£20 to 30

Wild berry and smokey notes are deftly handled at Henry of Pelham, where this variety has become their recognised flagship red wine. A deep ruby colour with hints of dark purple; blackberry and plum aromas with coffee, cedar wood and smoky notes. Dry and full-bodied with pronounced black cherry flavours lingering on a smoky finish.

Country: Canada

Region: Niagara Peninsula

Grapes: Baco Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Great with roast lamb and all the trimmings

http://swahilicoastfoodie.com/wine-and-roast-lamb-pairings/

Baco Noir's origins go back to 1894, when French grape creator François Baco crossed Folle Blanche with an unknown member of the American Vitis riparia family.

His intention was to create phylloxera-resistant vines that retained their Old World French character. At one time Baco Noir was grown in Burgundy and the Loire, but it was gradually phased out of the Old World and has since become one of North America's more successful hybrids.

A classic Sancerre with crisp, crunchy grapefruit and lime citrus flavours and a gently herbaceous element adding complexity. There is a mouthwatering, saline minerality to the long finish. Just brilliant.

Country: France

Region: Sancerre

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

Food match: Great with grilled fish, seafood or even as an aperitif. 

Domaine du Pre Semele is located in Maimbray in the town of Sury-en-Vaux 5 km north of Sancerre. The vineyard has been passed on for four generations now and we want to remain a family structure. We are currently 2 brothers on the estate, Julien and Clément Raimbault, where we grow 20 ha on the Sancerre appellation in the greatest respect of our terroirs.

A superb, modern style Pinotage with an abundance of blackcurrants and plums, and hints of fruit cake and cloves on the nose. Intense concentration on the palate shows sweet fruit and well-integrated oak. The silky-smooth tannins contribute to the wine’s juicy, round and seamless finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Pinotage

ABV: 14.5%

KWV The Mentors Wine

Food match: Great with braaied red meat and boerewors, but also amazing for just sipping in front of the fireplace on a cold wintery evening.

Lemon yellow colour which is clean and bright. A very expressive aroma with citrus and grapefruit, spices and vanilla scents. A fresh and very well balanced wine with balanced acidity and a long citrus finish.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja

Grapes: Vuira (51%), Chardonnay (49%)

ABV: 13.5%

From a warmer vintage, this shows riper yet still mineral fruit with added depth from a small (around 10%) addition of oak-aged wine into the blend. This is very typical of the Motte style and gives richness and balance to the wine. A deliciously precise expression of classic chalky Chablis terroir.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy, Chablis

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13%

A classic Chablis from vines grown on the famous Kimmeridgian clay.

One of the top 10 most sought after Tuscan wines.

An intense red - floral and dark fruit notes, well-balanced with a ripe and explosive finish. Stunning. 

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon

The winemaker from Baron Rothschild-Lafite, Christian Le Somme, visits once a month and, by working closely with Alessandro Cellai (from Castellare di Castellina) they are able to maintain the essential Italian character of Tuscany, through the plantings of Sangiovese combined with the power and mid-palate weight of Cabernet and Merlot.

Situated between Gavorrano and Ribolla in the rossetto province in Maremma, the soils have similar characteristics to those of Chianti and Montalcino, but with slightly higher temperatures, so are able to reach maturation earlier compared to those territories further north. The winery was designed by the Shard's architect, Renzo Piano, one of the most admired architects in the world, and named in Time Magazine’s Top 10 most influential people working in the Arts.

It has the biggest barrel room in the world, with only 20% of the winery above ground. The winery runs completely on environmental principles: electricity powered by solar panels and gravity-led production, and the underground barrel cellar allows natural air conditioning and saves energy.

Complex nose with hints of spice, chocolate and mocha. Good structure with plum and mineral complexity and a lingering finish.

Country: South African wine

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet & Malbec

ABV: 14%

If you're a rich white Burgundy fan - then this is the wine for you. A rich nose of lemon curd and freshly baked butter biscuits. The beautifully fruity core is perfectly balanced by layers of oak spice, vanilla and roasted almonds. Supple with fresh acidity and an underlying minerality, which adds focus and length to the finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Paarl, Western Cape

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 14%

Food Match: The elegance and substance of the wine will
complement mushroom risotto, rich fish dishes and also steak béarnaise.

Ready to be enjoyed within the year of production, but will
mature well for the next four to six years.

A serious rosé with a strong personality.

Beautiful pale salmon colour with an appealing lemon and herb nose followed by flavours of warm southern French herbs with rich, rounded fruit.  Very much a food wine with a powerful character and a delicious dry finish.

Country: France

Region: Provence

Grapes:  65% Mourvedre, 20% Grenache, 15% Cinsault

ABV: 14%

Organic

Vegan/Vegetarian

Domaine Lafran Veyrolles is an estate with a superb terroir and is widely recognised as one of the top three producers in the appellation. Jean-Marie Castell runs this small, traditional estate with just 10 ha of vines on the famous red clay soil of Bandol.  The estate nestles in and is protected by the hills of the Cadière d'Azur and benefits from a maritime climate. The estate is farmed organically and the yields are kept extremely low. Domaine Lafran Veyrolles reds have made it one of the star performers of the appellation … but don’t overlook the rosé wines as they deserve attention too!

Deep and concentrated on the nose, it opens up on the palate to reveal crisp cassis fruit with smoky edges and a hint of green pepper all hung on a ripe firm structure. Excellent balance. Excellent wine.

Country: South Africa

Region: Robertson

ABV:14%

Grape Varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc

Harvested at full seed ripeness. Cold macerated uncrushed in open fermenters for 10 days. Punched through 3 times daily. 3 weeks alcoholic fermentation, only free run used. 100% malolatic fermentation in barrel. 24 months barrel maturation in 1st and 2nd fill Sequin Moreau 300l barriques. 4 years bottle maturation at 14°C. Terroir is very gentle, southerly with chalk soil and calcrete formations. Climate is moderate summer with low night temperatures, cold winter.

Springfield Estate

Forget Prosecco...the best sparkling from Italy comes from Franciacorta. Traditional method sparkling wine from Champagne grapes as well!

An exuberant, confident and bright style  with lovely notes of toasted brioche– lively and very approachable with citrus fruits – a golden apple character which is, at the same time, both incisive yet quite gentle.

Country: Italy

Region: Lombardia

ABV: 11.5%

Grapes: 95% Chardonnay, 5% Pinot Noir

One of the emerging estates in Italy's booming sparkling wine sector. Roberto Gatti spent 20 years as cellarmaster and viticulturalist at Bellavista, one of the early pioneers of the Franciacorta region, before creating Ferghettina in 1990. A new winery and cellars, started in 2002, were completed in 2005 and sit in a magnificent location overlooking the beautiful Lake Iseo. Roberto is assisted by his daughter Laura, also an oenologist, shortly to be joined by his son Matteo. The Gatti's control production of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, using only half of the grapes available for their production of 300,000 bottles. Meticulous attention to detail, skillful blending and long bottle maturation give wines of great finesse and individuality. The 'Italy's answer to Champagne' tag is unavoidable but these wines are much more than that.

Layered aromas of pineapple, mandarin and orange . Fresh and earthy palate with a creamy vibrant texture, smooth, round finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Paarl

Grapes: Grenache Blanc

ABV: 13.5%

KWV The Mentors Wine

Astonishingly good Riesling from an outstanding New Zealand producer. Concentrated, explosive in the mouth! Dry, flavoursome Riesling with honeysuckle notes, aromatic nectarine, baked peach, apricot, lime and preserved lemon. One glass will not be enough!

Country: New Zealand

Region: North Canterbury

ABV: 15.5%

Grapes: Riesling

Read Wine Advocate Erin Larkin’s wonderful review of Pegasus from latest trip to the South Island

'From there, I went to Pegasus Bay, and it was here that I was so impacted. This is an iconic Riesling producer—Rieslings worth crossing the ocean for. They age slowly and gracefully, employ botrytis as a textural aid and are thundering examples of Riesling from New Zealand. I can’t overstate that. These are collectors’ wines. I have seen older examples in Australia over the years, served blind, that have taken the room by storm. My thanks to Winemaker Matt Donaldson for the afternoon; it took us in directions I think neither of us expected.'

Pegasus Bay Riesling Bel Canto 2022 – 94 points.

The 2022 Bel Canto Dry Riesling leads with loquat, kumquat and orange rind. In the mouth, the wine is floral, detailed and full—it is actually quite wide, spreading to all corners of the mouth, leaving a trail of fine chalky texture in its wake. Really good. Textural. 14% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Erin Larkin Wine Advocate

A fantastic example of classic French Sauvignon Blanc. Intense and flowery on the nose with hints of acacia and lime blossom with notes of tropical fruit. The palate follows through from the bouquet and offers a great balance of freshness and flavour, finishing with great length and minerality.

Country: France

Region: Loire Valley

Grapes: Sauvignon Blanc

ABV: 13%

A fantastic gift for a sherry lover or a wine student!

Contains 6 different Sherry Wines.

Tio Pepe Fino Muy Seco, 50ml, 15% Cristina Medium Sherry, 50ml, 17.5% 
Viña AB 12 Year Old Amontillado Seco Sherry, 50ml, 16.5%
Alfonso Oloroso Seco Sherry, 50ml, 18%
Nectar Pedro Ximénez Dulce Sherry, 50ml, 15%
Solera 1847 Cream Sherry, 50ml, 18%

Country: Spain

Region: Jerez

Grapes: Palomino & Pedro Ximenez

ABV: 15% - 18%

A true reflection of a great South African Chenin blanc, intense flavours of peach, Granny Smith apple and meringue. The creamy and textured palate shows hints of lime and almonds, a vibrant, zesty finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Paarl

Grapes: Chenin Blanc

ABV: 14%

KWV The Mentors Wine

Hand harvested and completely destemmed, the wine was fermented and aged in the amphoras in contact with skins and lees. The inside of our amphoras is coated with natural tree resin according to the ancient process used by the Romans 2000 years ago. The wine has not been filtered or stabilised.

Rich, ripe and full of mulberry fruit character with a silky round tannic structure. Beautifully made low intervention wine.

Country: Portugal

Region: Lisboa

Grapes: 50% Aragonez and 50% Trincadeira

ABV: 14%

Intense aromatics with flavours of pears, grapefruit, melon, and gooseberry. Brilliant minerality and lemony acidity. Complex and juicy, yet unwaveringly lithe. Lingering finish reminiscent of lemony creams.

Country: Germany

Region: Franken

ABV: 13.5%

Grape: 100% Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc)

Food Match: Beautiful when paired with fresh salads or a diverse range of Asian-inspired dishes. This wine love's seafood! A perfect match is whole crab with lemon butter.

Fun Fact:  Weissburgunder (/vīs-bur-gūn-dur/) is another grape of the pinot family which originated in Burgundy, France. For that reason, the German word “burgunder” is used to mean pinot in the same sense French and English speakers use it. “Weiss,” like “blanc” in French or “bianco” in Italian, is the German word for the color white. So weissburgunder is the German name for pinot blanc/bianco

Winzerhof Stahl is a dynamic young estate from one of Germany’s rising star winemakers, Christian Stahl. Christian has been making waves on the national and international wine scene since he established the estate in 2005, winning multiple accolades across the world in recognition of his talent and contribution to the world of wine.


Based in Franken, in Bavaria, Stahl makes wines in a region with a long and fruitful viticultural history, spanning over 1200 years. The Main River runs through the verdant countryside, where small villages of cobblestone paving and timber-framed houses dot the landscape. Auernhofen, where Winzerhof Stahl is situated, is one of these such villages.

Bright, ruby red with flecks of violet, the Lagrein grape has delicious berry aromas on the nose with hints of violets and dried rose petals. The palate is silky, medium bodied with soft tannins and a long finish.

Grapes: Lagrein

Region: Gries, Alto Adige

Country: Italy

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Game bird, duck, veal and lamb dishes. Mature hard cheese also works well.

Deep, dark purple in colour and gorgeously full bodied and unctuous wine. Raspberries, mulberries and aromatic sweet spice jump out of the glass on the nose. Fine grained, grippy, tannins are in perfect balance with lots of concentrated, ripe black fruit character on the finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Tinta Barocca

ABV: 14.5%

Dornier is a family owned winery that is situated in the Golden Triangle area of the famous Upper Blaauwklippen Valley in Stellenbosch - their prestigious neighbours are
De Trafford, Keermont and Waterford, so they are in fine company. The property was home to one of the first wineries in Stellenbosch, having been completed in the late 1600s, as well as an historic Sir Herbert Baker home. 

The winemaking philosophy at Dornier is to produce premium quality wines, with minimal intervention in the winery, that are expressive of the unique terroir of the Golden Triangle and showcase the complexity and finesse of the noble grape varietals planted on the farm..

This expressive, barrel-fermented Viognier seduces you with the beautiful perfume of honeysuckle and orange blossom and a textured palate of apricot, kiwi and pineapple.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes: Viognier

ABV: 13.5%

Lismore Wine

Aromatic, medium to full bodied and powerful, with good extraction of the sweet flavours of black ripe fruits. Elegant with good texture and firm tannins, giving wine great ageing potential. A touch of mint, with lavender notes. Firm, well balanced oak and long finish with fresh, spicy, integrated mouthfeel.

Country: South Africa

Region: Wellington

ABV: 14%

Grape: Shiraz

Andreas Wine

Andreas only produce this wine - and they are good at it. The wine is aged for 18 months in French and American oak and bottle matured for another year. Winemaker Shaun Meyeridricks' first first vintage was in 2018, since joining Andreas from Boekenhoutskloof where he was previously making exemplary Shiraz.

Such an attractive, appealing nose of mixed red fruits, very bright and clean. The palate is soft and mouth-filling. Red fruits follow through with a touch of minerality. Great finesse, with a gentle and seamless finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

Grapes: Nebbiolo: 90%
Cabernet Sauvignon: 5%
Vespolina: 5%

ABV: 13%

Food Match: A wonderfully versatile red that is great just with simple antipasti or with roast lamb with all of the trimmings.

Orbello is a small village very close to the Tenuta Sella vineyard where this wine is produced from. A traditional blend that Tenute Sella has been producing for more than 50 years. Nebbiolo, Vespolina and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, all the grapes are hand-harvested. Once picked a cold maceration is carried out. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations in stainless steel tank. Aging for 1 year in barriques, and 6 months refinement in bottle.

A rich and textured white wine with great depth and complexity given from being made in clay amphora. Matches beautifully with antipasto and meat dishes, but equally very friendly drunk without food.

Country: Italy

Region: Marche

Grapes: Incrocio Bruni 54

ABV: 13%

Incrocio Bruni 54 is a crossing by pollenation of Sauvignon Blanc and Verdicchio which was done in 1936 by Professor Bruno Bruni while working for the Italian Ministry of Agriculture. It is only found in the Marche region and Tenuta Santi Giacomo e Filippo are championing it as Marche's flagship grape. Rightly so!

Rich in age, rich in flavour. Toasty, vanilla, raisins and dried plum.

Beautiful brick red colour, with a complex aroma of roasted coffee, spices, vanilla, ripe fruits raisins, caramel, and subtle bottle ageing notes of leather, tobacco. Silky smooth tannins, and velvety finish.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja Alavesa

Grapes: Tempranillo

ABV: 14%

Only made in the best vintages from the best grapes, this Rioja GR has gone through an ageing process of 30 months in new French (75%) & American (25%) oak barriques, followed by a further 3 years before it is released.

https://www.murielwines.com/en/our-brands/rioja-collection/vina-muriel

To learn more about the Rioja region and their different styles of wines read our blog here.