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Frogs Leap (California) Tasting in London

former winemerchant — Fri, 21 May 2010 18:17:13 +0000

I confess! I am a great fan of Californian wines, especially good Zinfandels! A good red Zinfandel can be a superb marriage of huge depth of flavour, balanced tannins and buckets of ripe fruit – and to my mind California produces the best – but avoid the pink, blush Zins which to my mind are insipid.

My hunt for a good Zin led me some years ago to Frogs Leap winery – and I recall an excellent trade tasting some years ago in Manchester – friendly people and great wines. Hence I would be so tempted to attend Robersons tasting in West London on 9 June 2010:

Since its inception in 1981, Frog’s Leap has established itself as one of California’s leading wineries, making superb white and red wines that are among the Napa Valley’s best. We are absolutely delighted to welcome Jonah Beer from Frog’s Leap, who will talk us through a selection of their potfolio, including the iconic Rutherford Cabernet Sauvignon.

The guys at Frog’s are some of the best in the business and this promises to be a fabulous tasting for anyone that is interested in New World wines and California inparticular. Having met Jonah before we can promise you that this will be an evening full of laughs and great wine.

And Frogs Leap do produce equally good Sauvingon Blanc. Chardonnay, Merlot etc. And they have a great website – entertaining but also really informative.

For more about Frogs Leap winery – see www.frogsleap.com

For details of the tasting at Robersons see www.robersonwinemerchant.co.uk/

Robersons, 348 Kensington High Street, London W14 8NS
T:020 7371 2121 E: enquiries@roberson.co.uk

Corks Out in Cheshire

former winemerchant — Fri, 16 Apr 2010 04:44:00 +0000

With a network of 5 stores througout Cheshire, independent wine and spirits specialists Corks Out also offer an online presence, tastings etc

Shopping at Corks Out couldn’t be easier and whether you’re a confirmed wine buff, a newcomer to the pleasures of the vine or looking for a special whisky or rare spirit, we can help you make some interesting discoveries.

At Corks Out, we specialise in wines and spirits that are made with true passion and flair, worth every penny of their price tag. We take time to ensure that our selection stands out from the crowd and our award winning service and enthusiasm are renowned. In short, we love what we do.

The website is attractive and easy to navigate. The list extends to 2500 lines of wines and spirits from the Europe, the Americas, South Africa and Oceania.

UK Delivery= £5,99

Regular themed tastings are held in each of the branches – the theme for May 2010 was “California Dreaming”
Corks Out
21 Watergate Street, Chester CH1 2LB t:01244 310 455
96 London Road, Stockton Heath, Warrington WA4 6LE t:01925 26 77 00
53 Telegraph Road, Heswall, Wirral CH60 0AD t: 0151 342 3888
361 Stockport Road, Timperley WA15 7UG t:0161 903 8885
73 London Road, Alderley Edge SK9 7DY t:01625 582 777

Roberson’s Ridge Tasting

former winemerchant — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 07:39:47 +0000

OK, so I am biased, but I am a great fan of California’s Ridge Winery – and London independent merchant Robersons have got Ridge’ chief winemaker, Paul Draper, to host a tasting in Lonon on 26 November 2009 (7pm). As a huge enthusiast for Californian ZInfandels this is one tasting I would get to if I could.

Ridge Vineyards is one of the world’s most legendary wine producers and their chief winemaker Paul Draper continues to be an inspiration, 40 years since he took the reigns at California’s most respected estate. The team at Roberson Wine are honoured and excited to be welcoming Paul to our cellars for a tasting of Ridge wines, including a mini-vertical of the iconic ‘Monte Bello’.

Established in 1885, the estate released its first wine under the Ridge label in 1892 and over 100 years later they are still held in the highest esteem by writers, drinkers and merchants alike.

If you are interested in tasting some of the wine world’s best reds (and whites) in the company of one of its greatest figures, then you should get there – tickets are £60 and limited in number – amongst the wines on taste will be Ridge’s Santa Cruz Chardonnay and Cabernet/Merlot, Lytton Spring and Geyserville Zinfandels.

Book tickets online or call 020 7371 2121 if you need more information.

Robersons, 348 Kensington High Street, London W14 8NS
T: 020 7371 2121 E:enquiries@roberson.co.uk

Win a Break in Yorkshire with Fetzer wines and Ocado

former winemerchant — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 14:05:48 +0000

Californian winemakers Fetzer Vineyards produce some of the best USA wines and also has a commitment to the environment, reducing its contribution to landfill and using 100% renewable energy. At the same time, it has maintained its long tradition of making really tasty wines that win lots of awards. I am particulary fond of their Valley Oaks Zinfandel

“A fusion of ripe berry fruit, clove, spice and sandalwood, bound deliciously together with a dash of creamy vanilla and pepper spice. Smooth and rich with a long finish. The grapes for this wine are specially selected by the winemaker, so that only the highest quality fruit goes into the blend.” (currently £5.99 reduced from £7.99)

The celebrated Californian winery is offering one lucky Ocado customer the chance to win a luxury holiday in the Yorkshire Dales, courtesy of eco-friendly holiday specialist Natural Retreats. The winner will get a week-long holiday at Natural Retreats Yorkshire Dales for up to six people, while three lucky runners-up will win a mixed case of six Fetzer wines.

To enter, just place an order over £90 for delivery by 21st February 2009, containing at least one product from the Fetzer Valley Oaks wine range. The draw will take place on 23rd February 2009.

For more info see www.ocado.com

Silk and Lace pre-Valentine’s tasting in London

former winemerchant — Wed, 04 Feb 2009 05:25:38 +0000

The Winery in London W9 is holding a pre-Valentine tasting on 11 February 2009 at Clifton Nurseries

Our theme is silk and lace, which means there’ll be plenty of Pinot Noir, beginning with our two sparklies – a pink from Cantina di Casteggio in Oltrepo Pavese, south of Milan and the classic, Pinot-heavy Champagne by Thierry Forget in the Montagne de Reims.
The Pinot theme climaxes with the trinity of Burgundy, Germany and California. How will Thomas Nelles from the Ahr Valley in Germany and the enthusiastic (if slightly absent-minded) Guy Davis from the Russian River Valley in California stack up against Burgundy, Pinot¹s spiritual home?
Other features will be a Rose from the Negrel family in Provence, a biodynamic Chenin Blanc by the bear-like Jo Pithon from the Loire and a dry Riesling from Franken by Graf von Schonborn (that¹s the one in the mad bottle).

The Winery, 4 Cli

Tickets are £20 each and can be booked by calling 020 7286 6475. Spaces are limited.

The Winery W9, London

former winemerchant — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 05:38:38 +0000

The Winery in London W9 offers a different slant on promoting wine with a decidedly original and excellent website

“What we enjoy most is searching for excellent new wines and importing direct from smaller growers. We poke around for undiscovered treasures, sniff out the unknown gems, the
up-and-coming growers. The difference is that we actually go there!”

The result is a genuinely interesting wine list, which is strong on German and Italian wines, together with a good representation from France, Spain and California.

They also have a different take on tastings - they have teamed up with Clifton Nurseries at the tropical, hidden oasis of Clifton Nurseries in West London.

“Towering palms, beautiful flowers, jungle vines and exotic orchids are the setting as we savour flavours of recent arrivals from Piedmont, Germany, Spain and the Rhone Valley amongst one of the capital’s finest plant collections.”

In addition to obligatory Champagne and dry German Riesling, and given that it’s turned a little chilly, we’re thinking of opening some deep, warming reds.

We have new arrivals from Piedmont, north-west Italy. Chain-smoking powerhouse Giovanna Rizzolio had had enough of the fashion journalism world in Milan when she moved into her grandparents’ house (with her new husband and his teenage sons) along the ridge from Barbaresco. She started a guesthouse, Cascina delle Rosa, and decided to bottle her own wine. We all loved her sumptuous reds last year, many with those dangerous, slightly animal notes that we find so fascinating. Her latest releases have just arrived.

UK Delivery = £10.00

Tastings offered
The Winery 4 Clifton Road, London W9 1SS t:020 7286 6475

Advintage Wines go Carbon Neutral

former winemerchant — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 04:51:58 +0000

Independent merchants Advintage Wines who operate online from south London have a new angle on enviromentally friendly wines by sourcing some carbon neutral wines from Parducci in California. Much like organic wines, the intent is laudable, but the utlimate test comes with the resultant product. However, the care and consideration which needs to be taken to reduce the environmental impact of the wine-making process is likely to be reflected in the quality of the wine.

We are excited to announce that AdVintage Wines is now Carbon Neutral certified by Carbon Clear. We are selling the first truly Carbon Neutral Wines in the UK from Parducci and Cullen who are also Carbon Neutral and we hope soon to expand the range.
Wine is a natural product but the production and the transport to import and deliver the wines obviously produces tonnes of CO2 gasses affecting the ozone layer and therefore the climate. The wine industry eventually will notice these climate changes as conditions for grape growing will change. Some speak of growing Pinot Noir in the Loire and Chenin/Sauvignon Blanc in as far as Holland and Denmark – which would be great for us as we could then have wines from our native countries!
We are off-setting our C02 production by sponsoring projects in India and Tanzania where crop and trees are planted on barren land also providing a livelihood for many families.

Personally I am a great fan of red Californian Zinfandel, the best of which can combine huge complexity with lush fruitiness – so I’d suggest trying the Zig Zag Zin from Parducci and Mendocino Wine Company – “This is a multifaceted wine: complex with good palate and smooth long aftertaste. Big fruit aromas of ripe raspberry, cedar and vanilla swirl from the glass, enveloping your senses with the nose of raspberry and wild plum.” (£10.50)

Advintage Wines have an interesting range of wines, carefully chosen and at good prices.

Advintage Wines

Ridge California Zinfandel

former winemerchant — Sun, 24 Dec 2006 13:16:07 +0000

We may have peaked a little early for our special Christmas wine this year! December 23 we opened a bottle of Ridge California Zinfandel Paso Robles 2001. This was a bottle we picked up in New York some 18 months ago, and has been gently maturing in our cellars (OK under the stairs) ever since. The main course was a smoked Gammon joint, glazed with honey and served with roasted root vegetables.

I am a declared fan of Zinfandels (well the reds, not the blush!) but this must be the best I have tasted – supremely smooth and rich with wonderful blended tones of chocolate, prune, oak and spice – great texture and structure but with friendly tannins. Quite a mouthful at 14.5%alc but it coped well with the sweetness of the gammon and glaze.

Unfortunately I cannot find a UK stockist for the Paso Robles, but Ridge’s other Zindandels are available. Ridge seem to have built their reputation on Zin (or is it really Primitivo?) – and whilst they are not cheap, I have never been disappointed in a bottle of Ridge – try the Geyserville or Lytton Springs which are more widely available.

Ridge has a great website at www.ridgewine.com where they also have audio and video podcast feeds.
Other Ridge Zinfandels are available in the UK from the Secret Cellar in Tunbridge Wells, Kent

Wine Tastings At The WSET

former winemerchant — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 10:55:23 +0000

The Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET)is the professional body for the wine trade in the UK but also runs wine courses in London for amateurs as part of its remit to educate consumers These are open to the public, but advanced booking is necessary.
more tasting dates

London Wine & Spirit School, 39-45 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3XF

t:020 7089 3800

Sale of a fine Nottingham wine cellar

frenchduck — Sun, 05 Nov 2006 08:30:51 +0000

Leon Stolarski, one of our favourite independent merchants (especially now he has added both Madiran and Jurancon from SW France to his list) has been asked to assist in a sale of some of the world’s finest wines – indeed, a veritable “Who’s Who” of growers from Australia, Bordeaux, Rhone, Burgundy, Italy and Spain, plus some gems from the Loire Valley, Champagne, southern France, California, Lebanon and many more. The collection has been fostered over the last 16 years by a Nottingham restaurateur.
See www.lsfinewines.co.uk

Ultimate Wines (Marlow)

Andrew — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 07:42:45 +0000

The indomitable Paula Sinberg runs the Ultimate Wine Company and for a small operation she manages to gather an impressive range of individualistic and quality wines.

I have had the delight in attending several of her tastings (held locally to me in Marlow, Buckinghamshire and other up in London) and her passion certainly manifests itself. They are a mix of the formal – sit down and the informal, pass the wines around and chat with a light buffet in between batches of wines.

Next Tasting – 10 Feb 2011 – French Wines at Bacchus & Comus
57 Pelham Street, London SW7 2NJ 6:30 – 8:00 pm
for details phone 01628-472214

Range-wise all the main countries are covered although the Austrian listing is quit extensive and Italy is an obvious passion. New Zealand offers has several quality wines I haven’t seen listed elsewhere and, interestingly, Portugal has a very good representation too. Although generally pricey the Californian section is extensive, more so than many other specialists.

In amongst the wines several deli items await discovery; these are often included in the light buffet available during the tastings – another reason for going along to one!

The Ultimate Wine Company,
8 Millbank, Mill Road, Marlow, Bucks, SL7 1UA
Tel: (+44 1628) 472214
No retail outlet. Slightly high delivery charge at £15 per order.