Wine Tastings
Frappato, Mandrarossa, Sicily
£13.95
The Mandrarossa wines come from a selection of the best sites from Cantine Settesoli’s 6,000 hectares of vineyard, situated in southwestern Sicily and planted with 32 different grape varieties. The vineyards are split between the 2,000 members of the co-op, and cover the area around Selinunte, the hauntingly beautiful ruins of a Greek town founded 2,600 years ago. Cantine Settesoli helps to support the restoration of this archaeological site.
First produced in 1999, Mandrarossa has opened its own winery in 2021, a completely sustainable winery fed by solar panels and well integrated with the surrounding hills. The winery has increasingly focused on single-site wines, as it was conceived after the diverse soils of the vineyards were mapped, enabling the winemakers to focus on what were then ranked their best sites. Under the leadership of co-operative president Giuseppe Bursi, consultant winemaker Alberto Antonini has sought to improve viticulture, which has resulted in better wines.
This Frappato (grape variety), is perfumed, light and fresh. Lots of juicy red fruit flavours and great balance make this a versatile food wine. Perfect with pizza and light meat dishes, it can also be chilled and drunk with fish dishes.
3 in stock
Related products
Jester Cabernet Sauvignon, Mitolo
McLaren Vale-based Mitolo is a family-owned winery established in 1999 by Frank Mitolo, whose Italian roots inspired his early interest in, and enthusiasm for, good food and great wine. Winemaker Ben Glaetzer became a partner in the business in 2001. The fusion of Frank’s knowledge of the land and business acumen with Ben’s winemaking talent has resulted in Mitolo becoming one of Australia’s most awarded wineries. Mitolo has made a name for itself as one of the Australian producers to watch.The Jester Cabernet Sauvignon uses grapes that were dried for about five weeks after harvesting. This period of ‘appassimento’ gives the wine a dried fruit yet vibrant character that ensures its intensity is nicely balanced. A seriously impressive wine for the price.Intense and rich, this is a good wine to cope with all the flavours a bbq has to offer, especially a big chargrilled ribeye!
Sancerre, Gerard Fiou
This small domaine was one of the first to modernise in the region of Sancerre. The vines are planted on the rocky
silex soils and the resultant wine takes a little time to show its true colours. But when it does, it is impressively pure
and expressive of the flint from which it was born. Give it time to open up in the glass.Very pungent elderflower and gooseberry fruit, but there’s an edge of ripe pear and pear-drop, with a little suggestion
of a more tropical fruit character. Very crisp, clean and racy on the palate with a core of orchard fruits that is very
pure and focused through the mid-palate, with melon and a tangy apple acidity on the finishA great example of Sancerre from a great organic producer.
A perfect partner for British goat's cheese such as Sinodun Hill and Driftwood. Also great with light fish dishes and smoked salmon.
‘Bucerchiale’ Chianti Rufina Riserva 2019, Selvapiana
Bucerchiale is the name of Selvapiana’s finest vineyard in the small Rufina zone of Chianti. Organically farmed by the Giuntini family since 1827. 100% Sangiovese but more powerful than the Cepparello; still balanced with great complexity and a fine match for the best steak (Bistecca alla Fiorentina…)
Barbaresco, Produttori del Barbaresco, Piemonte
In 1958, the priest of the village of Barbaresco, recognizing that the only way the small properties could survive was by joining their efforts, gathered together nineteen small growers and founded the Produttori del Barbaresco. The first three vintages were made in the church basement, and then in the winery built across the square from where the Produttori is still located. United once again, the small growers continued the work started by Domizio Cavazza, producing only Barbaresco wine and enhancing both the reputation of the wine and the village.
The Produttori del Barbaresco now has 50 members and 100 hectares (250 acres) of Nebbiolo vineyards in the Barbaresco appellation, which amounts to almost a sixth of the vineyards of the area. The most important thing, however, is that quality is always the highest priority and in Aldo Vacca, they have one of the World's most respected winemakers.
We buy this wine every year and it never disappoints; every vintage is different, reflecting the year itself, but has the hallmark of class and quality. The thing I like most about this is the amazing perfume; great Nebbiolo has a unique nose that is hard to beat! These wines age gracefully for decades and really represent great value in the context of Piemonte's top producers.
A great wine for the cheeseboard but also, venison and duck; when young the tannins are firm, so the food does need some richness and fat. As they age, the tannins soften but strong, hard cheeses (Old Winchester, Double Barrel, Cornish Kern...) are still my favourite match.
Niepoort Vintage Port 2019 75cl
We are delighted to announce that Niepoort have declared their 2019 Vintage Port, and to share the details of this exceptional vintage, and our offer, with you.In the words of Dirk Niepoort..."2019 had the classic hallmarks of a great vintage; A rainy winter followed by a dry summer with rain in the last weekend of August allowing the fruit to reach full maturity whilst maintaining finesse and elegance - the perfect conditions in which the Niepoort style thrives!
This is a port with a concentrated depth of colour. The true potential and style of this wine is really displayed on the palate with wonderful integration of dark fruits, a grainy tannic structure, and pairing volume with amazing balance and elegance culminating in an impressive finish.
In conclusion, the primary fruit on the palate is appealing at this stage, but it is the balanced tannic structure which indicates great ageing potential for the future.
This is a Vintage Port with personality and, for Niepoort, richer and riper than previous vintages, but maintains the true essence of a Niepoort Vintage Port; finesse, no exuberance and an overarching balance to the wine that will continue to develop for years to come."After trying this wine, I heartily agree that this is a very special wine. What I love about Niepoort's Vintage Ports is that they are so VERY DRINKABLE; they have the depth and complexity of a fortified wine but they have a lightness of touch almost like his (amazing) table wines. I'll certainly be buying some for myself, perhaps to squirrel away for a few years, but as the wine is drinking so well already, it will be hard to resist when Christmas rolls around this year!
Buy for yourself or as a wonderful gift for future generations.This wine is available to buy now and the wine will arrive in the UK November 2019 - we will notify you when it arrives. Offer ends Monday 14th June
Etna Rosso ‘Passorosso’, Passopisciaro, Sicily
Passopisciaro is one of the leading producers in Sicily; their wines really have something special about them.The grape here is Nerello Mascalese and on Etna's volcanic soils it makes wines of beguiling perfume and style.
This is not a heavy, full-bodied wine but like Barolo and Barbaresco, there is a structure that gives them stature and a sense of import.This wine can stand up to rich stews and game dishes but really shines with a couple of simple hard cheeses; try it with Corra Lin or Lincolnshire Poacher
