Gordons wine bar is thought to be the oldest wine bar in London (which probably makes it one of the oldest in the world!) and has been established in its present form [...]]]> Close to the Embankment and Charing Cross Station you will find a traditional London Wine Bar – Gordons with atmospheric basement cellars.

Gordons wine bar is thought to be the oldest wine bar in London (which probably makes it one of the oldest in the world!) and has been established in its present form since 1890. The bar is loved by old and young alike due to the totally unique atmosphere in which time seems to have stood still. As you enter the bar you find yourself in a room with old wooden walls covered in historical newspaper cuttings and memorabilia faded with age. Make your way to the cellar and you need to stoop to get to your rickety candlelit table – anonymity is guaranteed! If the sun is out you can also sit outside in Watergate walk and enjoy watching the world go by.

The bar is very much a family affair, owned by Wendy Gordon who is the wife of the late much loved Luis Gordon, and now looked after by Luis’ eldest son Simon.

With an extensive list of wines available by the glass and bottle from both Old and New World, the range also includes sherries, ports and Madeira. Some wines are available  for home purchase (including online at www.gordonswinebar.com)…. traditional and well priced grub…..Food comes in proper portions ranging from home made pies to wonderfully mature cheeses. Once nominated as the top London venue for ‘illicit liaisons’!

Gordons Wine Bar, 47 Villiers Street , London WC2N 6NE   t:020 7930 1408

We are an established, independent Fine Wine Merchant based in the market town of Fareham in Hampshire (located just a few minutes from the M27 between Portsmouth and Southampton). Our shop is situated in the historic High Street where one [...]]]> Dominic Lockyer has established an enviable reputation for his Fareham Wine Cellar in Hampshire.

We are an established, independent Fine Wine Merchant based in the market town of Fareham in Hampshire (located just a few minutes from the M27 between Portsmouth and Southampton). Our shop is situated in the historic High Street where one can find our wines, and a large selection of spirits, on display. This site is a searchable online list of our wines.;

We stock a wine range of wines including Claret, Burgundy, Rhone, Champagne and many other French wines. There are also wines from Spain, Italy, Portugal and Germany. The New World is well-represented and we have a large selection of wines from Australia, New Zealand, North and South America and particularly South Africa. We specialise in Port Wines, particularly Vintage and Colheita Port, and have a good selection of Sherry and Madeira. You can search our list by year if you are looking for a present for a special birthday or anniversary present. There are various Ports, Cognacs, Armagnacs and Scotch Whiskies, as well as wines, from various vintages.

An interesting and informative website, but sadly no online ordering – downloadable pdf or mail order. Regular tastings are offered in the shop and locally, e.g.

10 December 2011 – Australian & French Wine Tasting with Catherine Hill from Stratford’s

UK Delivery =£10.00

Fareham Wine Cellar, 55 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BG

Amongst our vast array of Wines, Spirits and other goodies you will find excellent examples of the Usual Suspects – Sauvignon, Merlot etc…

But [...]]]> Part of the Origin Wine Group this is a new online offering (still under construction (Oct 2011) based in Lancashire which promises to be an interesting arrival on the scene.

Amongst our vast array of Wines, Spirits and other goodies you will find excellent examples of the Usual Suspects – Sauvignon, Merlot etc…

But our passion is for something a tad more interesting! And for these we’ve headed to regions like Le Marche and Tuscany in Italy and Mallorca and Somontano in Spain. We import these wines from smaller, independent, quality conscious producers who use lesser known, indigenous grape varieties to make superlative wines. From Le Marche we have Lacrima di Morro d’Alba, Vernaccia di Serrapetrona and Rosso Conero. From Mallorca, we have Callet, Mantonegre and Fogoneu and from Galicia we introduce Godello…Albarino is soooo last harvest!!!

The wine list  looks to be interesting and varied; good website with easy navigation and potentially on-line ordering. Will be well worth re-visiting when the site is fully up-and-running.

No tastings mentioned, but they will be at  The Big Indie Wine Fest 7-8 October 2011, part of the Manchester Food and Wine Festival.

Taste Buddies Unit 33, Wigan Enterprise Park, Seaman Way, Ince-in-Makerfield,Wigan, Lancs WN2 2LE
Tel/Fax: 01942 821 540

Two Scots, based in the Cotswolds, selling Vintage Port – this was [...]]]> An attractive, informative website welcomes visitors to independent wine merchant The Cotswold Port Company, who sell Vintage Port, White Port, Ruby Port, Crusted Port, Late Bottled Vintage or LBV Port, Aged Tawny Port, Colheita Port, even Pink Port. Madeira wine

 

Two Scots, based in the Cotswolds, selling Vintage Port – this was not the basis of an obvious business plan by any means.

We already loved Port wine and Moscatel and Madeira and the other dessert wines and when we started taking holidays in Portugal we could not help but notice that the wine shops there offer a much better range of Port wines and shippers than we get in our local supermarket, or even independent wine merchant. We thought it might be a bit like the French keeping the good wines for themselves…

Then in 2004 we moved to the Cotswolds and came over all inspired by the area’s outstanding natural beauty, the superb local meat and cheese and, above all, by the local’s passion for freshness, quality and diversity in their food – demonstrated by the areas’ abundance of delicatessens, cheese shops and restaurants.

The only thing that was missing was a source of the kind of Vintage Port that can turn great meals into fantastic occasions – so we thought we had better do it ourselves. The Cotswold Port Co. was born.

Even as a small company we have a mission statement “to offer people a choice of vintage port they just can’t get anywhere else and make getting a port gift from us feel like your birthday”.

Offering experienced advice on port and glassware, online and mail order ordering this website would be a must to visit for lovers of Port (and Madeira) and fine glassware , whether for drinking or as gifts for anniversaries or retirements?

No tasting dates.

UK Delivery = £4.95

Cotswold Port Co. Ltd, Forge Folly, Aston Magna, Moreton in Marsh  GL56 9QQ t: 01608 650 56

With Christmas not far away this is the perfect time to taste the most traditional [...]]]> Bennetts in the Cotswolds  are presenting a port tasting in the Edward Sheldon cellars at Shipston on Stour on 28 October 2010. The tasting will be tutored by Chris Forbes from the Fladgate partnership (owners of Taylor & Fonseca)

With Christmas not far away this is the perfect time to taste the most traditional of festive drinks.

Bennetts

Bennetts Fine Wines Ltd, High Street, Chipping Campden, Glos GL55 6AG

e: charlie@bennettsfinewines.com t: 01386 840392

With 150 or more wines on taste, and producers/negociants to talk with – this will be [...]]]> Fareham Wine Cellar has featured several times in our scan of good independent wine merchants, and now comes a chance to taste many of the wellc-chosen wines on offer at their bi-annual Portfolio Tasting on 27 October 2010.

With 150 or more wines on taste, and producers/negociants to talk with – this will be a wondeful opportunity to taste a wide variety of their offerings – and at a very reasonable £10 a head – bookable in advance – spittoons provided!

Port is one of their specialities, as is South African wine – but not at the expense of a wide range of wines from most parts of the world – chosen with care.

We stock a wine range of wines including Claret, Burgundy, Rhone, Champagne and many other French wines. There are also wines from Spain, Italy, Portugal and Germany. The New World is well-represented and we have a large selection of wines from Australia, New Zealand, North and South America and particularly South Africa. We specialise in Port Wines, particularly Vintage and Colheita Port, and have a good selection of Sherry and Madeira. You can search our list by year if you are looking for a present for a special birthday or anniversary present. There are various Ports, Cognacs, Armagnacs and Scotch Whiskies, as well as wines, from various vintages.

The shop in Fareham is well worth a visit – the website looks a bit homely and does not include online ordering, but nevetheless the reputation and enthusiasm of Dominic Lockyer and his crew makes up for this omission – the site is easy to navigate and there are  good tasting notes on each wine. Regular newsletters and a blog!

Fareham Wine Cellar 5 High Street , Fareham, Hants SO16 7BG

t:01329 822733  e: dominic@farehamwinecellar.co.uk

As we only have small quantites of each port, numbers are very limited. I will therefore need a RSVP if you wish to attend the tasting. This is on a strictly first come, [...]]]> Fareham Wine Cellar is hosting a tasting of the 2007 Vintage Port on Saturday 4 July 2009 from 11am to 2pm

As we only have small quantites of each port, numbers are very limited. I will therefore need a RSVP if you wish to attend the tasting. This is on a strictly first come, first served basis.
The 2007 Vintage Ports are a result of unusual vintage conditions – despite a challenging growing season with a drier than average winter, and cool, damp late spring, the vintage was saved by a dry August, which although also cool, allowed the fruit to mature properly.

The great attraction of the 2007 vintage ports is their exquisite freshness and purity. The wines exude lifted, floral characters, backed by crunchy black berry fruit. The classic spicy notes that one expects in vintage port are in evidence, but the wines seem measured and even approachable. Despite this apparent approachability, they will without a doubt last for many years in the cellar.

All the big names will be on taste – a rare opportunity to taste, contrast and compare!

Email dominic@farehamwinecellar.co.uk or telephone 01329 822733 to reserve a place.

Fareham Wine Cellar, 55 High Street, Fareham, Hampshire, PO16 7BG

T: 01329 822733 E:Dominic@FarehamWineCellar.co.uk

Why not think outside the box this Christmas with a selection of beautiful gift cartons from Graham’s and Warre’s ports?

Graham’s LBV is ideal for whiling away an evening with friends. This blend of wood matured wine from a single vintage has [...]]]> Had enough of wrestling with the sellotape, wrapping paper and ribbon?

Why not think outside the box this Christmas with a selection of beautiful gift cartons from Graham’s and Warre’s ports?

Graham’s LBV is ideal for whiling away an evening with friends. This blend of wood matured wine from a single vintage has been matured in a wooden barrel for four to six years before filtering and bottling. It’s the only wood matured LBV to have won a gold medal in the world’s most prestigious wine competition: the International Wine Challenge, so you can be sure it’s a real crowd pleaser too.

If it’s versatility you’re after, Warre’s Otima 10 year old is perfect for serving with all sorts of seasonal goodies – particularly when served chilled. This finely crafted award-winning tawny has a light delicate palate, notes of dried fruits on the nose and subtle caramel finish. What’s more, the elegant bottle looks great on the dinner table too.

For really special occasions, Warre’s bottle matured LBV is the next best thing to vintage port. Having won six gold medals at the International Wine Challenge and seven at the International Wine and Sprit Competition; it’s broken all the records. Plus, because it’s been bottled unfiltered, it has unique aging potential. The flavours and aromas will improve over time in the bottle.

Warre’s Otima 10 year old. RRP £10.99, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Asda, Waitrose
Graham’s LBV, RRP £11.99, Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Morrison, Asda, Waitrose
Warre’s Traditional LBV, RRP £16.49 Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Waitrose, Oddbins

As 007 fever sweeps the country, (the new Bond gets 10/10 from Drinkon, and not just because of those trunks, either) we thought you might like [...]]]> Coincidentally as I was reading Vermouth by Gerard Noel an email from DrinkOn highlighted the Lillet brand of Vermouth, a brand I was unaware of previously –

As 007 fever sweeps the country, (the new Bond gets 10/10 from Drinkon, and not just because of those trunks, either) we thought you might like to know more about our favourite secret agent’s preferred drinks. The cocktail requested by James Bond in Casino Royale, true to the 1953 Ian Fleming novel, is called a Vesper. Named after the beautiful double agent Vesper Lynd with whom Bond falls in love, the Vesper is made as follows:

3 measures Gordon’s gin
1 measure vodka
½ measure Lillet Blanc vermouth
Shake with ice and strain into a deep champagne goblet, or martini glass, and serve with a large thin slice of lemon peel.

According to Vermouth the Lillet vermouth is quite distinctive. Produced in France from Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc grapes (Italian Vermouths use a base of Moscato) from vineyards in Bordeaux and, like the regions wines, the blend changes depending on the years harvest. A red version is also made but from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes.

Lillet Blanc Vermouth is listed by DrinkOn at £14.75. Lillet Rouge is also £14.75.

I am not the only one; sales are in [...]]]> Mad About Sherry? No, me neither – I don’t mind the odd drop of the sweeter styles and I KNOW that tapas is perfect with a dry but I don’t recall the last time I brought a bottle or reviewed any on Spittoon.

I am not the only one; sales are in decline and have been for many years (an annual 5% drop according to AC Nielsen). But there are aficionados, lovers of Almacenista’s (very small producers, family run bodegas in the main), vintage dated sherries (there are a few) and aged-dated rarities.

MadAboutSherry.com is the home to one such sherry lover, Gavin Holt of Witham Wines in Lincoln, who describes the style as the ” greatest and most underrated wine in the world”.

Witham Wines lists pages of different sherries which must rank them as one of the top sherry retailers in the UK; they manage a Sherry Club (6 bottles of sherry a month for £57 inc delivery) and host regular tastings. For background knowledge the Mad About pages is a useful collation of all things sherry.