Wine
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Wine The 2007 vintage in the Douro was an exceptional year where the wines produced were universally expressive for their purity of the fruit flavours which were of a standard not seen since the 1955 vintage. This is not to say that 2007 is the very best vintage since 1955, but it is a vintage that stands out from others for its approachable elegance.
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Wine Lively purple-red. Bright and vivacious with soft, ripe plum and summer fruit flavours.
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Wine Fresh as a just-snapped pea, this crisp, citrus zesty Chilean Sauvignon is perfect with low-key fish suppers. The latest addition to our Casa Rivas range (showcase for Chilean brilliance) comes courtesy of grandiose, century-old Viña Tarapacá. Their 2,600 hectare Rosario de Naltagua plot lies in a loop of the Maipo River, 40 minutes' invigorating drive south of Santiago. Ideal growing conditions, notably cold nights and hot days, produce stylish, characterful wines like this.
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Wine Fresh as a just-snapped pea, this crisp, citrus zesty Chilean Sauvignon is perfect with low-key fish suppers from Viña Tarapacá. Their 2,600 hectare Rosario de Naltagua plot lies in a loop of the Maipo River, 40 minutes' invigorating drive south of Santiago. Ideal growing conditions, notably cold nights and hot days, produce stylish, characterful wines like this.
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Wine Casa Rivas produce wines of generosity and style, always at good value for money.
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Wine Casa Rivas produce wines of generosity and style, always at good value for money.
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Wine Every so often we find a lowly claret that punches above its weight and strive to give it the wider exposure it deserves. Few contenders for our basic everyday Bordeaux crown have held our attention as forcefully as this delicious wine from Monsieur Vincendeau's 16 hectare property in the Entre-Deux-Mers. An unoaked blend of destemmed Merlot (70%) and Cabernet Franc, traditionally vinified, it offers soft blackcurrant fruit and an attractive earthy finish. Ideal with steak and kidney pie!
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Wine Every so often we find a lowly claret that punches above its weight and strive to give it the wider exposure it deserves. Few contenders for our basic everyday Bordeaux crown have held our attention as forcefully as this delicious wine from Monsieur Vincendeau's 16 hectare property in the Entre-Deux-Mers. An unoaked blend of destemmed Merlot (70%) and Cabernet Franc, traditionally vinified, it offers soft blackcurrant fruit and an attractive earthy finish.
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Wine Jacky Marteau's 'Domaine de la Bergerie' occupies some of Touraine's most enviable sites: south-facing, pebble-and-flint slopes beside the River Cher. Quality is paramount: low yields are encouraged by growing grass between vine rows, pruning is radical and leaves are plucked in summer to let the sun shine through. His meticulous approach extends to this basic Sauvignon Blanc cuvée with its crisp green fruit-packed palate and appetising citrus tang.
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Wine Jacky Marteau's 'Domaine de la Bergerie' occupies some of Touraine's most enviable sites: south-facing, pebble-and-flint slopes beside the River Cher. Quality is paramount: low yields are encouraged by growing grass between vine rows, pruning is radical and leaves are plucked in summer to let the sun shine through. His meticulous approach extends to this basic Sauvignon Blanc cuvée with its crisp green fruit-packed palate and appetising citrus tang.
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Wine Garganega is the most important variety of white wine grape grown in the provinces of Verona and Vicenza in the Veneto region. Pinot Grigio is grown in the same area where the climate is influenced by the Alps. Light in colour, refreshing, and crisp and with aromas of limes, grapefruits and lemons making this well balanced wine very easy to drink. The perfect party wine for a low budget.
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Wine This Majestic favourite comes from a province north-west of Zaragoza that enjoys an excellent climate for viticulture. A short maceration gives a light, delicate and easy-drinking style. An intense pink wine with plenty of juicy berry fruit. Strawberry and raspberry flavours are complemented by a creamy texture and crisp, refreshing acidity. A perfect summertime apéritif!
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Wine Cariñena is the largest of the four DO zones in the Aragón region. Traditionally most of the hefty reds were sold in bulk for blending but like many regions they are now looking to break with the past. Progressive private bodegas are now becoming far more common. Classic Tempranillo notes of dark cherry and blackcurrant are lifted by a hint of dried flowers and spice. Superbly balanced, the fruits of the forest flavours are perfectly complemented by soft tannins. Approachable and good value, to be drunk now with barbecues and steaks.
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Wine La Serrana Macabeo is an astonishingly well made wine for such a bargain price. Modern techniques lead to a clean, fresh style that has preserved the varietal characteristics. Fresh, floral aromas reminiscent of aromatic herbs such as anise and fennel, the smooth and velvety palate is fruit driven with citrus and banana flavours. Refreshing and juicy, this is a great ‘anytime’ wine, which will be fantastic on its own or with buffet food.
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Wine Lifted aromas of citrus, tropical fruit and melon follow through to the palate where the fresh fruit flavours are complemented by touches of vanillin. Soft and full, this will be a fantastic partner to all manner of seafood and fish dishes.
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Wine Produced by the Podere Vaglie wine estate in Umbria, who have, like many producers in central Italy, developed their old vineyards to include both traditional Italian grapes and 'noble' varieties, to create wines with light Italian character and some extra body and style. Unmistakably Italian, with the 70% Sangiovese offering middleweight tannins and a fruit backbone of red cherry flavour, fleshed out with the Merlot's blackberry note. Nicely balanced acidity and ripeness. Drink with light Mediterranean cuisine, such as freshly made bruschetta, olives and anchovies.
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Wine One of the most widely-planted grapes in the world, Trebbiano has been known in Italy since Roman times, and is integral to many of Italy's everyday wine styles. It makes up 80% of this wine, which has been cool fermented and blended with the more aromatic Grechetto. Pale straw yellow in colour, and delicately perfumed on the nose, enhancing the backbone of apple, peach and pineapple aromas. Crisp and refreshing on the palate, with a cleansing finish. Drink with white meats or seafood, or with summery salads.
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Wine This wine is made from grapes sourced from a number of growers, and vinified at Caves de Landiras, a state-of-the-art winery at the heart of the winemaking scene for many small vineyards. Supple and inviting, this wine blends the soft and jammy raspberry fruit of ripe Grenache with the firming influences of Carignan's blackberry flavours and robust tannin. Light-to medium-bodied, this wine will partner with anything from cold cuts to flavoursome pasta dishes.
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Wine Sourced from a range of vineyards this is a versatile and easy-drinking wine. Light and straightforward, with an up-front nose of citrus fruit, tinged with a subtle leafy character. Crisp and dry on the palate, with plenty of refreshing acidic bite. A great lunchtime white, ideal as a partner for rice or pasta salads, or simple white meat and fish dishes.
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Wine Soft, round black fruit flavours with an edge of Iberian spice. Bodegas Antano, a modern, well equipped winery in Rueda, source grapes from within and outside the DO and bring to bear their wine-making skills.
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Wine If you've a platter of fresh bivalves in your sights, and nothing in the way of wine to slurp them down with, Serge Saupin's your man. His property in Nantes (the Atlantic end of the Loire), is home to our top Muscadet, oyster beverage nonpareil. This is his finest cuvée, pale, lemony yellow in colour, crisp and minerally fresh, with that broad, slightly creamy character you only find in the finest 'sur lie' Muscadet (wine left to gain complexity on its yeast 'lees').
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Wine If you've a platter of fresh bivalves in your sights, and nothing in the way of wine to slurp them down with, Serge Saupin's your man. His property in Nantes (the Atlantic end of the Loire), is home to our top Muscadet, oyster beverage nonpareil. This is his finest cuvée, pale, lemony yellow in colour, crisp and minerally fresh, with that broad, slightly creamy character you only find in the finest 'sur lie' Muscadet (wine left to gain complexity on its yeast 'lees').
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Wine If you've a platter of fresh bivalves in your sights, and nothing in the way of wine to slurp them down with, Serge Saupin's your man. His property in Nantes (the Atlantic end of the Loire), is home to our top Muscadet, oyster beverage nonpareil. This is his finest cuvée, pale, lemony yellow in colour, crisp and minerally fresh, with that broad, slightly creamy character you only find in the finest 'sur lie' Muscadet (wine left to gain complexity on its yeast 'lees').
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Wine Fresh and lively, clean flavours of ripe pears with a touch of angelica.
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Wine Surprisingly full flavoured with earthy fruit and a honeyed edge. Dry and lasting.
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Wine A dashing blend of traditional Douro grape varieties. Rich, ripe and spicy.
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Wine This is Concha y Toro's first dessert wine, and it is a wonderful effort. Golden yellow with amber tones, this sumptuous wine displays ripe papaya, peach and honey aromas. The palate is light, fresh and fruity with a long, subtle, honeyed finish. Please note as this is a half bottle of wine it only counts as 1/2 towards our minimum purchase of 12 bottles.
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Wine Sangiovese is the key component of many of Italy's greatest wines. Apart from being the dominant grape in Chianti, it is grown widely across the country and if grown outside of Tuscany can produce some great value, lighter reds like this effort from Bacaro. Possessing a refreshing bouquet of red cherry and plum, this soft, supple red has light tannins and a rounded finish. Whilst being an ideal match with pizza or pasta, if you are looking for a light party or lunchtime red this wine ticks all the boxes.
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Wine Classic blackcurrant aromas of Cabernet in an easy-drinking style. Ripe fruit, and bags of flavour.
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Wine The Central Valley's climate is generally Mediterranean with warm, dry summers. Rainfall, averaging between 300 and 800m, is restricted to the winter. On the western edge of the valley, summer temperatures average 15-18 degrees but may rise to 30 with clear skies. A true New World rosé, with intense colour and mouthwatering red fruit characters. This fruity wine is best drunk well-chilled on a summer's day.
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