Alvarinho ‘Granit’, Soalheiro, Vinho Verde
100% Alvarinho (same as Albarino over the border in Spain)
Qunita do Soalheiro are the benchmark producer of Alvarinho. Based in the Vinho Verde region, their wines are a league above other producers; more elegant and complex. This particular bottling, named 'Granit' after the soils in this vineyard, is my favourite; a rich, complex expression of the grape with a lovely mineral texture and a very long, pure finish.
A little bit similar to really good 1er Cru Chablis, this is perfect with things like grilled white fish with lemon and olive oil or shellfish (lobster salad would be sublime).
Something a bit different but truly World class. You won't be disappointed.
Chateau Macquin, Saint-Georges-Saint-Emilion
Wines have been made at Château Macquin since 1885, when the first cellar was developed by François-Albert Macquin. François was the first person to re-plant vines in the Saint-Émilion region following the phylloxera outbreak in the 19th century. Today, the Château is run by his grandson Denis and his wife Christine Corre-Macquin, who own 27 hectares of vines in both Saint-Émilion and Pomerol. They are involved in every vine-growing and winemaking decision to ensure the quality of their wine every vintage.
Château Macquin is located just three kilometres north of Saint-Émilion, in the small village of Saint-Georges, the smallest of all Bordeaux appellations (180 hectares). However, at its peak of 89 metres above sea level, Saint-Georges enjoys one of the best elevations on the right bank, giving the wines freshness and concentration. The south-facing vines are planted on clay and limestone soils and range from 15 to 60 years old. The vines are sustainably farmed, without the use of herbicides, fertilisers, or other harmful chemicals.
The wine is a blend of 80% Merlot and 20% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is a deep ruby red with alluring aromas of ripe red cherry, cassis and a hint of liquorice. The palate is full bodied with silky, ripe tannins and concentrated flavours of ripe red fruits, tobacco and graphite are balanced by a lifted acidity.
Fleurie ‘Les Moriers’, Domaine Chignard
Domaine Chignard was founded by Michel Chignard and is now run by his son Cédric. Chignard farms 8 hectares of old vines in Fleurie, situated at the top of the hill sloping down to Moulin-à-Vent and on pure granitic soils. The wines are elegant but serious and concentrated expressions of the terroir, none more so than the 'Les Moriers' lieu-dit. Cédric is following in his father's footsteps and continuing the traditional Beaujolais way of farming and winemaking with a high proportion of whole bunch and using a mix of cement, old foudre and stainless steel during vinification. Like his father`s wines, Cédric`s Fleuries are intensely aromatic and complex with an energy, finesse and depth rarely found in other wines from Fleurie.
The perfect wine to go with a plate of cheese and charcuterie...
Chateau Grand Village
This Chateau, situated in the Fronsac region of Bordeaux offers exceptional value for money.
It is owned by the Guinadeau family, who also happen to own Chateau Lafleur just down the road in Pomerol - one of THE great Right-Bank Bordeaux estate!
While Fronsac doesn't have quite the same cachet as Pomerol, and hence, can't command the same prices, the attention to detail and love that goes into this wine, is just the same as at Lafleur.
The soils are different here, more clay and limestone than gravel and the proportion of Cabernet Franc differs but it still gives you a snapshot of great Right-Bank Claret at an every-day price.
A perfect, posh dinner party wine; one that is bound to impress your friends and is a great accompaniment to classic roast meat dishes.
Chateau Lucas
Lussac is an up and coming satellite appellation of the renowned Saint Emilion region on the the Right Bank of Bordeaux. There is no doubt that one of Lussac's most prized properties is Château Lucas, owned by the Vauthier family of Château Ausone fame. From just 18 hectares of vines, three cuvée are produced. The top wine, aptly called Château Lucas, is produced from a 12-hectare vineyard, comprising equal parts Merlot and Cabernet Franc. While so much of the Right Bank focuses on Merlot, the high percentage of Cabernet Franc brings a polished lift to the cuvée, vintage in and vintage out.
A classic partner for roast lamb.
‘O Rosal’, Terras Gauda
Terras Gauda was the first Galician winery to really make me think that World class wines could be produced here. Their vineyards are located in the subzone of O Rosal on the terraces that rise steeply above the river Miño which divides Spain from Portugal. This wine is a selective blend of the best Albariño grapes in the O Rosal subzone, mixed with the indigenous Loureira and Caiño Blanco, it is greenish-yellow, evoking white flowers and green plums on the nose and filling out on the palate with fresh grape and apple compote flavours as well as peach kernel. Edged with superb acidity and a bristling minerality this reminds me of a cross between really good Riesling and Premier Cru Chablis.
The perfect wine for seafood, salads or simple fish dishes.
Chablis, Gerard Tremblay
Gérard Tremblay and his wife, Hélène, oversee a domain that they inherited in a line of five generations, but which they have mostly built themselves. With 80 acres of vines under production, most of them in the best Premier Cru and Grand Cru appellations, their list of Chablis is among the most prestigious in the region.
Their wines are mostly sold direct from the winery, or are snapped up by top restaurants, they don't often appear for retail.
This wine has all the hallmarks of great Chablis, clean and minerally but with a depth and length of flavour that lets you know you're dealing with serious a winemaker here.
Perfect with shellfish..how about a lobster salad? Or big garlicy prawns? Oh yes please!
JCB No21 Cremant de Bourgogne, J.C.Boisset
40% Pinot Noir , 35% Chardonnay, 20% Gamay, 5% Aligoté
Jean-Charles Boisset was born into a winemaking family in Burgundy and now makes wine all over the World.
Pale and vibrant in colour, this Crémant boasts aromas of citrus fruits, almonds and white flowers on the nose. The palate has refreshing and lifted acidity, coupled with a lovely, rich texture from the lees ageing.
A great value alternative to Champagne, showing
Monteleccio, Sesti
The Sesti family are one of the best producers of Brunello di Montalcino. Based at the beautiful Castello di Argiano, they have the most beautiful property imaginable and they make wines in a thoughtful and balanced style; traditional in the best sense of the word. The grapes for this wine are selected because they are felt to be best for drinking young; so they could become Brunello but they are aged for less time. More character than many actual Brunello and for half the price, this is one of Montalcino’s best buys. Great with hard cheeses (Cornish Kern or Old Winchester?), as well as roast lamb with lots of garlic and rosemary, pasta with meat sauces and stews.
‘La Gloire de mon Pere’ Bergerac Rouge, Chateau Tours des Gendres
Bergerac is often overlooked in favour of it's more famous cousin Bordeaux but there is great wine being made there, and you pay a fraction of the price!
Chateau Tour des Gendres is one of the best producers, making wines of real class.
Owner and winemaker Luc de Contoi is a true Vinarchiste, looking for purity and intensity, the maximum expression of the potential of the grapes. In the vineyard the soil is nourished with seaweed and silica treatments to encourage microbial activity.
This vigneron even riddles the grapes on the vine, giving them a quarter turn (at least that’s what he tells us – difficult
to know when you’ve been hoaxed by Luc).
A great wine for roast beef of lamb and perfect with strong hard cheeses; Montgomery Cheddar springs to mind..
Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Syrah
Founded in 1993 by winemaker John Hancock together with Robert and Robyn Wilson, owners of The Bleeding Heart and The Don in London, Trinity Hill has become a byword for quality and consistency. Winemaker Warren Gibson has been with Trinity Hill since 1997. He is also in charge of the 80 hectares of vineyard owned by Trinity Hill and knows Hawkes Bay and the Gimblett Gravels exceptionally well. The wines reflect this. Warren and his team make wines that show the best of what Hawkes Bay and the Gimblett Gravels can produce. The wines have an elegance, balance, drinkability and precision of flavour that makes them a joy to drink.
Rochebouet ‘Cave Extreme’ Extra Brut Rose NV
50% Chardonnay and 50%Pinot Noir
French born Jean-Edouard de Rochebouët is a man who knows a thing or two about sparkling wine; he helped pioneer 'méthode champenoise' wines from Argentina in the early days of Domaine Chandon in Mendoza. What's not to love about this? Deliciously fruity and finely balanced with superb brioche and shortbread notes on the nose due to its spending 12 months on the lees in bottle, very pale pink in colour with tiny bubbles.