Fruity Reds

A deep and expressive nose of blackberry jam, ripe, fresh fruit, with lots of red berries and earthy notes. Rich and complex palate in a tight, elegant and intense combination of sweet spice and wood.

Country: Portugal

Region: Alentejo

Grapes: Touriga Nacional, Alfrocheiro Preto, Jaen

ABV: 13.5%

Amphora wines are in fashion these days and are produced all over the world. While making wines in amphora (qvevri) may have originated in Georgia , it is Portugal that has the world’s only appellation dedicated to wines made in amphora. In Alentejo, these vessels go by the name “talha”. It is derived from the Latin word “Tinalia” which refers to a large pot or vessel. 

Portuguese wine from amphora in Alentejo dates back to Roman times, around 2000 years ago. Although the traditions have persisted in the region, it’s only recently that the wines have had a commercial renaissance. Many of the wineries, big and small, have added Vinho de Talha wines to their portfolio.

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

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.

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..

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

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

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.

The bright notes of red fruit with a little bit of cocoa and earth. You will taste raspberries, spices and cranberries.

Grape: Pinot Noir

Country: USA

Region: Oregon

ABV: 13.1%

Food match: beef, veal, poultry, deer, venison

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)

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%

Delicious, ripe, Georgian red, packed full of red cherry and mulberry aromas and flavours, with hints of vanilla. Soft and supple rounded tannins with a long, juicy finish.

Country: Georgia

Region: Kakheti

Grapes: Saperavi

ABV: 13%

Food Match: Red meat dishes, Stews and casseroles or mature cheese.

Georgia is considered to be the ‘cradle of wine', as 8,000 year-old indigenous Rkatsiteli grape seeds have been found in clay vessels.

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.