Lavradores de Feitoria Tinto
Grapes - Touriga Franca, Tinta Roriz, Touriga Nacional, Tinta Barroca
Lavradores de Feitoria is a unique project, created in 2000. Resulting from the union of owners of 18 Quintas spread throughout the best terroirs in the 3 sub-regions of the Douro region (Baixo Corgo, Cima Corgo and Douro Superior). Together, they have a total area of vineyard of more than 600 ha.
The aim was to show the best of what the Douro can offer and to offer great value; this wine really sums up the Douro for me.
A typical Douro blend of grapes offers real character, and the modern winemaking creates a smooth rich wine. Together, we have a wine of great balance and finesse.
Goes well with grilled meats and vegetables and can handle a bit of spice!
‘La Magendia’ Jurancon Moelleux (37.5cl), Clos Lapeyre
Jean-Bernard Larrieu makes some of the best wines in Jurancon at Clos Lapeyre. This isolated area lies inland in the foothills of the Pyranees and is home to some of the best sweet wines France has to offer (without paying Sauternes prices). Petit Manseng is the main grape for producing these delicious, honeyed wines and it's bright acidity is what makes it so successful; no matter how rich and unctuous the wine, it still feels fresh and mouth-watering on the finish. In case you were wondering, La Magendia means 'the best' in the local Occitane dialect; very fitting, as this is truly stunning.
Perfect with fruit desserts (rhubarb or apple crumble...?) and is a star with blue and rind-washed cheeses.
Soave Classico, Monte Tondo, Veneto, Italy
Beautiful, elegant Soave from a great, family-run, organic estate in the volcanic hills of Veneto. The grape variety here is Garganega, and this is an expression with great precision of flavour. Unoaked, light and elegant, it is a very versatile food wine; a great match for all light pasta dishes, salads or simply grilled fish.
Niepoort LBV Port (Half bottle)
Dirk Niepoort is often lauded as Portugal’s best winemaker, making some of Portugal’s best table wines. However, Port is always at the heart of what he does and year after year, this LBV is one of the very best. Despite it’s power and richness, it stands out from the crowd with it’s real drinkability!
...and these half bottles look cute.
Papa Figos, Ferreirinha
35% Tinta Roriz , 30% Tinta Barroca, 20% Touriga Franca, 15% Touriga Nacional
This historic producer, founded 1952, was the first in the Douro dedicated to producing light wines rather than Fortified wines. They make some great examples of the Douro at prices that are truly great value.
A modern example of Douro light wine showcasing the fresh, vibrant fruit and fine, balanced structure that can be achieved with careful grape selection from some of the finest vineyards in the region. A great wine to have in the house; everyone will love it and great to open any time you just fancy a 'nice glass of red'.
Gran Passione Rosso, Veneto, Italy
Made from partially dried Corvina and Merlot grapes in the Veneto region of North-East Italy, this wine certainly delivers a lot of ‘bang for your buck’! Like a baby Amarone, this has buckets of rich, intense dark fruit flavours with a long, lingering. Very smooth and very comforting… great with hearty dishes, especially game and perfect with strong cheeses such as Vintage Lincolnshire Poacher and Stilton from Cropwell Bishop.
Valencay, Sebastien Vaillant
This has long been one of our most popular wines, a delicious blend of Sauvignon Blanc with a dash of Chardonnay. The Chardonnay adds a lovely texture and a tiny bit of weight to the wine but it still retains that classic Loire Sauvignon character. Sebastian Vaillant is a great winemaker and this is a great value alternative to the neighbouring wines of Sancerre and Pouilly-Fume.
Sauvignon de Touraine, Guy Allion, Loire
This domaine with its beautiful Touraine-style house made out of tufa produces first class Sauvignon from vines grown on
perruche (sandy-clay) soil.
The estate is managed according to the Terra Vitis programme, a codified system which posits
not only respect for the environment but knowledge of the land, parcel by parcel. This sensitivity to the environment
means that natural rather than chemical solutions can be pursued in the vineyard.
The grapes are picked at maximum ripeness and immediately transported to the winery to prevent oxidation.
This Sauvignon de Touraine, which in previousyears has garnered high praise from the Guide Hachette, has lifted aromas of elderflower cordial, Victoria plums and hints of grass. The palate is filled with gooseberry fool infused with elderflower and hints of summer fruit.
A great budget alternative to Sancerre & Pouilly-Fume; perfect with light fish and salad dishes.
Falerio ‘Oris’, Ciu Ciu, Marche, Italy
Ciù Ciù winery was established in 1970 by husband and wife Natalino and Anna Bartolomei. It is located right out of Offida a medieval tiny little village full of events and traditions. The hills near Offida and its surrounding villages between the rivers Tesino and Tronto allow for the production of top quality wines thanks to their beautiful location. Seabreezes coming from the east blow on the vines to create conditions for even ripening fruit. Ciu Ciu‘s organic wines are the pure expression of care and tradition. They are the result of research and quality both in vineyards and cellar.
This wine is produced in the hilly territories of the Ascoli Piceno province, approximately 300 metres above sea level. The autochthon vines, Pecorino and Passerina, blended with Trebbiano, create a characterful wine that can be enjoyed soon after the vintage is released.
Perfect with light fish dishes and spring risottos
Valpolicella, Alpha-Zeta
Alpha Zeta was started in 1999 to produce a range of modern, fruit-driven wines from the hills outside Verona. Leading New Zealand winemaker Matt Thomson works with growers (rather than buy bulk wine, which is standard among most wines from Verona at this price) to obtain ripe grapes (by reducing yields and picking later) and then, using Matt’s expertise, preserve these flavours in the finished wines. This has resulted in wines that offer great value, quality, balance and typicity.
The Valpolicella has bright, black cherry fruit and velvety tannins; a delicious wine that is perfect with pizza and light pasta dishes.
Ditcheat Hill
