£10 to £15

From the Euganei hills in Veneto, Pinot Nero vines were planted by the Biscardo family over 20 years ago in volcanic soils, rich in minerals and clay. These characters are found in their Rosapasso: a smooth, fresh and structured rosé, light salmon-pink in colour.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape: Pinot Noir

ABV:12%

Fresh, vibrant and pale pink in colour. Dry in style with aromatic rose petals on the nose, this wine follows through with notes of cranberry and strawberry fruits on the palate with a crisp, dry finish.

Country: France

Region: Provence

Grapes: Grenache 50% Cinsault 30%, Syrah 20%

ABV: 13%

Garnet colour. Aromas of beeswax, cedar, blackberries and gherkins with a silky, dry-yet-fruity medium body and a pencil shaving, apple skin, and sour cherry nuanced finish with plump, chewy tannins. A very good table wine.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Tempranillo

ABV: 13%

A fine pale-coloured rosé with delicate aromas of pomegranates and raspberry and a distinctive flintiness. There’s finesse and elegance on the palate with flavours of soft red fruits, a gentle silky texture and a lingering fresh acidity on the finish.

If you ask someone what is their favourite wine, most would mention a red or a white. Very few would give a rosé. But, (for us) South Africa has taken the 'common' rosé and turned it into an art form. 

Such a delicate and perfumed rosé. Take a bit of sophisticated Provence rosé, give it a little hint of international dynamic, a little bit of relaxed "take me as I am" S'African personality and the result is this deliciously drinkable rosé from Stellenbosch.

Country: South Africa

Region: Schapenberg, Stellenbosch

Grapes: Mourvedre

ABV: 13%

Biodynamic and Organic

Waterkloof Wines

Winemaker Nadia Barnard:

In October 2022 Penny had the great pleasure of visiting Waterkloof Estate on the slopes of the Schapenberg, Stellenbosch with a few colleagues from the UK wine trade. They spent the good part of two days being driven around this beautiful, sustainably managed piece of land by winemaker, Nadia Barnard. All of the vineyards on the estate are farmed following organic and biological principles. Here at Cellar Door Wines we've always been huge fans of Waterkloof wines. It is always lovely to taste Nadia's wines in Saint Albans, but to be able to do so at Waterkloof, with the woman herself, was extra special. Tasting wine at the place of its birth explains the why and the how of its individuality. The people behind the vineyard and winery are also key components in the equation. The Cape and Waterkloof has such diversity of wine style with a great price quality ratio.

An attractively fruity Shiraz in a cooler climate style.

Concentrated mulberry and black pepper notes with soft, plummy fruit flavours and smooth tannins.

Country: Australia

Region: Victoria

ABV: 14%

Grapes:  100% Shiraz

Food Match:  Grilled lamb chops

Vegan/Vegetarian

Quintessentially Australian, this is hugely appealing and has gained a loyal following. Reflecting our skill and experience in seeking out the very best of regional Australia, this wine captures ideal climatic conditions and pure varietal definition.

As close to a Provence rose as you can get. Just don't tell your guests...

A pale, sublime and very elegant Rose with a lovely soft texture; delicate,fresh, red fruit flavours combined with the aromatic herbs of the Southern Rhone.

Country: France

Region: Rhone

ABV: 13%

Grapes:  75% Grenache Noir, 15% Syrah, 10% Cinsault

The Great Pretender:  If you are particularly taken with the ever popular Provence style of Rose (pale, delicate, red fruit and a herbaceous note) but don't fancy shelling out over £10 per bottle, then this is the Rose for you! Made from a similar blend, this is a superb style and excellent value.

Delicate stone fruit aromas with zesty lemon and floral notes. The palate has bright citrus peel and peach characters, an appealing texture and minerality, fresh acidity and a gently savoury finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Sicily

Grapes: Vermentino

ABV: 12.5%

Food match

Delicious with fish and seafood, and simple pasta dishes.

Green apple aromas with a refreshing, lemony cream finish. Great value traditional method Cava. Perfect aperitif or party wine.

Country: Spain

Region: Extremadura

Grapes: Parellada, Macabao

ABV: 11.5%

Vibrant with ripe, tropical and gooseberry fruit flavours with a zingy finish and impeccable balance.

A great aperitif or seafood wine, made for drinking young.

Country: New Zealand

Region: Marlborough

ABV: 12%

Grapes:  85% Sauvignon Blanc, 15% Semillon

Food Match:  Mussels, garlic prawns

Sileni Estates: The winery is named after the Sileni who featured in Roman mythology alongside Bacchus, the God of Wine. They celebrated good wine, good food and good company. The vineyards and winery are based near Hastings, Hawke’s Bay ­ the oldest wine region in New Zealand.

A South African Chardonnay packed pull of delicious flavours.

A lovely balance of ripe, tropical fruits with a more refreshing and crisp citrus toned finish. An excellent all rounder for general drinking. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

ABV: 13%

Grapes:  Chardonnay

Full of zest and forward fruity flavours, typical of the Sauvignon grape. Bursting with exotic tropical fruit.

Country: Chile

Region: Central Valley

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13%

This is a big and powerful red wine, very dark red in colour. The nose has plenty of dark fruit aromas, plums, black cherries, chocolate, dried fruit and slight herbaceous notes. The palate is full, dense and rich with intense and sweet, ripe fruit.  The finish is has a touch of residual sugar, giving some natural sweetness, and is full, rich and lingering. 

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 13.5 %

Grape: Primitivo

Appealing aromas of citrus and white flower with a touch of white spice. The palate has orchard and stone fruit characters and a gently rounded, slightly nutty texture. Refreshing acidity balances underlying minerality.

Country: Italy 

Region: Piemonte

ABV: 12% 

Grape: Cortese 100%

This wonderful Piedmont wine is a fresh yet complex Gavi, made with established and old vine fruit. Made by winemaker Claudio Manera, the grapes are hand-picked, pressed and undergo temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel. The wine then remains on its lees for 3 months. 

A Viognier of intense power, character and zest; soft apricots, honeydew melon with notes of chamomile tea are followed by a rich palate and long perfumed finish.

Country: France

Region: Gard

Grapes: Viognier

ABV: 12.5%

A wonderful example of the Fiano grape. Close your eyes and you could be in Southern Italy! (almost). 

Straw yellow in colour, with an elegant floral aroma of mango, peaches and sage. On the palate is crisp and refreshing, with tropical notes and exotic fruit.  The finish is incredibly well balanced, long and persistent.

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 12.5 %

Grape: 100% Fiano

Meet Cabaret Frank & his Fabulous Facial Furniture! A 'proper' wine that, for the money, is generous on all fronts. 

Made predominantly from Old Vine Cabernet Franc, the balance of Cabernet Sauvignon brings out even more of the finesse to this wine. Full, rich and dark with cherry fruits and a smoky twist.

Country: USA

Region: Lodi, California

ABV: 14%

Grapes: 85% Cabernet Franc 15% Cabernet Sauvignon

In The Vineyard:  The Cabernet Franc grapes are harvested from 'old vines' (35 years) sourced from the world's largest grower of this varietal, which is located in Lodi, Central California

Inviting creamy nose with aromas of orange zest, fresh meadows and apples. Lively palate with flavours of citrus and quince. An incredibly charming and funky wine.

Country: Austria

Region: Niederosterreich

Grapes: Gruner Veltliner

ABV: 12.5%

A delicious South African Sauvignon from the guys at Waterkloof, made with the care and attention normal reserved for wines of twice the price. Fresh and vibrant with grassy, gooseberry and citrus characters. Crisp, clean finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

False Bay Wine

Chilean Merlot has become a byword for value and quality. This cracking example is the perfect easy-drinking example.

This is simply an outstanding wine for the money. Soft, super-­juicy, ripe, plummy fruit and a long flavoured finish with spicy flavours of plum and cherries.

Country: Chile

Region: Central Valley

ABV: 13%

Grapes:  Merlot

This easy drinking wine comes from Chile's renowned Valle Central region, where long, hot days are followed by cool nights. This temperature difference ensures the grapes ripen slowly, so they develop maximum flavour

A deep dense blockbuster from 40+ year old vines. 

This Malbec is possibly even juicier, fresher and tastier still!. Bright on the nose with ripe blackberry plum fruit and sweet spice. The palate is silky and warming with more black fruit and cherries. The wine is vibrant with an alluring blend of fruit along with clove, pepper and cinnamon spice finished off with well-structured integrated tannins. A great wine with structure balance and elegance.

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Malbec

Fresh citrus and peachy aromas with hints of passion fruit. The palate has abundant pineapple and tropical fruit characters, balanced by zesty acidity and a ripe yet crisp finish. We love this wine!

Country: Italy

Region: Marche

Grapes: Verdicchio

ABV: 12.5%

Organic, Vegan, Vegetarian

Food Match: Shell fish, white fish and goat's cheese salads

A scrumptiously soft, juicy Shiraz simply oozing spicy bramble fruit. Supple and silky on the palate with a bright, red berry finish.

Country : South Africa

Region: Western Cape,  Paarl 

Grape: Shiraz

ABV : 14.50% 

The iconic Aloe Tree image is sure to be familiar to anyone who has travelled widely through the Cape and is an important part of the biodiversity which South Africa is famous for.

The characteristic silhouette provides a backdrop to one of the most spectacular wine regions in the world where wines grow in harmony with the thousands of plant species that make up the Cape Floral Kingdom

Saperavi is tipped to be the 'new Malbec' by a few well known wine critics. This ripe, Georgian red is full of red cherry and mulberry aromas and flavours, with layers of vanilla. Wonderful, soft rounded tannins with a long, juicy finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13%

Food Matches: Red meat dishes, stews and casseroles, roast lamb or mature hard cheeses.

Read all about Penny's recent trip to the cradle of wine, Georgia in her blog here.

George Margvelashvili is the founder at Tbilvino Wines - where this delicious wine is made. Established 60 years ago, and over this period Tbilvino have become one of Georgia’s pioneering producers. Almost dormant at the end of the Soviet era, the winery was acquired by the Margvelashvili brothers, who set out to restore the facilities, and moved away from quantity to quality production.

Crisp, clean and super refreshing Portuguese Rosé!

Country: Portugal

Region: Dão

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Tinta Roriz

ABV: 12.5%

Adegea de Penalva

Refreshing like a white wine, with the complexity of red wine. This orange wine is made by leaving the grape skins and seeds in contact with the pressed juice, creating a deep orange-hued finish. The wine ferments naturally without the addition of yeasts, sulphur or any other additions. The different varieties are then blended and before a natural cold stabilisation, and bottled unfiltered and unfined.

Country: Romania

Region: Viile Timisului

Grapes: Feteasca Alba 51%, Sauvignon Blanc 19%, 30% Other

ABV: 12.5%