All prices are quoted TTC per 75cl bottle, unless otherwise stated.
Payment and Delivery Terms are outlined on the ORDER FORM.
Fine Wine Works were appointed the Sole Representatives of Vilmart Champagnes on the Côte d’Azur in 2009. Vilmart & Cie from Rilly–la–Montagne have producing their distinctive Champagnes since 1890 from their own bio-dynamically farmed Premier Cru status vineyards and use larger oak “foudres” for all their non vintage Cuvées and smaller 225 litre “barriques” for their vintage and premium wines (a sort of “mini Krug”).
Top champagne writer, Tom Stevenson rates Vilmart as “the finest Grower Champagne I know” WINE magazine. Guru critic, Robert Parker rates the full range in the 90’s (out of 100 possible points!) Here we list the entry level Grande Réserve but the rest of the range is available from us too! Conscious though that there are some fun Party occasions where you need something a little frothier and less serious. For that we have our newly appointed Provence supplier Château des Chaberts for their exhilarating Provence Pink Fizz – a traditional method sparkler made from local varietals.
See our Vilmart List for opportunities to order other Champagnes from this producers range.
Vilmart & Cie Grande Réserve Brut NV
29.00€
Champagne, France
Can’t quite believe this is their “entry level” champagne! 70% Pinot Noir in the blend (actually no Pinot Meunier used in any of their Cuvées), this had such finesse and delicate aromatics – fresh fern, honeysuckle and jasmine and notable white fruits (pear, nectarine and Mirabelle plum) on the palate then a delectable length with a hint of ginger-nut biscuit on the finish.
Château des Chaberts “Rosé d’un Nuit” Brut NV NEW
12.60€
Provence, France
A bright “marble rose”... a subtle and refined fragrance with floral references (white lilac and roses), and fruity (exotic and passion fruits). This sparkler proved a huge success at some of our events last year and is a smooth and creamy yet vibrant party popper with lashings of raspberries and cream.
Other wines from Château des Chaberts can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Here we are in the land of inexhaustible rosé wine supply and yet there is so much more beyond Provence (it’s just difficult to find others here!). However, to remain true and supportive to local traditions, we have included NEW for 2010, an exquisite top end Provence rosé from the prestigious and award winning Château des Chaberts.
Château des Chaberts Rosé NEW 2009
17.75€
AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence, France
A more different Rosé to the Spanish one you could not imagine – and a refreshingly delicate sort of Pink a true and typical Provence Rosé – yet heads above the crowd here! Made principally from Grenache Noir and Cinsault – pale and refined with crunchy redcurrant fruit on the nose and a sophisticated palate of quince & medlar – the perfect “Picnic Pink” and yet so much more. Forget the specials on promotion at the Supermarket or pichets of Bag-in-Box – this is “true Provence” – with class!
Drink with: Poached Salmon with Cucumber & Dill Salsa; Caesar or Nicoise Salad; Prawn Cocktail and other cold Seafood and Fishy Nibbles.
Other wines from Château des Chaberts can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
“El Albar” Lurton Rosado NEW 2008/9
9.50€
Castilla Y Leon, Spain
The region of Castilla Y Leon encompasses both the fine wine areas of Toro and Ribera del Duero, the grape here is known locally as Tinta de Toro but is none other than Spain’s celebrity red – Tempranillo. The vibrant deep pink colour is bottled Spanish sunshine, bursting with bright red fruits such as strawberry & raspberry, but with an added layer of mandarin and spicy pepper. This is the perfect versatile lunch wine: crisp and cold, just like a White wine, yet with bouncier fruit and structure, yet more refreshing than a Red.
Drink with: Basque Chicken with Peppers; Chorizo & Chickpeas; brilliant with Turkey; any Tapas & Mezze and a wow with Chicken Satay.
Domaine de Mourchon « Loubie » Rosé NEW 2008/9
7.25€
AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence, France
Cinsault, Grenache & Syrah – a glorious cocktail of Southern Rhône varietals from 40 year old vines near the slopes of Mont Ventoux. “Loubie” is the name of the parcel of land from which most of the fruit comes from. The wine is a deeper colour than we are used to in Provence – flowery, fruity and delectably juicy. As rosé wine has little if any tannin to give it back-bone, they rely on zingy acidity to harmonise with food. This has punchy berry fruit and a satisfying zip of acidity – perfect for cutting through a platter of local Charcuterie and Ham.
Drink with: Prawn Risotto, Seared Scallops with Bacon or Black Pudding, Cold Chicken Salad (rub the skin with olive oil, crushed garlic and Herbs de Provence
Recipe Suggestion: The Classic Southern French dish of “Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic” – sounds alarming, but pot roast a plump, organic chicken with a whole bottle of the Loubie Rosé, 3 – 4 bulbs of garlic (leave the skin on and just break into cloves), dump in the pot with a bouquet – garni of Provencal “garrigue” (Thyme, Savoury, Rosemary and Bay) and cook for aound 1 ½ hours – until chicken is falling off the bone. Reduce the cooking juices, carve roughly and serve with the garlic to squidge over boiled new potatoes and a simple green salad.
Other wines from Domaine de Mourchon can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Sometimes you don’t need depth, or complexity, or overpoweringly intense fruity flavours – when your hand reaches to the fridge door, sometimes all one craves is crisp, clean purity and a delicate yet refreshing chilled glass of white….look no further!
Pouilly Fumé “Les Duchesses”, Laporte 2008/9
17.50€
Loire Valley, France
Pale lemon colour with a fresh grassy and vivacious nose. Classic citrus and gooseberry flavours overlaid with white grapefruit and lime cordial. Exquisite chalk and citrus palate slides into an elegant sherbet finish with a smattering of pineapple tops. Good and long with a bit of a smart sassy feel – a good head and shoulders above your average Pouilly Fumé or Sancerre.
Drink with: The classic partner of Sauvignon Blanc is Goat’s Cheese – where a Sancerre or Pouilly Fumé might be best with a young fresh crottin, try this with oven baked or grilled Goat’s Cheese Crostini with a Salad of Soft Herbs (Tarragon, Coriander and especially Dill). Works brilliantly with fish dishes where there is aniseed or fennel flavours. Marvellous too with a Globe Artichoke Risotto, Brandade de Morue and proper “British” Fish & Chips.
Recipe suggestion: Salsa Verde – sort of like a Pesto sauce but with herbs such as Dill, Parsley, Mint and Tarragon (just about any combination) rather than Basil – smash a couple of garlic cloves, add a handful of each of the chopped herbs, some chopped capers, anchovies (optional), a teaspoon or so of Dijon mustard and a few squeezes of lemon – drizzle in enough olive oil to a sloppy consistency – serve with Grilled Chicken or Fish.
Pilheiros Alvarinho DOC Vinho Verde NEW 2008
16.00€
Portugal
Here citrus and tropical fruits marry harmoniously with some “three in a bed” stone fruit (peach, nectarine and apricot) to deliver a superbly approachable dry and fruity white. Known on the Spanish Galician coast (Rias Baixas DO) as Albari?o, and for scarily high prices, this is a “must have” seafood white for the 21st Century. Its thick skin enables it to withstand the damp climate and the subsequent fruit is small, sweet and high in glycerol, producing wines high in alcohol and acidity. This has the ability to age gracefully but also is crisply divine drunk young and well chilled.
Drink with: Serve chilled as an aperitif; Seafood Salad; Fruits de Mer; Thai food (not too sweet ‘n’ sour); Asparagus; Trout (Smoked or Simply Baked or Pan-fried); Avocado.
Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc 2009
15.00€
Marlborough, New Zealand
Exceptional aromatic ripe gooseberry and lime characters dominate this wine, with hints of green capsicum. The depth and intensity of ripe varietal flavours that this wine presents is a direct reflection of the prolonged fruit ripening policy that Villa Maria pursues in its Marlborough Vineyard. SB has been graced with the charming scent characteristics of “Cat’s Pee on a Gooseberry Bush”, but this has altogether more class! Almost tart with acidity but plenty of fruit to balance it – how very refreshing! I get a bit of asparagus but heaps of lime too, and a little bit of passion fruit coming through on the finish – this for me is what hallmarks it as a Marlborough Sauvignon.
Drink with: Modern and contemporary food – try it with Sushi, Sashimi (go steady with the Wasabi) and fishy “fusion” food. A must with sweet Scallops griddled with Pancetta or Boudin Noir. It worked for me with a Grilled Brill (Barbue here) and Oyster Tempura.
FWW Wine Fact: My mate Alastair Maling MW is the winemaker here – Villa Maria have also pioneered the use of stelvin (screw cap) as THE preferred closures for Marlborough Sauvignon – finally Cloudy Bay have followed and so the screw cap reigns supreme here.
Hermanos Lurton Verdejo 2008/9
11.50€
DO Rueda, Spain
Looking for something Sauvignon-like with a little ‘ole’ Flamenco fruit with a taut Spanish guitar acidity? Pleasing citrusy, slightly honeyed aroma with a hint of white flowers – Jasmine? Oh yes, and cantaloupe melon!! Soft fruit with a zesty citrus minerality, passionfruit, lime and grapefruit to taste and a cute herbal finish.
Drink with: Great with fish and all things from the sea! A perfect aperitif too. Food writer and evangelist, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall swears that Verdejo is the wine for oysters. Me – I love it with Gazpacho!
Recipe suggestion: Crab crostini with samphire and shaved fennel – keep the white meat simple, (squeeze of lemon, salt & pepper) and mix a little chopped chilli and dill into the brown meat, pile on to ciabatta crostini (don’t go too heavy on the garlic) and sit on a pile of steamed samphire with some very finely shaved fennel, drizzled with a light & fruity olive oil.
Vibrant whites with more complex, herbaceous and pungent character: wines that you instinctively turn to when choosing fish & seafood and whose personality won’t be swamped and overshadowed by bigger flavours. We are delighted to be bringing you a selection of the exquisite, delicate Rieslings of Dr Loosen in the Mosel Valley, Germany – new for 2010.
***Watch this space – later this year we hope to be introducing you to the delights and masterful wines of Feudi di San Gregorio in Campania, Italy!
Dr Loosen Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese NEW 2008
18.75€
Mosel Valley, Gemany
Blazing red soils and insanely steep, the Ürziger Würzgarten vineyard fills the picturesque amphitheatre formed by this dramatic bend in the river. It produces wines with exotic, spicy aromas that are bursting with peach, nectarine and tropical fruit flavours. Don’t be put off by the word “medium” – once you try this, all hazy memories of ghastly Liebfraumilch Blue Nun in the 1970’s and 80’s will be banished for ever. The estates oldest wines are found here and produce light bodied, stoney wines with taut, electrifying acidity and the balance of a prima ballerina.
Drink with: Coconut poached Monkfish with Thai broth, Cardomon scented Chicken. Prawn or Lobster – delicately cooked seafood with a hint of sweetness.
Other wines from Dr Loosen, Germany can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Dr Loosen Erdner Treppchen Riesling Kabinett NEW 2009
14.75€
Mosel Valley, Germany
This vineyard is so steep that, long ago, stone steps were built into the hillside to help workers reach the vines. The iron –infused, red slate soil produces wines that are muscular and complex, with an intense mineral finish. Delicate apple and honey flavours make this off-dry wine an ethereal apéritif.
Drink with: At less than 8% ABV and served well-chilled this is a charming pre-luncheon sip on its own. Or try a piece of pan-fried Pork with Caramelised Apple. Frighteningly good with Smoked Trout Paté or Smoked Eel, with Beetroot Crisps.
Other wines from Dr Loosen, Germany can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Tierra de Luna Torrontes 2009
8.95€
Mendoza, Argentina
Pale lemon gold, floral almost suggestive of a delicate Gewurztraminer on the nose. Soft chalky minerality, with racy acidity, this has a lovely weight – medium bodied mouthfeel, with crisp grapefruit flavours finishing with a marzipan flourish – fabulously refreshing!
Drink with: Sweet ‘n’ Sour Chinese dishes, Asian dishes with a bit of a chilli kick – the flowery character copes well with hot food. Thai fishcakes with a Dipping Sauce would be a dream.
Wines in this section are not necessarily huge teeth shattering blockbusters, but they exhibit riper fruit styles, richer Chardonnays, and full bodied whites with enough complexity and layers to cope with gutsier flavours.
Clos du Val Chardonnay NEW 2007
27.75€
Napa Valley, California, USA
Unmistakeably Californian! Cinnamon, nougat and toasted almonds on the nose and then wafts of pineapple and mango come through. On the palate the citrus flavours shine – ruby grapefruit and candied lemons. Enough crisp acidity and well integrated oak which finishes with a lush, seamlessly long, plush flavour of Crème Brulée.
Drink with: Creamy Saffron Risotto, Grilled Chicken, Corn & Crab Chowder, Sweet Onion & Pancetta Tart – seriously chill it and take it to the beach with a Club Sandwich.
Recipe suggestion: Halibut (Fletan here in France) with Butternut Squash Puree – roast a quartered & de-seeded squash drizzled with olive oil and a sprinkle of crushed coriander & cumin seeds, scoop off the skins and blitz to a purée with a spoon or two of cream & plenty of seasoning. Grill or pan-fry the fish and sit on top of the puree and finish with a drizzle of infused curry oil
Other wines from Clos du Val Winery, Napa can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Gran Araucano Chardonnay NEW 2007
22.00€
Colchagua Valley, Chile
This example is dominantly fruity, showing good Chardonnay fruit (white peach, ripe dessert apples and pears, honeysuckle) with a smooth spicy, buttery oak, and a fresh, persistent finish. The vanilla and toasted coconut of barrel fermentation are obvious yet beautifully integrated – it simply tastes gorgeous! Another thrilling effort from French winemaking duo, Jacques and Francois Lurton which well deserves praise and congratulations for such a refined and well – balanced wine.
Drink with: Rich shellfish (prawns, scallops, lobster); Smoked oily fish i.e. Salmon; Poultry in Creamy sauces; Soft & Washed Rind Cheeses; classic Roast Chicken with all the trimmings!
Château des Chaberts Blanc NEW 2009
17.75€
AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence, France
Arguably the great white grape of the South, here in its spiritual homeland: Rolle (aka Vermentino) can be found along the Eastern Provence coast, round through Liguria and Tuscany and is highly regarded in both Corsica & Sardinia. Pale in colour with an enticingly citrus nose, a touch of Semillon makes this is a typically nutty wine with a good concentration of tinned pears, apricot and guava: the wine resonates with the exuberance of a New World white! Well balanced with fresh citrus acidity and a dry finish, this is a great Provence white wine with impressive depth.
Drink with: This wine is perfect for drinking by the glass but also compliments light seafood dishes and salads. Super with vegetarian dishes like char-grilled Mediterranean vegetables and sensational with Roast Pork – with or without Apple Sauce!
Other wines from Chateau des Chaberts can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
« Secreto » Viognier, Viu Manent NEW 2008/9
15.95€
Colchagua Valley, Chile
This peachy example offers full-bodied ripe apricots & boiled sweets – bold ripe and luscious with a fresh spicy palate and a nutty finish. Up front New World ripe fruit: lime, pineapple and orange blossom on the nose then layers of pear, quince and nectarine on the palate.
Drink with: Sweeter seafood such as Lobster and Langoustine, Savoury Crepes, Chicken in a Creamy White Wine Sauce with Tarragon. Super with a Fettucine Alfredo or Spaghetti Carbonara, Thai Shrimp Curry or a Courgette and Mozzarella Quiche.
Gentle, juicy red wines to sip on their own or with food, laid back wines which don’t ask you to work too hard. Not too high in alcohol or gum drying tannins – just balanced fruit flavours and sensuous pleasure in a glass!
Clos du Val Pinot Noir NEW 2007
32.50€
Carneros, California, USA
An outstanding growing season in 2007 resulted in an outstanding vintage for Clos du Val Pinot Noir. Deep red in colour with a hint of purple, this wine has a complex nose of raspberry, strawberry, black pepper and spice whit a gentle whiff of vanilla. This is a rich, velvety wine with soft, elegant tannins and vibrant acidity. This will happily sit in your cellar for another 4 to 5 years – if you can resist temptation!
Drink with: Spring Lamb with Baby Vegetables, Pork, Coriander & Cashew Burger in a Cheese Crusted Roll, Duck with Sweet and Sour Cherries. Confit Duck Legs with Crunchy Potatoes.
Other wines from Clos du Val Winery, Napa can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Delta Vineyards Pinot Noir NEW 2007/8
19.50€
Marlborough, New Zealand
Silky, perfumed, strawberry scented Pinot Noir – the red grape of Burgundy, but here from the “new kid on the block”! Will give a Gevrey Chambertin a run for its money any day and us Pinot Noir aficionados well know that cool climate New Zealand is capable of producing some seriously fine wines at prices that don’t even appear on a Burgundian wine list. Will stand being slightly chilled to give more fragrant redcurrant note with feisty acidity to cut through some fattier dishes.
Drink with: Platter of Charcuterie and Salami, classic Melon & Parma Ham, Cold Roast Beef and frankly, the ONLY wine one can have with Crispy Duck Pancakes!
FWW Wine Fact: For a long time, winemaker/consultant Matt Thomson had been searching for a suitable site in Marlborough to start his joint-venture with David Gleave MW and when he finally discovered a triangular-shaped hill to the west of Blenheim in 2000, the dream turned reality. The results are getting better and better – truly exciting!
Other wines from Delta Vineyards, New Zealand can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Château des Chaberts Rouge NEW 2009
17.75€
AOC Coteaux Varois en Provence, France
Old vine Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah from the heart of Provence on the edge of the plateau in the central Var region. This is Chabert’s premium cuvée and consistently wins awards, medals, trophies and accolades. Here after 12 months in barrique, we have a voluptuous yet robust manifestation of the region: dark berries (blueberries, blackberries) plus mocha and coffee and a hint of liquorice.
Drink with: Magret de Canard, Daube de Boeuf, Lamb Tagine (the sweet spices of cumin and coriander echo the spicy oak of the wine). Veal Kidney’s, Roast Squab or Pigeon, Aubergine Parmigiana.
Other wines from Chateau des Chaberts can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Domaine de Mourchon « Tradition » NEW 2007
8.75€
Côtes du Rhône Villages – Séguret, France
Warm hearted Grenache to the fore in this smooth as silk offering from the fabulous Domaine de Mourchon. A classic for the region, it is rich and full-bodied yet supple and undemanding enough to enjoy purely on its own or with a weekday supper. “The 2007 Seguret Tradition has a glorious nose of garrigue, pepper, lavender, and spices. Its dense purple, concentrated color is followed by medium body, admirable elegance and purity, and a round, generous, even opulent finish. This is a beauty to drink over the next 3-4 years.” Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate 90 points
Drink with: Shepherd’s Pie or Lamb Shanks braised with Butternut Squash, a simple Ploughman’s type lunch (well-flavoured hard cheese, chutneys and pickles, a slice of ham or pork pie and crisp salad) – this is a versatile Picnic / BBQ wine and at this price there is no reason not to have plenty in the wine rack for unexpected guests and impromptu meals.
Recipe suggestion: Rare Roast Beef, Roquefort Cheese, Walnut & Pickled Red Onion Salad – pan-fry well-seasoned Entrecote and keep rare – allow to cool completely on a wire rack. Skin and cut a couple of red onions into quarters, keeping as much of the core as possible so they keep their shape, drop into boiling water for a couple of minutes, drain and then tip into a pan with warmed olive oil, groundnut oil and balsamic vinegar (approx 100ml of each – equal quantities), squeeze of lemon, salt & pepper – these are best made a couple of hours in advance but will keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge. Pile salad leaves onto plates, slice beef, crumble cheese, sprinkle with walnut halves and place a couple of chunks of red onion – drizzle the onion dressing over the plate & serve.
Other wines from Domaine de Mourchon can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Bigger, bolder red wines with attitude! Ripe fruit, spice, pepper – bring on the Barbeque season. Tending toward warmer climates, these wines offer the gourmand a chance to go mad at the Boucherie and even though Food & Wine Matching is as always, subjective, I can’t honestly recommend any of the following with a Dover Sole!
Francis Ford Coppola “Diamond Collection” Zinfandel NEW 2007
23.25€
California, USA
A traditional and crowd-pleasing ‘American-Zin’ style. The resulting wine showcases clove, white pepper and jammy black fruit aromas that lead into a mouth full of black berries and sweet spice. Intense and rich with liquorice notes, this is a big, rich wine with distinctive raisined fruit and leathery character.
Drink with: Not many wines come out on top with an encounter with sweet, spicy, sharp barbeque sauce but this is the wine to triumph in the face of BBQ Ribs, don’t forget the rest of the grill – this is great with Hamburgers (with all those relishes), Steaks & Hotdogs. On a more sophisticated level, try this with Thanksgiving / Christmas Turkey – all those punchy flavoured accompaniments – good old Zin shines!!
Bai Gorri Crianza Rioja NEW 2005/6
18.00€
Rioja DO, Spain
Made from mostly Tempranillo grapes (with a sprinkling of Garnacha, Mazeuela and Graciano – for the wine boffins amongst us!) Raspberry, blackberry and toasty coconut then a finale of tobacco and toffee – but this is modern and fruit driven – the best of both worlds in Rioja. Bodegas Baigorri is said to be one of the showplace wineries of Rioja, designed by Basque architect Inaki Aspiazu Iza. The Bodega ferments its wines with native yeasts and uses only French oak.
Drink with: Sooo good with lamb it almost bleats at you! Whether slow cooked Four Hour Lamb, a Roast Gigot with Garlic, Rosemary & Anchovies or perfectly tender and sweet Herb Crusted Cutlets, this is just brilliant. Will cope too with Mushrooms and Truffles – enough earthy flavours.
Other wines from Bodegas Baigorri, Rioja Spain can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
El Albar Lurton Barricas NEW 2006
17.60€
Vino de la Tierra Castilla y Leon, Spain
Right on the edge of the highly sought after Ribero del Duero region and the up and coming Toro DO and at the cutting edge of experimental and energetic winemaking using Spain’s premier grape variety, Tempranillo (known here as Tinto de Toro). Rich and concentrated, supple and rounded – at a tasting of over 80 wines from Iberia, I voted this my favourite with a stonking 9.5/10! Chocolate and cough-mixture with prunes and fig jam.
Drink with: Cassoulet, Roast Veal, Wild Boar and Chorizo Paella. Calves Liver, Rabbit and other light Game. Meatballs with a Rich Tomato Sauce
Domaine de Mourchon “Grande Réserve” NEW 2006/7
15.00€
Côtes du Rhône Villages – Séguret, France
The wine is deep purple in colour with a nose of cinnamon spice, lingering leather and cooked red fruit – think cherry and plum crumble with mixed spices. Full bodied with pronounced fruit intensity and harmonious tannins. 65% Grenache and 35% Syrah give smoky, meaty, charred wood and cola flavours A generous chunky textured wine – supremely attractive and complex palate and a sweet tarry, floral finish – sublime!
Drink with: Pop that Côte de Boeuf on the Barbie – brush with a little oil and season – a decent 500g steak will do two of you. Cook pink, carve into chunks (after resting for 10 minutes or so), serve with Rocket Salad drizzled with Olive Oil and Shavings of Parmesan. Any tomato based pasta, grilled spicy sausage (Merguez, Toulouse etc) and a natural playmate with Pizza.
Other wines from Domaine de Mourchon can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
This section includes an example of that magical duo – Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot – here from New Zealand. Plus other unusual wines which show indigenous native grapes from Southern France and Portugal can be as refined and subtle as the best of Bordeaux. Plus a powerhouse varietal Cabernet from Chile – quite a collection!
Cape Mentelle Shiraz NEW 2006
26.80€
Margaret River, Western Australia
Here we have a nose that is very expressive of grape origins – this is a spicy Shiraz yet showing restrained wine-making and a deft and skilful hand. Some Aussie Shiraz can be too direct and single-mindedly fruit, fruit, fruit. We are dealing with a benchmark boutique style from the sister winery of the iconic New Zealand winery, Cloudy Bay and taking its inspiration from the Northern Rhône. The tannins are quite supple – not really mouth-drying. Really generous fruit flavours, a tremendously approachable wine and a very contemporary style.
Drink with: Pan-fried Venison with Wild Mushroom Ragout. Big roasts, peppery meat dishes like Chilli Con Carne & spicy Tex Mex – if there is too much tannin in a red wine served with chilli, the tannins can make the food seem hotter!
Gran Araucano Cabernet Sauvignon NEW 2004
26.00€
Colchagua Valley, Chile
Backbone and breeding in a glass! Ruby red, this wine has notes of vivid blackberry, liquorice and plum on the nose with definite cassis & blackcurrant leaf flavours on the palate. Excellent depth and concentration, subtle smoky oak and unbelievable finesse. You better get some of this before I’m tempted to drink the lot myself! Black & red fruits dominate – a real picnic in the forest! Well made with a fine balance and soft tannins, great purity of fruit, should still get another few years of ageing to reach is potential. Very good.
Drink with: Traditional Roast Beef with Yorkshire Puddings and Horseradish Sauce – one normally reaches for Bordeaux here, try this Chilean stunner for a change.
Villa Maria Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2007
15.75€
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
A lovely rounded and fleshy wine from the award winning Villa Maria winery – it’s berries all the way ! Loganberries, blueberries, mulberries ooze, then an underpinning of mocha. On the palate you’ll discover dark cherry and cassis with cedar and biscuity oak. Full and rich with fine grain tannins. Superb!
Drink with: Lamb, Beef or Duck – Roast Beef or a rare Entrecote with Herb Butter, Veal Chop with Capers & Garlic
“Pilheiros” 2005/6
13.90€
Douro, Portugal
Miss out Portugal at your peril! Some of the most exciting wine comes from the Port region along the Douro river. The hidden jewel in Europe: perfect climate, fabulous indigenous varieties, including Touriga Nacional – one of the most highly regarded Port varieties and now, with well-travelled winemakers proving their skill, we have a wine of poise and persistence. Seductive dark fruit nose, with some earthy, herbal spice and yet such complexity, I think this is a really interesting sniff and sip!
Drink with: Roast Venison with Tapanade – black olives can make even the fiercest tannins seem velvety and tame. Slow Braises and Casseroles such as Beef in a Port Sauce or Spiced Pork with Red Wine & Orange.
I can now announce that I have successfully hunted down some fantastic non-French sweeties and can add them to our thus far lone stalwart in the “Stickies” section. Meanwhile, wary of Sauternes prices and snobbery, may we proudly present:
Grant Burge – Barossa Tawny (10 year old) NEW NV
33.00€
Barossa Valley, Australia
Limited quantities released each year from the Solera of this almost port like Vin Doux Naturel from winemaker Grant Burge. Caramel and butterscotch, nutty and with rich candied and dried fruit character (figs, prunes) from Grenache, Mataro and Shiraz.
Drink with: The only really suitable wine to cope with Chocolate based desserts – try Chocolate Fondant with Vanilla Ice-cream and slosh some of this nectar over it!
Other wines from Grant Burge Winery, Barossa can be purchased from FWW – contact us for details.
Viu Manent Noble Semillon (50cl) NEW 2008
14.10€
Colchagua Valley, Chile
Produced from 40 year old vines at Viu Mannet’s San Carlos vineyard, the grapes for this naturally sweet wine were concentrated by the presence of noble rot, or Botrytis cinerea. A seductive nose of lemon peel, honeysuckle and ginger, gives way to unctuous honey and apricot flavours with just a hint of almond. Fresh acidity imparts excellent structure and length.
Drink with: Vanilla Panacotta, Tropical Fruit Pavlova with Ginger Cream, Coconut Rice Pudding with Mango
Chateau Graves Ste Croix du Mont 2006
12.50€
Ste Croix du Mont, Bordeaux, France
From directly across the river Garonne to Sauternes & Barsac but at a mere fraction of the price, here is a glorious and heady mixture of pineapple, apricots and honey with a hint of acacia blossom and vanilla. This is a full, generous sweet wine, almost buttery in texture with great acidity. This has been a real favourite with FWW customers.
Drink with: Foie-gras and rich Liver Patés; Creamy & Fruit desserts such as Crème Brulée and Bread & Butter Pudding; Roquefort and other salty Blue Cheese