Probably somewhat ahead of the trend at the time towards all things organic and less adulterated by chemical  they were “inspired by the from quality-oriented, passionate growers we met and [...]]]> Established by 3 friends in 1986 Vintage Roots has firmly established itself as one of the leading independent organic wine merchants in the UK.

Probably somewhat ahead of the trend at the time towards all things organic and less adulterated by chemical  they were “inspired by the from quality-oriented, passionate growers we met and other committed people in the organic industry.”

our list consists of some three hundred organic wines, dozens of beers along with numerous organic ciders, spirits, liqueurs, juices and even chocolate (well how could we resist?). We moved recently to a farm near Heckfield with an organic shop out front (do come and visit!) with more warehouse space to allow us to do what we do best and where the curious cows look in through the window at our busy office

To have a wide range is one thing, but to have a wide range of quality goods is quite another. Every item that appears on our list is tasted at one of our many tastings throughout the year and constantly reviewed for quality. They are tasted ‘blind’, amongst many others of their type. In this way, we are not influenced by price, or the ‘reputation’ of a particular producer. We are simply focused on choosing what we find to be the best for you in terms of flavour, interest, quality and value for money.

From once being a specialised category, organic wines are now much more mainstream and compete effectively on both taste and value. The website is attractive and easy to navigate with online ordering and decent tasting notes.

They also offer vegan and bio dynamic wines.

Tastings are arranged throughout the year
“We don’t have a shop as such but the general public are more then welcome to drop buy and talk to somebody about wine and take and order away with them. There is a discount for collection as well.”

14-16 October 2011 – London Wine and Cheese Festival – South Bank

26 November 2011 – Festive Wine tasting (Henley-on-Thames)

Vintage Roots  Holdshott Farm. Reading Road. Heckfield. Hook RG27 0JZ.
t:0800 980 4992

The Winery is holding a series of wine tastings starting with Biodynamic and Organic wines:

Our first tutored tasting will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 27 May 2009in the back room of Kandoo Restaurant at 458 Edgware Road. There will be [...]]]> Do Bio-dynamic wines taste different on different days of the Lunar Calendar??

The Winery is holding a series of wine tastings starting with Biodynamic and Organic wines:

Our first tutored tasting will take place at 7.30pm on Wednesday 27 May 2009in the back room of Kandoo Restaurant at 458 Edgware Road. There will be some Persian bread during the tasting and a round of starters as we close.

Biodynamic wine making is organic but with a wider holistic and spiritual understanding of the larger environment. It is claimed that together with a  chemical-free approach to vine growing this technique produces  healthier soil and vines that work together in rhythm and harmony to bear better quality fruit.

The Winery, 4 Clifton Road, London W9 1SS

other tasting dates:

24 August 2011 – special bi-annual tasting at the tropical, hidden oasis of Clifton Nurseries in W9  from 18.00-21.00.

T:020 7286 6475  E:info@thewineryuk.com

Sean and Caroline Feely, proprietors of the organic Bergerac Chateau Haut Garrigue also known as Wild Earth Vineyards (in the Dordogne, SW France/Aquitaine) are offering the chance to purchase their wines direct for delivery in the UK – and in time for Christmas if you order by 9th December 2008. They produce really [...]]]>

Sean and Caroline Feely, proprietors of the organic Bergerac Chateau Haut Garrigue also known as Wild Earth Vineyards (in the Dordogne, SW France/Aquitaine) are offering the chance to purchase their wines direct for delivery in the UK – and in time for Christmas if you order by 9th December 2008. They produce really good red, rosé and dry white Bergerac wines plus a dessert wine (Saussignac) and a sparkler.

‘Its gorgeous’ is what the Irish Times says of our La Source red wine. ….
It’s not just the taste that is superb. When you buy from us you are supporting:
- organic farming giving you a healthy product that does not have herbicide/ pesticide residues
- a very low carbon footprint (we do much of our vineyard work by hand, we favour natural processes rather than intervention and we have an oak forest to offset our CO2 emissions) giving us all a better future.

They offer a service which delivers your wine direct to the door, the prices including excise duty, VAT and delivery – so you can get a real flavour of the Dordogne for your Christmas drinking! And the added bonus is that being Irish and South African, you can chat with then about your choice of wines,

Caroline & Seán Feely, Château Haut Garrigue, 24240 Saussignac France
caroline @ wildearthvineyards.com Tel: +33(0)553 227271

Zelas wines are offering a free open-door tasting of low-sulphur wines from France and Spain on Saturday 19 July 2008 at Wine of Course in London N6.

What do we mean by natural wine? A natural wine is a wine made without adjustments of acidity and micro-oxygenation in small quantities from had-picked [...]]]>

Zelas wines are offering a free open-door tasting of low-sulphur wines from France and Spain on Saturday 19 July 2008 at Wine of Course in London N6.

What do we mean by natural wine? A natural wine is a wine made without adjustments of acidity and micro-oxygenation in small quantities from had-picked organically grown. If sulphur dioxide is added, it will be only in very small quantities. Most natural wines are made without the addition of sulphur dioxide at any point. Natural wines are more suitable for people who suffer from allergic and intolerant reactions to wine – asthma, migraine, respiratory or skin disorders. etc.

A red natural wine contains no more than 10 mg/l total sulphur and 25 mg/l total sulphur, if white. Low sulphite wine, low sulfite, low sulphur dioxide.

There is an evident trend towards organic wines throughout Europe, especially with increasing EU legislation, and in response to consumer demand. My approach has always been to be a little wary of buying wines just because they are “organic” – I still search out good wines, and if they happen to be “organic” then that is a bonus.

Interestingly sulphur dioxide is generally regarded as “natural” products, and even organic production allows its use as a preservative and disinfectant. Because of its affinity for oxygen it is good at preventing oxidation, and it kills off wild yeasts and ensures that fermentation stops when the winemaker determines. Virtually all winemakers will use sulphur dioxide, but increasingly winemakers are trying to ensure that all such interventions are kept to a minimum, especially as some consumers can be quite sensitive to traces of SO₂ in wine. Whilst Suphur dioxide is probably one cause of headaches after drinking wine, I suspect that tannins and other constituents (especially in red wine) are also guilty – so I suspect that just because a wine is low-sulphur you should not assume that you can drink it with impunity. Reactions to wine can be very individual – I know of people who react badly to Pinot Noir or Gewurztraminer, but can happily imbibe a heavy Chateauneuf-du-Pape or Rioja!

It should prove an interesting tasting and it would be great if it demonstrates that good. big, substantial wines can be made with low sulhur dioxide.

For more info see www.zelas.co.uk

Rare and Organic is dedicated to the search for quality food and wine, locating small organic and natural producers ‘At Source’. Imported direct from the producer, the selected wines are limited production, high quality versions of [...]]]> With a strong bias towards Italian Wine (and Food) online merchant Rare & Organic have an interesting offering:

Rare and Organic is dedicated to the search for quality food and wine, locating small organic and natural producers ‘At Source’. Imported direct from the producer, the selected wines are limited production, high quality versions of Italian classic and unusual variietes.

They also stock some sumptuous olive oils, cheeses, pastas and pesto – all of which you can enjoy at monthly tasting evenings in Tunbridge Wells  – and over 30 organic wines!

UK Delivery = £6.95

Tastings offered

Rare and Organic 3 Clanricade Gardens Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1HQ

t: 01892 511848

We have two very important criteria for inclusion on this list – firstly, the wines have to have [...]]]>   Green & Blue have a shop and wine bar in East Dulwich, have a nicely designed website but I have never heard of Green and Blue before today. There is a focus on Natural Wines.

We have two very important criteria for inclusion on this list – firstly, the wines have to have been made with due care and attention paid to the growing of the grapes. That means no or very minimal chemical intervention and low yields (not pushing the vines to grow as much bland, boring fruit as possible), giving fruit which needs very little intervention in the winery.

Naturally then, most of the wines come from smaller producers, many family owned, who have the sort of respect for their vineyards that we heartily applaud. Those that come from slightly bigger companies all have the same ethos.

There are two prices on the website, one for the shop, the other for the bar. An interesting range indeed which they describe as

As an alternative to country listings, Green and Blue, have gone for grouping wines by style. ‘Crisp – elegant, lighter, dry & subtle’ or ‘Fruity – sometimes slightly aromatic’ are two of the white wine groups while the reds have ‘Spicy – smoky or rustic & earthy’ or ‘Rich – ripe or muscular & powerful’ for example.

The range isn’t huge(2006) with Italy appearing well represented although most countries make an appearance. The ‘Different… something unusual’ sections immediately appeal. Here you will find such delights as Château Montus Pacherenc Sec from Madiran and Sigalas Santorini, from Greece at  or Massaya Classic Red, from the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon  or Domaine Labranche-Laffont Madiran ‘Vielles Vignes, Madiran, France (2006 examples)

The fine wine section has such beauties as Seghesio Old Vine Zinfandel, California, USA  or maybe a bottle of Frogs Leap Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA is more your thing at . A smattering of spirits, dessert and fortified wines complete the tightly formed list. Each wine has a little description attached along with details of the grape varieties and a simple food matching suggestion. Overall a nice site.

Nationwide delivery is offered, but I suspect a visit would be worthwhile. The website also excitingly offers online video with the owner Kate Thal talking about selected wines and grapes!

Tastings offered.

UK Delivery = £5.95

Green & Blue 38 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich   London SE22 8HJ  t: 0208 6939250

[