We have selected six wine merchants to work with, who we believe to offer a fantastic quality of wine and fantastic customer service. Every month, I choose six of my favourite bottles from one of our merchants, and will provide you with my tasting notes for each, so you can be assured of what you're buying. These wines are not readily available in the shops, and bring a little something extra to the table. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have.
Bruce Palling, Wine Editor - The Week Wines
£138.00 £179.88
This is a fascinating Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc blend from India. An unusual combination, though not unheard of, it’s a joint venture between doyen of the wine trade Steven Spurrier and winemaker Piero Masi, who worked at the famous Isole e Olena vineyard in Tuscany. They planted these varietals 10 years ago south east of Bombay in Western India to create one of the most successful wineries in the Subcontinent. The wine has the attributes of both grapes, so there’s a tropical fruit hit from the Chardonnay combined with a focussed floral intensity from the Sauvignon Blanc. The curious will not be disappointed.
£234.00 £275.88
Trinity Hill have been exporting their wines to the UK for more than two decades and tasting their superb Chardonnay shows why. Located in the renowned Gimblett Gravels sub region of Hawke’s Bay on the North Island, their Chardonnay has the structure of a Meursault with its unbeatable combination of balance and power. This is a far cry from the over-oaked clumsy New World Chardonnays of the past and has all the complexity and sophistication one would expect from a far more expensive wine.
£126.00 £155.88
Pinot Grigio has emerged as the most popular dry white wine, overtaking Chardonnay earlier this century. It has become known as a generic inoffensive wine for ordering in a bar by the glass, which is a travesty when it comes to the quality of this particular wine. Made from a single vineyard in the hills outside Verona, New Zealand winemaker Matt Thomson has added his expertise to create a refreshingly zingy wine that’s utterly addictive. Perfect as a standalone wine or with shellfish, it has a lovely blend of pear and citrus flavours.
£198.00 £239.88
We all know how tricky it is to replicate the quality of the Pinot Noir grape away from its natural home in Burgundy, but New Zealand arguably does the best job of it. Located in Central Otago in the southern region of the South Island, the vines are nearly 20 years old, which shows in the earthiness and depth of flavours here. Aged for six months in French oak, this wine has the potential to improve for several years, though can be appreciated now with its subtle tannins and spicy elements.
£228.00 £281.88
Aldo Vajra is a no-nonsense traditional wine maker, renowned for his Barolos as well as this Barbera, which matures considerably earlier. Well known on the wine lists of Michelin-starred restaurants, it is made for early drinking. It has a lovely aromatic style with a touch of acidity to give it grip while still possessing dark fruit characteristics and a refreshing minerality. This is well focused and delineated and a perfect accompaniment to red meats or game.
£132.00 £161.88
Located less than an hour west of Florence, Alberto Antonini creates his Chianti from the grapes of a number of local winegrowers in the Cerreto Guidi district, which is 200 metres above sea level. This possesses all the charm you would expect from well-made wine from the Sangiovese grape. It is a well-rounded generous wine bursting with cherry and herbal flavours and completely ready to drink in the coming year. Exceptional value for money.
£176.00 £215.88
The 12 bottle mixed case includes 2 bottles of each of the following wines:
Akluj Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc 2017, M/S, Maharashtra, India 12.5%
Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2016, Trinity Hill, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand 13%
`Terrapieno` Pinot Grigio 2017, Alpha Zeta, Veneto, Italy 12.5%
`RUA` Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017, Akarua, New Zealand 14%
Barbera d'Alba 2016, G.D. Vajra, Piemonte, Italy 14.5%
Chianti 2016, Buontalenti, Tuscany, Italy 12.5%
£186.00 £227.88
The 12 bottle mixed case includes 4 bottles of each of the following wines:
`RUA` Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017, Akarua, New Zealand 14%
Barbera d'Alba 2016, G.D. Vajra, Piemonte, Italy 14.5%
Chianti 2016, Buontalenti, Tuscany, Italy 12.5%
£166.00 £203.88
The 12 bottle mixed case includes 4 bottles of each of the following wines:
Akluj Chardonnay/Sauvignon Blanc 2017, M/S, Maharashtra, India 12.5%
Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2016, Trinity Hill, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand 13%
`Terrapieno` Pinot Grigio 2017, Alpha Zeta, Veneto, Italy 12.5%
