£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.

With four generations of the same family making fine Chablis wines, you are sure to enjoy an authentic, high quality and delicious wine from this domaine.

Delicate and softly perfumed aromas of citrus tree blossom and fresh cut green apple. Tight, mineral and zippy flavours, with that lovely richness of mouthfeel only found with great quality Chablis.

Country: France

Region: Chablis

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes:  Chardonnay

Domaine Besson makes a Chablis style that is a little more accessible than some other domaines. These wines therefore can be enjoyed from an early age, unlike some Chablis where to get the best from the wine it is necessary to cellar the wine to allow it to develop. 

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%

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.

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.

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.

The beauty of this wine extends from the bottle to the liquid contents. Layers of raspberries, strawberries and fresh melon on the nose. A fresh, clean wine with great acidity for food pairing, but roundness to enjoy on its own. Star bright in colour, vibrant pale pink that has flecks of copper.
The spice notes from the Syrah provides a dry, white pepper characteristic across the entire palate. A touch of Rolle gives great acidity and brightness that lends notes of winter citrus, spice with a warming finish.

Country: France
Region: Provence
ABV: 12.5%
Grapes: Grenache Noir (30%) Cinsault (30%) Syrah (30%) Rolle (10%)

Food Match: Excellent with grilled tuna steak and crunchy green beans with olive oil and sea salt.

This is very exciting!!! Red wine from Rondo Grapes grown in Chiswell Green, so this is as local as it gets guys! Gorgeous, deep ruby colour. Elegant aromas of Morello cherry, violets and cloves. Juicy, fresh acidity, with flavours of bitter cherry and raspberries on the palate with silky tannins. Only 400 bottles produced, so grab it while you can.

Country: England

Region: St Albans, Hertfordshire

Grapes: Rondo

ABV: 12%

Food Match: Great with hard cheese such as pecorino or parmesan and cured meats.

Estate grown by Wimbushes Vineyard, St Albans

Produced by the winery at Thurston Place, Suffolk

Wimbushes Vineyard St Albans

Andy and Karina Harrison decided to plant an acre of vines on their beautiful Chiswell Green property about 9 years ago, as a hobby. In 2018 they appointed Suffolk winemaker (and ex-surgeon) Michael Rhodes to turn their Solaris and Rondo grapes into wine.  In recent years, due to careful vineyard management by David Savage and the vines maturing healthily, the fruit and their talented winemaker, they have produced some seriously good English wine. These wines are produced in very small quantities, so we do tend to limit the amount of bottles purchased by any one household.

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

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%

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%

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.

Perfumed and aromatic style of Chardonnay from the Mendoza valley in Argentina.

A clean wine, with plenty of aromatic intensity, fresh and mineral. On the nose it is floral and citrus-like. Notes of white flowers and fruits, lemon blossom and peaches. On the palate, it has a soft start, a good persistence, unctuous with balanced acidity, round with good concentration.

Country: Argentina

Region: Mendoza

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Chardonnay

After visiting Argentina in 1989, Californian trail-blazer Paul Hobbs became deeply interested in both the terroir and Argentine culture, noticing the unique potential for Malbec and other varietals in the region. After meeting two kindred spirits, Andrea Marchiori and Luis Barraud, they founded Viña Cobos in 1997 and since then there has been no looking back. Utilising gnarly old vines, careful vineyard selection, very low yields and an unerring empathy for the raw materials, Viña Cobos craft intense yet balanced wines that showcase the elegance and beauty of this region. The wines from Cobos have branched into four different brands – Felino, Bramare appellation, Bramare Single Vineyard and the super premium Cobos. Binding all of the wines from Viña Cobos is the true identity of each variety and the unique terroir of Mendoza, truly world class wines from a world class producer.

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.

Concentrated, complex and rich, oak matured Douro red, made from a blend of selected parcels from the best vineyards on the estate.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: 74% Touriga Nacional, 13% Sousão, 12% Touriga Franca, 1% Fernão Pires

ABV: 13.5%

An LBV Port from the historical Delaforce Port house.

A Port of deep ruby colour with intense aromas of plums, fresh berries and liquorice revealing immense complexity. Very fruity on the palate, with round tannins in a perfectly balanced structure. 

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro

ABV: 20%

Grapes: Field Blend (ie....they dont know exactly!..but its the typical Port varieties)

Food Match: Great with blue cheese like Gorgonzola, Stilton and creamy dolcelatte.

Late Bottled Vintage Ports unlike Vintages are only bottled 4 years after their ageing period in oak. This process of Late Bottling allows the wine to benefit from oxygenic evolution in large barrels making them soft, round and enjoyable to drink now. The LBV Port has been an alternative for Vintage Port lovers who prefer not to wait for long-term bottle ageing. 

Pure, sublimely crisp and mineral in style, this wine is fresh and elegant with subtle notes of citrus, grapefruit, Golden Delicious apple and white pear. Dry, with a lively palate of crisp, ripe fruits and a charming acidity. A lovely expression of the delicate elegance of the Koshu grapes.

Country: Japan

Region: Yamanashi Province

Grapes: Koshu

ABV: 12%

Sublimely crisp, floral and mineral in style with an almost. Chablis type razor sharp saltiness on the finish.

Grace Winery was established in 1923, in the Katsunuma province, the birthplace of
the Japanese wine industry. Committed to the belief that great wine is made in the
vineyard, they were the first to research and introduce European training and
pruning methods introducing such as using long cordon training and Vertical Shoot
Positioning in 1990. The wines are made in a modern way to retain the delicate
characteristics of this individual and exciting grape variety.

This extraordinary speciality red sparkling wine is based on a cool climate Cabernet Shiraz blend from vines situated on the Trillians Hills in Clare Valley. It is a deep ruby colour with a lively mousse yet the savoury and plum aromas and subtle tannins give a lasting impression of elegance and well balanced restraint. Can be enjoyed in two ways - a standalone drink with friends or a beautiful accompaniment to a meal.

Country: Australia

Region: Clare Valley

Grapes: Shiraz (86%)
Cabernet Sauvignon (14%)

ABV: 13.%

Food Matches: turkey, veal and duck, pates, barbecued meats and plum pudding. Dark chocolate pudding.

This is a fruity, fresh and approachable Nebbiolo. The nose shows delicate mineral notes with hints of violet, rose and liquorice, while the on the palate the silky tannins and long, smooth finish make this a delightfully well-balanced wine.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 13%

Food Match: perfect with pasta dishes, roast meat (particularly Duck) and cheeses.

"Fresh bright strawberries, violets and liquorice depth. The attack is
balanced, with supple fruit, a peppery character, a tight structure
and a medium to full body. A good, juicy, savoury finish with velvety tannins."
- 92 points, James Suckling

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.

Normally associated with red wines, the region of Rioja also makes some really interesting and delicious whites. 

A fruity and refreshing style of white Rioja. The barrel fermentation gives vanilla and subtle spice aromas, with ripe citrus flavours and a crisp finish.

Country: Spain

Region: Rioja, Alavesa

ABV: 13%

Grapes: 85% Viura, 15% Malvasia

The Region:  Rioja is divided into three areas; Alta, Alavesa and Baja. Alta is the coolest and Baja is the hottest. Most Rioja's are blended from all three areas as many bodegas buy fruit from across Rioja to add complexity to their wines.

Gaglioppo...no, we didn't know that grape variety either. Now its one we'll never forget. 

Tawny-brick red colour, powerful and persistent fragrance. Well-balanced, leathery palate with a back bone of black fruit and grippy, but supple tannins, making this a very versatile wine with meat dishes ranging from game birds to pork and lamb.

Country: Italy

Region:Cirò, Calabria

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Gaglioppo

Food match: rich roast pork dishes, pheasant or slow roast lamb.

The wine has a garnet colour that is the typical color of Gaglioppo. The nose shows dark fruit aromas, dried herbs and dried flowers, and intense earthy notes. The tertiary aromas of mushrooms and leather are also evident and well interwoven with the dark fruit notes. On the palate the dark fruit flavours follow through; blueberries, black cherries, and blackcurrants. Smooth and silky in texture. The wine is juicy, and it shows elegance and good integration of all the elements. This wine is the quintessential example of a true Gaglioppo grape!

The wines are made in Calabria in the toe of Italy’s boot, where native varieties reign supreme – Magliocco, Nerello, Mantonico, Greco and the region’s star grape, Gaglioppo.

The Cirò DOC is a picturesque corner of the Mediterranean, along the Ionian coast, in the eastern foothills of the Calabria region, a large peninsula that forms the toe to Italy’s boot. The Parrilla family, who own and run Tenuta del Conte, have been making wine here for four generations, the latest of which to take over the estate are Mariangela, Giuseppe, and Caterina.

In 2011 Mariangela Parrilla took over as winemaker. Mariangela takes a philosophical approach to winemaking, with the aim to let these traditional indigenous grape varieties speak for themselves and their terroir. Her wines are all organic, no herbicides or chemicals are used at any stage of the production process, she opts for spontaneous fermentations using indigenous yeasts, no filtration, and solely stainless-steel and bottle aging. Taking each wine vintage by vintage she lets them evolve and age “according to their own natural rhythm”, making each wine unique. This could be just one year in bottle before release or over 10 years. Not only does she capture the unique character of the grape variety but that of the vintage it's from too.

Together with a handful of other wineries in the area, Mariangela is part of “The Cirò Revolution”, a group formed to promote and protect their territory’s identity. They are dedicated to organic viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking, they make traditional wines, in homage to their ancestors, from native grape varieties.

A good dash of Semillon into this Sauvignon Blanc gives additional layers of complexity. 

This traditional French blend has aromas and flavours of citrus fruit, passion-fruit and greengages, cut grass with a hint of dried herbs.  The low crop levels have particularly emphasised the Semillon component in the wine, filling out the palate and giving good concentration as well as structure.  It has a crisp, dry finish and a lingering after-taste on the palate.  

Country: New Zealand

Region: North Canterbury

ABV: 15%

Grapes: 70% Sauvignon, 30% Semillon

Food Match: We love this wine for its complexity of aromatics and concentration of flavours on the palate. White fish with fresh asparagus or Samphire is a great pairing.