Old wines in interesting bottles at Winerack

Posted on September 15, 2016 by Jack Shamash

Borgo Magredo – great wine in an attractive flask

The big wine retailer Conviviality, which includes Bargain Booze and Wine Rack, is offering a series of wines which are veering towards the unusual.

Their autumn wine tasting, held last week (7 September 2016) had a wide variety of wines from unlikely countries. A Slovenian 2015 Gomilla Sauvignon Blanc (£10.99) was being offered alongside a Chinese2015 Chateau Changyu Moser XV Cabernet Sauvignon (£10.99). The Slovenian wine was light and fruity. The Chinese wine was slightly too dry for my palate, but it is the sort of thing that guests would be keen to try..

There are some really pretty flask-shaped wine bottles from Italy. The 2015 Fruliano Borgo Magedo, Friuli Grave was fruity and slightly floral with notes of grapefruit. It’s a nice wine and – it might sound a bit shallow – but when you are having a dinner party, it’s nice to have something on the table that looks interesting.

It’s worth checking out the South African wines. There are some good chenin blancs and I particularly rated the Julien Schaal Mountain Vineyards Chardonnay (£13.99) – light and slightly fruity with citrus tones. A nice thing to drink with fish, chicken breasts or just by itself.

And there are even wines with celebrity links. The 2016 MT Pinot Noir Rose (£10.99), is made by McGuigan/John Torode. John Torode is the Australian celebrity chef who does Masterchef and looks severe when contestants burn the apple crumble. Pinot noir is more normally used for Burgundy style wines and it is found in rose Champagnes. So this is a slightly unusual wine, but it would go well with prawns or a tuna salad and it is reasonably priced.

An exciting Slovenian cabernet sauvignon

Pizzolato Showcase their Honest Organic Produce

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Kesh

Our favourite West London Italian, Pizzicotto famous for their wholesome, organic and sustainable produce and of course their activated charcoal pizzas invited us back once more for an afternoon of cheese and wine. With such a focus on the quality of their products, it made sense to introduce us to the company behind their beautiful organic wine, Pizzolato. Served alongside some traditional Italian Fayre and in good company, we were able to get an insight into how special Pizzolato’s wines really are. With a combination of a wholesome, family run business and exceptional quality produce we were taught about how the organic wines served here are a cut above the rest.

Contrary to popular belief, the ambassadors from Pizzolato explain to us that the art of winemaking was by and large an organic process as chemicals did not arrive until after the 70’s. The Family however decided to keep the wines organic which then further developed into sulphite free wines in 2007. In the case of their prosecco, this produces a much riper fruit and has much of a similar quality to it’s French counterpart Champagne. The outcome is much more complex than your average supermarket prosecco with a shelf life of just around 2 years, the prosecco is enjoyed young, fresh and a pure test of the grape is in a sulphite free wine. If we want to get into the nitty-gritty of why this wine is especially spectacular, we must look at the fact that grapes are picked by hand and the fact that a sulphite free wine has much more clarity than a natural wine which is not filtered. Another reason for the unbelievable drinkable and pure prosecco is that the minerals from the prosecco comes from stones from the Dolomites, the mountain range near to where Pizzolato produce their liquid gold. If that wasn’t enough reason to switch to Pizzolato’s selection of fantastic organic wines, we then learn that they all have a vegan certification meaning that absolutely none of their products come from animal origin as in the case of many wines, the addition of bentonite which produces clarity does carry this source.

With a host of wines to try from the winery, it is not only their prosecco which is outstanding, they also produce a selection of red wines, white wines and dessert wines which ooze an incredibly mineral, fresh and what can almost be described as without the alcoholic taste. Special mention goes to The Barbarossa, the rich intense flavour of this wine comes from the fact that it is produced like the Amarone, one of the finest, richest red wines to come out of Italy. This of course is dry and chocolate and perfect with a big bowl of Pizzicotto’s mouth-watering meat dishes. Now, if this hasn’t made you run for the door to grab some cheese to go with your Pizzolato wine, consider this; Did you know the reason strong cheeses are a good accompaniment to wine is that it brings out the body of the wine due to it containing natural glutamate, which are the natural salts.

Pizzicotto is open Tue-Sun

www.pizzicotto.co.uk

For more info on Pizzolato and to purchase visit

www.lacantinapizzolato.com

The sun continues: So what about wine al fresco?

Posted on September 2, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Vina Real Barrel Fermented Blanco 2014

Picnics are booming with this late summer sunshine, so why not take this Vina Real in the picnic box with you. I have a firm liking for oak aged wines. I discovered them in the Margaret River area of Western Australia years ago now. This Vina Real Blanco has, or should I say, had (it’s all gone) a hint of a toasty and biscuity flavour from the oak and the lees, with pure floral and citrus aromas. There’s such a smooth rich palate that it slips down rather too easily. Fantastic with poultry.

Made from 100% Viura this wine really should be tried. But much like the Monople (below) it must be served at a cool temperature.

RRP £11.10

Stockists: Grayshott Wines, D.Byrne and Co, Famous Wines, The Clifton Cellars, The Seriously Good Wine Company

Monopole Rioja Blanco 2015

Another for the picnic, or for anytime actually. I enjoy Rioja, and this Monopole Blanco didn’t disappoint. The moment the cap came off the scent leapt out of the bottle. Rather a subdued bottle, I have to say, for a rather lovely wine.

It is fine and elegant and is the perfect summer drink with its white flower and tropical fruit aromas. Mango and ripe citrus flavours dominate t and a balanced refreshing acidity makes this a great wine to enjoy in the sun. It must go into the fridge, and be taken on the picnic in a cool bag, please.Essential it is served at the right temperature.

RRP £10.00

Stockists: Wine Rack, Vino Wines, The Whalley Wine Shop, Noble Green Wines, Hoults Wine Merchants, Hailsham Cellars, Partridges of Sloane Street, Islington Wine

New Zealand is a Place I Should Visit. Why? Wine

Posted on August 2, 2016 by Margaret Graham

Three very good reasons:

Villa Maria Private Bin Dry Riesling 2015,

Villa Maria Cellar Selection Sauvignon Gris 2015,

Villa Maria Private Bin Lighter Sauvignon Blanc 2015

These are three New Zealand wines created by Villa Maria.

Let me just give you more of a run down:

Villa Maria Private Bin Dry Riesling.

This is a bright perfumed wine, with a sense of lemon and lime. Perhaps even a hint of apricot. It is so light and crisp that it is perfect for summer, and perfect for fish, pizzas, salads, even picnics. I am off to Opera on the Green on 3rd September, in Chesham. What could be better?

RRP: £10.55

Stockists: Waitress.com, Majestic.co.uk, Wine Rack, Booths, Ellies Cellar, The New Zealand House of Wine, Fountainhall Wines, The Strand Wine Company, Bin 21 Limited, The Devine Wine Company (Kent) Ltd, Hailsham Cellars, The Seriously Good Wine Company

Cellar Selection Sauvignon Gris, 2015.
The grapes are hand picked from the Fletcher Vineyard in the Wairau Valley and the wine has a sense of nectarine and pineapple which dominate. I think it works well with cheeses, as well as the usual suspects, fish, and salads.

RRP: £14.95

Stockists: The Co-op, Vino Wines, Partridges of Sloane Street, The Shenfield Wine Company, Brooksby Wines, Famous Wines, The Whalley Wine Shop.

The lighter Villa Maria Private Bin Lighter Sauvignon Blanc 2015.
This is again perfect with all the above foods, but has the advantage (for some) of being lighter in alcohol at (9% aby). It is full of fruit flavours and freshness

RRP: £11.30

Stockists: Vino Wines, Islington Wine, The Seriously Good Wine Company, Ellie’s Cellar, Famous Wines

All three wonderful reasons for visiting New Zealand, but failing that, buy these wines, and bring summer into your lives.

White Wine Summer Special

Posted on August 1, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Following on from our rosé wine special, here are some whites to enjoy this summer.

Louis Jadot Mâcon Blanc Villages 2014

This is a superior white wine. Well balanced and ripe. This Chardonnay is soft and creamy with a crisp finish. Very enjoyable.

RRP: £12.05

Stockists: Asda, Nisa, Palmer and Harvey, Wine Rack, Bin 21, The Devine Wine Company, Wimbledon Wine Cellars, Eynsham Cellars, Luvians Bottleshop

An extremely well made and balanced Chardonnay showing the lovely ripe fruit of the Burgundy region that gives a balanced wine with a soft, gentle creamy mouthfeel and crisp apple characters all balanced by just enough fresh acidity. This wine is lovely on its own but also make the perfect partner to fish and chicken dishes at your summer picnic.

Cune Barrel Fermented Blanco 2014

I do like a good Rioja and this one is particularly pleasing. It is 100% Viura grapes and has freshness in abundance. Perfect on a summers day.

RRP: £9.80

Stockists: Waitress.com, Wine Rack, Tanners Wines, Eynsham Cellars, Ellie’s Cellar, The Seriously Good Wine Company, Old Chapel Cellars

This wine will remind you of how good white Rioja can be. Made using 100% Viura grapes, this wines has fresh citrus flavours and a toasty richness on the palate. Just the thing with a chicken salad or grilled fish.

Errazuriz Estate Series Sauvignon Blanc 2015

I am a fan of Errazuriz Estate AND Sauvignon Blanc so this one was bound to go down well. This one is fresh, dry and delicious. Tropical fruit and citrus notes make it ideal for summer.

RRP: £10.30

Stockists: Waitrose, Morrison, Majestic, Wine Rack, Fenwick, Cheers Wine Merchants, Field and Fawcett, Palmer and Harvey, Vino Wines

Fragrant tropical aromas of melon, papaya and passion fruit are mingled with subtle citrus notes. Intense and refreshing, this Sauvignon Blanc shows vibrant acidity and a juicy, elegant finish. Ideal for sipping in the sunshine.

Summer Rosé Wine Review Special

Posted on July 26, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

There are few better pleasures in life than a glass of rosé on a summers day. Here are some picks from us. We have been hard at work testing three different bottles of rosé. Don’t say we don’t love you.
Jean-Luc Colombo Pins Couches Rosé 2015

This is one of the best rosés on the market. Subtle and refreshing, this wine is clear and light. This gorgeous, abundant wine transports you to the Italian sunshine. A huge winner. .

Available from: BargainBooze.com, Vino Wines, Wino’s, Harrods.com, Ellie’s Cellar, Partridges of Sloane Street, Les Caves du Patron, Kingsgate Wines

RRP: £11.10

A light, refreshing and dry Rosé with abundant yet subtle red fruit characters. On the palate, notes of fresh fruits and herbs evoke the terroir of the Mediterranean coast, transporting you to sunny climates all summer long.

Joseph Mellot Sancerre Le Rabault Rosé 2014

Perfect for picnics and barbecues. Delicate and floral. A not-too-sweet wine that is both delicate and fruity. It is a beautiful salmon colour and has a fruity freshness.

Available from: Aitken Wines, Fountainhall Wines, The Whalley Wine Shop, The Leamington Wine Company, Eagle Wines

RRP: £18.80

With a delicate floral nose and fresh raspberries on the palate this wine is the perfect partner to any summer BBQ.

Villa Maria Private Bin Rosé 2015

Refreshing and dry, the ripe berry fruit makes this wine another perfect summer addition. It’s sweetness makes it a perfect apéritif.

Available from: Tesco.com, Majestic.co.uk, Temple Wines, Beers Wines & Spirits, Village Wines, Hailsham Cellars

RRP: £10.30

This New Zeland Rosé has bright floral aromas with flavours of strawberry, red fruits and spice and a delicious smooth finish which will go down perfectly at all summer soirées.

Premier Estates Wine Review Special

Posted on July 13, 2016 by Catherine Balavage

Today we have a Premier Estates Wine special. They are winning awards galore so we thought we would see what all of the fuss was about. We tried the following award-winning wines.

Cava Brut – Silver

CAVA BRUT SPARKLING WINE

11.5% vol. 75cl

This was a delicious sparkling wine. Not all Cava is equal, but this one was fruity and refreshing. It is nice and light with a good amount of sweetness. This Cava is a double award-winner and it was my favourite out of the six we reviewed (Followed by the rosé). It has citrus and apple flavours. Perfect for parties, dessert, fish, pasta, risottos or white meat.

California Chardonnay – Bronze

CALIFORNIAN CHARDONNAY.

12.5% vol. 75cl

This one is a triple award-winner. Complex, but also refreshing, with flavours of orange and melon. It also has a very light hint of butterscotch. It is smooth and easy. Perfect for delicate food such as shellfish and fish. Would also go well with pasta or chicken.

South Africa Chenin Blanc – Bronze

SOUTH AFRICAN CHENIN BLANC

12.5% vol. 75cl

This is a fresh wine with a good, crisp finish. The citrus aromas and flavour of lychee makes this wine interesting, but also a good all-rounder. This wine doesn’t seem to want to be placed, it leaves you taking another sip as it is complex. it is not too sweet (nor too sour), making it perfect for white meat such as pork or Asian food.

Australia Shiraz – Commended

AUSTRALIAN SHIRAZ.

13.5% vol. 75cl

This is a medium-bodied red wine. It is not one of those headache-inducing heavy red wines. It is soft and easy-to-drink. It has an abundance of spiced plum. Red wine tends to go well with red meat, like steak and lamb.

South Africa Shiraz Rosé – Commended

SOUTH AFRICAN SHIRAZ ROSÉ.

12.5% vol. 75cl

I love rosé. Although we always end up having a debate about it in the office. Some of us prefer a paler, less sweet rosé, while others like a deeper redish colour, which is generally more sweet. While I am susceptible to a Pinot Grigio Blush, I also love the darker sweet stuff. This shiraz rosé is perfect for summer. It is deep and full of berries. A refreshing wine which will go well with salmon, pasta and creamy cheese.

Australia Chardonnay – Commended

AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY.

12.5% vol. 75cl

A smooth chardonnay with a long finish. Soft, smooth and tropical. This fruity wine is perfect for summer. Enjoy with fish or turkey.

Premier Estates Wine is an independent British company aiming to deliver fantastic quality wine at everyday prices. They have a free delivery service and take the fuss out of the wine buying process. There is no minimum spend for the free delivery. They have won numerous award from the world’s finest and most fastidiously judged drinks competitions. Including the International Wine & Spirits Challenge (IWSC) and the Decanter World Wine Award (DWWA). Prices are reasonable and the wine is good. They sell through independent grocers, wholesalers, and directly to customers through their ever-popular online store where there is no minimum spend and all orders benefit from free delivery. Give them a try.

Garmence Wine Studio SS16 Capsule Collection

Posted on June 24, 2016 by Kesh

I know what you’re thinking, A capsule collection for wine? ‘WI-NE NOT’ we say. Indeed, we are in a renaissance of wine and Garmence Wine Studio are leading the way with their capsule SS16 Collection. Garmence Wine Studio are a fresh, new wine company committed to bring you wine which is ‘crafted with love’ by people who love wine. The new concept created by the hard-working Charlotte Calvet, who’s family have been in the wine business for generations, is, in a nutshell, based on blending the highest quality wines which are the most memorable and fragrant to match the Garmence unique tasting profile. Their aim is to make it easier for you to select wines that you enjoy based on your own unique taste and aim to deliver a high quality wine to you at a fair price. Helping you to pick your wines with the help of a food pairing wheel, they want you to find exactly the wine you’re after and aim to help you pick something you’ll enjoy.

Essentially, Garmence Wine Studio work with wine growers and producers from all over Europe and have selected wines that ‘evoke a unique sensorial experience.’ Their cooperative approach means that even smaller wine producers get a look in. These guys have done all of the leg work capturing the best of the best and it’s clear that this concept can only be overseen by someone who has an immense passion for wine and after meeting and speaking with Charlotte and her Father you are safe in the knowledge that they really know and adore their wines.

The SS16 collection is created with the premise that consumers’ taste changes with the seasons, so alongside their ‘core collection’, there are a few Spring/Summer heroes that feature with a lighter, fresher taste. Lucky for you, us at Frost got to do all the hard work and attend the wine tasting and here are our top picks;

The Whites;

Pouilly-Fumé

This Sauvignon Blanc has got to be one of the sexiest wines I have ever tried. Deliciously crisp and energetic, this Pouilly-Fumé has flavours of green apples, stone fruits and lemons. This fantastic little number will go well with seafood, Italian food and poultry.

Serving suggestions; a bottle of this on a date will go a long way!
£18

http://www.garmence.com/beta/shop/16-pouilly-fume-france.html

The Reds:

Fleurie

This fruity wine is King of the Beaujolais region which makes it perfect to drink chilled. Perfect for the summer this wine is fresh and light with almost no tannins. Hints of strawberry, cherries and bramble spice this wine is well paired with all meats and of course a cheese board.

Serving suggestions; A foolproof dinner party wine.
£16

http://www.garmence.com/beta/shop/28-fleurie.html

The Heroes;

With some collective positive thinking, hopefully the Summer will be here in no time, but in the meantime Garmence are on a mission to create you the best Rosé. Exclusively to their SS16 collection they have two on offer for you to try.

Côtes De Provence

The clarity of the wine is enough to let you know it’s going to be sublime. Putting Rosé back on the map, this delicious blend of Grenache, Cinsault & Syrah make the perfect balance of citrus, exotic and white fruits. Great paired with steak, seafood and veg.

Serving suggestions; This elegant wine is a showstopper at a BBQ or picnic.
£15

http://www.garmence.com/beta/shop/26-rose-de-provence.html

Crémant De Bordeaux

Because who doesn’t love a bottle of pink fizz! This one is every bit as delicious and exquisite as it looks and just bursting with aromatic fruitiness. Fresh and fizzy, this wine is produced according to the “Champagne traditional method”.

Serving suggestions; Suitable for every occasion
£20

http://www.garmence.com/beta/shop/27-cremant-de-bordeaux-rose.html

These are just our top picks but visit their website to choose wines based on your flavour profile. The minimum order is three bottles and once you’ve selected your wines, pick a day and a time slot. Bottles are stylishly wrapped and delivered in fantastic wine storage boxes which can be doubled up as a wine rack to suit your home.

So visit Garmence for their full collection.

“Fewer, better wines – Crafted with love”

Frost Magazine

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Tag Archives: wine

Old wines in interesting bottles at Winerack

Pizzolato Showcase their Honest Organic Produce

The sun continues: So what about wine al fresco?

New Zealand is a Place I Should Visit. Why? Wine

White Wine Summer Special

Summer Rosé Wine Review Special

Premier Estates Wine Review Special

South Africa Shiraz Rosé – Commended

SOUTH AFRICAN SHIRAZ ROSÉ.

AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAY.

Garmence Wine Studio SS16 Capsule Collection