Ditcheat Hill
Prosecco ‘Chloe’, Althea, Veneto, Italy
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...
Ciconia Tinto, Casa Relvas
Touriga Nacional, Syrah, Aragonez plus others.. The Alentejo region of Portugal (North of the Algarve), produces some of the county's best value wines. This is a great example from Alexandre Relvas Jr and his team at Casa Relvas. It is rich and juicy blend with a long smooth finish, that tastes much more expensive than it is. Perfect for BBQ's and a really versatile wine to have on hand, complementing pizza, meaty pasta, pork chops...
Chateau Bellecroix
Château Bellecroix has a long and rich history dating back to the late 1800's. It was purchased in the 1970’s by owner of Château Haut Calens, Albert Yung. Albert has since embarked upon a programme of modernising the entire estate, replanting the vineyards and rebuilding the winery and cellars. Located on the right bank of the Garonne, the clay and gravel soils are ideal for growing Merlot and Cabernet. The 35 acres of vines average 25 years of age and yield healthy, richly flavoured grapes. This wine from the superb 2015 vintage is a blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon. It's a silky-textured, medium bodied Bordeaux with blackcurrants, black cherry, violets and a hint of Cedar box. Finely balanced by lively acidity and smooth tannins.
Great value Claret! Goes with roast beef and lamb of course...
Organic Macabeo, Castano, Yecla
This is a great value certified organic wine from the Castano family in South East Spain. This Macabeo (known as Viura further north in Spain and Macabeu in France) is a lovely light, fresh wine with good depth of citrus flavours. A versatile food wine with enough flavour to stand up to some spice but also delicious on it’s own!
‘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 Win
A great steak wine, but also just one of the best all-round wines on the market. Seriously good.
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 wines
The 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.