Contesa Pecorino Abruzzo
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.
Lobo e Falcão
Wine Spectator calls Portugal “the most exciting wine place on the planet”, with its terrific range of native grape varieties and wines that always offer standout value. The rich, mouthfilling Lobo e Falcão fits firmly in that category. It’s made at a 17th century estate owned by the Lobo de Vasconcellos family, once the location of the king’s falconry. Special barrels of wine were kept for the king when he visited. Today, talented winemaker Joana Lopes makes this red specially for us, blending Syrah with Portugal’s exciting native grapes. Previously awarded a Wine Enthusiast Best Buy Award, the 2018 has lovely intensity of flavour due to another low yield year. Generous wild berry fruit and spice with a velvet texture – a very moreish red.
Portuga
Portuga is made by Casa Santos Lima, a grand Portuguese estate in the Lisboa region, just north of the capitol. João Santos Lima founded it in the 19th century and it has been in the same family for three generations. Diogo Sepúlveda is the winemaker today. He has worked vintages all across the world, including Bordeaux's prestigious Pomerol and California's Napa Valley. He is a talented winemaker, who relaxes in his spare time by wrestling bulls (all muscle, no knives!). Portuga is a rich, velvety blend of traditional native varieties, with Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, aged gently in oak. Delicious either served on its own, with rich pork dishes, or tangy tomato pasta. It's an ideal wine for a barbecue too or with mature hard cheeses.
Pasqua Valpolicella
Dont miss this rare chance to secure a magnificent wine from a top producer thats in seriously short supply. Made by an acclaimed winemaker at the top of their game, this is a slice of wine history you dont want to miss. Add it to your collection while you can.
Ricasoli Colledilà Chianti classico DOCG
Casa Santos Lima Valcatrina Tinto
Valcatrina Tinto has a good concentration on the nose. Rich in aroma with notes of black ripe fruit combined with notes of spices from the ageing in oak barrels. In the mouth it presents good structure with ripe tannins. The aftertaste is rich, elegant and long.
Aperol Spritz & Prosecco
The Aperol Spritz pack makes it easy to make this popular Aperitivo at home. The pack includes a 700mL bottle of Aperol and a 750mL bottle of Riccadonna Prosecco. Aperol Spritz is a refreshing drink that is perfect for summer. It is a bitter sweet tasting drink with notes of candied orange. It also easy to make with 90mL Prosecco, 60mL Aperol, 30mL Soda Water.
Luciano Sandrone Barbera d'Alba
Luciano Sandrone crafts wines of profound integrity, purity and deep expression. The Barbera d'Alba is matured for 15 months in wooden barrels, a good part of which are new, which balances the natural fruity and fresh texture of the wine with soft tannins.
Riporta Primitivo IGP
Intense ruby red colour with violet reflections. Complex bouquet with lots of red fruits. Full bodied, soft, quite tannic and harmonious. Ready to drink. Excellent with rich first courses, red meat, game and medium seasoned cheeses.