March News
This time last year we were highlighting the wonderful wines from Pattingham Vineyards in Staffordshire which we added to our portfolio. From Jonathan’s and my recent trip to Woodchester Valley winery near Cirencester (seen above) and they too are making some fabulous still and sparkling wines, which we are also proud to sell and whilst talking about English sparkling wines we have also taken delivery of Sugrue ‘Trouble with Dreams’ from the South Downs.
Dermot Sugrue, may not be a name you recognise (however, please do remember it) but you may have been lucky enough to have drunk some of his wines, as he has worked in Bordeaux at Chateau Leoville-Barton, L’Eglise Client in Pomerol before returning to the UK and subsequently the winemaker at Nyetimber and then Wiston.
I have been lucky enough over the last 22 plus years in the wine trade to taste and drink some amazing sparkling wines and champagnes and this wine is certainly up there with some of ‘The best of the best’ (excuse my Top Gun reference)!
This month also sees us shine a spotlight on wines from Argentina from our recent tasting here in our cellars hosted by Frederico Ruiz from Bodegas Urqo.
Some of their wines have already arrived, the likes of their Palo Santo Sauvignon Blanc, the Palo Santo Malbec and the Durmientes Malbec and we await the arrival mid-April of their single vineyard Chardonnay and Malbec from Miradors vineyard and a Cabernet Franc.
Our wine of the month (WOM) is a rather cool field blend from a red grape called ‘Criollas’ (similar, but different to Chile’s Pais red grape variety): hence my notes talk about Pinot Noir meets Cinsault, meets Cabernet Franc. It has lovely soft tannins but still manages to have ripe red fruits and good refreshing acidity. El Montanista Criollas Tinto 2021 13% vol. £16.95
At this time of year there is a plethora of new wines coming into the shop, so do keep an eye out.
We look forward to seeing you over the coming days and weeks and it is lovely we are now having a bright spell of weather and the days are getting longer. Spring really is in the air!
Santé!
