Jean-Luc Colombo Les Collines de Laure Syrah 2010

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Jean-Luc Colombo Syrah Les Collines de Laure 2010Jean-Luc Colombo Les Collines de Laure Syrah 2010 awarded 4 stars in Decanter Magazine and best value wine of the month June 2012

Jean-Luc Colombo Les Collines de Laure Syrah 2010 is a great wine from classified as a Vin de Pays des Colline Rhodaniennes – it is actually made from young Cornas vines (where Jean-Luc Colombo has sizeable vineyards holdings) declassified down to a VDP. These vines will be destined for one of his Cornas bottlings when they become of age.

Decanter Magazine has this to say, ““Founded in the 1980s, this producer is one of Cornas’ standard bearers and has shown the potential of the region. The vines used are too young for its Cornas grand vin, but perfect for this delicate, seductive red, with its soft tannins, supporting dark damson notes, coffee and spice” 4 Stars and Best Value Wine of the Month – Decanter, June 2012

The vineyards are located in the Northern Rhone and composed of mainly granitic terraces and gravely plains. The grapes are harvested manually and, after vinification in stainless steel vats, the wine is bottled 7 months later to preserve its freshness and conserve fruitiness. Think dark fruit and raspberries.

Tasting Note: Jean-Luc Colombo Syrah Les Collines de Laure has has a clear ruby red colour with an intense robe. The nose shows a wide range of small ripe red fruits (rapsberry) with a spicy backdrop. The structure of the wine makes for “easy” drinking, but at the same time its origins places it in the same style as its illustrious neighbours from the Northern Rhône. Fine tannins makes for a harmonious wine which is rich and generous. A very approachable Syrah from the Northern Rhône, full of character but with finesse.

A great wine, at a great price. Find Jean-Luc Colombo Syrah Les Collines de Laure at the Fareham Wine Cellar.

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Where to buy Corporate Wine Gifts in Hampshire

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Fareham Wine Cellar Can Supply A Wide Range of Corporate Wine Gifts

If your company wishes to purchase corporate wine gifts wine for events such as product launches, exhibitions or customer meetings, Fareham Wine Cellar can provide the solution to all your corporate wine needs. Corporate wine gifts are great way to thank customers and employees for loyalty, hard work and meeting targets. This brief article will give you some ideas and advice on buying wine gifts and gift ideas for all corporate occasions.

Fareham Wine Cellar

For more information please visit the Fareham Wine Cellar website or email info@farehamwinecellar.co.uk for more information or to discuss further requirements.

When to use corporate wine gifts?

Staff Gifts – have your staff hit sales or growth targets? Wine, or spirits, can be used to reward staff who hit targets and creating a little bit of competition is always beneficial. We can help you choose wine and you can have happier staff!

Sales Targets
Christmas and Birthday Presents
Loyalty Awards

Customer Gifts – corporate wine gifts can be used in many situations. We have supplied wine for all sorts of corporate occasions including,

Product Launches – clients often provide a glass of sparkling wine at product launches or exhibitions where it can help keep people at your exhibition stand longer!
Conferences
Gallery Openings
Open Days
Christmas and Birthday Gifts
Leaving and Retirement Presents
Anniversary presents – perhaps something from the same vintage as the founding of a company or other significant company event

We can provide many different types of gift packaging from plain bottle and gift bags up to wooden wine boxes and hamper style baskets. Please have a look here for an idea of some of the packaging available. There are many other alternatives for wine gift packaging.

We also prepare mixed cases of wines to order. Please follow this link for an idea of some of our ready made mixed cases. These can be tailored to suit individual needs.

Serving Wine at Corporate Events

When your company next has a corporate event, why not buy some wine? Maybe there is an upcoming product launch or exhibition where it might be appropriate to serve wine – serving a glass of wine at such corporate events can help customers relax and puts them at ease producing an atmosphere more conducive to doing business.

Please remember though, for your next corporate event, don’t make the mistake of buying the cheapest wine available, spend a little bit more on the wine for a product launch, thank you gifts or corporate Christmas gifts and you’ll find happy and impressed customers are more likely to place orders with your business.

Why choose Fareham Wine Cellar?

As an independent wine merchant we can provide a service that is unmatched by supermarkets, cash and carries and other wine merchants. Fareham Wine Cellar sells carefully sourced, individual wines offering excellent quality and value for money. We offer free advice on wine purchases, wine gift packaging and even food / wine matching.

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Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter

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The Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter is a commemoration of the sport of modern yacht racing, which can trace its history back to the 1600s. The decanter depicts many of the modern rigs used in sailing and some one-off designs. The artwork was painted by one of the world’s most famous marine artists A.D. Blake from New Zealand.

Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter

On the shoulders of the decanter one can find some of the most prestigious yacht races in the world, including,

Transpac
America’s Cup
Volvo Ocean Race
Fastnet Race
Vendee Globe
Chicago-Mackinac
Bermuda Race
Admiral’s Cup
Sydney-Hobart

Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter

Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter

 

 

There are also three cameos on the shoulder of the Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter – Joshua Slocum’s “Spray”, the first man to sail alone around the world from 1895-1898, the Schooner America, the winner of the first America’s Cup Race in August 1851 and the “Jolie Brise”, the winner of the first Fastnet Race in 1925.

Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter Stopper

The comes with a large ceramic stopper which has the Pusser’s Navy Rum life ring logo on the the top. Around the sides there is the flag signal for “Splice the Main Brace”. There is also the Killick’s Fouled Anchor, the official anchor of the Royal Navy which is repeated on the decanter’s neck.

Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter Stopper

Pussers Rum Yachting Decanter Stopper

About Pusser’s Rum

Pusser’s Rum is produced on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands and is named after the Royal Naval Slang for a purser, a ship’s supply officer. For more than 300 years sailors of the Royal Navy were issued a daily rum ration or “tot”, a highly welcome daily comfort when one was away from home for many months. The Rum Ration was abolished on the 31st July 1970 (“The Black Day”) and Pusser’s Rum quietly lay dormant until 1979 when Charles Tobias, entrepreneur, sought to resurrect the Pusser’s Rum tradition. Tobias managed to obtain the rights and the blending information from the Admiralty, set up Pusser’s Rum Ltd on Tortola and, in 1980, began selling Pusser’s Rum to the public for the first time (previously it was Royal Navy only).

British Navy Pusser’s Rum is the same Admiralty blend of five West Indian rums as issued on board British warships, and it is with the Admiralty’ blessing and approval that Pusser’s is now available to the consumer. In return The Royal Navy Sailor’s Fund, a naval charity more commonly called the “Tot Fund” receives a substantial donation from the sale of each bottle of British Navy Pusser’s Rum. Aside from the fund’s original bequest, the Pusser’s contribution has become the fund’s largest source of income. Today’s Pusser’s is still produced in exact accordance with the Admiralty’s specifications for rum. Unlike most rums, Pusser’s uses no flavouring agents. It is 100% natural. Pusser’s is said by connoisseurs to be more like a fine brandy than a rum, with a full, rich flavour and a smoothness which are unsurpassed. It is a sipping rum, which, of course, may also be mixed. Its full mellow flavour comes through anything you might mix it with. Either neat or mixed, you will notice and enjoy the full, rich flavour of Pusser’s rum.

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New Chinese Wine – Changyu Cabernet D’Est

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Changyu Cabernet D’Est, Chinese Wine

At Fareham Wine Cellar, we have just taken our first delivery of  a new Chinese wine. This is not our first Chinese wine however, we used to supply Dragon Seal, which was made by French company Pernod Ricard, back in the mid 1990s – I wonder what happened to that venture? Anyway back to Changyu wines.

Chateau Changyu Cabernet D'Est
Chateau Changyu

The Changyu group is one of the oldest and most dynamic wine companies in China. The history of viticulture and wine production in China can be traced back to the Han Dynasty which was from 206BC to 220AD. Changyu can trace their history back to 1892 when cuttings from Bordeaux, Burgundy and Alsace were planted, European winemakers were employed and China’s first “European” vineyard was created. Since then Changyu has managed to keep going, despite being taken over by the state at one point. In the 1990 they entered into a joint venture with French wine giant Castel. The focus has always been on producing European, and particularly French-style wines.

Changyu Vineyards

Changyu Cabernet D’Est is produced from 75 hectares of vines, that have been organic for three years. From the 2012 the wine should be able to be labelled as such. The vineyards are located in Ningxia, China‘s newest wine-growing area, in the Helan Mountain region, located in Central Western China on the fringes of the Gobi Desert and close to the Yellow River. This is quite an arid area but with good sunlight hours which allows the grapes to ripen fully. Situated at 1100m, the warm days are coupled with cool nights which means the resulting wine retains freshness.

Changyu Cabernet D’Est

Changyu Cabernet D'Est

Changyu Cabernet D’Est is made from the little-known Cabernet Gernischt grape variety, this is thought to be a crossing of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc although some think it is Cabernet Franc. This variety apparently became extinct in Europe some time ago. The grapes tend to be larger than Cabernet Sauvignon and produce a less tannic but spicier and fruity wine.

 

Tasting notes – the Changyu Cabernet D’Est has a god, clear, ruby red colour. On the nose there are red fruits, sweetish notes of blackcurrant and slightly grassy, herbaceous flavours. Pehaps a little bit green. The palate is soft and round with good tannins, more red fruit and a little hint of green pepper. It is medium to light-bodied and has good length. I have to agree with Jamie Goode’s notes below – the wine is very reminiscent of perhaps a Saumur Rouge of Chinon from the Loire.

Buy Changyu Cabernet D’Est here.

Review

“This is a varietal Cabernet Gernischt (a cross of Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon), from vineyards at 1100 m. Bright red in colour, it has a very Cabernet Franc like nose of leafy green berry fruits. The palate is fresh and slightly green with some cherry and berry fruit, as well as some grippy tannins. Supple and very Loire-like, with a hint of rusticity about it. 87/100″ Jamie Goode, www.wineanorak.com

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Belvedere Bloody Mary Vodka – Now Available in the UK

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Belvedere Bloody Mary Vodka has just been launched by LVMH onto the UK market and I am lucky enough to have a bottle to try. This is being marketed as a premium flavoured vodka that, by adding tomato juice, is perfect for making quick and easy Bloody Mary cocktails. I think they may have missed a trick and that Belvedere Bloody Mary is much more versatile than that and, anyway, when I make a Bloody Mary, I want a dash of fino sherry, some Worcestershire sauce and a stick of celery in mine, so, for me, it is always going to be more complicated than adding some flavoured vodka to some tomato juice.

How is Belvedere Bloody Mary Vodka made?

Many flavoured vodkas are flavoured with aroma-chemicals or other synthetic compounds. Not so Belvedere. It is made by the process of maceration. Belvedere Vodka made in Poland by distilling Dan´kowskie Gold Rye four times before water from drawn from artesian wells is added. The natural flavourings are then added to the vodka and left to macerate (basically soak) for up to a month. I am led to believe that the ingredients are macerated separately and then, after a gentle pressing and filtration,  the different components are blended together.

What are the flavourings in Belvedere BBelvedere Bloody Mary Vodka available from Fareham Wine Cellarloody Mary Vodka?

The natural fruits, herbs and spices used in Belvedere Bloody Mary Vodka are -

Black Pepper
Horseradish
Bell Pepper (sweet red pepper / capsicum)
Chili Pepper
Vinegar Distillate
Tomato
Lemon

Tasting Notes

Nose – The nose is very spicy with creamy notes. The dominant aromas are horseradish and black pepper but there is a really fruity red fruit (pepper and tomato) component too.

Palate – The palate starts sweet but then dries out, there are definite smoky, black pepper flavours with more red pepper and horseradish notes. There is a pleasing warmth from the chili peppers. A fresh, yet complex vodka.

Finish – The finish is quite lengthy with a peppery kick which, as it goes on, leads to more fruity flavours and a hint of citrus.

I really like Belvedere Bloody Mary Vodka. I can imagine that it will be a great drink, served frozen, straight from the freezer. I think it would be great with fish dishes such as smoked salmon, oysters or caviar or fish roe with creme fraiche and blinis. It will add another dimension to your Bloody Mary cocktail but will also be brilliant in other cocktails, try is as a replacement for normal vodka in a Moscow Mule, for example, or in punches. There are some cocktail recipes at the Belvedere Website.

I urge you to seek a bottle of this out.

Currently available at the Fareham Wine Cellar @ £31.99 per bottle.

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Slayer Introduces ‘Reign In Blood’ Wine

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Slayer Introduces ‘Reign In Blood’ Wine.

Hot on the heels of AC/DC and Motorhead death metal band Slayer have released a wine named after their 1980s album “Reign in Blood”. Currently only available in Sweden where the importer describes the wine thus,

“The wine, a Cabernet Sauvignon from California, is as uncomprimising [sic] and tough as the band. After a couple of Seasons in the Abyss, the wine has an undisputed attitude and a soft nose of dark berry fruits with oak and spicy nuances. Good mouth feel with hints of fresh fruit and juicy, smooth tannins. Well structured and rounded with subtle notes of oak, showing true Divine Intervention. Best company for the wine comes as no surprise, enjoy it while headbanging, riffing or with food, friends and great music. Reign in Wine!”

What’s more, I see that Train have released a Drops of Jupiter wine. So what’s next? Napalm Death Pinot Grigio, Justin Bieber Barrel Fermented Chardonnay?

It is not known whether drinking this wine will induce a throbbing headache. Listening to Slayer and headbanging away almost certainly will!!

 

Cover of "Reign In Blood"

Cover of Reign In Blood

Edit: 08/05/12 And now is seems Fergie from The Black Eyed Peas has bought a wine estate in Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara, California – more here

And it seems that Gaga is thinking of getting into the wine business – Pop icon Lady Gaga is also hoping to turn her hand to winemaking, and was spotted looking for vineyard land in Sonoma County this March with boyfriend Taylor Kinney.

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Meonhill Wines – A New English Winery in Hampshire

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Meonhill Wines – Now available at the Fareham Wine Cellar.

Where is Meonhill Wines?

Meonhill Wines is made at Little West End Farm near Petersfield in Hampshire and the vineyards are situated on Old Winchester Hill in the South Downs. It is a joint venture between Syd Chaplin, of LEP farms, Imogen Whitaker and Didier Pierson, the owner of a Grand Cru Champagne house, in Avize. The partnership began in 2004.

Meonhill Wines Vineyards

There are 12 hectares of vineyards and the vines are trained very low compared, to English standards, using the Chablis and the Cordon de Royat systems for the Chardonnay and the Pinot Noir respectively. The vineyards have chalky soils characteristic of the South Downs and which are, geologically, an extension of the chalk soils that run through the Champagne region (and Kent). The steep slopes of the vineyards allow “air-drainage” which to help prevent frost. There can be slight problem with strong winds, but this can help the prevention of mould later in the viticultural year. The whole vineyard is fenced off to help ward off pests that have a taste for grapes.

Meonhill’s first wine release is the Meonhill ReserMeonhill Reserve Brut English Sparkling Wineve NV; made using the traditional method, including hand-picking,hand-riddling and disgorging, it is a 50:50 blend of the typical Champagne varieties Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, grown on French rootstocks. This is is the culmination of 8 years of hard work. The first wine was made in 2007.

The initial release of Meonhill Wines Reserve is some 5000 bottles and is a blend of three different vintages.

 

Tasting Notes

Meonhill Wines Reserve NV is a rich English sparkling wine. It has a pale golden colour, with a fine bead and good mousse. The full and soft nose show aromas of apricot, red fruit (strawberries), white blossom along with slightly autolytic, nutty, yeasty and honeyed characteristics. On the palate there are quite green flavours including, lime and green apple and hints of caramel leading to a nutty, biscuit, brioche-like finish.  This is a refreshing wine with very good acidity and a mineral, chalky and lingering finish.

“Impressively clean, well made, well balanced and refreshing. Super-clean debut bottling based on 2008 and 2009 vintages but without much complexity. Half and half Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from near Petersfield, Hampshire, and made by Champenois Didier Pierson.” 16/20 Jancis Robinson, www.jancisrobinson.com

You can see my photographs from a recent trip to the vineyards and winery at Fareham Wine Cellar Flickr or Facebook.


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Clos Apalta 2008, 95 points, best overall Chilean wine and editor’s choice in Wine Enthusiast!

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CLOS APALTA 2008, 95 POINTS, BEST OVERALL CHILEAN WINE AND EDITOR’S CHOICE IN WINE ENTHUSIAST!

CLOS APALTA 2008 95 POINTS AND EDITOR’S CHOICE IN WINE ENTHUSIAST!

“Clos Apalta, depending on your point of
view, is arguably Chile’s best wine. And this
vintage is outstanding! Earth, minty spice,
ripe berry, minerality and smoky aromas
cover the bases. It’s superbly structured,
with a fine texture and depth. Tastes lush
and complex, with blackberry, crème de
cassis, fine herbs and tobacco. Finishes
classy. Drink now through 2016”
Editors’ Choice – M.S

Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2008

Clos Apalta 2008

Clos Apalta 2008 is a blend of 73% Carmenère; 17% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Merlot. After harvest the wine is racked straight into 100% new French oak barrels by gravity. Malolactic fermentation happens in barrels, where the wine stays for 22 months, ageing patiently. The wine is bottled by gravity without any treatment or filtration.

Tasting Notes: Lapostolle Clos Apalta 2008 has a deep purple inky red colour. The nose is focused, with a very special purity of fresh black and red fruit and elegant herbs aromas. The palate has an elegant balance with silky and juicy tannins. More fruit flavours and a very long finish.

Food & drink match: Ideal companion for game, lamb, and entrecote fillet. Also good with rich cocoa chocolate desserts. Open and leave to breathe for a couple of hours or carefully decant for minimum 1 hour and enjoy at room temperature; 16 to 18ºC (60 to 65°F).

 

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Trapiche Malbec – New 2008 Vintage Malbecs are released in the UK

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Trapiche Malbec

Trapiche Release their 2008 Single Vineyard Malbecs

Trapiche is one of the largest and most highly-regarded wineries in Argentina and buy grapes from many different growers. Each year they choose three different single vineyard Malbecs, from three different growers to represent the best Malbec that Trapiche can offer in a particular vintage. It is a great accolade for the growers to be chosen for this honour and to have one’s grapes made into single vineyard Trapiche Malbec.

Daniel Pi, Trapiche’s Head Winemaker, and his winemaking team have led the unification of vineyard management and winemaking at Trapiche, and are now recognised as the Malbec specialists of Argentina. Each single vineyard is located in different areas in Mendoza and at different altitudes, this variation in terroir leads to three markedly different wines.

This year the wine-growers chosen for this privilege in 2008 are Federico Vilafane, Cristina y Bibiana Coletto and Jorge Miralles. The 2008 wines also sport the highest scores for Trapiche Malbec from Robert Parker with 95, 94 and 96 points repectively.

The three different Single Vineyard Trapiche Malbec 2008s are available by the bottle and also packed in unmixed wooden boxes of 6 bottles.

This is the first tranche of these wines released in the UK and they are in very limited quantities, there are currently less than 20 cases of 6 bottles of these available. There will be more arriving in the UK in the early summer. So, if you are in a hurry for these wines, I would suggest that you should get in quick!

Trapiche 2008 Single Vineyard Malbecs @ Fareham Wine Cellar

Vina Cristina Y Bibiana Coletto 2008

Vineyards
El Peral, Tupungato, Mendoza.
Altitude: 1127 meters a.s.l. (3696 ft).
Latitude: 33º21’35” South.

Trapiche Cristina y Bibiana Coletto
Trapiche Cristina y Bibiana Coletto

Vinification
Hand harvesting in 20 kg. plastic cases.
Bunch selection.
Destemming.
Berry selection.
Fermentation and maceration in small concrete vats for a minimum of 25 days, at 23-25ºC.
Natural malolactic fermentation.
Aged 18 months in new French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes – A Malbec of deep and intense red-violet color, with aromas of red fruits, plums, black cherries and forest berries such as blackberries and blueberries. On the nose are aromas of butterscotch cinnamon and vanilla with a subtle touch of smoke. Fresh and full as it enters the mouth, with sweet, juicy and ample tannins and a very elegant finish.

“The 2008 Malbec Single Vineyard Vina Cristina y Bibiana Coletto spent 18 months in new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it sports an already complex bouquet of pain grille, mineral, spice box, lavender, and black cherry. Dense and opulent on the palate, this layered effort gracefully combines elegance and power. Give it 4-5 years to fully open and drink it from 2015 to 2028. 94pts” The Wine Advocate #198. Robert Parker

Vina Federico Vilafane 2008

Vineyards
La Consulta, San Carlos, Mendoza.
Altitude: 1102 meters a.s.l. (3600 ft)
Latitude: 33º 44’04” South

Vinification
Hand harvesting in 20 kg. plastic cases.
Bunch selection.
Destemming.
Berry selection.
Fermentation and maceration in small concrete vats for  minimum of 25 days, at 23-25ºC.
Natural malolactic fermentation.
Aged 18 months in new French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes – A Malbec of intense, concentrated red colour. On the nose are aromas of red fruits, candied orange, black cherry liqueur with subtle spicy notes, smoke and dried fruits . In the mouth, it is sweet, juicy and full, with nuances of mocha cream, chocolate and almonds. Long finish with soft and gentle tannins.

“The 2008 Malbec Single Vineyard Vina Federico Villafane also spent 18 months in new French oak. It is purple/black in color with an already complex nose of spicy black fruits, earth notes, and floral aromas. In the glass it reveals slightly more depth and concentration than the Cristina y Bibiana cuvee as well as splendid balance, volume, and length. Give it 5-6 years of cellaring and drink it from 2016 to 2028. 95pts” The Wine Advocate #198. Robert Parker

Vina Jorge Miralles 2008

Vineyards
La Consulta, San Carlos, Mendoza.
Altitude: 970 meters a.s.l. (3,183 feet).
Latitude: 33°45′ 122″ South.

Trapiche Jorge Miralles

Trapiche Jorge Miralles

Vinification
Hand harvesting in 20 kg. plastic cases.
Bunch selection.
Destemming.
Berry selection.
Fermentation and maceration in small concrete vats
during a minimum of 25 days, at 23-25ºC.
Natural malolactic fermentation.
Aged 18 months in new French oak barrels.

Tasting Notes – A Malbec of deep red colour with black tones, revealing Sweet aromas of fresh stone fruits such as plums and cherries, and forest berries such as blackberries and raspberries. Notes of toasted bread, white chocolate, café latte, coconut, butterscotch and raisins stand out. Sweet as it enters the mouth, with notes of vanilla, toast and mocha. Long finish with round, very soft and concentrated tannins.

“The 2008 Malbec Single Vineyard Vina Jorge Miralles also spent 18 months in new French oak. Succulent, layered, and opulent, this bombshell of a wine will also evolve for another 5-6 years and drink well through 2028. Readers will have a hard time keeping their hands off this beauty. 96pts” The Wine Advocate #198. Robert Parker.

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Pioneering winemakers of South Africa – Telegraph

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Victoria Moore meets the next generation of winemakers at South African wine festival Swartland Revolution

via Pioneering winemakers of South Africa – Telegraph.

Interesting article from Victoria Moore with mention of Spice Route but no mention of Allesverloren unfortunately. Their Tinta Barocca, Touriga Nacional and Port are really worth tracking down.

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