Fruity Reds

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.

Grape: Syrah

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland

ABV: 15%

Food pairing: 

Vegan

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.

Rich, concentrated and ripe with aromas of black berries with a hint of tobacco, full-bodied with a wonderfully rich finish of ripe red fruits, vanilla and chocolate. A super Super Tuscan made with 100% Malbec.

Country: Italy

Region: Tuscany

ABV: 13.5%

Grapes: Malbec

Super, easy drinking, modern everyday Claret. A lovely fruit expression on very soft and delicate tannins.

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Grapes: Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon

ABV: 13%

Concentrated, dark purple in colour and gorgeously full bodied and unctuous wine. A classic Cabernet nose with cassis, tobacco, mint and eucalyptus. 24 month in French oak has made this wine beautifully rich, structured and elegant with hints of milk chocolate, cocoa powder, and cigar box on the palate with a long and supple tannin finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Cabernet Sauvignon

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..

On the nose this wine has intense notes of red fruits, such as blueberry, raspberry and black cherry with hints of balsamic and spicy notes of black pepper. It is earthy with vibrant acidity, a pleasant soft mouthfeel, medium bodied, with well-integrated tannins and a long finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: 40% Merlot, 33% Ancellota, 27% Corvina

ABV: 13%

Food Match: A great accompaniment to salami, antipasti and caponata but also primi pasta dishes such as Pasta alle Sarde.

Light, fruity dry red wine with subtle tannins. Full of red and black fruit character - cherry, blackcurrant, cloves with a velvety finish.

Grapes: 50% Cinsault, 25% Grenache, 25% Syrah

Country: France

Region: Languedoc-Roussillon

ABV: 13.5%

Food pairing: charcuterie, poultry, red / white meat, cheese, barbecue

Organic

Majority Grenache, this wine boasts floral, fruity and spicy aromas. In the mouth it's super juicy with red fruits, with a cherry and strawberry mix before revealing pepper notes. The roundness of this wine is supported by a healthy acidity. 

Country: France

Region: Rhone Valley

Grapes: 75% Grenache, 20% Syrah, 5% Cinsault

ABV: 14 %

Food Match: It is light enough to match white meats, but with the richness and acidity necessary to accompany a duck confit and gratin Dauphinois.

 Organic

Brouilly cru vineyards of the Beaujolais region are the most southern in the area and produce riper, more concentrated grapes. The wines therefore tend to be more robust and intense than their neighbouring villages such as Fleurie. This Gamay red is medium bodied and full of ripe black cherry and cocoa aromas and flavours.

Country: France

Region: Beaujolais

Grapes: Gamay

ABV: 14%

Food match: excellent with roast pork or duck

Aromas of plum, bramble leaf, and a hint of black pepper and spice. The palate is complex with ripe black fruits, prune, fig and an orange zest hint balanced by savoury characters of cloves and cedar. A rich wine with supple tannins and a graphite minerality, finishing long and elegant.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape Variety: Corvina 30%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 30%

ABV: 14.5%

Food Match: Sausages and rich stews

Deep ruby-purple in the glass. The nose opens with ripe cherries, blackberries, plum, violets, and hints of liquorice. The palate is juicy and approachable, with layers of red and black fruit, gentle spice, and soft tannins that make it smooth and easy to drink. Medium-bodied, fresh, and vibrant with a subtle earthy edge. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grape: Syrah

ABV: 12.2%

Food pairing: great with charcuterie, grilled meats, or hearty stews.

Light, raspberry colour, almost looks like a rosé in the glass. Full of redcurrants, raspberries, crushed ripe strawberries and watermelon on the nose and palate. Lovely freshness and length on the finish,

Country: France

Region: Coteaux du Pont du Gard

Grapes: Grenache and Syrah

ABV: 11.5 %

Food Match:

 Organic

This is a vegan wine with a potential to bottle age. A ripe red wine with the notes of dried herbs, plums and cherry. The tannins are ripe with the flavour of liquorice. A long and complex finish that leads to the notes of orange peel and ripe red fruit.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape Variety: Corvina 30%, Corvinone 30%, Rondinella 30%

ABV: 17%

Food Match: game, roast beef, mature cheeses

Super, easy drinking, modern everyday Claret. A lovely fruit expression on very soft and delicate tannins.

Country: France

Region: Bordeaux

Grapes: Merlot

ABV: 13%

A great introduction to Cypriot red wine: soft, juicy, supple and super easy drinking.

Country: Cyprus

Region:  PGI Paphos

ABV: 12.5%

Grapes: Lefkada, Syrah and Cabernet Franc

Food match: Grilled meat or pastitsio (traditional Greek beef mince and pasta dish)

A perfumed, fresh nose with aromas of blackberry, blueberry and vanilla pod. A tight, elegant and structured palate with supple tannins and a long finish.

Country: South Africa

Region: Stellenbosch

Grapes: Malbec

ABV: 14.5%

Food Match: Great with braaied sirloin steak.

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..

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.

6 Bottles of Tenute Fiorebelli Cabaletta Rosso Trevenezie

A deliciously rich yet supple red that's perfect to enjoy along side hearty, rustic Italian cuisine.

Intense ruby-red colour with a complex bouquet reminiscent of prunes, cherries and redcurrants.  The oak ageing adds a pleasant roasted and spicy aroma. On the palate it is full-bodied, supple and well-balanced with a long finish.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

ABV: 13%

Grapes:  70% Corvina, 20% Rhondinella, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon

Food Match: Great with Antipasto like cured meats and olives, but equally as good with hearty bean and beef stews.

An intense ruby red wine. Very fresh and full bodied, with plum and black berry fruit character, lovely finish. Perfect with tomato based pastas or hard cheeses.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grapes: Barbera

ABV: 8.5%

Aromas of plum, bramble leaf, and a hint of black pepper and spice. The palate is complex with ripe black fruits, prune, fig and an orange zest hint balanced by savoury characters of cloves and cedar. A rich wine with supple tannins and a graphite minerality, finishing long and elegant.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape Variety:  50% Corvina, 30% Corvinone, 10% Rondinella, 10% Merlot 

ABV: 14.5%

Food Match: Sausages and rich stews

Rich, concentrated aromas of black, ripe fruit, candied peel, rose petals and sweet spice with a hint of tobacco leaf and menthol. The palate is complex with ripe plum, blackberry and black cherry, fine tannins and notes of black pepper. Elegant and long.

Country: Italy

Region: Veneto

Grape Variety: Corvina 35%, Corvinone 35%, Rondinella 25% 

ABV: 14.5%

Food Match: Cumberland Sausage and mash or beef casserole

Twenty year old vines from their the Morandina vineyard near the Lessini mountains is at 450 metres altitude. Soils are limestone, calcareous and the site has a south-easterly exposure.It is a blend of Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella, plus a tiny bit of Oseleta, the vine shoots are cut allowing the grapes to dry for a month on the vine before harvesting. After fermentation the wine is aged for 18 months in barrel.

This wine has an attractive shiny light ruby colour. It is both refined and very bright on the nose and palate. It opens to aromas of red fruits and finishes with ripe and silky tannins.

Country: France

Region: Burgundy

Grapes: Pinot Noir

ABV: 13%

Food Match:  Serves well as an aperitif for fresh and savoury tapas, soft-boiled eggs or roasted fish.

Did you know the Chocolate Block producer Boekenhoutskloof also makes white wine called the Goldmine?

This bundle includes 2 bottles - 1 red the Chocolate Block and 1 white the Goldmine.

The Chocolate Block:

The nose is dark, intense and brooding with aromas of black cherries, cardamom, sweet tobacco, espresso and subtle whiffs of perfume. The dark fruit character of the nose follows through onto an exceptionally complex, juicy palate with gentle nuances of ripe plums, violets, black olives, cloves, and liquorice. The mid-palate is focused, lithe and elegant with very fine, cocoa powdery tannins. The wine is medium to full bodied, very balanced with an earthy, layered character, covering the entire spectrum of berry fruit - from tart red plums to rich blue and black berries. The finish is svelte, clean and dry, peppery and lingering, with hints of dried cranberry, tar, graphite and smoke.

Country: South Africa

Region: Swartland

ABV: 14.5%

Grapes: Syrah 71%; Grenache 11%; Cinsault 9%; Cabernet Sauvignon 8%; Viognier 1%

The Goldmine:

The nose has layers of citrus and stone fruit aromas, and hints angelica, acacia flower and allspice. Flavours of lemon, yellow apple and nectarine follow through onto an elegant, balanced palate with delicate notes of greengage, papaya, yellow apple and passion fruit. The wine is light to medium bodied, with a fleshy texture and vibrant, integrated acidity. 

Country: South Africa

Region: Western Cape

ABV: 14%

Grapes: Chenin Blanc 53%, Chardonnay 24%, Semillon 19%, Viognier 4%

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.