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   February 2008 Newsletter  
 

Hi and a belated Happy New Year to you all.

Think pink

With Valentine's day upon us, a reminder that we have four great sparkling wines in the range including the ever-popular Domaine de Nerleux Crémant Rosé still at £7.50 as well as fizz from Alsace and the Languedoc - check out the range on the website here: http://www.hcwines.co.uk/Other%20Wines.htm 

We also have a little left of the 2006 rosé from Chateau Lamothe-Vincent (some of you have tasted the Héritage and Merlot from this producer), or to push the boat out why not try some great burgundy including a new arrival (see below).

Domaine Chenu - new arrival

Just arrived is the 2005 vintage of Domaine Chenu Savigny-les-Beaune at £10.95.

Domaine Chenu is now run by Louis Chenu, together with his wife and daughters.  Louis is the great grandson of the Louis Chenu who first planted vines in the area in 1914.  As with a lot of family producers that we know, the daughters have qualified in oenology and are bringing their new expertise to bear on the whole winemaking process from vineyard to bottle.  Domaine Chenu grow their own grapes and make their own wine from these grapes allowing them full control over the whole process – another important factor. In the words of one American wine critic, “Domaine Chenu promote luxury and femininity in all their wines”.

Last year we imported their white wine, Savigny-les-Beaune, from the 2004 vintage and it quickly sold out. We've now got our hands on an allocation from the 2005 vintage, ("a near perfect vintage" - Jancis Robinson) which has just arrived in bond. The 2004 was exceptional, as those of you who tasted it will know - if anything the 2005 is another notch up in quality and is drinking perfectly now but with some ageing potential - if you can hang on to it that long! To quote Jancis again on 2005 burgundies, "in general all the wines are charming, truly succulent and they faithfully express their origins. Can one ask for more?"

The wine is made from 90% chardonnay with 10% pinot blanc, and the grapes come from two vineyards, one situated at the entrance to the village on a slightly sloping hillside facing north (Les Saucours) and the other at the exit of the village heading towards Bouilland on a hillside this time facing south (Les Vermots).  This wine has a rich honeyed aromatic nose inviting you into a mouthful of beautifully balanced fruit, nuts and mineral flavours with refreshing crisp acidity and great length.  It shows more than a trace of its famous near neighbour, Corton-Charlemagne. This is truly delicious typical white Burgundy and would amply reward careful cellaring for a further 3-5 years.

What the papers say

Self praise is no praise, so you might be interested in the opinion of Mike Tipping, wine writer for the York Evening Press on three of our wines in his weekly column recently (12th Jan).

http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/columnists/tippingstipples/display.var.1961212.0.mike_tipping_admits_he_was_wrong.php

Tastings

We've already done three tastings this year and already have a further eight booked between now and September, but always keen to share our wines with a larger audience. Do have a look at the website for some of the feedback we get and the kind of formats available.

ASDW (Association of Small Direct Wine Merchants)

About a hundred and twenty of you will be getting this newsletter for the first time as a result of signing up to receive newsletters from ASDW members at various shows you've attended. Thanks for your interest. If for any reason you've changed your mind simply reply to this mail with "Unsubscribe" in the subject heading.

every cloud has a silver lining...

First the bad news. Price increases are on the way. We've increased only a few of our prices over the last four years, but along with the rest of the industry that's set to change.

Importing the wine is becoming more expensive as transport companies pass on fuel cost rises, and suppliers are also reflecting huge raw material increases in glass and packaging. More fundamentally, the euro is around 9% stronger against the pound compared to a year ago. Finally, most of the industry also expects larger than usual increases in duty on 12th March come this year's budget (even though on a £5.99 bottle of wine £2.40 of the retail price already goes straight to the Treasury in duty and VAT).

The good news is that we are holding our prices until this date (12th March) but plan increases immediately after this to reflect all of the foregoing, so you have a chance to beat these price increases. We hope you'll take advantage of this!

Best wishes

John & Andy
01904 421345
07802 641183