Fruity Reds

Balanced red colour with ruby hues. Exceptionally elegant bouquet on the nose and strong personality (spicy fragrances with aroma of soft fruit). Dry, but rare and elegant on the palate (special white pepper flavour); rich nobility of character. 

Country: Italy

Region: Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Italy

Grapes: Schioppettino

ABV: 12.5%

Food Match: Barley minestrone traditional of the Friuli area; roasted white and red meats; meats with delicate sauces; poultry and small game; mushrooms dishes.

Ronchi di Cialla, a 28 hectare historical Friulian Estate, is a small, family run business. Established in the 1970s, they have established a reputation as one of the finest producers of age-worthy wines in Fruili.

‘Ronchi’, in Fruili’s dialect, means hills cultivated by vines; ‘Cialla’ is a small valley surrounded by woods with chestnut, oak, and wild cherry trees. Located in the Cialla valley, one of three sub-zones in Colli Orientali del Friuli, it is a picturesque area with perfect growing conditions for the indigenous grapes. The company philosophy has always been to work solely with indigenous varieties, such as, Ribolla, Refosco, Schioppettino, Verduzzo, and Picolit. In fact, the Rapuzzi Family restored and revitalized the Schioppettino grape from near extinction, defying the odds and local wine laws.

An extra degree of alcohol compared to it's younger sibling, and a bit richer too. Complex and ripe with a hint of carefully judged touch of new oak. Mineral soaked, thoroughly delicious and a properly serious red wine.

Country: Italy

Region: Valtellina, Lombardia

Grape: Nebbiolo

ABV: 13.5%

The nose is powerful, concentrated and aromatic. The palate has notes of ripe black fruit, sweet spice and mocha which lengthen over silky tannins.

“Aromas of vanilla, grilled plums, violets and crème de cassis soar from the glass, while the palate is full-bodied, concentrated and chewy and loaded with vibrant purple fruit flavor. The tannins mellow on the lingering finish, making it approachable now but suggesting up to a decade (or more?) of prime-time drinking.”

Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

Country: France

Region: Languedoc, Terrasses du Larzac

Grapes: Syrah, Grenache, Mouvedre

ABV: 14%

Food match: Roast Duck or rich stews

The notes of bright red fruit and spice on the nose. On the palate it`s raspberry and pink Sparkles sweets.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

Grapes: 92% Cinsault, 8% Grenache

ABV: 12%

Food pairing: sourdough margherita pizza, sweet and sticky pork ribs.

Concentrated, warming aromas and flavours of blackberries, blueberries and bitter cherry on the nose with a secondary layer of meatiness and stewed fruit. Earthy and minerally on the finish. This is the perfect treat for Sunday roast lunch.

Country: Georgia

Region:  Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13.5%

Food Match: Goes wonderfully with roast lamb or slow cooked pork dishes.

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

Bright purple red colour, violets and cherries on the nose with crunchy red fruit on the palate and a long fresh finish. Chateau Coulaine is a family owned estate in 

Country: France

Region: Loire Valley

Grapes: Cabernet Franc

ABV: 13%

Raspberry red in colour, this grape variety, Otskhanuri Sapere, gives enticing aromas of plums, ripe berries with herbal and floral notes and a hint of balsamic. Full bodied, with balancing fresh juiciness and a long, dry and slightly smoky, earthy finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Imereti

Grapes: Otskhanuri Sapere

ABV: 12.5%

The grapes were carefully sorted in the vineyard and then again upon arrival at the
winery, berry by berry to ensure only the healthy, undamaged and best quality fruit was
vinified. Skin-contact fermentation took place using the traditional Georgian method of
clay jars known as Qvevri. These vessels have been recognised by UNESCO as a
process of important cultural heritage. The Qvevri in the Vachnadziani winery have a
950-litre capacity. The alcoholic fermentation lasted for one week, followed by a
maturation period of five months without skin contact.

Food Match: red meat dishes, stews and casseroles or mature cheeses

Georgia is considered to be the ‘cradle of wine', as 8,000 year-old indigenous Rkatsiteli grape seeds have been found in clay vessels. Vachnadziani was established in 1953 and is one of the oldest wineries in Georgia. During the Soviet years the vineyard fell into disrepair, but now the vineyards and cellars have received considerable investment. The aim is to preserve their ancient wine culture while combining it with cutting edge technology. With over 1,000 hectares of vineyard, covering the Kakheti region in eastern Georgia and the Imereti, Racha and Lechkhumi regions in western Georgia, Vachnadziani cultivates 25 vine varieties - the majority of which are indigenous. Their exciting and dynamic range reveals all the charm of this historic winemaking land.

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

The notes of gentle spice, raspberry and cherry fruit. It offers fresh black cherries, pink musk
sweets and black pepper.

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape - Darling / Stellenbosch / Bot River

Grapes: 92% Cinsault, 8% Grenache

ABV: 12%

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: Piedmonte

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.

Sweet, but balanced, powerful, rich and full bodied with aromas and flavours of blackberries, baked plum and sweet spice. Concentrated, long finish with notes of cocoa and baking spice. 

Country: Spain

Region: Castilla a Mancha, Jumilla

ABV: 11.5%

Grapes: Monastrell

Food Match: Dark chocolate mousse or Christmas pudding

The Gil family have been major wine producers in Jumilla since the early 20th Century. Bodegas Juan Gil is dedicated to producing powerful, yet approachable and modern wines, mainly based on Monastrell (aka Mourvedre) which is grown on about 80% of the vineyard.

The winery has invested heavily in its Organic and Sustainability programmes in recent years.

Medium to full bodied with a dark ruby colour and aromas of black cherries and berries, sweet spices and vanilla. The finish is soft and long with hints of black pepper and tobacco.

Country: Bulgaria

Region: Struma Valley

Grapes: Melnik 55

ABV: 14%

Food Match: Red meat dishes especially roast lamb, charcuterie and hard cheeses.