What's new
Next to the National Park of Donana, an area of preserved natural beauty, Bodegas Contreras Ruiz champions the rich, full-bodied Zalema grape. Located in the deep south of Spain, on the Atlantic coast close to Portugal, this is the perfect site to grow this local variety organically. Jose Joaquim explains his passion for making complex wines, where this single grape variety is expressed in different ways according to site and soil.
Want to try cooking a delicate and elegant dish? Check out this delicious recipe of Sautéed scallops with mushrooms & spinach sauce, which was paired with a delicious bottle of Viticultores Cantalapiedra Cantayano 2018.
For many of us, the garden has become a tasting room! Matt Sullivan, our Head of London On-Trade gives a tasting note on the delicious Mount Edward Gamay in just 30 seconds!
We've been following the 2020 harvest in Marlborough from the Zephyr wine estate for some weeks now… and to summarise what has been coined the vintage of the decade, here's Ben Glover giving an overview of his winery, how he works and what's in store.
Against a backdrop of much noise about the ‘new normal’ and how things will change, Harpers invites industry leaders to a measured debate to assess what structural changes would truly benefit both suppliers and the trade in a post-pandemic world. Fergal Tynan MW is on the panel, please join him for this important discussion over Zoom on Thursday 9th July, at 3pm. Click the image to register.
Hello from Manuel Cantalapiedra in his beautiful Verdejo vineyards in the village of La Seca, Rueda. Today he's going about green pruning his vines ready for the growing season. These white, limestone soils are perfect for growing healthy organically certified vines. Every care is taken in the winery to preserve the structured, mineral- textured nature of Verdejo giving us totally unique and characterful wines. His non-interventionist winemaking shows in the finished wine, regardless of appellation approval. For more on this exciting forward thinking producer check out their profile.
This summer Mont Rocher Rosé has been refreshed. A new blend, 100% Cinsault, makes this bestseller even more delightful. Refreshing, youthful and full of fruit it is a cracking new vintage.
Guillaume Gonnet takes us around his estate based in Le Crau, a beautiful plateau in Chateauneuf du Pape, and one of its most famous vineyard areas. This area is characterised by deep clay soils and river stones, which retain the heat for extended growing environment for his 100 year old Grenache vines. Guillaume upholds an organic philosophy of viticulture and low intervention winemaking – utilising a gravity system, natural ferments and gentle extraction. His wines are a raw and honest mirror-image of this wonderful terroir.
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Guillaume Gonnet takes us around his estate based in Le Crau, a beautiful plateau in Chateauneuf du Pape, and one of its most famous vineyard areas. This area is characterised by deep clay soils and river stones, which retain the heat for extended growing environment for his 100 year old Grenache vines. Guillaume upholds an organic philosophy of viticulture and low intervention winemaking – utilising a gravity system, natural ferments and gentle extraction. His wines are a raw and honest mirror-image of this wonderful terroir.
Our very own Head of Sales in Scotland, Freya gets into some deep conversation with Three Birds Edinburgh about adapting restaurants to our new reality, and finding new ways to trade.
Sitting majestically in the Tejo region, Quinta da Alorna has a wide array of vineyards which are worked in a sustainable and socially responsible way, looking after both the land and the workers. If you have not yet surrendered to the pleasures of beautiful Portuguese wine, now is the time! Watch winemaker Marta tasting this curious blend of Arinto & Chardonnay, a wine full of character and perfect to pair with robust fish dishes.
As Italy starts to open it's doors and shake of the cobwebs from the past few months, Amandine, winemaker from Il Borghetto winery in Tuscany has shared pictures of the beautiful life that has continued in the background. Excuse us while we fill our rumbling tummies with fresh pasta!
During the last weeks we have seen many businesses reinventing themselves to deal with the crisis. With lockdown getting a bit easier we would like to share a message from Miriam Spiers, our Sales Director. Rather than viewing this as a sad end, we are looking at it as a fresh start filled with challenges and opportunities. Keep up all the hard work, we can do this together! Oh, and the elderflower cordial recipe will be available on our website shortly. CLICK THE IMAGE TO WATCH
While the team at Celler de Capçanes in Montsant work from home they find creative ways to share a bottle of wine. A wonderfully creative video that's full of good vibes, happiness and hope. From winemakers Jürgen, Anna and all the team, we hope you enjoy it!
Nick Stock, Executive Editor, for James Suckling.com has just completed his McLaren Vale report and we’re delighted to confirm that Thistledown is amongst the best producers in the region: 'Today, we can savor some of the finest wines from these old vines in South Australia thanks to producers like Ochota Barrels, S.C.Pannell, Yangarra, Thistledown….' The 2019 vintage has received some fantastic results, including 97 points for This Charming Man Old Vine Grenache and 96 points for The Vagabond and She’s Electric Single Vineyard. Click for the summary of the report.
We feel it's the beginning of summer and Quintas do Homem have captured sunshine in a bottle with their deliious wines from Vinho Verde. Winemaker, Ana Coutinho shares a couple of her favourite recipes to pair with their estate Branco and Loureiro. If you're drooling as much as we are, find out how to make her homemade spinach pesto spaghetti and traditional savoury pastry.
Luisa from our marketing team loves Portuguese wines, and was delighted when we started working with Quinta da Mariposa from Dão last year. Here she is taking on the 30 second challenge, tasting their Branco. Do you know all the grapes in this blend? It's a delicious combination of Malvasia Fina, Cerceal Branco and Encruzado. We couldn't agree more, it is a #musttaste #30secondstotaste
Good morning everyone, this evening at 8pm Amanda will host a LIVE interview with Ben Glover, owner and winemaker at Zephyr over IGTV. Ben has recently completed the harvest in Blenheim. He will discuss the 2020 vintage, along with how things are in New Zealand at the moment. Make sure to tune in!
Bodegas Manzanos have shared pictures of their team working in the vineyard during lockdown. Look at those Tempranillo vines grow! With a dramtic skyline overhead in Rioja del Reyno. Spain are in the process of easing lockdown, we look forward to visiting these beautiful vines again! Salud!
Irene Alemany and Laurent Corrio have shared this beautiful video of their family in the winery. They are one of the benchmark winemakers in Penedès, making wonderful wines since 1999. Irene holds a glass of Cargol Treu Vi, made from Xarel-lo, taken from a single vineyard of less than 1 hectare grown in the Garraf mountains, with vines aged more than 75 years. Wild fermented, with extensive time on lees, and aged in French oak barrels that you see in this film, it is a wine with unique personality that we absolutely love. Salud Irene & Laurent!
Simone from our marketing team is bringing the best of British food and Spanish wines together with her attempt at homemade battered fish and delicious Equipo Navazos La Bota 59 Manzanilla Pasada! Who can resist this perfect combo? If you want to try your hand at battering fish at home find her recipe here.
Today Abi from our London sales team reviews three delicious wines from Stella Bella - Chardonnay, Suckfizzle Sem/Sauv and Cabernet Sauvignon. Stella Bella have some of the coolest sites in Margaret River, including their prized Suckfizzle single-vineyard located in the most southerthy point of the region in the Augusta township. Winemaker Luke Joliffe explains that it’s much cooler down there than in northern and central Margaret River, up to a four to five-degree difference. Luke describes the character of Suckfizzle wines as ‘estuarine’ and believes the salty sea air influences the bouquet of the Suckfizzle wines. #margaretriverwines #stellabella #suckfizzle
Beautiful colours from Valencia today, Pablo Calatayud shares scenes from Celler del Roure. Life continues at a slow and steady pace. The team are pruning old Mando and Monastrell bush vines ready for the growing season. Salud!
As South Africa eases its lockdown this week, we are reminded that many of its people are left unable to provide for themselves or for their families. Those who were already living hand-to-mouth scenarios have lost their income during lockdown and now rely on charities, such as the HeadStart Trust, for food. Bruce Jack says the soup kitchens they’ve established in rural villages such as Struisbaai and Bredasdorp are pushed to capacity, unable to cope.
The HeadStart Trust has been working in poor and marginalised communities of the Cape for over 10 years. As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, HeadStart has shifted the short-term focus of the Trust to Food Relief.
The HeadStart Trust has begun lobbying civil society organisations and government funds to donate financially but they also need your help to support these communities that are a foundation of food security. Click here for more information on how to donate.
Sit back and relax with this comprehensive master class on Grenache with Master of Wine Giles Cooke. Giles discusses the genetic makeup of Grenache as well as his experience working with old vines. He also discusses the importance of careful selection in the vineyard, viticultural practices in the Adelaide Hills where Thistledown is based and his low intervention approach to winemaking.
West London Wine School is excited to now be offering live, online-based wine tastings and courses! We're excited to announce Jimmy Smith will host Florent Baumard from Domaine des Baumard To be held on: Wednesday 27th May 6:00pm – 7:00pm and Wednesday 3rd June from 6:00pm – 7:00pm. Join in the fun by clicking the image and taste deliciously aged Chenin Blanc with Florent from the heart of the Loire Valley.
Alex and Rocio from Bodegas Forlong are working hard at the winery and in the vineyard. Look at those vines growing in Cadiz! As you can see they are practicing social distancing from one another but this isn't as easy from their dogs who are eager to help! #inthistogether #winerypets
Today Bryn from our Off Trade sales team reviews three delicious wines from Iona in South Africa - the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Iona are based in Elgin, South Africa. At 420m above sea level, they boast some of the coolest vineyards of the Cape, where the average temperature ranges between 16,0°C to 18,5°C. This climate is ideal for growing Burgundian varieties due to the long, cool growing season allowing gentle ripening of the grapes. Harvest takes place up to two months later than in other areas of the Cape, allowing perfectly balanced wines to be crafted that are light, but not light-weight. But dont take our word for it, listen to Bryn...
Juan Diez Bulnes with three of his horses ploughing in Bodegas Bernabeleva's Viña Bonita vineyard. We want to share this as he says the light and the atmosphere at this point was amazing. Soils are sandy, perfect for gnarly Garnacha bush vines. Juan works organically and with minimal intervention - the picture captures the scene perfectly. ¡Salud! Thank you Juan!
Simone Williams from the team at Alliance Wine goes live with other importers of Mád Winery from around the world, including Master of Wine Heidi Makinen, as they discuss opportunities for Hungarian wine in their respective markets and the situation they face in light of Covid-19. Watch on Facebook.
Gianni Bertolino, owner and winemaker at Olim Bauda is with his tractor preparing a new vineyard for Nizza. The marl soil is comprised of white chalk, clay and sand. Not only is Olim Bauda's Nizza an exceptionally delicious wine, their 2015 vintage was the Top Piedmont reds in Decanter Magazine this year. Excited to see there's much more of it to come! Find out more about this top Piedmont producer.
West London Wine School is excited to now be offering live, online-based wine tastings and courses! We're excited to announce Jimmy Smith will host Andrew Gunn and winemaker Werner from Iona Winery. Find out more.
To be held on:
19/05/20 6pm (UK time) – 7pm SA
26/05/20 6pm (UK time) – 7pm SA
Join in the fun and taste wines from South Africa's coolest winery.
Happy Friday everybody, in case you were wondering what we have been drinking, well here are some of the wines that have been keeping us sane during these times. Watch the #PassTheWineChallenge on IGTV .. just click the image.
Enjoying your isolation? Fancy being creative in the kitchen? Our lovely colleague Alex prepared these two authentic Chilean recipes to pair with the delicious Tinto de Rulo wines and celebrate the recent International Malbec day. Try them at home and let us know if you are a true master chef or just a food delivery slave.
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Enjoying your isolation? Fancy being creative in the kitchen? Our lovely colleague Alex prepared these two authentic Chilean recipes to pair with the delicious Tinto de Rulo wines and celebrate the recent International Malbec day. Try them at home and let us know if you are a true master chef or just a food delivery slave.
Nature goes on!' Ana from Bodegas Gratias shares some wise words as she tends to her Bobal vines. For many of us it is challenging to juggle work and a family during lockdown. Ana carries out necessary work in the vineyard on Sunday, whilst Ivan takes care of the family at home. Gratias Ana & Ivan! Wishing you and the family all the best! Watch the video.
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Nature goes on!' Ana from Bodegas Gratias shares some wise words as she tends to her Bobal vines. For many of us it is challenging to juggle work and a family during lockdown. Ana carries out necessary work in the vineyard on Sunday, whilst Ivan takes care of the family at home. Gratias Ana & Ivan! Wishing you and the family all the best! Watch the video.
Today Ciaron Gray from our wholesale team shares his love for Pazo Señorans with his tasting review of 2018 Albariño and 2010 Seleccion de Añada. These are incredibly special wines from a supplier we're very proud to work with. The Seleccion Añada is unique being aged on its lees in small steel tanks for up to 36 months or so and demonstrates the ageing potential of Albariño, and Señorans in particular, that we think no other producer can mimic. As the sun keeps shining down on us, we strongly recommend you treat yourself to some fresh shell fish and Señorans Albarino. Watch the video!
"Dear all, I hope you and your family are doing well. The confinement period is complicated for all of us and I want to give you some news from Chassagne-Mt. Trade and commercial activity are very calm, although we have a few orders from individuals as well as orders for export. Our sales to restaurants are at a standstill, but overall restaurants only represent a very small part of our sales in France. Click the image to read more.
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"Dear all, I hope you and your family are doing well. The confinement period is complicated for all of us and I want to give you some news from Chassagne-Mt. Trade and commercial activity are very calm, although we have a few orders from individuals as well as orders for export. Our sales to restaurants are at a standstill, but overall restaurants only represent a very small part of our sales in France. Click the image to read more.
Happy International Malbec Day! Andres Vignoni, winemaker at Vina Cobos has sent us this lovely message as he vinifies delicious, juicy Malbec in Mendoza. For many producers in Argentina the harvest has been tough with labour shortages but I think you'll all agree Andres looks happy with himself that he's decided to quarantine himself at the winery! 2020 is reported to be another good vintage. #inthistogether
We have received some lovely photos from Ana and the team at Quintas do Homem in Northern Portugal where it is nice to see that some things are still normal in this topsy turvy world. The vineyards are progressing nicely with Spring in full effect with new growth and buds starting to clearly show. Ana is also hard at work trying wine in tank and evaluating the latest vintage. Cant wait to taste them! Have a good day everyone.
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We have received some lovely photos from Ana and the team at Quintas do Homem in Northern Portugal where it is nice to see that some things are still normal in this topsy turvy world. The vineyards are progressing nicely with Spring in full effect with new growth and buds starting to clearly show. Ana is also hard at work trying wine in tank and evaluating the latest vintage. Cant wait to taste them! Have a good day everyone.
The Stella Bella harvest is complete! Here's a picture of the entire team together at the beginning of March ready for the first pick, including cellar door, winery and vineyard crew. Teddy, the winery dog, was shattered after just a few days of vintage. The Margaret River Wine Assocation has reported low yields in the Margaret River harvest has produced fruit of “exceptional” quality with “divine concentration of aromas and flavours”. We can't wait to taste with you!
Thank you to everyone for tuning into IGTV to see Ned Llewellyn & Arnaud Hereu, winemaker from Odfjell Vineyards, discuss the 2020 vintage in Maipo. Here's a summary of Arnaud's experience, "Spring frosts, a warm summer and drought has accelerated the development of vines and has led to an early start to picking, with a low production in all the Chilean vineyards in comparison with last year. The low yield per vine plus the heat has produced very concentrated grapes with a good quality, and that are very healthy because the drought caused the decrease of disease in the vines. As we continue with the harvest we will probably finish earlier than normal." Salud Arnaud and to all the team at Odfjell!
Katia Nussbaum shares diary entries of her experience of the Coronavirus from her San Polino estate in Montalcino, aptly named her ‘Coronadiary.’ This includes personal trials, tribulations and observations as well as those of her far-flung family and her work family. She has mused with particular acuity on how the coronavirus has affected our world view and what changes it might manage to effect in the future. Click the link to see the free entries on jancisrobinson.com where the full diary entry is available to subscribers.
Work continues as usual for Pazo Senorans in Rias Baixas! Here's Vicky Mareque and winemaker Ana Quintela tending to Albarino vines. They're demonstrating you can still look fabulous whilst practicing safe viticulture! Sending our love to everyone at Pazo Senorans, we can't wait to share a bottle Albarino in the near future
News from our friends across the Atlantic - At Tinto de Rulo in Bio Bio, Chile they have completed their harvest. Tiny, organic plots of País and Malbec, ranging from 70 to 200 years in age, have been picked across Itata and Bio Bio. Jaime, Claudio & Mauricio are looking after their amazing team, keeping them safe during this time. We send our thoughts and best wishes to all of you, and look forward to sharing a glass of delicious País with you soon!
Good morning from Manos Negras! To kick off Malbec month here's winemaker Alejandro Sejanovich getting his hands gorgeously black with freshly picked grapes at the winery in Mendoza. He's tells us the fruit is delicious, well-structured and with excellent concentration. We can't wait to try it! Wishing our friends in Argentina all the best.
Riecine Chianti Classico Riserva 2016 has be reviewed as ‘Outstanding’, scoring 95 points in the recent Chianti Panel Tasting for Decanter Magazine.
Make the most of home and drink great wine! Amanda from team Alliance presents Zephyr Sauvignon Blanc from Blenheim in Malborough. Winemaker Ben Glover says "I have always wanted to express the exquisite refined bouquet, the precise structure and the 'line' of these aromatic wines from our farm. Zephyr allows me to do this - winegrowing is a natural expression and extension of what our family and I have done on this property for years and the opportunity to pay them back with home grown, world class wines is too good to be true." #winetasting #stayhome #inthistogether
We work with some incredible winemakers. Here's a charming message from Rosalia and Carmen at AltoLandon in Manchuela. Like many of us, they are adapting to a new way of working life and continue to make the best of it! We send love from the UK and look forward to sharing a glass of delicious Bobal with them very soon! #inthistogether #spanishwine #winemaker #organicwine
Introducing Qupé to our Californian portfolio! Qupé is an iconic Central Coast California winery, focused on cool climate expressions of Rhône varietals and Chardonnay. They practice sustainable farming with some organic production too. Make sure to taste soon! #stayathome #drinkwine
In the midst of a troubled week here’s a snapshot of some beautiful scenes from the Iona Estate in Elgin, South Africa. They’re experiencing another perfectly formed vintage, with super-cool autumnal weather that’s ideal for their estate Sauvignon Blanc. Iona not only farm sustainably, they support a sustainable workforce - the team live and work on the farm with their families, so there’s a great sense of community and promotion of wellbeing. Something we can all get behind. #Inthistogether
We were really touched to get this video and message from Ben Glover at Zephyr Wines from Marlborough, New Zealand. Nice to see that normal life carries on, where it can, and that we are in this together. Can’t wait to taste that Chardonnay.
Bodegas Bernabeleva, Navaherreros Garnacha 2017 was listed in Jancis Robinson top red wines in her write up about Viñateros and given 16.5 points. "Quite gamey and interesting on the nose. Really quite fine and delicate. Very appetising. Maybe not for long ageing but great fun."
Giles Cooke MW shares his thoughts on the 2020 vintage from the Thistledown wine company. "There is no denying the fact that vintage 2020 will always be remembered as the vintage of the bush fires, but we owe it to all those affected to craft the best wines possible from what is turning out to be an amazing ripening season." Click the image for the whole report.
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Giles Cooke MW shares his thoughts on the 2020 vintage from the Thistledown wine company. "There is no denying the fact that vintage 2020 will always be remembered as the vintage of the bush fires, but we owe it to all those affected to craft the best wines possible from what is turning out to be an amazing ripening season." Click the image for the whole report.
We were excited to read that Jamie Goode has spent some time out in the Duoro and written an outstanding review of one of our new Portugese producers, Quinta da Costa do Pinhão, who produce all of their wines with minimal intervention and a wild ferment.
Pilton Cider is the second cider to be added the portfolio to answer to the call for lower alcoholic alternatives to wine. The mere words, Pilton, Somerset, evoke an image of sun dappled orchards in late summer. A truly English scene where cider has been made for generations and is integral to the fabric of the community.
The future just arrived. We are very happy to say the new 2020 Portfolio is now available digitally and will be in printed form soon. Click on the image for the online version.
The first of our new, lower alcoholic alternatives to wine to arrive is Once Upon a Tree Cider. Cider being made exactly the same way as wine – it is just naturally fermented apple juice. And it is naturally lower in alcohol, most between 3% to 8.5%. We have tasted them with many different dishes and all of us are very confident that not only are they a great drink, but they accompany many different foods well too. Simon Day, an experienced winemaker, had some form of epiphany in 2007 while in the corner of an orchard in Herefordshire. He decided to embark on a cider journey with the fundamental assertion ‘We will let the fruit do the talking’. And the approach seems to have borne fruit, if you pardon the pun.
Lembranzas Albariño has won Gold medal in the Berliner Wine Trophy. The worlds largest International "Organisation of Vine and Wine" competition.
Sofia Bosco started Tenute Bosco in 2010 in an attempt to breathe life back into two small vineyards on the slopes of Mount Etna. Some of the vines are over 120 years old, and pre-phylloxera, on land recovered 300 years ago from the cooled lava flow following Etna’s last major eruption.
We all need a little 'Funkstille' (radio silence) in our life now and again. Kick back and take a moment to enjoy the silence with 3 labels and one delicious bottle of Grüner Veltliner.
Thanks to it's popularity at launch, Alice from Produttori du Manduria was out of stock for a while. Very happy to say we now have stock again!
There has been a huge spike in interest in Vegan friendly wine, and for many years, our Chilean friends at Odfjell has been producing them, but from the 2019 vintage onwards they will also come with vegan certification on the label.
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There has been a huge spike in interest in Vegan friendly wine, and for many years, our Chilean friends at Odfjell has been producing them, but from the 2019 vintage onwards they will also come with vegan certification on the label.
The true character of a site is only revealed through the work and determination of tending each vineyard with meticulous care and vinifying with minimalist winemaking techniques that fully express the terroir.” – Paul Hobbs . We have understood the philosophy behind Paul Hobbs wines since we started importing them, but now you can listen to Paul Hobbs as he explains the philosophy behind his wines himself.
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The true character of a site is only revealed through the work and determination of tending each vineyard with meticulous care and vinifying with minimalist winemaking techniques that fully express the terroir.” – Paul Hobbs . We have understood the philosophy behind Paul Hobbs wines since we started importing them, but now you can listen to Paul Hobbs as he explains the philosophy behind his wines himself.
Another proud moment for the team at Thistledown Wine Company. We are very proud to announce that the Thistledown Vagabond Grenache 2018 received high praise from Sarah Ahmed whom awarded it 96 points.
are a Valencian producer in a village called Ontinyent. Bodegas Angosto are nurserymen, growing interesting varieties from around the world and selling them onto prestigious wineries. La Tribuna, a red blend of Monastrell, Syrah and Garnacha is also suitable for Vegan diets.