WINTER 2009 / 2010 WINTER WINE LIST NOVELTIES
We have replaced some of our refreshing and fruity wines with others that are more complex and spicy for the winter months to come.
OUR HOUSE WINES
We have sourced house wines for each category on our list. In the Light White Wine section, in addition to the easy drinking Via Fordulo Pinot Grigio 2008 and Antares Sauvignon Blanc 2008, we have sourced a fruity and aromatic Vega del Castillo Blanco 2008.
With Receptions in mind, we have introduced the Pegões 2008, with an apple and pear nose and a dry finish, an award winning Decanter wine.
We have the El Prado Macabeo Chardonnay 2008 which complements most of the light dishes available and the Klippenkop Chenin Blanc 2009 goes well with salads, mild to spicy rice dishes, seafood and white meats.
For the house light reds section, you have a choice, ranging from the mellow and fruity Alameda Merlot 2008 to the spicy and fuller Auction House Shiraz 2008.
Both Kintu Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2008 as well as the El Prado Tempranillo Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 will complement most of our meat dishes.
WHITE WINES WINTER MUSTS
We have spectacular new wines, such as the Hunter’s Sauvignon Blanc 2008, this atypical Marlborough wine, is all about elegant fruit, while maintaining the characteristic refreshing crisp acidity. For spicy dishes, we return to the basics with an Alsatian Riesling, the Domaine Jean Sipp Riesling 2007.
Start your parties with wines from a new generation of Portuguese winemakers, such as Filipa Pato; her Bossa 2008 which was described by Jancis Robisson as “a party wine” which she wished would be served more often.
For the table, we recommend Soave Superiore Classico 2007, made from the Garganega grape, from Italy's Veneto region. This wine is the best of what Soave has to offer. A rich fruity, soft, bodied white wine reminiscent of melon, green plum, and faint citrus fruits.
RED WINES - WINTER MUSTS
The following lists of wines are ideal for winter, because they are warm on the palate, full of spice and dark fruits.
The Cuvée des Templiers 2008 from Côtes du Rhône has a high proportion of Syrah, making the wine rich and full of ripe dark fruit, finishing with gamey flavours. The Volpi Varlo Botter Barbera 2007 samples the best from north western Italy, the Barbera grape red fruit flavours are well balanced with oak, to maximise the expression of this delicious wine.
The fragrant Pirie South Pinot Noir 2007 has juicy raspberries and black cherry flavours from grapes grown in a vineyard carefully located for maximum exposure to the sun and protection from the cold southerly winds.
Discover an earthy, wood-like taste with ripe fruit flavours of plums and blackberry from the Malbec grape, with the Finca Sophenia Malbec Reserve 2008. Considered one of the best properties in Mendonza, Argentina, this vineyard is located 4000 feet above the foothills of the Andes.
Diemersdal Merlot 2006 has dried fruit, plum flavours and spicy notes. It is made by Thys Louw, the new generation of a family with 6 generations experience in making wines in Durbanville, South Africa.
CHAMPAGNE AND FINE WINES
We recently went to Champagne in search of a high quality growers. We focused on tradition and met the Georges Vesselle family, on the Côteau de Bouzy, 42 acres of Grand Cru vineyards of mainly Pinot Noir and a tiny fraction of Chardonnay. The Georges Vesselle Grand Cru Rosé and the Georges Vesselle Grand Cru 2004 Brut Zéro are jewels in our Champagne list and so different from any style you have tried. Brut Zéro means no additional sugar and a very dry style, perfect to serve for Receptions. For your more delicate dishes we also selected the Georges Vesselle Cuvée Véronique-Sylvie NV, a red wine made from the oldest vines of Pinot Noir and matured in oak barrels.
The Pol Roger Cuvée Winston Churchill 1998, is the oldest vintage on the listed Champagnes. It is good on it’s own or can be served with a special dinner to complement your main course.
Always looking for good quality and good value for money, the Château Cantemerle 2000 is a perfect example of how to impress guests without overspending. A wonderful late summer produced an exceptional 2000 vintage and Château Cantermele is one of the few Châteaux, classified as the best back in 1855, and still delivering quality wines today.
For the lovers of older clarets we suggest the Château Lynch-Bages1986. The Irish founder of the Château in the 7th Century would have been happy with this blend with a high proportion of Cabernet Sauvignon. It complements rack of lamb well.