Fino del Puerto, Lustau 37.5cl
The Lustau family began bottling their own sherries and exporting by 1950. Bodegas Lustau is considered a world-class benchmark for top-quality wines. Lustau produces all styles of sherry, from Manzanilla through to Pedro Ximénez, as well as special bottlings, single cask, VOS and VORS sherries. The En Rama range, produced from select barrels from each of the three towns, is a highly anticipated release each spring. Lustau has, over the years, won multiple medals and trophies, including 'Best Spanish Winery' and 'Best Sherry Producer' at the IWSC and the Len Evans Trophy for consistency (won in 2011 and 2016) at the IWC.This Fino is a textbook example, dry, tangy and fresh yet complex and lingering; a perfect aperitif with olives and salted almonds.
Reserve de Gassac Blanc, Mas de Daumas Gassac
This is a cracking organic wine! Made by the Guibert family at the iconic Mas de Daumas Gassac in the Languedoc, this is exceptional value for money. An unoaked, aromatic blend comprising of Viognier, Chardonnay, Terret and Muscat, this is creamy and peachy with a crisp, fresh finish. Perfect with seabass with fennel or other herby fish dishes. Organic.
Prosecco ‘Chloe’, Althea, Veneto, Italy
Picpoul de Pinet, La Mirande
Picpoul is having something of a fashionable moment right now, everyone seems to have woken up to the fact that this is one of the most refreshing, delicious, reliable and affordable wine styles around.
This version, from the organic La Mirande estate is pure pleasure, offering real depth and flavour (more than most), whilst still retaining that fresh zippyness that we all love. A versatile food wine and a good fridge stand-by, it goes well will most seafood and salad dishes.
Trebbiano d’Abruzzo, Amoterra
Great value organic wine from the Abruzzo region (Adriatic coast East from Rome).
Trebbiano can be a bit bland but in the right hands can make wines of real character. This has good depth of citrus and apple flavours and a long, pure finish.A great wine to always have in the fridge in case you fancy a quick glass of something light and refreshing.
Goes well with light salads and sitting in the garden on a sunny day...
‘Hecula’ Monastrell, Castano, Yecla
Based in Yecla, Familia Castaño is known for its huge efforts to promote one of Spain’s native varieties: Monastrell. Castaño embodies the best of what southern Spain has to offer, producing rich, warm-climate wines, with almost Syrah-like complexity, which overdeliver in terms of value year after year. Castaño began bottling characterful, single-varietal Monastrell in the 1980s, when the variety was used exclusively for bulk wines and blending. Today, in the expert hands of Daniel Castaño and his family, the variety maintains high quality even at moderate to generous yields. 80% of the family’s 600 hectares of vineyards are dedicated to Monastrell, with smaller plantings of Cabernet Sauvignon, Macabeo and Chardonnay among others.This is a big, rich, full-bodied wine made from the Monastrell grape in the Yecla region of south west Spain. Really over-delivers for the price; so tasty! Has always been one of our favourites, and now it's certified organic! Win WinA great steak wine, but also just one of the best all-round wines on the market. Seriously good.
Niepoort Tawny Dee 1/2 bottle
Named after the characters in Alice in Wonderland, the Dum and Dee wines are a great introduction to Dirk Niepoort's wines.Brick red/tawny in colour, with delicate nutty aromas and a hint of dried fruits.
On the palate, very well balanced with a youthful fruity, luscious character, which integrates well with a long finish.Perfect with nuts, dried fruits and blue cheeses. Lovely served slightly chilled.
Niepoort Ruby Dum 1/2 bottle
Named after the Alice in Wonderland characters Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dee, these wines offer a great introduction to Dirk Niepoort's winesThe Ruby Dee is dark red in colour with a fresh vibrant aroma of dark fruits which follows through on the palate along with an almost mineral character, a youthful wine with good extract and great balance, offering superb "drinkability".Ready to drink now after a meal on its own or with a selection of cheeses.
Cotes de Gascogne, Duffour Pere & Fils,
This family producer based in central Gascony (South-West France), is considered one of the best in the area. Their wines have a depth of flavour which is often lacking here; their philosophy is firmly quality over quantity! This is a blend of Colombard, Gros Manseng, Ugni Blanc & Sauvignon Blanc (quite a mouthful!); It’s clean, fresh and modern in style, aromatic with a long, dry finish. Very quaffable and great value.