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WHITE WINES
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£4.95 |
Marktree
Semillon/Sauvignon/Chardonnay2006
A blend of
50% Semillon, 25% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Chardonnay, the cool
fruit aromas from the Sauvignon Blanc and richness and weight
from the Semillon combine to provide peach and tropical fruit
flavours on the palate. A soft creamy mouthfeel, real fruit
concentration and good length on the finish combine to make this
an appealing wine, and fermentation in temperature controlled
stainless steel ensures it retains its fresh fruit character.
Delicious as an aperitif, or serve with roast chicken and pasta
salads.
Ref MW06
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£4.95 |
Lazy Lizard Chardonnay
Vin de Pays
d'Oc 2006
No, not from
Oz as you might think, but from France. For decades Languedoc-Roussillon
was a vast sink of mediocre wines which filled the EU wine lake.
Around ten years ago the light dawned that it didn’t have to be this
way. Trained winemakers and viticulturists realised that it was a
perfect region for producing high quality wines and that
inappropriate varieties, lack of investment and a rather parochial
attitude was all that was holding the area back. Lazy Lizard is
produced from the chardonnay grape variety, and allegedly the
vineyard lizards love to bask in the warmth of the late summer sun,
which slowly ripens the chardonnay grapes to their full maturity,
producing a zingy wine, full of flavours of grapefruit, melon and
green apples.
The open fruity style hasn’t needed any oak overlay and more than
matches the Aussie competition at this price. Ref LL06 |
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£5.50 |
Domaine de Nerleux AC Saumur Blanc 2005
From a small vineyard in the Loire, where the vines have an
average age of 25 years, the oldest dating back to 1933. Made from
100% Chenin Blanc, these produce a wine with a hugely aromatic nose
– quinces, pineapples, lychees - giving way to a delicious
concentrated mouthful. Outstanding value for money. Ref
DN04
Vineyard website -
www.domaine-de-nerleux.com |
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£5.65 |
Italia Pinot Grigio 2006
A truly delicious, bright and refreshing example of this popular
Italian white. Pinot grigio is the Italian synonym for pinot gris
and is grown all over northern Italy. A lovely concentration of
fruit flavours, with some residual grape sugars which add to the
appeal, balanced by a refreshing zingy finish, make this a versatile
white - great as an aperitif or as a perfect accompaniment to your
favourite white wine dishes. Ref PG06
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£6.15 |
Denbies Chalk Ridge NV
An attractively presented dry white wine from
Denbie’s vineyard
near Dorking in
Surrey, and great value at £5.95.
Although still low in alcohol (11%) the best English wines have come
a very long way from the over-chaptalised (sugar added) and rather
anaemic wines of ten or fifteen years ago. Refreshing lemon and
cinnamon aromas and a full, honeyed make this a refreshing wine that
will accompany white meats and salad as well as being a great
aperitif.
Ref
DCRNV
Vineyard website -
www.denbiesvineyard.co.uk
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£6.15 |
Domaine de Miselle Cotes de Gascogne 2005
Situated in the extreme south west of
France between Bayonne and Toulouse, Domaine de Miselle is a small
(28ha) property producing some outstandingly good value wines. Made
from 60% Colombard and 40% Gros Manseng, the wine is ripe (the
grapes weren’t harvested until the beginning of October 2005) and a
lovely pale gold colour. The aromas of citrus, mandarin and
grapefruit on the nose give way to an elegant and fruity palate.
Drink as an aperitif or partner with salads, seafood and white fish.
Unexpectedly, also a great match with hard cheese!Ref
DM05
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£6.45 |
Domaine Roc
de Chateauvieux Touraine Sauvignon
2006
Made entirely from sauvignon blanc grapes grown on an estate near St
Aignan in the little town of Chateauvieux in the Loire. The soil in
the vineyard is a combination of clay and flint, with an average
vine age of 30 years, perfect for achieving the classic Sauvignon
flavours and producing a crisp, zesty sauvignon blanc with real
nettley characteristics on the nose. After fermentation the wine is
kept on the lees in order to extract further aromas. 2005 was
generally considered a good year, despite the very wet summer, which
fortunately dried up at the end of August, with the sun remaining
throughout the harvest. Excellent as an aperitif, or with cooked
meats and smoked or grilled fish. Ref.DRTS06
Vineyard website -
www.pierrechainier.com |
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£6.45 |
Domaine du Pre Baron Sauvignon Blanc 2005
If you are one of the large number of fans of
assertive Sauvignon Blanc, then this is the wine for you. The
classic Sauvignon nose of hedgerows and blackcurrant leaf lead into
a hugely concentrated mouthful of rich gooseberry flavour. The 2003
vintage proved to be one of the most successful in recent years and
the good news is that the 2005 is even better! It is a very ripe
vintage and the wine is more than a match for its more expensive
neighbours in Menetou Salon or Sancerre. Ref PBSB05
Vineyard website -
http://www.domaineprebaron.com/ |
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£6.45 |
Chateau la Bastide Corbières
Blanc 2006
From one of our favourite producers a
lovely white Corbières made from classic southern French grape
varieties Roussanne, Vermentino and Bourboulenc. Tropical fruit
flavours are balanced by a lovely steely acidity. Great with fish in
creamy sauces, chicken and other white meats.
Ref BCB06
Vineyard
website -
www.chateau-la-bastide.fr |
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£6.95 |
Serre de
Guery Viognier 2005
Viognier (from which the classic
Rhone wine Condrieu is made) is a grape variety of Mediterranean
origin. This example is made from low yielding vines, which have
produced a rich and aromatic wine. Viognier is a delicate grape
requiring much attention, and the grapes at Guery are picked at
night to help control temperatures and avoid premature fermentation.
Golden in colour, with an aromatic nose and palate of white peaches,
it’s ideal as an aperitif or to accompany white meats and fish.
Ref
GV05
Vineyard website -
www.chateau-guery.com |
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£6.95 |
Denbies Surrey Gold 2006
The best-selling English wine from England’s largest
vineyard, Denbie’s in Surrey. Made from the little known Muller,
Bacchus and Ortega grapes, this deliciously fragrant medium dry
white wine is rich in fruit and floral aromas with subtle hints of
spice. This vintage won a “seal of approval in the 2006
International Wine Challenge. With only 11.5% alcohol, gently
refreshing.
Ref DSG06
Vineyard website -
www.denbiesvineyard.co.uk |
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£6.95 |
Serre de Guery Chardonnay
2005
Like the Guery Viognier, it’s
characteristic of the family’s obsession with quality, that
the grapes for this Chardonnay are picked at night to avoid possible
oxidation. 40% of the wine is matured in lightly toasted new oak
barrels and when the wine is bottled the following March, this blend
of oaked and unoaked wine produces a great buttery Chardonnay with
restrained oak. A beautifully balanced wine, with a lush mouthfeel
and great length; quite capable of giving classic French burgundy at
twice the price a run for its money!
Ref
GC05
Vineyard website -
www.chateau-guery.com |
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£7.45
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Turckheim Réserve Gewurztraminer 2005
Alsace remains one of the most underrated wine producing regions in
the world despite providing exceptional quality varietal wines that
work with a range of cuisines. Gilbert Brandt, Directeur General de
Cave de Turckheim adheres to strict criteria and believes in hard
pruning and relatively low yields. French of course, despite the
plethora of Germanic sounding names, this wine retains some residual
sugar which is well balanced by acidity from the relatively cool
climate production. It has a wonderfully spicy and aromatic nose,
reminiscent of lychees, rose petals and most definitely Turkish
delight! This wine will accompany fusion foods of all kinds,
especially Thai cuisine and will even stand up to a curry. Ref TG05
Vineyard website -
www.cave-turckheim.com |
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£7.45 |
Sepp Moser Gruner Veltliner 2006
The Sepp
Moser Estate was founded by the famous, Austrian, wine producing
pioneer, Lenz Moser. Lenz Moser's son, Sepp Moser, began operating
under his own name in 1987 and handed over the direction of this
family-owned estate to his own son Nikolaus in the year 2000. The
Sepp Moser Estate comprises of 50 acres of vineyards in two
prominent wine regions; Kremstal (22 ha) and Neusiedlersee (28 ha).
Gruner Veltliner is becoming an increasingly fashionable wine in the
UK, and drinking this example one can see why. With a light, early
drinking style, the palate combines citrus fruit characters such as
lime and grapefruit with a hint of spice and a backbone of steely
acidity. Dry, crisp and the perfect partner for mildly spicy fusion
cooking. Modern labelling and closed under screwcap. The 2006
vintage will continue to age well until around 2009. Match with cold
starters or most mildly spicy dishes. Ref SMGV06
Vineyard website -
www.sepp-moser.at/ |
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£7.95 |
Klur Riesling
Cuvée Katz 2004
Good Riesling has a distinctive aroma which is often
described as having “kerosene” or “petrol” notes. Indeed, a more
imaginative wine writer than me once described the aroma of a good
Riesling as like “standing behind a fully loaded 747 just before
take off”. We eschew such hyperbole, merely noting that this is a
complex and interesting wine: the nose is floral and aromatic – yes,
perhaps with a dash of those characteristic petrol flavours – and on
the palate it is concentrated with good acidity and minerality. The
wine has flavours of spice and honey, and great length. Made by one
of Alsace’s premier producers, Klur, it is highly recommended. If
you’re new to Riesling – never to be confused, by the way, with
Lutomer Laski Rizling from Slovenia and several rungs down the
quality ladder – try some as part of a your next mixed case! Ref KR04
Vineyard website -
www.klur.net
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£7.95 |
Dom
Philippe Portier Quincy 2006
A dry
wine made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape this little known
appellation to the west of Sancerre captures the essence of the
Loire without incurring the kind of price the region normally
demands. It has a wonderful floral nose, with hints of tropical
fruit, and is crisp yet rounded on the palate. It has great
persistence and length. A great wine as an aperitif, to accompany
oysters or a perfect partner to goats’ cheese. This wine is not
unique to us, you can buy it from at least three other wine
merchants on line for £8.37, £8.98 or £9.77 respectively! Ref
PPQ06
Vineyard website -
www.philippe-portier.com
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£7.95 |
Klur Gentil Cuvée Katz 2004
Another wine from Vignobles Klur, this is a blend of
three grape varieties; Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc.
It is a blend created by the great Johnny Hugel and now enjoys its
own AOC. Made from vines with an average age of 30 years, it has an
inviting floral nose and elegant fruit flavours with background
notes of lychees and Turkish delight. The Katz, by the way, is
because the vineyards are situated in Katzenthal – the valley of the
cats – and sure enough there are three cats at the house to greet
you – one named Gentil. Clément Klur makes all his wine
biodynamically and organically – a selling point for some; but we
stock it solely because of its stunning quality. Ref KG04
Vineyard
website -
www.klur.net |
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£8.75 |
Ninth Island Chardonnay 2005
100% Chardonnay with 13.5% abv this
wine is a million miles away from the headache inducing over-oaked
Aussie Chardonnays you may have tasted. The wine is completely
unoaked. The
juice is fermented slowly at low temperatures in stainless steel
vats and the resultant wine is bottled early to capture fruitiness
and freshness. This result is a very pale straw colour, with
fragrant aromas of fresh peach, melon and tropical fruits. A
delicate palate with tropical fruit flavours and cool climate
acidity dominates the finish, and a crisp mineral edge gives a
fresh, dry aftertaste. Try with seafood, especially mussels, and all
firm fleshed white fish. Ref NIC05
Vineyard
website -
www.kreglingerwineestates.com |
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£9.95 |
Catalina Sounds
Sauvignon Blanc 2006
With initial aromas of lemon, lime and a hint of cut grass,
this wine from Marlborough opens up in the glass to reveal
passionfruit, pineapple, honey and melon with a full and round
palate due to the extended lees contact and influence of oak. This
wine has great intensity, complexity and real interest with a fine
mineral edge and fresh acidity providing natural balance. Drinking
at its best after 2-3 months in bottle, this wine will develop
greater complexity to around 12 months, but has enough weight and
natural acidity, plus complexity to last past this. This wine can be enjoyed on its own, or accompanying a
variety of foods such as oysters, grilled fish or spicy thai (but
serve it cold to make it more zingy) where it will complement and
not overwhelm the food. Decanter magazine reviewed this wine (July 2006) and
commented, “"Dry, herbaceous. Dry, mineral, restrained,
gooseberry-citric interplay, really quite refined, elegant, zesty,
persistent, fine finish, really elegant style. Ref"CSSB06 |
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£10.45
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Craggy Range Te Muna Road Riesling 2004
We have had a great
reception to the Craggy Range Sauvignon Blanc (above) and so have
introduced another wine from the same producer. Craggy Range’s
philosophy is that “great wine is made in the vineyard, not the
winery.” In other words they pay huge attention to everything
viticultural, including low yields, harvesting fully mature grapes,
careful handling and gentle pressings. The result will please all
Riesling fans. Delicate floral, gala apple, citrus blossom and
white peach aromas show in a very beautiful and perfumed nose. The
palate provides citrus, ripe apple and fresh peach flavours wrapped
around lovely juicy acidity and a hint of lemon honey. With great
length on the finish, this is a fine and classy wine which will
continue to improve for at least five years. Ref CRR04
Vineyard website -
www.craggyrange.com |
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