Rocksand Shiraz
Not only has this family estate won 60 Golds in a decade, but also 'Best Wine in the World'. That was for their 2005 Shiraz in 2008! The secret to this weighty, spice packed red is the sandy soils, which hold little rain for the vines, plus the unrelenting hot sun. The result is a modest yield of small berries crammed with juicy flavour. With this style of wine, award winning winemaker Jaime Quendera is now forging a reputation for Setúbal's rich, bold reds. Mostly Shiraz along with a splash of local variety Alicante, Jaime finished the wine in expensive oak barrels to add a gorgeous spicy vanilla lift to the blueberry, blackberry and peppery fruit. A fine treat to serve with spicy chorizo sausages, a hearty stew or the Sunday roast.
Farinelli Pinot Grigio
Stretching along Italy's Adriatic coast, the Abruzzo boasts pretty coastal coves and dramatic landscapes of soaring mountain peaks, deep valleys and ancient castles. The region also offers a range of attractive wines - the creamy, plum filled Montepulciano based reds, citrusy Trebbianos and, most recently, fruity Pinot Grigios. This Pinot Grigio is a new addition to our Farinelli range. The estate proudly champions a traditional trellising system, 'pergola abruzzese', which ensures the grapes receive excellent exposure to the bright sunshine and so gain full ripeness. The result is a lovely balance of bright pear and apple fruit, teamed with minerally zip. It makes an ideal apéritif and goes well with fish, chicken and creamy pasta.
Aluado Alicante Bouschet
They said he was 'aluado' ('loony') but the ever inventive José Neiva Correia has proved his doubters wrong. Alicante Bouschet produces some of the world's deepest coloured wines and is often used to enhance Portugal's top reds. Here you find it in its pure form thanks to José. A legend of Portuguese wine, he combines generations of tradition with an inquisitive spirit undimmed at 60+ years of age. Following on from last year's triple Gold medal triumph, José again used grapes from his own historic estate, Quinta de Porto Franco, which dates back to the 12th century and is thought to be the oldest vineyard in Alenquer. Thanks to a great season, Aluado 2017 is a big, rich wine best served with roast meats - try with pork or rack of lamb.
Flor de San Martín Garnacha Blanca
Spain’s Navarra is full of surprises, producing styles from traditional and oaky to the most modern and fresh. Flor de San Martín is certainly in the latter camp, a brilliantly zippy fresh white made only from grapes grown in high altitude vineyards in the foothills of the Pyrenees. Little rain and these dizzy heights mean lovely intensity of crisp fruit and lifted herbal aromas – flavours that are unique to the region. This white will really get the taste buds tingling! It’s from winemaker Gonzalo Zelayeta, who works his magic at the modern San Martín de Unx winery, founded back in 1914. From hand-picked (impossible with machines) grapes and cool fermented, this is a refreshing glassful. Tops with seafood, salads and lighter dishes.
Camino de Seda
Stones & Bones
A frequent Gold medal winner, Stones & Bones is so-called because it’s grown in a landscape littered with ancient boulders and dinosaur fossils. In the modern Portuguese tradition, the wine is a blend of local and international grapes. Touriga Nacional, the backbone of vintage port, joins forces with Syrah, Tinta Roriz and Alicante to produce truly mammoth, rich fruit flavours. Equally impressive is the winemaker, Diogo Sepúlveda, who relaxes after work by cycling or playing football, or, more unusually, bull wrestling! Having worked in Pomerol, then in the Barossa with heirloom Shiraz vines, his credentials for making this rich, old vine Portuguese red are second to none. For maximum enjoyment, decant and serve with a rich beef casserole.
Il Brutto Negroamaro Primitivo
Il Pino Pinot Grigio Rosato
Squealing Pig Sparkling Rose
This refreshing Squealing Pig Sparkling Rose is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes grown in the South Eastern regions of the land down under Australia. With a perfectly pink beautiful pale salmon colour, it is a crisp, silky smooth style of Sparkling Rose. Serve chilled and enjoy now...or later with a bunch of your best buddies!
Brown Brothers Sparkling Moscato Rosa
Brown Brothers new Vintage Sparkling Moscato Rosa has a brink pink strawberry hue giving the wine a delightfully delicate feel. With the addition of a touch of Brown Brothers highly successful Cienna variety, this full sparkling sweet Rosé; exhibits a luscious spicy perfume and an intricate sweet palate. Balanced acidity helps keep the wine perfectly balanced and should be enjoyed chilled while in its youth.