Flights of Fancy Menu #2
Try up to 18 different wines just a stone's throw away from the gorgeous Bushy Park.
Fancy trying a few different wines
Why not take one of our Flights of Fancy
It's all very easy...
- Choose any 6 wines from our Tasting Menu
- We'll serve you a taster size of each for you to contrast and compare
- Sit back and enjoy
Bolney Estate Cuvée Noir NV
In a nutshell: An unusual, full bodied English sparkling red made in West Sussex.
The lowdown: Using 100% Dornfelder, a red grape from Germany that's adapted very well to English vineyards, and made using the traditional method it being a red sparkler marks it out somewhat. The nose is full of plums, red cherry & sweet blueberries and it has a wonderful creamy richness yet is packed full of chunky summer fruits, like a summer pudding. The hint of spice on the lingering finish completes it deliciously.
When to drink: A big ripe mouthful it goes well with grilled or barbecued chicken, or otherwise with a rich pudding, or fruit cake.
Suitable for Vegans
Jansz Premium Cuvee Rose NV
In a nutshell: A lovely pale pink, soft and creamy Australian sparkling rosé from Tasmania
The lowdown: Tasmania is Australia's best sparkling wine region and Jansz have been doing just that for several decades and make some of the best wines on the island. Their Premium Cuvée Rosé is made from 68% Pinot Noir, 26% Chardonnay and a small bit of Pinot Noir in the traditional method with secondary fermentation in botte. It has a delightful pale, salmon pink colour with lovely delicate summer fruits aromas, elegant bubbles and a real feel of strawberries and cream on the tongue. The good concentration of fruit is well supported by complex, yeasty notes and fresh acidity and it's got great length as well.
When to drink: Its delicacy of colour and flavour make it a great aperitif, but also a plate of oysters, or a carpaccio of beef go down a treat.
Graham Beck Brut NV
In a nutshell: A fresh, bright and creamy South African sparkler from one of the country's leading producers.
The lowdown: Graham Beck is the leading South African producer of sparkling wines with an envious reputation right across the globe. The wines they make have Methode Cap Classique on the label which is South Africa's term for wines made in the same way as Champagne. This cuvée is a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir and, for the price, this is magnificent value for money. It has a pale straw colour and a fine, delicate mousse with delightful aromas of yeast and toasted almonds. There's a lovely brioche richness which combines with crisp citrussy and tropical fruit flavours giving a real elegance and complexity all the way through.
When to drink: A wonderful aperitif it's great to drink alongside savoury canapés.
Suitable for Vegans
Balfour Winery Skye's Chardonnay
In a nutshell: A fresh and fruity white wine, with a hint of creaminess, from Kent.
The lowdown: This wine shows the perfect balance between a fresh fruity English Chardonnay and softer texture and creaminess you might expect from a wine from Europe. This wine is unoaked so that the citrus flavours typical of this varietal can be accentuated. It is fresh and bright, with a clean palate. During the production of the wine, there is extended lees aging and bâtonnage, which helps to soften the acidity, generally associated with English wines.
When to drink: Would pair well with a salad or try with seafood, more specifically oysters and crayfish.
Astrolabe 'Kekerengu Coast' Sauvignon Blanc
In a nutshell: A lively and well structured Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the Kekerengu Coast area.
The lowdown: The mild spring and cool winds of this fast emerging sub-region give it the longest growing season in Marlborough which coupled with the limestone soils give a unique savoury character to the wines. Aromas of lime zest and pink grapefruit preced the full bodied, round and concentrated palate with a generous amount of peach and tropical fruit flavours.
When to drink: A rewarding wine to drink as an aperitif and it also goes well with oysters, shellfish and lobster.
Ken Forrester Petit Chenin Blanc
In a nutshell: A fresh, youthful and flavoursome South African Chenin Blanc.
The lowdown: Made by the man often considered Mr Chenin Blanc himself, Ken Forrester. Hand harvested and cool fermented to preserve all the bright flavours.This has a vibrant nose of fresh melon, citrus, peach and apple with a decent weight and a touch of creaminess on the palate. There's plenty of vibrant, youthfruit here and bold acidity balanced by a just a hint of sweetness.
When to drink: While nicely full in the mouth, it makes a great aperitif and is a good match to salads, and delicate fish dishes.
Journey's End 'Haystack' Chardonnay
In a nutshell: A light, fresh and fruity South African Chardonnay made with handpicked grapes from the Coastal Region.
The lowdown: Clear and bright in the glass with clean, soft fruity aromas. Citrus peel, lime and melon fruit flavours on the rounded palate that is perfectly balanced between creaminess and freshness.
When to drink: Very much a food friendly wine ideal with seafood or creamy chicken or pasta dishes.
Suitable for Vegans
The Courtesan Riesling, Clare Valley
In a nutshell: A dry and minerally Riesling from the famed Watervale sub-region of the Clare Valley.
The lowdown: Unusually the vines for this wine are grown on their own roots - not grafted - and the yields are pretty low which helps the fruit quality. On the palate it has a mouth watering lime citrus tang with notes of elderflower, grapefruit, ripe melon and hints of quince. And it leaves with a very clean and dry finish.
When to drink: A natural food partner to asian dishes typically containing ginger, lemongrass or coriander. White fish also works well.
Suitable for Vegans
Yangarra Estate Blanc, Mclaren Vale
In a nutshell: Rhône meets South Australia in the fresh, clean and rounded biodynamic white.
The lowdown: Sustainability is at the heart of Yangarra Estate in McLaren Vale and their vineyards of southern French varieties. Nearly half the entire estate is given over to native vegetation and wildlife corridors, and the vineyards have been farmed organically for over 10 years, all resulting in a balanced, biodiverse and healthy farm, and good grapes! The climates of McLaren Vale and the southern Rhône Valley have many similarities so it is no surprise that varieties such as Grenache Blanc, Picpoul, Clairette and Roussanne (along with a touch of Bourboulenc), the constituents of this wine, thrive down under, add in the Australian Winemaker of the Year 2016 and we have a recipe for success.
Hand-picked with the Grenache Blanc and Roussanne fermented separately, the others together, all in ceramic eggs and old French barriques and without early sulphur additions, then matured on the lees for 4 months before bottling. Fresh, bright pear, apple and stone fruit aromas lead onto a clean and smooth palate with those fresh fruit notes coming through and a subtle chalky minerality on the finish.
When to drink: Very food friendly wine. Try with seafood, Asian cuisine or full-flavoured and mildly spiced North African dishes.
Suitable for Vegans, Biodynamic
False Bay 'Whole Bunch' Rose
In a nutshell: A pale and fresh Rosé from the Western Cape of South Africa.
The lowdown: False Bay produce fantastic, sustainably made wines available at great prices, and their 'Whole Bunch' rosé is no exception to that. The grapes mostly come from old bush vines in the Swatland region, but also with some fruit from Stellenbosch as well, all sustainable grown, hand picked and whole bunch pressed. Made from 90% Cinsault with a little Mouvedre as well, the wine is pale in colour with a soft palate of summer berry fruits, a touch of spice, and a dry finish.
When to drink: Perfect just drunk on its own but will pair well with a range of Mediteranean dishes including pan fried garlic prawns.
Suitable for Vegans
Heppington Vineyard Pinot Noir Rose
In a nutshell: A light and fruity English rose from Kent, beautiful blush coloured wine.
The lowdown: The south-facing slopes that overlook Canterbury Cathedral are the perfect location for the vines that produce the grapes for this wine. It is ideal for producing Pinot Noir grapes designed to make light and fruity roses. The climate allows the red berries to pass on flavours of crisp red apple and cranberries. Whilst also adding a beautiful blush colour to the wine. Once perfectly ripe, the grapes only have a short journey to south Canterbury, where it is processed into wine.
When to drink: Best enjoyed chilled with a picnic or to accompany a light lunch.
Ricca Terra 'The Colour of Calmness' Rose
In a nutshell: A bright, elegant and creamy South Australian rosé.
The lowdown: Ricca Terra's Ashley Ratcliff is a champion of grape varieties suited to a dry mediterranean style climate and that's what goes into this very appealing rosé. An Italian influenced blend of 60% Negroamaro and 40% Nero d'Avola, of which 10% are femented in large old oak barrels adding to the complexity of the finished wine. It's light cherry in colour and has a refeshing watermelon aromas and a lick of cream soda on the palate together with a hint of campfire smoke. All the flavours build together into a long and refeshing finish.
When to drink: A stylish drop of rosé with a just touch of richess, it'll go beautfully with seafood and shellfish off the barbie, or perfectly well just by itself.
Suitable for Vegans
Scali 'Sirkel' Shiraz Viognier
In a nutshell: Fantastic fresh and juicy organic Shiraz Viognier blend from South Africa.
The lowdown: Made by husband and wife team Wille and Tania de Waal in the beautiful Voor Paardeberg sub-region of Paarl, 50 minutes from Cape Town, from their old family farm this is a vibrant, fun and very moreish Shiraz! They practise organic viticulture working in a minimal interventionist way, the grapes are hand picked, the fermentation is spontaneous, and the wine is matured in a mixture of stainless steel and oak barrels for 9 months before bottling. 90% Shiraz with 10% Viognier this is a vibrant, youthful wine bursting with fresh red fruits with floral and herbal touches and a bit of pepperiness on the finish. Medium-bodied and smooth with mild tannins and bright acidity this wine is a joy!
When to drink: Very versatile and easy going. In warm weather drink slightly chilled on its own, or have it with easy foods like pizza, pasta, or burgers.
Organic
Seifried Estate Aotea Pinot Noir, Nelson
In a nutshell: Lovely light, fresh and smooth New Zealand Pinot Noir from the top of South Island.
The lowdown: Not only is the pretty town of Nelson one of New Zealand's sunniest places but it is also home to an excellent wine region, though less well-known then its nearest neighbour Marlborough, it produces some top quality wines. Family-owned Seifried are one of the area's most established producers having first planted vines in 1973 and the Aotea range represents some of their very best efforts. The fruit for this Pinot comes from two vineyards, Rabbit Island on alluvial soils near the sea, and the extremely stony Brightwater, but only from parcels within those vineyards that the winemaker determines are the best. After maturing in barrels another selection is made to decide which are the best of those and the resulting wine is blended and bottled.
The nose is perfumed, fresh and enticing with great depth. Ripe cherry and berry fruits, and violet, floral aromas lead onto a smooth and fresh palate with subtle hints of oaky spice and fresh herbs. The tannins are ripe and elegant, the acidity crisp and the length long. An excellent New World Pinot that is noticeably not Marlborough, Central Otago or Australian.
93/100 - Bob Campbell MW
When to drink: Can work well with mushroom, lentil or game dishes, roast chicken, and also salmon and meaty fishes.
Suitable for Vegans
Gallina de Piel 'Mimetic', Calatayud
In a nutshell: A bright, juicy Garnacha from high altitude vineyards in the remote region of Aragon in north east Spain.
The lowdown: Sommelier turned winemaker David Seijas, set up Gallina de Piel in order to showcase some qood quality, versatile wines from his patch of northern Spain. This red, Mimetic, is made from old vine Garnacha grown high up in Aragon where the climate is pretty arid with hot days and cool nights being the norm during the growing season. The wine was fermented and aged on its lees for six months in concrete tanks. The result is a ripe and spicy wine with notes of plum, blueberries and a herby hint of mint and thyme in the background. Impressively lively, it's a good Aragonese expression of Garnacha.
When to drink: Ideal to drink just with nibbles, or it pairs well with roast spring lamb.
Suitable for Vegans, Organic
Spier Signature Pinotage
In a nutshell: Classic South African Pinotage with a medium weight and nicely rounded body.
The lowdown: Pinotage is South Africa's home grown grape variety and, in good hands like here, makes excellent wines. After fermentation in stainless steel 20% of the wine was matured in French oak barrels for 8 to 10 months with the remainder in stainless steel. The result is a wine with generous flavours reminiscent of sweet cherries and summer berries. There's a touch of smoke and smooth spice held togeher with attractively smooth tannins which lead to nicely long finish.
When to drink: An easy going Pinotage, but with enough oomph to pair well with pork, lamb chops, or burgers from the barbie.
Majella Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon
In a nutshell: An exemplary South Australian Cabernet Sauvignon from the famous Coonawarra area.
The lowdown: Sitting in South Australia's Limestone Coast area Coonawarra is the part of Australia where Cabernet Sauvignon rules and this from the excellent Majella estate is a wonderfully good value example given its provenance. From the famous red Terra Rossa soils the fruit grown here makes a very elegant, powerful and well made wine. It has deep rich blackcurrant, vibrant redcurrant, damsons, menthol, cedar and spice on the palate. Wonderfully smooth, rich and intense it signs off with a long and lingering finish.
When to drink: Complex and rich it's drinking well now and has the stamina to last to the late 2020s. Perfect with all types red meats or mature, hard cheeses.
Suitable for Vegans
Solara Natural Red
In a nutshell: A bright, light and fruity, natural 'Vin de Soif' (thirst quenching wine) from Romania.
The lowdown: Made from organically farmed grapes and with little intervention in the winery this juicy red is almost Beaujolais in style. The whole bunches of grapes are left to ferment naturally in the winery over three weeks and the wine is bottled without filtration, fining or, unusually, the addition of sulphur. The results are a light red packed with strawberry, bubblegum and ripe red cherry flavours matched with refreshing acidity.
When to drink: This wine is best served slightly chilled and simply glugged down to slake your thirst.
Suitable for Vegans, Biodynamic
