Summer Rosés and New Burgundies

I have it on the highest authority it will be another hot summer and rosés will be the drink of the day. We will continue with the “Les Oliviers” Domaine de Montmarins (£4.95), Marqués de Cáceres (£6.20) and the delicious Sancerre Rosé (£10.65). These were very successful last year. We also have just imported from France La Vieille Ferme Rosé (£5.75). This wine is the partner to the red La Vieille Ferme from Vaucluse that is so popular. The rosé is made from 50% Cinsault and 50% Grenache. The former brings dryness and body whilst the latter imparts fruit, sweetness and delicacy. We will have a list on the website from May of all our rosé wines.

As I have said in the past one of the main rationales for our existence is the ability to find wines that are different and offer good value for money. Here are a couple, which I think fulfil this objective. Chablis, Domaine L’églantière (£10.95). The 2005 was a particularly fine year and this is a superb example of the style of the region. Very crisp with typical unoaked Chardonnay flavours, it is clean and refreshing. The second is Saint Clair Pioneers Block 7 Sauvignon Blanc (£12.80) from New Zealand. This was a real eye-opener, in fact I was very disappointed when the cork was drawn BUT after about 40 minutes a wonderful rich aroma began emanating from my glass, the taste became delightfully complex with gooseberries and citrus fruits. The finish was very long and the complexity continued long after I had
swallowed. Both these wines as they say “punch above their weight”

We have a reputation for stocking a good list of fine Claret, many of these wines are from the great recent vintages of the last century and as the wines mature, from ’01 and ’03. The Château represented offer wonderful drinking with roast beef etc.

It has long been my desire to complement this Bordeaux range with an equally diverse and fine Burgundy list. To this end I have sourced a number of excellent wines mainly from the 2000 vintage from Chambolle Musigny in the North to Santenay in the South via Pommard and Volnay. These will be ideal to accompany your spring lamb, new potatoes and fresh mint sauce.

I have also asked one of our new suppliers to visit the shop and conduct a tutored tasting of many of these wines. The personal nature of this evening will mean that numbers will be restricted to 16 people only. If you would like further details of this evening please contact John and he will put you name on the list.
Date and detail to be advised.

We have been asked about stocking wines from the Margaret River in Western Australia. We have been able to acquire a listing of some of the wines from Leeuwin Estate namely the Sauvignon Blanc (£14.50), Shiraz (£15.50) and the fabled Cabernet Sauvignon (£22.50) from the legendary 2001 vintage.

One last thought – many wines are best drunk young and immediately drunk once the cork is pulled. Some though need time to breathe and this applies to white wines as well as red. If in doubt, please talk to us about when to open your wine so that you are able to enjoy it as its best. We also have a small selection of very elegant and old decanters for sale

Neil Bingham