In the words of Eddie and Patsy (I am not Absolutely Fabulous so won’t compete with them) Bolly Sweetie Darling!
Well not quite Bolly for us, as we prefer to choose our fizz based on character and personality rather than name. We have always carried a range of fizz, from a Pignoletto Frizzante (you may remember this was my Christmas day morning drink from two years ago), through Cava and Prosecco to Champagne. We even carry local sparkling Pefriog (blanc and rose) from Gwinllan Conwy.
Our own Ab Fab Tim (I’ll leave you to choose if he is Eddie or Patsy) has always wanted a balance, a fizz for all occasions. Which is why occasionally we will get an interesting sparkling red to push some boundaries.
There is so much fizz on offer these days that it can be an everyday drink for us all, but with the ability to stretch price and quality if needed. Personally, I like nothing better than a chilled bottle of fizz, in the garden on a summer’s afternoon with a grazing platter of meats, cheeses and fruits. It’s also my go to welcome drink for when friends arrive for a visit (remember when people could stay over – soon it will come again).
We challenged Tim to order in some new fizz, in the hope we all have good times on the horizon and a perfect excuse to break them out. As always he didn’t disappoint and we have some stunners on offer
Bole Bianco, Spumante Brut, Romagna DOC, ITALY.
Lively sparkling wine from Emilia-Romagna, brimming with green apples, Conference pears and lemon zest, the nose a delightful blend of jasmine blossom, elderflower and citrus.
Sparklehorse, Ken Forrester Wines, SOUTH AFRICA.
Traditional Method, or known in South Africa (Cap Classique) this creamy and delicate Chenin Blanc fizz is bubbling with apple, pear and quince notes. We all love a bit of Sparklehorse!
Prapian Estate, Asolo, Prosecco Superiore Brut, ITALY.
The New Prosecco on the Block. Beautifully fresh offering delicate aromas of green apple with subtle floral notes of acacia. Fruity and floral flavours carries the delicate bubbles across the palate through to a light, fresh finish.
‘Divina’ Cava, Pere Ventura, SPAIN.
Pere Ventura Family Estates have a view to producing the finest estate Cavas in the heartland of this multi-regional DO, Sant Sadurni d’Anoia. This is a smart, fresh Cava, fizzing with green apple, honeycomb and a squeeze of lemon. Delish!
‘Wines of Anarchy’, Trebbiano, Pet Nat Frizzante Organic, ITALY.
Sparkling Trebbiano from Abruzzo in central Italy, enjoyably perfumed with almonds and white flowers, with flavours of honey and roasted hazelnut. Perfect with sharing platters, tapas, cheese and charcuterie boards. Awesome with Mexican food, especially tacos!
‘Nuria Claverol’, Brut Reserva Pinot Noir ROSÉ Cava, SPAIN.
Red fruit aromas, touches of ripe cherry, strawberry and ripe plum. It is fresh with fine, elegant bubbles. This is the perfect cava for an aperitif. Its rosé structure means it can accompany all kinds of dishes: stews, fried food, pasta, smoked foods.
Fizz isn’t just to celebrate, or for Eddie and Patsy. With tasty great value fizz you can enjoy it whatever the occasion. Right now the most important reason being simply to treat yourself.
See you soon.
Tim (Eddie), Mark, Pete (Patsy), Ant, Huw, Blu
]]>Hello, Happy New Year
Welcome to 2021
2020 was a year that tested us in many ways. We are working, learning and living differently.
Over the last year I have been enjoying food and wine differently. Normally I would try new wines by selecting them in a bar or restaurant, or more likely by relaxing and taking a journey through the list on offer at our tasting counter.
With those options (at the time of writing) not available I’ve been trying different wines at home. I’ve been pairing with foods and enjoying on evenings in front of the tv.
The layout in the shop has always given the ability to take your tastes and test them in a controlled way. Find a wine you like, move a bottle or two in one direction and you find something similar but lighter or fruitier. The other direction and heavier, spicier or oakier.
To make it slightly easier here is a selection of some wines to try, some ways to push your boundaries, or look for something new. Six wines, Three Red, Three White, four standard, one low and one ultra low alcohol.
THE REDS
Low in alcohol, high in quality if you Adore Cherries and spiced foods then this is just what the doctor ordered
THE DOCTORS’ – Pinot Noir – New Zealand 9.5% alc
100% Pinot Noir. A low-alcohol wine Full of bright, red summer fruits with lifted floral notes, followed through by a rich palate of dark cherry, raisins and savoury undertone.
If Minimal intervention and narural wines are (or could be) your thing try
FRESH FROM AMPHOROA – Red Blend – PORTUGAL 12% alc
Moreto 40%, Tinta Grossa 30%, Trincadeira 30%. Notes of fresh red fruits are complemented by earthy and savoury notes through to a light and harmonious palate.
If you want a big hitting wine to stop you in your tracks, then try
YALUMBA – Cabernet Sauvignon/Shiraz – AUSTRALIA 13.5% alc
71% Cabernet Sauvignon / 29% Shiraz. Powdery tannins give a firm impression that supports the mouth-watering drive of fruit, with a compact structure that is poised to gain complexity. Remarkably seductive.
THE WHITES
If your resolution is to be healthier or drink less or you just want something lighter give this a try
WALT-LO – Riesling – GERMANY 0.5% alc
100% German Riesling, without any flavours added, ensuring authentic and outstanding palatability. Clean, fresh, zippy and mineral without the alcohol.
If you like your whites dry with a moreish quality then try
VOITURETTE – Sauvignon Blanc – FRANCE 12% alc
100% Sauvignon Blanc There is a distinct herbal, green character to this wine. That combines with a light, juicy texture and crisp acidity to make it totally drinkable all year round.
Refresh your palate, swap your fresh fruity favourite for this cheeky
MANOS NEGRAS – Torrontes – ARGENTINA 13% alc
100% Torrontes. A stunning new wine in at TGTG, light yellow colour, with explosive floral aromas, citrus fruit flavours and a crisp, clean finish.
Whatever you decide to try, come on down, tell us what you like and let us recommend something for you to try as an alternative, you never know you may find a new favourite, as always we have lots to choose from.
Tim, Mark, Pete, Ant, Huw, Blu
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Title: Vino España
Hola mis amigos
We have spent October in a riot of Rioja celebrating this wonderful varietal, who knew there were so many to choose from? Actually we did as we have 27 reds, 13 whites and 4 pinks from the region, and I am sure we will get in more …….
Autumn has now arrived, and we shift our spotlight from Rioja, to the wider wines of Spain. Rioja and Cava we are all familiar with, but have you tried an Albariño or a Godello, a Priorat or a Ribera del Duero? All of which we have stocked a number of in the last year. In particular we have had some mighty fine Albariño (awesome with ceviche or poached white fish), and a Ribera del Duero is an amazing accompaniment to steak, but especially Beef Tappanyaki.
By now you may have noticed the nights drawing in, the temperatures dropping and t shirts making way for jumpers, our thoughts have turned to food and wine. In particular nice warming cosy dishes, the type for which Spain excels.
From patatas bravas, spicy Chorizo, wonderfully tantalising little dishes of tapas, through comforting chicken to crema Catalana there is just something so comforting about Spanish food. How lucky for us that they also have some amazing wines that match and complement amazingly with these dishes.
As we are devoted to our customers and readers we sacrificed our waistlines and put some combinations to the test to make some recommendations. How we suffer to bring you this content.
Tim called owners rights and so he bagged the stunning Castillo de Monseran Garnacha. This light juicy red is packed with plum, cherry and raspberry flavours and is perfect with spicy dishes, so it is logical that Tim chose to enjoy it with a lovely spicy, tomato, chicken and chorizo casserole.
In fact he enjoyed it so much he ignored the rules of food pairing, poured himself a glass (or two I suspect) of the Lobban Sparkling Shiraz and took it to the bath. We have stocked Sparkling Shiraz in the past but this creamy, spicy, dark fruited Catalunyan corker is another level. Perfect on its own, even better with some spicy Spanish meatballs.
My first wine was the wonderful Celeste Verdejo from Torres. This silky, acidic white is delicate but is perfect with seafood dishes so I had it with a Spanish fish stew, but in the summer it would have been the perfect partner to a ceviche.
A good meal isn’t done until dessert is finished. Normally I am not a fan of dessert wines, as they often can be too sweet. But the Libamus Dulce de Mencia sweet red hit the right spot. Perfect with fruity desserts I moved ever so slightly away from the traditional Spanish fruit cup and had this with balsamic strawberries and vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of dulce de leche.
So come on down to see us, join us as we Eat Spain, Drink Spain.
Salud.
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