25 to 40

The Three Squirrels Sparkling Brut is a rare blend of Muller Thurgau, Huxelrebe and Reichensteiner made in the traditional method.  The wine is aged on the lees and in bottle for at least 5 years before release. Brioche, toast and nectarine on the nose, with a rich and textured palate and long elegant finish.

Country: England

Region: Grown and fermented in Hertfordshire, secondary ferment and ageing in West Sussex

Grapes: Muller Thurgau, Huxelrebe and Reichensteiner

ABV: 12.5%

Rich, ripe, dense and complex. Notes of tobacco, dark chocolate and blackberries. Abundant flavours of dark berries are released alongside earthy and creamy notes that warm the mouth. Stunning wine.

Country: Spain

Region: Aragon

Grapes: Garnacha

ABV: 14%

Food Match: Perfect with herb crusted roast leg of lamb and rosemary potatoes.

Biscuity brioche on the nose with delicate white flower and full fruit. Citrus, red apple and 'Leesy' characters add complexity to the palate. 10% of the wine is fermented in aged oak barrels and the wine is then aged for 36 months on it's lees. Gorgeous, toasty and rich.

Country: England

Region: Sussex

Grapes: 40% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Meunier, 

ABV: 12%

Owned and run by Lawrence Warr, Henners is the result of a long term dream to produce the finest English Sparkling Wine. Lawrence started his career as an automotive engineer in the exciting world of Formula One. Having left Formula One, to set up an engineering consultancy, the search for the perfect vineyard site began. The search  was a lengthy and dedicated one - as the ideal combination of soils, aspect, slope, altitude and microclimate was difficult to find. After two years he found the site at Herstmonceux, East Sussex. The vineyard was planted in May 2007, with the winery following in 2009.

Wowzer! Very special wine this..

Beautiful red shades with purple accents, dark and lustrous. Expressive nose displaying blueberry, red plum, red and sour cherry. In the mouth, the delightful notes of cacao, plums, truffle, coconut and caramel, with a hint of toasted brioche make it very elegant. The palate is fleshy, with good entrance, balanced acidity, firm tannins and a lasting finish.

Country: Argentina

Region: Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza 

Vegan/Vegetarian

Grapes:  100% Malbec

ABV: 15% 

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.

A Cellar Door Wines team favourite. Powerful and aromatic nose of ripe citrus and stone fruits. The palate has concentrated lychee, honeysuckle, nectarines and pineapple.

Country: USA

Region: Oregon

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Pinot Gris

Wild Island ‘Sacred Tree’ Gin uses an array of carefully selected Autumn fruits, including brambles hand gathered on the island, added to a composition totalling 22 individual botanicals to create an incredibly complex, ripe fruit, spicy-sweet contemporary London Dry style gin.

43.4%

The ancient Scots observed a ‘sacred tree’ calendar of which the bramble vine was one representing the month of September. It was during the month of September that the fruits were gathered and it is the bramble to which the distillers are giving prominence due to its predominant character.

Succulent black cherry aroma, bright but delicate and hints of forest floor, with underlying floral and spicy notes. On the palate, the wine is powerful, with silk-textured length.

Country: South Africa

Region: Elgin

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food match:

Beef bourguignon with mushroom or braised lamb shanks.

In early 1997, Andrew Gunn, an engineer by training was contemplating his next career move. Having always loved the outdoors, the prospect of farming appealed to him and feeling young and energetic enough to start a new career, left the hustle and bustle of Johannesburg to begin the search for the ‘perfect’ farm.

After months of searching and 40 farm visits later, Andrew and a very tired estate agent stumbled upon a solitary run down apple farm on a mountain top overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The prospect of a suitable farm in Elgin intrigued Andrew and on driving through the valley, he became excited by the beauty of the area. Surrounded by the Kogelberg Biosphere and Forestry the property had no agricultural neighbours. The rolling hills and the drive up the mountain to where the farm was situated, 420 meters above sea level, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, was unlike anything he had ever seen. It was love at first sight.

As he drove in and stopped in front of a rather run down Herbert Baker homestead, he felt, “this is where I would like to live”, and the view from the front of the house overlooking the Elgin Valley below, made up his mind.

A consistent winner of both national and international wine awards, our Pinot Noir is nourished by the unique ‘terroir’ of the Graaff family farm in the Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres, better known until recently for high quality apples and pears.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food Match: Mushroom risotto will complement the earthy notes of the wine beautifully. Pinot Noir is light and elegant enough to be enjoyed with poached salmon or even a leek and pecorino tart. Also try it with chicken liver fettuccine.

At an altitude of 960 meters above sea level, with winter snowfalls often covering the vineyards, a truly continental climate facilitates gradual ripening for a concentrated, luscious, elegant, ‘terroir’ driven wine which, as the vines mature, produces increasingly perfumed wines with each successive vintage. Carefully handpicked in Ceres in the early hours of the morning, the grapes are vinified by Cellar Master Charles Hopkins in the safety of the cellar at De Grendel.

De Grendel Wine

A delicious traditional method sparkling with ageing sur lie (on the lees) in bottle for 36 months. Bisser Blanc de Blancs is a classic style brut sparkling made from 100% Chardonnay grapes from The Kolonist vineyards in the Odesa region. 

Grapes: Chardonnay

Country: Ukraine

Region: Odesa, Bessarabia sub region

ABV: 11.5%

The estate winery "Kolonist" was founded by the Plachkov family in 2005 in Bessarabia, Ukraine. Named in honour of Bulgarian colonists who came to these lands over 200 years ago. 

Brick red appearance, with a very rich aroma of very ripe fruit (grapes and overripe figs) as well as dried fruits (nuts and almonds),caramel and coffee. On the palate fresh and elegant with good acidity. The long finish is dominated by dried fruits.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: Tinta Roriz,Touriga Franca,Touriga Nacional,Tinto Cão,Tinta Francisca,Tinta Amarela,Sousão

ABV: 20%

Dark, concentrated black fruit. Cocoa and chocolate notes on the nose, supple tannins, long black berry finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13.5%

Vegan

Food pairing: lamb, veal, deer, venison, mushrooms, mature and hard cheese

From 35 year old vineyards in Kakehti, this wine is fermented on it's skins for  2 to 3 weeks in Qvevri. Rustavelli was Georgia’s darling poet- famous for poem 'The man in the Panther Skin'.

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

Straw like colour with greenish hues. Attractive aromas of nectarine, hints of lemon zest and white flower notes. The pallet has great texture and depth and finishes with beautifully balanced acidity, long and flavoursome mid pallet with rich texture reflect conditions of the vintage.

Country: South Africa

Region: Elgin

Grapes: Chardonnay

ABV: 13%

This is a Chardonnay of great purity, reflecting site and the season in which it was grown. Meticulous attention and care in the vineyard is most critical in allowing that expression. Elgin is one of the Cape’s coolest wine growing areas with favourable climatic, soil and topographic conditions.

The Proposal Hill Cap Classique Brut Rosé is made from 100% Pinot Noir grown on the western slope of the Tygerberg hill on De Grendel, overlooked by the original homestead built by the first baronet Graaff, the vines enjoying the same view that Sir De Villiers and Lady Graaff treasured all those years ago.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Durbanville Hills, Tygerberg

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Food Match: Oysters, fresh from the sea or antipasti.

De Grendel Wine

De Grendel Brut Rosé has all the hallmarks of a traditional, meticulously constructed Cap Classique, with the added allure of being playful and exciting, Hopkins said. Complex and with a weightier palate than the average sparkling wine, this bone-dry rosé has a fine and persistent mousse introducing hints of oyster shell and fresh lavender on the nose. Intense strawberry coulis and black cherry flavours are well-balanced by firm acidity and linger in the exceptionally long finish.

Fresh red fruits, with a floral note immediately jumps out from the nose. Dark ripe raspberries, spices, lavender, hints of oak and cassis emerge after the initial blast of fruit. Beautifully balanced with nice acidity and ripe tannins.

Country: USA

Region: Oregon

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13.5%

Gorgeous, deep golden colour. Rich, sweet and nutty nose. Softly sweet and wonderfully balanced palate. Perfect chilled as an aperitif.

Country: Portugal

Region: Douro Valley

Grapes: Malvasia

ABV: 20%

Bright purple edge with an intensely dark core. Cherry tobacco and Christmas spice of cloves and cinnamon abound. On the palate, this medium-bodied wine delivers flavours of sour cherry, cocoa, Cedar wood and fresh plums.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Tygerberg 

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Pinotage

Food Match:

Traditional South African fare such as braaivleis (BBQ), wildspotjie (game stew), Cape Malay bobotie (an oven-baked dish of spiced mince and dried apricots topped with an egg-custard), biltong (beef jerky) and samp with beans will be a true delight to enjoy with Pinotage. Non-conformists can try Pinotage with sushi, especially sashimi with pickled ginger and soy sauce to complement the spicy and umami flavours of the wine.

Pinotage in general has an excellent maturation potential of approximately 10 years and the Amandelboord will benefit with bottle aging, ensuring the flavours fully develop and tannins soften and integrate over time.

A top notch wild and organic Bandol!

Mourvèdre at its best! Wild flavours of fresh earth, black pepper, cinnamon, bay, cloves and blackberry. The finish is fresh and quite dry. A great way to discover Mourvèdre-dominant wine.

Country: France

Region: Bandol

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Mourvèdre 70%, Grenache 20%, Cinsault 10%

Organic

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 10ha of vines on the famous red clay soil of Bandol. The estate is nestled in the protective hillsides of the Cadière d'Azur and benefits from a maritime climate. The domaine works with minimal intervention: extremely low yields, organic viticulture and and natural winemaking including very limited sulphur dioxide.

The wine has a special character when a delicate, creamy taste softens all its audacity. Notes of sea spirit, passion fruit, and a gentle pear mousse.

Grapes: Albarino

Country: Ukraine

Region: Mykolaiv

Food pairing: pasta, pork, poultry, vegetarian, appetizers and snacks, mild and soft cheese

Beykush Winery is a family winery located close to the Black Sea in Chernomorka village, Mykolaiv region. Beykush vineyards consist of 14 hectares of French, Italian, and Georgian clones.

A very classy Nebbiolo from Alba with an affordable price tag.

Delicious lifted aromatics of liquorice, redcurrant and ripe red fruit on the nose, mingling with sour cherry, blossom and notes of leather on the palate. A richly flavoured and multi-layered wine combining vibrant acidity, perfectly poised tannins and rich spicy fruit. 

Country: Italy

Region: Piemonte

ABV: 14% 

Grape: Nebbiolo

Food Match: Serve with grilled steak and red meat, or alternatively robust pasta dishes with wild boar or rabbit ragu

Perfectly balanced, toasty yeast aromas, apricot and red apple. Intense toasty, creamy palate and a vibrant, long finish. This is just sooooo yummy!

Country: France

Region: Loire

Grapes: Chenin Blanc

ABV: 12.5%

Made from very small quantities of selected grapes from a specific block on the Andreas estate. Intense, concentrated dark red colour with aromas of black ripe fruit and sweet spice. The palate is richly raisined with hints of charcoal and earthy minerality, softened with a hint of white pepper.

Country: South Africa

Region: Wellington

ABV: 13.5%

Grape: Shiraz

Andreas Wine

Intense red fruit aromas on the nose and palate, this medium-bodied Nebbiolo beauty from Produttori del Barbaresco has hints of white pepper and liquorice supported by bright tannins and a fresh acidity. A great introduction to the fine wines of Northern Italy.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 14%

Food Match: Antipasto, pasta dishes with tomato sauce or slow cooked red meat stews. Very versatile.

An all time staff favourite! This is the wine that will spark a lifelong interest in Nebbiolo and lead you to discover the beautiful wines of Piedmont.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Grapes: Nebbiolo

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: A classic Piedmontese starter: vitello tonnato, which is thinly sliced, cold veal with a rich tuna sauce.

Subtle and elegant with a steely core, its aroma portrays freshness and perfume.

Country: South Africa

Region:  Witzenberg Mountain range in Ceres

ABV: 13%

Grapes: Chardonnay

Food Match:

An oaked Chardonnay will be complemented by slightly creamier dishes such as porcini mushroom risotto, or butternut gnocchi with shavings of rich Gruyere cheese. For something out of the ordinary, enjoy it with fried arancini stuffed with goats cheese to pair with this Chardonnay.

A Cellar Door team favourite. An elegant sparkling blanc de noirs which shows concentration, elegance and freshness.An excellent, fruit forward Champagne with tart red berry fruits, strawberry and raspberry, classic notes of baked bread resulting from 24 months on the lees.

Country: France

Region:  Champagne, Côte des Bar

ABV: 12%

Grapes: Pinot Noir

Champagne Guy de Forez is based in the picturesque village of Les Riceys, in the southern part of the Côte des Bar. The village boasts the largest vineyard area in Champagne (866 ha), and today, its wines are in high demand from the Grandes Marques houses for their outstanding quality Pinot Noir grapes.