Staff Picks For Easter
Prepping for a family get together, planning your roast lamb and not sure what to drink over the Easter period? Here's some of the wines we'll be drinking and the reasons why...
Stephane Ogier 'La Rosine' Syrah 2014
£25 single | £23 mixed six price
"Syrah (shiraz) is a perfect partner for your roast lamb and this Northern Rhone example is from one of the regions top producers, has a nice bit of age on it, and is one of my favourite wines in the shop." - Freddie
A wonderfully elegant Syrah from the edge of Cote-Rotie and fantastic value. Almost perfumed aromas of black cherry, dark chocolate and pepper. A medium-bodied palate with juicy fruits and subtle savoury notes. Definitely one of our best Syrahs.
Baglio Gibellina U Passimiento 2017
£11.50 single | £10.50 mixed six price
"A bargain at £11.50 a bottle, combining sweetness with loads of complexity, this wine compliments a whole range of Mediterranean cuisine." - Mike
Bright, intense red fruits on the nose with a deep, rich, warming, full-bodied palate of dark cherry, raisin and sweet spice. A blend of Nero d'Avola and Frappato with the grapes being left to dry on the vines to increase the intensity of flavour.
The Flower and the Bee Treixadura 2017
£18 single | £16 mixed six price
"I chose this wine mainly because of it's label which reminds me of spring, not to mention that I like the wine very much." - Csaba
A delicious Ribeiro with vibrant citrus and orchard fruit aromas. Soft, rounded and generous on the palate with rich fruit flavours, a slightly oily, creamy texture and a fresh, crisp finish of ripe citrus fruits and minerals.
Cairanne Cotes du Rhone Villages 2015
£16.00 single | £15.00 mixed six price
"Excellent value! A good alternative to wines from it's big brother, the nearby Chateauneuf du Pape. This versatile wine would go great with rosemary lamb, though it is vegetarian and vegan friendly too." - Paul
This is Boutinot Rhône's flagship cuvee and is rich, intense and drenched in dark red fruits. To make this they use traditional vinification techniques - indigenous yeast and a long cuvaison period, followed by maturation for 22 months in mostly old French oak barrels to develop a wine of great concentration, complexity and finesse.
Seresin Sauvignon Blanc 2016
£20.50 single | 18.50 mixed six price
"New Zealand Sauvignon for me screams the beginning of sunshine and BBQ season, and if you fancy treating yourself, this is a particularly classy example." - Kieran
This most subtle expression of a Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc gives a true reflection of the approach of the Seresin Estate. It's a delightful pale green in the glass with a fresh and zesty nose of gooseberry and sherbet leading onto a tingling palate which is clean, pure and flawless. There's actually a small amount of Semillon in here which helps give an extra bit of roundedness to the structure.
Travaglini Gattinara Selezione 2014
£29 single | £27 mixed six price
"My choice is Travaglini Gattinara Selezione as the wine shows nebbiolo's ability to be softer and more gentle and is very complex for the price point. Also it doesn't require a long time in bottle to be approachable, and take on that complexity." - Andrew
This overlooked DOCG is definitely worth trying as an alternate to a Barolo or Barbaresco. From Gattinara in the north of Piedmont where the Nebbiolo wines pre-dated those of the Langhe. Travaglini has almost single handedly put this area on the map in recent years. Rich, concentrated and complex red fruit, blackberry, plum, liquorice, vanilla, cream and spice on the palate.
Peter Lehman 'Black Queen' Sparkling Shiraz 2012
£24 single | £22 mixed six price
"If you want to surprise your friends and family this Easter then look no further! Ideal for an unusual toast, but also goes really well with some desserts and chocolates." - Luca
Sparkling Shiraz is a fantastic Aussie curiosity. Lots of dark fruit flavours, firm tannins, plenty of spice, good structure and a long length. More body and richness than a normal fizz. Different and definitely worth a try!
Pieropan Soave Classico 2017
£18.50 single | £16.50 mixed six price
"Soave is a bit overlooked these days, but this one has a terrific depth of flavours and is a complete contrast to the simple 'gluggers' that often come to mind from here. It's made by a genuine Soave specialist and one of the area's oldest producers. A 'proper' Soave that will stand up well to lightly spicy dishes as well being great by itself." - Peter (Owner)
A good, well balanced organic Soave from one of the best producers. Pieropan is one of the oldest and most respected Soave producers where quality has always been paramount. This wine has a nice balance between soft rounded fruit and crisp minerality. There are lovely succulent flavours of ripe lemon, nectarine, sherbet and biscuit with great clean and crisp acidity.
