Jaime Quendera, our favourite Portuguese winemaker, has made a juicy, fruit-forward red, aged in a very special cask. Enjoy Alicante Bouschet’s smooth texture in this red from rare, ancient vines that oozes rich flavours of black cherry and pepper.
Can you imagine buying 1,008 bottles of wine in one year? That’s 200 gallons to be exact – the same amount that each American household was allowed to make for ‘personal use’ during Prohibition. And the go-to grape during this DIY time wasn’t Cabernet or Merlot, it was the bold and juicy Alicante Bouschet - widely planted in California but originally from Portugal. Today, award-winning winemaker Jamie Quendera has crafted a mighty, Reserva-quality red, from rare 100-year-old vines. And the unique twist? Jamie aged the wine for 12 months in custom double casks. The top and bottom are French oak (imparting subtle spice) while the long side planks are American (for vanilla notes). The result is an ultra-smooth, cherry-ripe, well-spiced drop!
Lush summer berry fruit abounds in this delightfully crisp rosé crafted at Noël Bougrier’s Loire cellar. It’s a classic blend of Cabernet Franc and Gamay, producing a pink with enticing, juicy, strawberry flavour and exhilarating freshness.
Best known in Beaujolais, Gamay also excels in the Loire, lending juicy strawberry notes, while Cabernet Franc is more raspberry and leafy. After a gentle crushing, the juice was drawn off the skins to ensure a pale pink hue and cool fermented to retain lovely summer berry notes.
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You couldn’t hope to find Sauvignon of this quality for the price in any of the Loire’s more famous regions, like Sancerre or Pouilly. Blended from the year’s tastiest vats, this wine is as subtle and complex as it is refreshing and zingy. It’s made exclusively for us by our trusted friend Franck Chatelain at Noël Bougrier’s renowned cellar in the Touraine. The original Abbesse was one Louise de Bourbon of the nearby Abbaye de Fontevraud and a major figure in Loire history. This delicious expression of the region’s reigning grape, Sauvignon Blanc, is a fitting tribute to her. With its appealing, crisp, lemony fruit and zippy freshness, it’s delicious on its own any time and goes ever so well with goat’s cheese and lighter fish dishes.
Since their wines first appeared in 2004, Château Vartely has established itself as one of Moldova’s top wineries. The team controls 300 hectares of vines grown in ideal conditions and soils, very similar to the best of Bordeaux. Most are naturally organic too – winds blow hard and chase away any disease. Glowing online reviews every vintage prove that UK wine lovers have given this estate their backing. From grape harvesting to bottling, each step takes place under the watchful eye of Arcadie Fosnea, ‘Moldovan Winemaker of the Year 2014' and his deputy, Valentin Vrancean. Pristine, handpicked Pinot Grigio, cool fermented, the wine bursts forth with bright orchard fruit and zesty lemon notes. Ideal with lighter dishes or solo.
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Provence remains supreme for classy pinks. Not always cheap, but our Buyer Jean Marc knows that Aix offers quality with value. Using Provence’s classic grapes, the cellar there has captured the berry fruit, stony citrus notes and savoury riff.
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Silky fruit-filled Alambrado is from Familia Zuccardi, one of the finest cellars in all Argentina. Three times it has been awarded Argentina's 'Top Value Brand' by IWC and head of the family, José Zuccardi, was given a lifetime achievement award by the same competition in 2016.
As well as having state-of-the-art facilities in both Maipó and Ucó, the family are committed to employing the many local families who have served the company from the beginning. He says, "We believe in using people rather than machines whenever possible.” This smooth, fruity red is made purely from Argentina’s flagship grape, Malbec. It’s tasty on its own and very versatile with food: from grilled meats, veggie kebabs, a squash bake or simple sausage and mash.
But our top insider secret? There's another 'M' out there making truly brilliant Sauvignon – Moldova.
Like Marlborough, Codru in Moldova has a long, slow ripening season.
It’s cold winds keep the grapes healthy and mean the vineyards can easily be grown organically.
Albastrele is made with handpicked grapes from the Tvarditsa Estate at an award-winning cellar well equipped for producing bright, modern whites.
Made from carefully selected handpicked grapes, winemaker Marian Haraba has crafted a truly impressive white wine.
Bursting with vibrant gooseberry and citrus aromas, Albastrele makes an elegant apéritif or a delicious match for grilled fish or smoked salmon.
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The Times wrote: “Sparkling Crémant de Bourgogne is impeccable value for money”. The fine mousse, creamy fruit and elegant zing of this fizz made by the same method and using the same grapes as in the Champagne region.
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