12-18

Very few places are capable of making high quality Pinot Noir. This one is exceptional.

Bitter dark cherry and ripe mulberry on the nose. Juicy red fruit and red plum skin flavours on the palate, super soft tannins. Light and easy drinking, perfect summer red for sipping on the verandah. 

Country: Austria

Region: Ried Windleutehn, Niederosterreich

ABV: 12%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food Match: Will match well with just about anything because of soft tannins and fruitiness, even slightly spicy dishes.

Mittelbach Gottfried

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

Food matching ideas: Fiano is very versatile and pairs well with a variety of dishes including creamy seafood pasta, vegetable risotto, roast chicken or antipasto.

Guaranteed summer drinking pleasure! Redcurrant, strawberry and raspberry notes with a hint of sweetness on the finish. Seriously lovely stuff!

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

ABV: 12 %

Grapes: Primitivo, Negroamaro

Food matching ideas: Prawn linguine with parsley and a green salad or grilled chicken with roast Mediterranean vegetables. 

Ripe, rich and complex red. Intense ruby-red, with a bouquet reminiscent of cherry, dried fruit, chocolate and prune; the palate is full-bodied, soft and round, with a  toasted spice and lingering finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grapes: Primitivo

ABV: 14.5%

Argentina's famous Malbec, blended with the lesser known Bonarda grape variety, giving this wine a delightful twist of individuality compared to other Malbec wines.

Dark, damson and savoury overtones on the palate with a smoothly rounded finish – a delightful expression of a huge, brambly Malbec

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: 60% Malbec 40% Bonarda

Malbec needs no introduction, and has become as closely associated with Argentinian wine as Pepperoni is to Pizza! - well in my mind (and stomach) it is……! Bonarda on the other hand is a lesser known ‘ingredient’ of Argentina’s wines. More often thought of as a grape variety originating in the Piemonte region of Italy, however arguments abound about whether this grape variety in Argentina is actually the same as the Italian one. Who cares, unless you are studying for a doctorate in Ampelography (the study of grape vine identification). All we care about is that it makes delicious wines and when combined with Malbec it offers a uniquely Argentine experience.

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 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

A vibrant red wine with aromas of tobacco, dark cherry, rich red forest fruits and floral notes of lavender and violet. The palate has hints of white truffle, hazelnut, and warm spices with glimpses of anise and clove, rounded off with herbaceous undertones. The finish is gripping, velvety and lingering.

Country: Lebanon

Region: Mount Lebanon and Bekaa Valley

Grapes: 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, blended with Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah, Grenache & Mourvèdre

ABV: 13.5%

Produced at the historic Monastery of St Jean, whose building dates back to 1696. 75% of the grapes are from the Monastery’s own vineyards in Khenshara & Ajaltoun at 1000m altitude on the Maritime side of Mount Lebanon. The remaining 25% is Cabernet Sauvignon from the Bekaa Valley.

Food match: Moroccan lamb tagine

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.

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%

This is superb value for money rosé, 100% Cabernet Franc rose from the slopes of Stellenbosch's Simonsburg Mountain.

Country: South Africa

Region: Bankhoek, Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13.5%

Zorgvliet's focus is entirely Bordelaise so a Cab Franc rose is a natural fit and a delightfully different product within our South African portfolio. Pale onion skin colour with bright, crunchy red cherry fruit flavours and a full, textural finish.

This wine represents phenomenally good value for money! Soft, red berry fruit and silky tannins, very moreish.

Country: France

Region: Côte Chalonnaise, Burgundy

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 12.5%

Jaffelin Wine

Deliciously rich and fruity with notes of blackberry, plum and black cherry. Malbec grapes come from carefully selected vineyards in Mendoza. Bonarda grapes and stainless steel vinification result in a fruiter and fresher wine. Deep, brooding and dark. Big fruit, big spice, big flavours.

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

Grapes: Malbec and Bonarda

ABV: 13.5%

Delicately sweet and elegant Riesling from the Speck family in Ontario. Peach, apricot and honey blossom notes with a long mineral finish.

Country: Canada

Region: Niagara Peninsula

Grapes: Riesling

ABV: 11.5%

Food Match: Sweet Potato Curry

Luminous red with purple reflections, this elegant and finely textured wine displays aromas of dark fresh plum, cinnamon, exotic spices, black pepper and tobacco. The firm yet gentle tannins add complexity and a long and lingering finish. 

Country: Italy

Region: Puglia

Grape: Nero di Troia

ABV: 13 %

Food matching ideas: This bold red works well with game meat or slow cooked stews.

A pretty pale-yellow gold tints. Floral aromas and a touch of citrus come through on the nose, which develops buttery and brioche-like notes with age. Full and supple on the palate, long finish.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 12%

Jaffelin Wine

Food match: Great with smoked salmon and cream cheese canapés

Intense ruby-red, with a bouquet reminiscent of cherry, dried fruit, chocolate and prune; the palate is full-bodied, soft and round, with a spiciness and lingering finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Corvina, Merlot

ABV: 14.5%

Food matching ideas: This rich and fruity red works well with meaty pasta dishes such as spaghetti bolognese, beef lasagne or meatballs in a rich tomato sauce.

Youthful looking, pale lemon yellow in colour with a watery white edge. On the nose, aromas of freshly squeezed lime and fresh cut pineapple with hints of granny smith apple. The palate is bone dry as the name suggests! Exceptionally bright, fresh and lively with distinct flavours of lime following through from the nose, yellow peach and apricot, balanced by an edge of flinty minerality on the finish.

Country: Germany

Region: Pfalz

Grapes: Riesling

ABV:12%

Dry and clean with crunchy green and red apple flavours with juicy peach, mango and melon adding roundness and some lovely lemon to keep it all fresh 

Country: Spain

Region:  Rías Baixas

Grapes: Albariño

ABV: 13%

Food match: Calamari or fish and chips

Classic and classy Californian Zin. 

Smooth and supple with notes of blackberry mingled with gentle spice and soft vanilla. A lovely soft finish. A great wine to partner with charcuterie or cheese platters.

Country: USA

Region: Lodi

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Zinfandel

Crushed laurel on the nose with more than a nuance of residual seaside salt.... or if you want a less pretentious description...bl**dy delicious!

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13%

Vegan, Vegetarian friendly

Biodynamic

Waterkloof Wine

This has a big and textured palate with stone fruit and fennel hints – it is rich and minerally, showing even a slight rocky quality about it. As bracing as the wind through the vines at Waterkloof.

Founded by Paul Boutinot in 2004 this majestic and fully-fledged biodynamic estate is perched high on top of hill overlooking the Western Cape’s False Bay and produces delicately fine wines with a real sense of place.

South Africa's answer to Chablis! Soils rich in limestone and broken mountain rock on De Wetshof’s site-specific vineyards allow this wine to emit optimum varietal expression. An unwooded wine, Bon Vallon has a brisk and clean freshness leading into a wide spectrum of classic flavours including citrus, wild flowers and grilled nuts, with a nuanced minerality on the aftertaste.

Country: South Africa

Region: Robertson

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13.5%

Goes well with Caesar Salad or seared salmon or tuna, equally, it will complement grilled or roasted white meats and pan-fried duck. It was awarded the top 15 award in the Chardonnay du Monde 2019 out of 696 Chardonnays tasted. And received a Double Gold Medal in the 2019 Veritas Awards

Dense, spiced nose with intense blackberry and blueberry aromatics. The ripe fruit is supported with cocoa and spiced oak notes; intense to the finish.

Grapes: Odesa Black

Country: Ukraine

Region: Odesa

ABV: 13%

Food pairing: Excellent with beef and other red meats, and also grilled vegetables and chicken. Also fabulous with 70% plus dark chocolate after a meal.

Serving temperature: 16-18°C

ABV: 13%

Villa Tinta has been a family estate winery since 1998 when the winery foundation was laid and 500 hectares of family-owned vines were planted. The winery is situated in the Bolgrad district where winemaking was the source of life centuries ago.

A brilliant Petit Chablis - ripe and untouched by oak. May well become your new go-to wine.

Showing all the characteristics of the terroir, as well as lemony freshness and vivacity, underpinned by light minerality.

Country: France

Region: Chablis

ABV: 12%

Grapes:  100% Chardonnay

Family Story

A boutique French winery, Domaine Besson, is family owned and operated by Camille Besson and her brother Adrien, fourth generation winemakers. The estate has 21 hectares of vines that make wines for four Chablis AOC appellations: Petit Chablis, Chablis, Chablis Premier Cru and Chablis Grand Cru. Adrien is the viticulturalist and vineyard manager while Camille is the winemaker.

An aromatic wine but don't be scared it's not sweet at all - and extremely more-ish

Hints of orange blossom and candied citrus fruits. Something completely different from the likes of Chardonnay, this is an engaging wine with a vibrant finish. You won't be disappointed, we promise!

Country: Chile

Region: Rapel Valley

Grapes:  Gewurztraminer

ABV:13%

Vegan/Vegetarian

Emiliana is one of the world’s most important producers of organic and biodynamic wines and the largest in South America. They have a total of 997 hectares under vine in the valleys of Casablanca, Maipo, Colchagua, and Cachapoal of which 923ha are IMO certified organic and the remaining 77 in conversion. Their spectacular biodynamic vineyard and winery at Los Robles is a model that attracts visiting viticulturalists and winemakers from all over the world. General Manager José Guilisasti and winemaking consultant Alvaro Espinoza were key to establishing this project to convert a large commercial winery into a commercially viable organic one. These innovative wines are made with great care and attention and the results are inspiring.