made from white Rhône varietals. Medium-bodied with attractive dryness and acidity. The flavours really come to the fore as it oxidises in the glass. Pleasant and very easy drinking." January 2024
Specifications
Year | 2022 |
Bottle Size | 750ml |
Cultivar | 50% Grenache Blanc, 20% Marsanne, 20%, Roussanne, 10% Viogner |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 12% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 10.1 units |
Type | White Wine |
Allergen Information | Contains Sulphites |
Food Matches |
Serve chilled with white meats, fish or simply lap it up on its lonesome. Some particularly good matches include baked chicken and apricots, coronation chicken and skate with caper and butter sauce. |
Origin | Vin de France |
Appellation | Vin de France |
2022 Les Oliviers Grenache
Regular price £8.99 Sale price £7.91 Save 12%A lipsmacking house wine that is great with food.
Tasting Notes
A fresh, pretty and youthful red wine that will mellow as it develops in the bottle. Supple yet with underlying structure, it is quite lifted on the nose with raspberry and floral notes. Packed full of ripe, crunchy red berry fruit backed up with a hint of liquorice and touch of spice. Fresh, elegant and pleasingly simple. Lovely.
Production
Based in the southwest of the Languedoc, where the 40 year-old cordon-trained vines thrive on silt and sand. Grenache grapes are destemmed and macerated at cool temperatures prior to fermentation in order to gain the juicy fruit flavours.
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 |
Country | France |
Alcohol content | 13% alc vol |
Units of Alcohol per Bottle | 9.75 units |
Type | Red Wine |
Cellaring Potential | 1-2 years |
Allergen Information | Contains sulphites |
Food Matches | The perfect match for grilled meat and ratatouille or pasta dishes. Alternatively, top up the glass and enjoy on its own. |
Origin | Languedoc |
Appellation | IGP P'ays Doc |