Proper Barolo, from a single vineyard in the commune of Bussia - one of the most highly rated of all. Firm, aromatic nose, showing red berries, delicate herbaceous and spicy nuances, hint of black berries, dried floral notes and mushrooms. Clear, bright, tart and juicy fruit with light roasted nutty notes and tobacco. One to enjoy now or will happily cellar for 10 years plus.

Founded in 2006, Aviation gin takes its name from the Aviation cocktail, which was created in the 1900s. The gin takes a Dutch style rye spirit base combined with with juniper, lavender, anise, sarsaparilla, orange peel and cardamom, and the botanicals are steeped in grain spirit for 48 hours before they are redistilled. A pretty intriguing tipple, with a very handsome Gatsby-esque bottle. 

A collaboration between craft distiller, Portland’s House Spirits, and acclaimed bartender Ryan Magarian- Aviation American Gin has been created specifically with cocktails in mind. A pioneer of the ‘New Western Dry’ style of gin now gaining popularity, Aviation American Gin has a unique recipe, focussing on a ‘Botanical Democracy’ rather than the standard, dictatorial influence of juniper. 

Matured for three years in oak casks, it loses the ruby-red colour of its youth and takes on an amber hue, mellowing and gaining richness. The result is a charming Tawny Port brimming with apricot jam, plum crumble, marmalade, butterscotch, toasted almond and spices. The crisp acidity balances the sweet complexity, making it a perfect match for a cheeseboard or rich pâté, but also a delicious alternative to dessert wine with nutty puddings, red berries, chocolate and festive fare.

Owned by The Fladgate Partnership, who also look after Taylor’s and Croft, Fonseca has a cult following. It remains the choice of those in-the-know, maybe precisely because it has a slightly lower profile than its stable mates. However, this is very much a Port House firing on all cylinders; the quality of their Ports is through the roof and should not be missed.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc, showing very ripe red fruit with some firm structure. Already drinking beautifully (and will for some time yet); and as ever a very superior Bordeaux Rouge - winner of a Gilbert & Gaillard gold medal 2018. We sold pallets and pallets of the 2015 vintage, but arguably the 2016 is even better: The cooler nights of 2016 brought a little more finesse to the reds - a trait that we much admire in Bordeaux. Drink now till 2023.

N.B. Label may diifer; non-import label shown.

Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and 15% Cabernet Franc, showing very ripe red fruit with some firm structure. Already drinking beautifully (and will for some time yet); and as ever a very superior Bordeaux Rouge - winner of a Gilbert & Gaillard gold medal 2018. We sold pallets and pallets of the 2015 vintage, but arguably the 2016 is even better: The cooler nights of 2016 brought a little more finesse to the reds - a trait that we much admire in Bordeaux. Drink now till 2023.

N.B. Label may diifer; non-import label shown.

From one of the top names in the region, Domaine Hubert Lamy. Highly perfumed with aromas of lime and tangerine on the nose. The palate shows great tension with racy acidity, fresh bitter lemon citrus notes and a precise, saline finish. From 10 parcels over three hectares of village St Aubin, this is aged mostly in larger 500- and 600-litre foudres, with about 10% in new barrels. Always with pinpoint freshness, this year the warmth of the vintage is still not really in evidence. Cool and assertive. Drink 2021-2024.

This Pinot Gris is a sourced from 30 year old vines in the sustainably farmed Tukwilla Vineyard in the Dundee Hills. Tukwilla is LIVE (Low Impact Viticulture and Enology) certified. Everything in this wine starts from the magnificent terroir that farming captures. In the winery, after gently pressing, the fermentation is managed in five separate lots, three in neutral French oak, for a complex array of aromatic expressions, textures, and fruit components, body and weight. The remaining stainless steel fermented and aged lots help to retain the verve at the core of the wine. Fermented completely dry for a rich, complex, and food-friendly wine.

Avalon wines are named after the legendary Isle of Avalon, a place steeped in history and tradition. At Avalon, they combine modern technology with traditional wine making techniques. Lovely aromas of ripe red cherries, black fruit compote, redcurrants and raspberries with mocha spice and generous oak. A wine to snuggle up with.

Avalon Chardonnay is crafted with grapes grown in Northern California including the Delta region. As temperatures rise in the California’s interior valley, cool sea breezes are pulled directly through the San Francisco Bay via the Carquinez Strait creating a cooling effect that has allowed exceptional wine grapes to thrive in the region for more than a century.

This is chock full of the tropical fruit you'd expect from a bold Californian Chardonnay. Fun and fruit-driven, without overt use of oak, just subtle notes of vanilla and toast backing up the ripely fruited palate. Capable of bringing a little sunshine even on the dreariest day!

Sourced from one of the three first growths in Pauillac this is top notch Bordeaux - declassified to be offered at a more everyday price.

Beautifully coloured with deep purple tints, this wine offers all the richness and elegance typical of this prestigious appellation. Grown in the very best terroirs and vinified with the same meticulous care as the grands crus, it offers up a bouquet suggestive of pepper and liquorice along with fresh red fruit aromas. The silky, aromatic attack is followed by an elegantly structured mid-palate that goes hand in hand with moderate extract and notes of pure cassis. The distinguished finish is typical of this exceptional terroir.

Can be enjoyed while young (2-3 years after vintage) but has cellaring potential for quite a few years more.

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Everything you need (and want!) for Christmas - Champagne, fine Port, and exquisite wines that will delight and satisfy. Our absolute top picks from the GrapeSmith range - tried, tested, and enjoyed, time after time. This year calls for a treat more than most! And it is Christmas after all...

Six wines as below;

Champagne Ayala Brut Majeur - Our house Champagne never fails to delight. Part of the Bollinger stable, and they know good winemaking! Dry and bright and crisp, with just enough toast and brioche to tantalise but not overwhelm. Nothing short of fabulous. Get Christmas day started right!

Ramos Pinto Tawny Port RP10 - Tawny Port is such a refreshing change from the Ruby styles. Long maturation in oak barrels leads to a tawny colour and flavours of dates, figs, caramel, coffee, and toasted pecans. The French serve it lightly chilled and we approve! Especially when served with a hunk of cheddar.

Moreau Naudet Chablis - This delivers a memorable treat; sensuous, vivacious, and exactly what Chablis should be. No interference from oak, yet almost Burgundian in personality - a result of top class organic fruit and superlative winemaking.  A steely structure defines the palate with wonderful precision. The perfect centrepiece white for Christmas day.

San Fiorenzo Bolgheri - A truly epic Super-Tuscan. Cab Sav & Merlot combine in a rich and structured palate, with layers of bramble and black cherry fruit balanced by savoury, cedar and capsicum notes. Firm tannins and a twist of sour cherry acidity on the finish. An outstanding wine and outshines many a Bordeaux at this price.

Faiveley Ladoix Rouge - Ladoix is a tiny appelation in Burgundy, right next door to the world famous Romanee-Conti. A wine of exceptional poise, elegance and purity. Bright red berry fruits and a subtle twist of spice from new oak, long and rounded mouthfeel. Utterly refreshing and the perfect pick-me-up wine when the palate is weary!

Domaine d'Alliance Sauternes 2011 (50cl) - This is truly artisanal Sauternes, made by those who are willing to sacrifice quantity for excellence, picking berry by berry. The yields come out to around ten hectolitres per hectare - compare that to Château d’Yquem. Or you can forget the details and simply stick your nose into a glass of this divine nectar to comprehend our excitement. This stands shoulder to shoulder with the best Sauternes money can buy.

Thörle is a much-acclaimed family domaine based in Saulheim in the Rheinhessen, and since 2006 it has been run by brothers Christoph and Johannes. Their recent Pinot Noir (Spätburgunder in German) vintages have been proclaimed as some of the finest reds produced in the country. The vineyards are managed organically, and the domaine is being taken in a biodynamic direction. Soils are interesting and varied, with light clay, limestone, red sandy loam and even flint and schist. Spatburgunder from limestone is an altogether different and more Burgundian prospect to wines from elsewhere in Germany that might be grown on slate or loam. 

Fresh, vivid, red cherries, raspberries and berry fruits. Faint hints of meat and tar with a bright grippy presence. Lovely vivid fruit and nice purity, with glace cherries and a hint of damson. 92/100

Thörle is a much-acclaimed family domaine based in Saulheim in the Rheinhessen, and since 2006 it has been run by brothers Christoph and Johannes. The vineyards are managed organically, and the domaine is being taken in a biodynamic direction. Soils are interesting and varied, with light clay, limestone, red sandy loam and even flint and schist. Riesling from limestone is an altogether different and more Burgundian prospect to wines from elsewhere in Germany that might be grown on slate or loam. 
Hölle is in a small, protected valley at 150-220m, with 35 year old, deep-rooted vines. This is a dry Riesling (1.8 g/l residual sugar). Very intense and precise with lovely pear, melon and citrus fruit. Really linear with a strong mineral core to it. Superb stuff, in a class of its own. 94/100

Lunchtime Barolo! Carema is one of Barolo's neighbours in Piedmonte, and offers a very similar wine at a more 'weekend' price than it's friend. Fermented in stainless steel vats, then transferred into large wooden casks for 12 months and for further 6 months in bottles before release. Released ready to drink. Will cellar for up to 5 years. 100% Nebbiolo.

Ruby of medium intensity with garnet red tints. Nuances of cinnamon and nutmeg as well as of red fruit preserved in alcohol. Smooth flavour, softly tannic, well balanced acidity due to its refining process in wooden casks. Leaves an intense aftertaste together with spicy nuances.

From one of our favourite domaines in Burgundy, this Pinot noir shows a beautiful ruby colour. This wine has fresh, red-fruit aromas on the nose, which is found again on the palate. Raspberry and cranberry notes, followed by a touch of cedar and spice. It has a rich and very ripe substance, with fine and round tannins. This is a very well-structured and pleasing wine, very approachable and versatile.

Quartet is Champagne Louis Roederer’s outpost in California’s Anderson Valley. A cool climate and well-drained soils provide the ideal conditions for Louis Roederer’s winemaking style: one of excellence, precision and freshness. The Quartet winery is nestled in Mendocino County’s cool, fog-shrouded Anderson Valley. Grapes are 100% Estate grown over 235 hectares. There are four distinct vineyards on the estate – hence the name Quartet – from which all the grapes are sourced.

The Quartet Rosé is a multi-vintage blend of no less than 5 vintages with oak aged reserve wines to add complexity and elegance.

Showing fine, persistent bubbles. The  Chardonnay contributes elegance, a floral character and a pleasantly austere freshness, which are the perfect counterpoint to the delicate fruitiness of the Pinot Noir, which brings notes of fresh red berries. Perfect as an aperitif but equally enjoyable with canapes and lighter dishes.

GOLD Medal, Drinks Business Global Sparkling Masters 2018

Best US Sparkling Wine, Champagne & Sparkling Wine World Championships 2016, 2017 & 2018

San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition: Double Gold Award

The Wine Advocate: 93 Points

Merry Edwards was a rare female graduate of UC Davis in 1973, and was hired as a winemaker by Mount Eden Vineyards in the Santa Cruz Mountains. She later upped sticks to Sonoma in 1977 where she promptly became winemaker at the Matanzas Creek Winery in Santa Rosa. It was not until the late 1990s that she managed to establish her own label, building her own winery in 2006.

Now in her seventies, it was time for Edwards to hang up the secateurs and leave the punch downs to someone else, so Edwards sold her winery to Champagne Louis Roederer. From 2015 onwards, current winemaker Heidi von der Mehden worked alongside Edwards and 2018 was her first vintage in full charge of everything.

When you taste this you realise that it’s not your typical porch Sauvignon Blanc, it’s a serious wine that Merry developed. She didn’t like Sauvignon Blanc and tried to make a wine she liked. That meant harvesting riper to get these tropical flavours and fermenting fully in oak.

But it’s not only harvest point that makes the difference: “We’ve built upon our style by changing how we farm, so we have very open trellises and canopies. Others want dappled light on their grapes, I go out there and we take almost all the leaves off on the morning side of the vineyards and help the sun to penetrate. This gets the pyrazine [the green, leafy notes so typical for Sauvignon Blanc] flavours out of the wine.” The wines ferment in wood and about a fifth of the oak is new, with the lees stirred to enhance the creaminess.

The nose initially has a little smoke and the merest whiff of grass, but the palate is rounded, warm, smooth, creamy. The oak is a textural element here, and the less stirring makes this super creamy. It is bold, ripe, concentrated but ultra-mellow; a wine one could luxuriate in right now, however, there would be rich reward for those who can leave this well alone and uncork it in five years’ time...

100% Chardonnay from the Cote Chalonnaise. 50% of the musts was fermented in French oak barrels, 10% of which are new oak. The ageing period lasts 16 months with regular stirring whilst the rest of the blend is aged in vats. This allows the wine to develop delicate cedar and nut notes whilst conserving its freshness and distinctive character. Favourable climate conditions in 2017 gave charm and generosity to the wine; a classic style of vintage that can also be enjoyed in its youth.

Clear, light yellow colour and a fresh nose characterised by flinty, mineral notes. The palate is smooth, round and very distinctive with a delicate touch of acidity that lingers on the fresh finish. Pair with baked salmon parcels and vegetable terrine.

Serve with roasted red meats or game, pâté en croute, mature cheeses such as fromages Mont d'Or, Cîteaux or Reblochon.

• Budweiser Budvar has been brewed at the Budweiser Budvar Brewery in the city of Budweis, Czech Republic, since 1895.
• A clean tasting malty beer lagered for three months, with beautiful colour and rich dense foam. A Czech lager of quality - golden colour and rich thick head, with a mild hop aroma, and mild or medium-strong bitterness.

Something different from Bache Gabrielsen – a Cognac aged in Tennessee oak barrels, in addition to the more usual French casks. The American oak adds rich notes of coconut and pineapple to accompany the traditional French-cask flavours of vanilla, roasted nuts and chocolate.

A historic vermouth brand, Dolin has been made to the same recipe in the Alpine hills around Chambéry since 1821, and was awarded the only Appellation d'Origine for vermouth in 1932. The style is on the lighter and drier side, being sugared to around 130g/l.Sprightly and clean, with aromas of almonds, orange peel and a touch of wax. Rich and clean, with Christmas-cake spices, and notes of roasted nuts, lemon and grapefruit.Clean and refreshing, with a touch of sweet spice.

Crafted to capture the extraordinary natural habitat of where it’s made, this award-winning spirit is gently distilled with fresh, peppery watercress to give it a unique and uplifting twist. 

To support and balance the watercress, nine other botanicals compliment – including juniper, locally grown lavender and coriander from the South Downs – which are distilled slowly to maintain their fresh and delicate aromas.

After distillation the spirit is diluted to bottling strength with their own spring water extracted on site. This is the same mineral-rich water that has filtered through the chalk of the South Downs to feed the ancient river systems and watercress beds of the region. The result is an intense, fragrant and vibrant dry gin. Serve with a good tonic and a slice of pink grapefruit for the perfect G&T – or with Vermouth for an exceptional Martini.

An absolute classic French vermouth aperitif. Like Lillet Blanc, the main grape variety in Lillet Rosé is Sémillon. These wines are combined with natural liqueurs, handcrafted in Podensac from sweet and bitter oranges and berries. It is this meticulously balanced blend that gives Lillet Rosé its delicate aromas.

Light aromas of fresh berries, orange blossom and grapefruit. Fresh, lively and fruity on the palate with balanced structure and great freshness. Enjoy before Duck a l'Orange or something equally French and delicious. 

Apertivo Berto from Quaglia in Italy is a classic aperitif. Made by infusing spirit with orange peel, rhubarb and gentian, this is light and fresh and a superb cocktail ingredient. The nose offers sweet syrup with bitter orange peel, floral notes and fleshy peach and apricot tones. Initially light and sweet on the palate, with weighty fruit, herbs and spice slowly building. Bittersweet finish, with lingering spice and dark, woody notes.

Campari - an absolute classic from Italy.

Campari Bitter is one of the best known and most successful bitter liqueurs worldwide. The half-bitter liqueurs known in Italy as Amaro were used, originally, because of their digestive effect and were sold exclusively in pharmacies. However, as people began to appreciate and enjoy them more, other entrepreneurs began to produce the bitter for their own drinking purposes. Gaspare Campari was one of them and in 1862 presented his "Bitter all'uso d'Hollandia" for the first time in his own bar in the Galleria in Milan. And so Campari Bitter was born! 86 ingredients shape its flavour, including spices, herbs, fruits and roots from around the world. 

The most popular and classic way to enjoy Campari is as an aperitif. To do so simply pour the bitter liqueur over a few ice cubes. Even in long drinks, this Italian drink always taste great. You could try it for example, combined with soda, orange juice or other mixers such as Tonic Water. The bitters taste particularly great in cocktails like a Negroni. The combination of Campari, Gin and Vermouth with an orange zest is one of the absolute classics in the cocktail world- definitely a drink that you should mix with Campari.

Burgundy is famed for its fine wine rather than its Malt Whisky. But that might be about to change. What this region of France has made into an art form is long maturation, cask selection and refined flavours. Enter Michel Couvreur.

This Overaged Malt Whisky is a blend of some 50 different single malts matured for between 12 and 27 years in Sherry casks. The barrels are predominantly Oloroso with some Pedro Ximénez thrown in for good measure. Some of the Sherries were half a century old, and these casks were then filled with whisky while still slightly wet, further heightening the rich Sherry influence. The final whisky is a crazy melange of flavours and origins. There’s very Scottish notes of heather, marmalade, shortbread and peat smoke; something almost French Brandy-esque with its toasted nuts, toffee, tobacco, honey and dried flowers; and then finally there’s a big hit of sweet Sherry with Christmas cake, Armagnac-soaked dried fruit and that wonderfully oily and viscous texture. It’s remarkable stuff.

Based in Bouze-lès-Beaune, Michel Couvreur sources exceptional whisky from Scotland, then matures it in handpicked barrels of equally exceptional quality deep down in cellars beneath a château in Burgundy. 

Michel Couvreur began ageing whisky in 1978. His belief was that there’s more to whisky than terroir and the distiller’s hand. It was his opinion that it is all about maturation. And considering that whisky doesn’t truly become whisky until it has been aged in oak casks, he might well have been right. Michel Couvreur dynamited his own cellar in Burgundy, in which to mature his whisky. He set up a branch of the business in Old Meldrum, a village that is also home to Glen Garioch, and even dabbled in a little distilling at Edradour. When Michel Couvreur passed away at the age of 85, the business was handed over to his son. The quality remains impeccable, each bottle lovingly reduced in strength with imported Scottish water, hand labelled, hand corked and then hand waxed. And when it comes to that seal, please note that this is whisky from wine country, so please open with a corkscrew.

1 of 617 bottles, we are sure this Strathmill is going to sell pretty quickly! At 11 years old, you can see that the 19 month finish in a 1st fill Oloroso sherry butt has made a big impact on the colour of this dram. Expect big, fruity treacly notes from this one. A rare treat and one for the connoisseur.

A UK exclusive from the folks at James Eadie. This 11 year old Caol Ila has been aged in bourbon casks, before being finished for 8 months in a Palo Cortado sherry cask. 1 of 315 bottles, James Eadie are starting to get a bit of a following for their flavour heavy cask finishes.

The nose shows polished coins, salted almonds, burnt rubber, toffee and ash. On the palate, toffee pennies, with smoky, subtle BBQ tones. Wisps of smoke, hops and steam engines linger on a long and developing finish.

Two casks of Linkwood have been bottled in this small batch release from James Eadie. The combination of first fill bourbon and refill hogshead is sure to let the classic grassy style of LInkwood shine out. A limited release of only 651 bottles.

Teaninich is a full bodied spirit, and what better way to try one of the heavier spirits, than to try it at a younger age, from bourbon and refill casks. James Eadie have been bottling a few of these lesser known malts recently, and at pretty fair prices!

Wood shavings, bananas and grassy herbal notes on the nose. Savoury at first, then wafer and biscuit, with some sweetness and subtle tar notes. Quite buttery and then lots of citrus fruits on the finish.

Hand crafted in Dorset by Conker Spirit. Spirits distilled from British wheat and New Forest Spring Water. Distilled and bottled in Dorset's first gin distillery. Well-balanced and Juniper-led, with 10 select botanicals, including marsh samphire, elderberries and hand-picked gorse flowers foraged from across the Dorset coast. No gimmicks. No fuss. Just top-notch small batch gin.

Complex, layered and with a bright freshness and intriguingly long finish that invites the second sip. The wheat spirit is smooth and creamy with appropriate level of heat. Juniper leads, followed spice and slightly sweetened by herbaceous blue-fruit notes of elderberries. A lovely balance of dry and sweet. 

100% made from scratch to the Sibling quality, then infused with fresh cranberries and clementine peel. A true Winter G&T, long finish & deliciously moreish.

Start Point is a gin from Salcombe in Devon in a London Dry style. The botanicals include Macedonian juniper, English coriander, grapefruit, lemon and lime peels, and 10 exotic botanicals. Cut with Dartmoor water, this is rich and full-bodied with notes of citrus, spice and a touch of sweetness.

Named for the iconic Sainte Marie lighthouse at the southern entrance to the Old Port of Marseille, this rosé gin from Salcombe is inspired by the flavours of the south of France. Distilled with Macedonian juniper, lemon verbena, rose petals, pink peppercorns and orange blossom among its botanicals, this delicately pink gin offers notes of fresh lemon peel, garden herbs, red fruits, white flowers and subtle, peppery spice.

A season essential! A hipflask of sloe gin is perfect for cold winter walks and shoot days. This is made by the lovely Wiltshire Liqueur Company who source their fruit and spirit locally.

Cave de Turckheim Riesling 'Marnes et Calcaires' wine is an exemplary, delicate Alsatian Riesling. The chalk and clay soils of the slopes around Turckheim help to produce wines of considerable longevity, complexity and distinction. Cool fermentation and ample skin contact ensures an aromatic, expressive Riesling. Bottle age has lent an alluringly complex baked citrus nose. Racy, dry and elegant, this is a fine Riesling with potential to age. Match with fish, scallops and white meats.

Widely regarded as one of the best co-operatives in the world, Cave de Turckheim is situated to the north west of Colmar in Alsace. Michel Lihrmann has been the senior winemaker for over 25 years and his style of drier wines has been a huge hit, expressing the wonderful breadth of the Alsatian terroir and grape varieties while pushing pure fruit flavours to the fore.

Superb. Properly crafted lager from this north London stalwart. 4.6% abv

Maison Joseph Perrier offers us a Blanc de blancs cuvée representing all the elegance and freshness of the magnificent terroir of the Côte des Blancs. The 'Cuvee Royale' was the cuvee supplied to King Edward VII and Queen Victoria.

This Brut Champagne has a beautiful aromatic richness and a ageing potential of several years.  There is a lively attacking style, yet it is ample and fresh, with citrus overtones. Sweet spicy flavours of cinnamon and vanilla with gourmet notes of biscuit, over a delicate lemony finish. Utter class, and literally fit for a King (and Queen!)

Luigi Bosca Gala 1 is an elegant blend of Malbec, Petit Verdot and Tannat. With Malbec at the fore, the nose offeres notes of black cherry, morello cherry and plums. Petit Verdot adds perfumed tones of spice and violet, whilst the Tannat plays a supporting role in lending great tannic structure. A round, smooth, and lasting mouthfeel, reminiscent of red fruit and vanilla. Ageing in new oak barrels lend great volume and elegance to this wine. 92 Points Wine Enthusiast

Bigger is better! Our best-selling 'house' Chamapagne is part of the Bollinger family and exudes as much class and style. Now in magnum for twice the celebration.

A sublime Cru Bourgeois wine from this stellar vintage. This decadent wine comes from a historic estate in Listrac, dating to the 18th century. It offers ripe tannins and a bold, structured, core. Dark black plummy fruits alongside tones of liquorice and floral notes. Decanter's most improved Cru Bourgeois Chateau since 2010. This impressive wine is starting to show well now but will continue to develop slowly for the next 10-15 years.

Perfect for drowning the Christmas pud (or your sorrows!). No frills but perfectly decent brandy for needs of the season ahead!

Rounded and generous on the nose, with a light, balanced, vinous touch. Woody aromas of vanilla and old Port cask. Smooth and full bodied on the palate. From an initial unctuousness, there appears a fresh, soft fruit, finishing with a light, acidic, woody note. Good structure and a perfect balance between fruit and alcohol.

Made with high quality wines from Quinta de Ervamoira by blending of wines from harvests from different years, averaging 10 years.

The new wines give it the vigour and freshness and the older wines, complexity and pedigree.

Ready to drink. Serve chilled, as an aperitif or with desserts around dried fruit and orange, or egg-based puddings such as Portuguese custard tarts.

Mark Squires, Wine Advocate 92 Points

A wonderful unfiltered LBV from Ramos Pinto. Ready to drink on release, but can age due to being unfiltered, much like a vintage port. Full bodied and naturally sweet, with raisin, prune and date notes overlayed with pecan and tobacco notes. A class act from this house - one the original and best.

From the Sud-Tyrol region of Alto Adige, famed for making exceptional cool-climate wines. Pinot grigio from the Veneto plains can be exceptionally dull but this example frmo Nals Magreid really shows what is possible with this grape. Aromatic and inviting, with aromas of orange, honey, and hay followed by zesty fruity flavour on the palate. A good companion to intensely flavoured starters, fish, and white meats. 

Mature and complex style of sparkling wine, expressing aromas of toast, honeycomb, sourdough and nougat. Elegant and energetic, with small, subtle bubbles giving a fine texture. Intense citrus peel and a hint of forest floor flavours are supported by toasted bread and brioche. Aged in bottle for 24 months.

Francesc Ricart cava's are produced by the traditional method in the most representative area of the D.O. Cava: Penedés, Alt Penedés and Sant Sadurní d’Anoia. The collection reflects outstanding grapes, the art of blending, patience to allow the wine to mature at its own pace.

Suggested food and wine pairing: Tapas, nuts, cheese and olives being the most obvious ones. And, of course, with jamón.

2016 was another great vintage in Bordeaux. Intense and vibrant this a very smart wine for the price. Worthy of a dinner party. Saying that we could all do well to take a leaf out of the French book, and turn to Bordeaux for our everyday drinking, rather than just to impress our friends. Thankfully this fits the bill on both, offering an approachable style with enough going on to impress the connoisseurs.

A steal at under £12.

Mas Blanch i Jové is a small winery with 17 hectares of land producing harmonious wines, packed with fruit, character and soul. The vineyards are situated in the mountains, 700m above sea level which gives a freshness to the wines which perfectly balances the fruit.  They don’t use pesticides or herbicides and have been certified Organic since 2015. In addition the winery is fully powered by solar energy. and all wines are vegan friendly and low sulphur.

Notes of plums, cherries, strawberries and fresh oranges, subtle memories of cassis, raspberries and blackberries. In the nose mineral touch and on the palate a subtle salinity and roasted notes, with a very fresh and balsamic finish. An original and explosive wine, quite delicious. 6 months in Amphora, old oak, and stainless steel tank.

International Wine Guide (ESP) Vintage 2015 – Gold medal.
Guía Akatavino (ES) Vintage 2017 – 91/100 points.
Guia de Vins de Catalunya (ES) Vintage 2015 – 9,54/100 points.
Grans Vins Catalans a Petits Preus Selected as one of the ten best.

Mas Blanch i Jové is a small winery with 17 hectares of land producing harmonious wines, packed with fruit, character and soul. The vineyards are situated in the mountains, 700m above sea level which gives a freshness to the wines which perfectly balances the fruit.  They don’t use pesticides or herbicides and have been certified Organic since 2015. In addition the winery is fully powered by solar energy. and all wines are vegan friendly and low sulphur. Herbal and slightly tropical with a hint of wildness. Vital, exciting wine.

A pronounced aromatic nose of fennel & citrus, white flowers, white fruit and aromatic herbs. Great power and complexity is expressed with a gentle touch. Elegant, agreeable, fresh, heavily mineral and savoury it enlivens the senses with its pleasurable and lingering persistence. Wonderful with fish and chicken dishes.

Organic, Biodynamic, young, trendy, and Austrian! Michael Opitz is part of the new generation of wine growers, no longer producing mainstream but rather, distinctive, confident wines. The personality of this wine grower is reflected in the style of the wines, which are considered and confident without excessive inclination towards the dramatic. Michael Opitz also particularly values sustainability in the winery. This includes improvements in the vineyard and in the cellar as well as considerations concerning transport, packaging materials and many other aspects.

This, his Sauvignon-Pinot Gris blend is a revelation! A truly sophisticated wine, full of finesse and soft tones, with Burgundy elegance and reserved coolness. A fascinating, sensuous palate, with fully mature flavours, which impresses from the first sip. The herbaceous tang of Sauvignon creates a fine balance of sweet fruitiness and crisp acidity.

Organic wine still has a bit of a 'grubby' reputation amongst some consumers. 'The Convert' will rid you of that idea! So fresh, so easy-going, but with wonderful texture to boot. This is top-quality organic fruit from the heart of Castilla in central Spain. Verdejo is the traditional white grape of the region, able to produce refreshing wines in this warm climate. Saline and savoury notes come through from some time on lees, with green and citrus fruits making for a refreshing finish. Moderate acidity and good palate weight make this supple and moreish. You've been warned! 

From the winemaker;

'Our old vines are planted on an island of shist in the Languedoc’s Faugères appellation. Our vines are grown at high altitude and the grapes vinified in concrete eggs and large chesnut barrels, giving freshness and vitality to the wines. The vineyard is worked biodynamically and certified by Demeter.'

• Soil type: Schist, Shale
• Vessel type: Wood - Old oak, Cement - Egg

• Unfined.
• Unfiltered.
• No added sulphites.

Notes on additives, aids & processing used:

• No temperature control.
• Organic/Biodynamic/Equivalent
• Total Sulphites: 5 mg/L
• This wine is fermented spontaneously.