Old v.s. New: Primitivo or Zinfandel

Zinfandel is a variety of red grape planted in over 10 percent of California vineyards. DNA fingerprinting, yes they can do it on grapes too, has revealed that Zinfandel is genetically the same as Primitivo, a variety traditionally grown in the "heel" of Italy. The grape found its way to the United States in the mid-19th century, and how it became known by the name "Zinfandel" is uncertain. The grapes, Zinfandel and Primitivo both typically produce a robust red wine with red berry fruits like raspberry predominate in wines from cooler areas, whereas blackberry, anise and pepper notes are more common in wines made in warmer areas and in wines labelled as Zinfandel.

Most Primitivo is grown in Puglia, the "heel" of Italy. Historically, the grape was fermented and shipped north to Tuscany and Piedmont where it was used as a blending grape to enhance the body of thin red wines produced in those areas. When the link between Primitivo and Zinfandel began to emerge, plantings in the region and production of non-blended varietal increased. Today most Italian Primitivo is made as a rustic wine. Some Italian winemakers age the wines in new American oak to imitate American-style Zinfandel.

Bogle Old Vine Zinfandel 2006

Head-trained, dry farmed old vines continue to be the source for Bogle’s Old Vine Zinfandel. These gnarly old vines produce concentrated fruit of unsurpassed quality and intensity. This supple and full-bodied vintage begins with bramble berries and raspberry jam. Summertime ripeness and richness integrate with hints of black pepper and a touch of dark chocolate. The finish of toasty oak, tobacco and spicy cloves creates a wine of both structure and sumptuousness.

Candido Devinis Primitivo 2007

This hand picked Italian is a deep ruby red colour with garnet notes. The nose is intense and inviting with persistent Mediterranean fruit and hints of spice. It is medium to full bodied with a delicious jammy palate repeating those Mediterranean fruits along with cherry, wild blackberry and raspberry and a touch of clove and spice all leading to a lovely dry finish.

Great Summer Sparklers

You all know the Il Prosecco and Il Rosé are great summer sparklers but the great wines just got better with 20% off.

IL PROSECCO REGULAR PRICE €14.95 SLASHED TO €11.96

Slightly deep straw yellow in colour, crystal clear with greenish highlights. The aromas are fresh and enveloping apple and an pear with citrus fruits and a floral finish. The taste is inviting, fresh, alive with hints of honey and ripe apples. The bubbles fine and persitent and slightly tickling making this a fantastic semi-sparkling wine.

IL ROSÉ REGULAR PRICE €14.95 SLASHED TO €11.96

This rosé is produced from the slightly pressed red grapes of the Cabernet, Merlot and Raboso vines. It has bright, vivid, cherry-like highlights. The nose has delicate and fragrant aromas with fruity scents of rose, raspberry and marasca cherry. Wonderful soft bubbles and fresh strawberry flavours in the mouth make this a superb summer wine!

P.S. There also a great way to celebrate your win at the Races!

Malbec: A South American Delight

Malbec wines tend to have an inky dark color and robust tannins. Long known as one of the six grapes allowed in the blend of red Bordeaux wine, the French plantations of Malbec are now found primarily in Cahors in the South West France region. While acreage of Malbec is declining in France, in Argentina the grape is surging and has become a "national variety" of sort that is uniquely identified with Argentine wine around the world. Argentine Malbec doesn't have the tannic structure of a French Malbec, it being more plush in texture. Argentine Malbecs are inky red or violet, full-bodied wine with notes of spice and cassis. . The Mendoza region is the leading producer of Malbec in Argentina with plantings found throughout the country in places such as La Rioja, Salta, San Juan, Catamarca and Buenos Aires

The D.O.C, or Denominacion de Origen Controlada, is a title given in wine circles to the guarantee in Argentina that a wine came from a specific region in this case “Luján de Cuyo”. The D.O.C Luján de Cuyo was created in 1989 with the objective of protecting and regulating the farming and production techniques of the Malbec varietal, which is native of the Luján de Cuyo region in Mendoza. As it happens with the most demanding Denominations of the world, a wine with D.O.C Lujan de Cuyo certification must comply with a strict protocol that begins at the vineyard and finishes once the wine has been produced, after obtaining the approval of the Regulating Commission.

Luigi Bosca D.O.C Malbec 2005

Regular price €17.95 SLASHED TO €14.36 (SAVE 20%)

The “La Linda” Vineyard, from which this wine is sourced is located in Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, as a result this wine is entitled to display the words D.O.C and the name Luján de Cuyo on the bottle. The wine shows an intense violet color and displays ripe cherry and plum aromas. Spiced, with hints of mocha and blackberries, this is a delicately perfumed wine with elegant sweetness.

William Cole Alto Vuelo Organic Malbec 2006

Price €12.95

Not to be out done by their South American neighbours the Chileans produce some fine examples of Malbec. This one from William Cole's Alto Vuelo range is 100% organically produced and is vibrant red in color. Notes of fruit of the forest and dark chocolate on the nose. The palate shows powerful flavors of dark berry fruit, cassis and pepper corn, softly integrated with smokey leather notes from its barrel aging.

Great Chilled Summer Reds

I know the idea of chilling red wine is crazy to some people, but now the sunshine has returned its time to break with those long held beliefs. There is nothing more refreshing than a lovely chilled glass of Fleurie, with its wonderful floral scents and alluring berry flavours on a warm summers day or a delicious Brouilly with its inviting aromas of raspberry and strawberry two fruits very much associated with the summer. Why not try one of the following chilled and tell me that chilled red wine is crazy?

Chateau de Pierreux Brouilly 2006

Brouilly is the largest Cru or district in Beaujolais, situated around Mont Brouilly. The wines here are made from 100% Gamay and are noted for their aromas of blueberries, cherries, raspberries and currants. The make excellent easy drinking wines perfect for those light-hearted summer evenings.

The Chateau de Pierreux Brouilly has typical aromas of raspberry, strawberry and alluring violet notes. This wine combines suppleness with rich, highly fruity notes making this a wine you can drink everyday.

Domaine de la D'Adule 2006

Fleurie, often called the Queen of Beaujolais, is one of the most frequently asked for Beaujolais Crus. These wines often have a velvet texture with fruity flavours again with strawberry and raspberry hints and floral bouquet that is suggested in its name.

This wine is made from 100% Gamay and has an inviting fresh floral nose with fruity notes. On the palate it has a silky feel with a depth and concentration of fruity flavour.

Blue Cutting Road Back in Stock

To the disappointment of many the Blue Cutting Road Cabernet Merlot has been gone from our shelves, but despair no more its back, all the way from the land down under, and it has brought a friend along with it the fabulous Blue Cutting Road Semillon Sauvignon. If you haven't tried the Cab-Merlot, do it a soon as possible and while you're at it check out the Sem-Sauv.

The Cab-merlot has a gentle red colour with ruby hints. Very much a fruit-driven wine, the nose is of ripe grape and cedar, notes of mellow licorice. On the tongue it displays wonderfully balanced flavours of chocolate box assortment and blackcurrant fruit. The palate is layered and flavoursome with vibrant fruit characters, balanced with a finish displaying wonderful fine, long and cedar-oaky tannins.

The colour of the sem-sauv. is a tropically limey pale yellow. A fresh and powerful wine displaying perfume of quince enhanced by the lively tropicals of Sauvignon Blanc. The palate is creamy and long showing great flavour and crunchy fruit length, balanced by natural acidity.

UNREAL DEALS ON REAL WINES CONTINUES

MAZZEI POGGIO ALLA BADIOLA 2006

Regular price €16.95 SLASHED TO €.13.56 (SAVE 20%)

This Tuscan IGT has a deep inky purple hue and great extraction. At the palate the wine is an explosion of wild berries and cocoa. It is soft, intense, persistent, balanced and it shows creamy, well integrated tannins. Summing up, it seems to drink like a much more expensive wine. This is a wonderful wine to enjoy with all different kinds of food: rich and creamy pasta dishes, grilled meats and barbecue. It is a wine suited for those who are slowly transitioning their palate from new world to old world wines. Excellent value for the money.

GLAETZER THE WALLACE SHIRAZ GRENACHE 2006

Regular price €18.95 SLASHED TO €15.16 (SAVE 20%)

91-94 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate: "The 2006 Wallace, tasted from a barrel sample, is a 70% Shiraz, 30% Grenache blend with an identical oak treatment. The 2006 is more structured than the 2005 but they could otherwise pass as identical twins. Hats off to Ben Glaetzer for producing an extraordinary portfolio! The renowned winemaker, Ben Glaetzer, sources all of his fruit for this label from the Ebenezer district in the northern Barossa. Many knowledgeable experts cite this sub-region as the finest in the Valley."

TRIMBACH RIESLING 2007

Regular price €17.95 SLASHED TO €14.36 (SAVE 20%)

According to Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar, Nov/Dec 08: Pure, subdued aromas of citrus peel, flowers and menthol. Pure and intense for this basic-level riesling, with good grip to the very dry flavors of white peach, lemon, flowers and minerals. Finishes with good length and focus.

DOMAINE DE LA COTE D'ADULE FLEURIE, 2006

Regular price €16.95 SLASHED TO €13.56 (SAVE 20%)

Fleurie stands for "flowery" and fleurie is often considered as the Queen of Beaujolais. This perfectly describes what the wine is: floral aromas, charming and elegant. Fleurie is a very fruity wine, and this wine is no exception. Made from 100% Gamay, the grape of choice in Beaujolais, this wine has an inviting fruity and floral bouquet. The palate is medium bodied and with hints of raspberry and strawberry. This wine is best served slightly chilled.

IL POGGIONE ‘LO SBRANCATO’ TOSCANA ROSE 2008

Regular price €13.95 SLASHED TO €11.16 (SAVE 20%)

Lo Sbrancato is a rosè wine produced with 100% Sangiovese grapes that Il Poggione started to make because they did not have a white wine in their portfolio and they wanted to introduce a wine that could differ from their production of traditional red wines. This is also the reason behind its name; in fact like a stray horse (cavallo sbrancato) that runs away from the herd, their ‘Sbrancato’ wanders from the classic typology of their wines. After harvesting by hand and the de-stemming, the skins are in contact with the must for 24 hours, and then the wine ferments for 25 days at 12°C with the purpose of exalting the flavours. It’s a fresh and fruity wine that combines the flavours of a great white wine with the structure of a young Sangiovese.

Enjoy Life with Mionetto VIVO Rosé

Continuing the theme from the previous posts on Rosé and Prosecco, we'd like to let you all know about the arrival of The Mionetto 'Vivo' Rosé. I know what your thinking a lovely new sparkling rosé to try and the sunshine has disappeared! Hopefully not for long, but why let the rain stop you from enjoying this fantastic rosé bubbly.

The 'Vivo' is made from three different grapes Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, two grapes we are familiar with and the italian grape Raboso. After the pressing, the grape juice is kept in contact with the skins as with other rosés.

This sparkling rosé is a lively and brilliant cherry colour. The bubbles are rich, fine and persistent. On the nose it has scents of raspberry, rose and marasca cherry. On the palate it has perfect acidity, is well-balanced and fresh, with notes of raspberries, strawberried and soft red fruits.

The perfect wine to enjoy while you sit back and enjoy the sunshine this summer!! (Or enjoy while you wait for the sunshine to return.)

Mad About Malbec

Over the last few weeks an increasing number of people have been asking in a hushed way about 'Malbec' and wines from Argentina like it is something to be shameful or embarrassing to be asking about. Well it's not. Malbecs are great red wines that can be found in nearly all wine producing countries.Malbec itself originally comes from Bordeaux in France and can still be found there, But it's Argentina that produces some of the worlds best Malbecs.

Malbec has characteristics that fall somewhere between Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Argentinian Malbec can have an inky red or violet colour, a particular plum-like flavor, Delicious spicy and peppery notes and a velvety texture. Most of Argentina's great Malbecs come from the Mendoza region in the west of the country, which is in the foothills of the Andes Mountains. The Andes are important part of the viticulture in Mendoza with producer s such as Catena producing excellent wines at high altitudes.

The grapes selected for the Catena Malbec come from vines between 2,850 feet above sea level and 5,000 feet above sea level, this high altitude gives the Catena Malbec it's dark concentrated fruit aromas, and it's lovely rich and lush mouth feel. Catena is among Argentina's leading Malbec producers and the Catena Malbec is a fine example of this. This wine makes a fantastic partner with steak.

CATENA MALBEC 2006 (Argentina) Regular Price € 17.95 SLASHED TO €14.36 ( Save 20% )

Argento is also another great producer of Malbec, again from Mendoza but this time the vines don't go as high up the Andes. The Argento Reserva Malbec has a deep dark violet colour and aromas of plums and black cherries. Eight months of oak aging gives a rich fruit flavour, that will complement any roast beef dinner, or any barbecue for that matter.

ARGENTO MALBEC RESERVA 2007 (Argentina) Regular Price € 12.95 SLASHED TO €10.36 ( Save 20% )

The difference between Prosecco and Champagne

An ever increasing question we get asked these days is what is the difference between Prosecco and Champagne. There are a few differences and hopefully this posting will explain a few of them.

The Grapes and the Regions

The first big difference is prosecco is the name of the grape and the wine, this grape grows in Veneto region of North East Italy.

Champagne however is the name of the both the region the wine comes from and the wine; thus only sparkling wine that comes from champagne can be called Champagne. The main grapes involved are Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The Fermentation

Prosecco is typically fermented in the modern Charmat method. There are two fermentations, both in large temperature stainless steel vats.

Champagne, however, is fermented in the traditional method Champenoise. Here the second fermentation takes place in the bottle with an injection of yeast. That is why you frequently see champagne cork side down and at an angle in wooden racks.

The Ageing

Prosecco is meant to be consumed young and fresh. It takes four to six weeks to produce a bubbly bottle of prosecco.

Champagne on the other hand normally takes an average of one year to produce. But for very good vintage champagne it can take up to three plus years.

The Occasion

Prosecco is for every day drinking. It compliments a wide range of food from appetizers to fish and even some meat dishes. It is common in Italy to have prosecco with antipasto. Prosecco is moderate in alcohol usually around 11%, which is lighter than many white wines.

Alternatively champagne is usually consumed on Special Occassions. This is because good champagne is typically costly and cheap champagne gives you a terrible hangover!!

Now there you have it the basic differences between Prosecco and Champagne, this post is by no means all inclusive or definitive. The best way to differentiate between the two is yo try them a decide which you like best. Below is one champagne and one prosecco both, of which, are stunning examples of their kind. Try them and see what you think, especially as there is 20% of them both at the moment.

LOUIS ROERDER BRUT CHAMPAGNE (France) Regular Price € 53.95 SLASHED TO €43.16 ( Save 20% )

MIONETTO SERGIO (Italy) Regular Price € 19.95 SLASHED TO €15.96 ( Save 20% )