Le Carillon de Vendome, Cave Co-op du Vendomois
The Vendomois region is located along the banks of the river Loir (a tributary of the Loire proper) to the north of Touraine.
This Co-operative makes great value wines and this Chenin Blanc is a great example. It comes from a single vineyard and has all the lovely Chenin qualities of food-friendliness and complexity.
A great wine for fish pie or fish and chips!
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'.
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.
Poire Authentique, Eric Bordelet
It was Didier Dagueneau who convinced Eric Bordelet, former sommelier at Paris’s three-star Arpège restaurant, to
develop a new, artisan style of cider, a natural product of character and thirst-quenching ability, which would also work
with a wide range of different food. And so Eric refurbished his family’s ancestral orchards and ciderworks and would
use his knowledge of viticulture to push for the highest level of quality.
The biodynamically farmed orchards – covering roughly nineteen hectares – are situated in southern Normandy where
the Domfrontais extends between the boundaries of the Mayenne and the Orne.
Treat this Pear cider/perry as you would a wine, it's delicate yet complex flavours, complement shellfish dishes such as grilled prawns or scallops wonderfully. Of course, it is also utterly delicious on it's own!
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.
Hacienda Grimon, Rioja Blanco Sauvignon Blanc
Hacienda Grimón is run by the Oliváns, a family with a long winemaking tradition in Rioja. Grimón was established by Paco
Grimón who runs the bodega and his brother Eliseo who takes care of the viticulture. Their 25 hectares of vineyards are
based in the Valle de Jubera, a secluded and little-known corner of Rioja Alta with a great viticultural history. Viticulture is
organic – “always has been here, why do I need certification?” – with no use of herbicides and pesticides, sheep manure is
used as fertilizer. Hand harvesting is employed for all their vineyards. Great care is taken to provide the healthiest grapes of
the highest quality.
This 100% Sauvignon Blanc is aged in old 225-litre barrels following fermentation for a short period before bottling, giving up a floral and aromatic white with a lovely texture on the palate.
Goes particularly well with grilled shellfish.