For just £80, this month's selection of 6 reds and 6 whites includes:Alamos Chardonnay
Now the nights are drawing in, there's a shift in style of white that fills the family fridge, and the Marlborough Sauvignon that David is so fond of is usurped by something with rather more weight, richness and depth...this! Made by Catena in Argentina, this is ripe, complex, with clever oak integration and yummy mouthfeel. So much better a partner for the shift to more autumnal cooking.
Echeverria Sauvignon Blanc
Wines come and go if we're not happy with new vintages, but Echeverria Sauvignon has been consistently good and remains a favourite. Designed to go with food, it's got bags more style and class than the volumes of uninteresting Chilean Sauvignons on the market right now. Vibrant, fragrant grapefruit and pineapple on the nose and a lovely, fresh herbaceous yet elegant palate.
Chateau Cazal Viel Grande Reserve Viognier
This estate in the St Chinian appellation is one of the largest independent producers of the Languedoc and has been in the family since 1789. Deliciously perfumed, opulent wine with characteristic white flowers and peach on the nose. Very elegant example of the grape with delicate apricot and orange blossom, and some citrus notes.
Fonte de Nico
Santa Isidro was founded in 1958 and now equates to over 900 hectares owned by 140 growers in Terras do Sado, coastal region of the Setubal peninsula. One of the most modern and forward thinking cooperatives it has produced this light, aromatic white with floral notes and flavours of crisp apple and green grapes to accompany fish, shellfish and salads. A touch of sweetness, good acidity and only 10% alcohol, it's a great lunch time option.
Saint Clair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
This wine needs little introduction, having been listed for some years by us and with an international reputation based on striking competition success (140 gold medals and 50 trophies in just 7 years). This has intense passionfruit and blackcurrant flavours, racy acidity, surprising minerality and a long lingering finish.
Claude Val Blanc
A wine we keep coming back to in our Wine Club selections as it's so utterly reliable and versatile (and amazingly good value for a French wine) and helps keep the overall cost of the case down. A blend of local varieties with a good dollop of Sauvignon it has fans aplenty but we're always happy to attract more!
Alamos Bonarda
Despite much vintage variation with this Italian style red from Argentina, we've actually been very happy with all of them. This one is definitely in the more 'interesting' camp emphasising the savoury, meaty yet almost herbaceous characteristics (which we miss in riper vintages). Still full of intense hedgerow fruit flavours, still nicely balanced and still surprisingly versatile in terms of food matching. As ever, one of my favourite Autumn reds.
Madfish Pinot Noir
This Western Australian example of the grape undoubtedly owes some of its success to its name (in Russell Street Leek at least) but it's the subtle French oak influence and partial whole bunch pressing that give it the earthy forest floor complexity with attractive black cherry strawberry and raspberry flavours and just a touch of spice.
Tedeschi Valpolicella Classico Superiore Valverde
Renzo Tedeschi and his family are masters of all the styles that Valpolicella can produce, and this Classico is a good example of a well structured wine, yet with delicate flavours and enormous elegance. A typical blend of predominantly Corvina, Corvinone and Rondinella it's got lovely fresh cherry aromas and goes great (predictably) with pasta but (more surprisingly) both white and red meat.
Oveja Negra Cabernet Franc
A difficult grape that's typically found in Bordeaux style blends, Cabernet Franc is a bit lighter than Cabernet Sauvignon and can be stalky. Not so here: lovely blackberry and chocolate and coffee bean aromas, rich blackberry jam and toasty coffee and some spice, it's great with a steak.
Castillo Clavijo Criadores Rioja Tempranillo
This is Rioja in its simplest, 'naked' form...as in it's completely unoaked, hasn't been aged and is designed to be drunk when young to wash down a bit plate of heartwarming nosh...
Carmen Pinot Noir Reserva
It was back in January that I tasted the range from Carmen (the oldest wine brand in Chile) for the first time in years and the Sauvignon immediately struck me as crowdpleasing (watch out for it closer to Christmas) but always a sucker for a Pinot this ripe concentrated example with strawberry jam, pomegranate and violet notes with some toasty oak couldn't fail to make an appearance sooner or later. Another perfect red for the season.
Wines retail between £5.99 and £11.99
To order, simply give us a call at the shop on 01538 382 408 or email us at info@wineandwhisky.com.
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