Latest Blog Posts

2002 - Rioja: What it is all about?

Rioja is one of the most widely consumed wines in the UK but what exactly is it? In this article we look into Rioja the place, the different styles and what makes it so delicious. 

Look To The Stars

The Kalfu winery which is located in the Lolol Valley in Chile link their wines to local legends which revolve around sea creatures. Molu, which means 'where the sun sets' refers to the historical belief that during the day stars would hide in the sea and become starfish.

The Juniper Story

I have touched on wines from the Margaret River before and I am delighted to once again showcase the wines of Juniper Estate. You may not think of Western Australia as one of the major players, in fact this state only produces a tiny proportion of Australia's total wine output. Therefore, we were delighted to find this cracking producer.

More than Malbec

Since New World wines started to become commercially viable in the 1980s, many of the wine producing nations have tried to create a signature style of wine for which they are recognised on a global scale. Obvious examples of this are New Zealand Sauvignon, South African Pinotage and Argentinean Malbec.

What is Appassimento?

Puglia lies in the heel of Italy's boot and is one of the country's most fertile regions. The terroir is superbly suited to wine-making and the Primitivo is one of the most highly regarded red wines produced here. Benefiting from one the longest coastlines of any region in Italy, the cooling effect of being so near to the sea also allows for a longer ripening period and subesquently richer flavours. 

Wines in Unexpected Places

You may not associate winemaking with the nation of Lebanon but the wines of Chateau Musar are unique expressions from a country with an ancient winemaking culture. This is shown in the form of the high altitude Bekaa Valley, which has been cultivating wines, such as this, for over 6,000 years.

Low Alcohol Wines, A New Trend?

Whether it is down to stricter drink driving laws or simply a trend towards people adopting healthier lifestyles, we have noticed a real increase in customers asking for lower alcohol wines.

Saint Mont Blanc

The Plaimont co-operative consists of over 1,000 winegrowers who are situated in the heart of South-West France. Their vineyards stretch from the foothills of the Pyrenees to the hills and valleys of Gascony, covering a uniquely rich terroir.

Greco

This winery is situated in the Santa Lucia area of Guardia Sanframondi, in the very heart of the southern Italian province of Benevento. Geographically this is part of Campania, but to understand the real identity of this land you have to fully appreciate the particular historical background of the area. This is the homeland of the ancient Samnite people and is a land of undulating hills and plains, which even has its own particular micro-climate that protects it from the excesses of heat and cold.

Think Organic

Fedele originates from the West Coast of Sicily. This sun-kissed area offers excellent ripening in the day and is cooled in the evenings by the sea breeze of the Mediterranean.

Negromaro

The story of the beautiful Fuedo Paolo Leo estate in Salento stretches back to the19th Century when Antonio Leo started to vinify grapes grown on his 20-hectare estate. Fast forward to the early 1920s and Anotnio's grandson, Paolo, built the family's first winery and thus began the transition to the thriving producer that you see today.

Delving into Japan With Eilidh: Sake Explained Part 3

Part 3: What does Sake mean to Japan and how is it changing?

The UK consumes vast quantities of wine, beer and gin but sake is very much the sub-category of niche when it comes to alcoholic beverages in the UK. We are pretty sure we have the widest collection in Nottingham through our Akashi Tai range and welcome you all to come and try these fantastic beverages. This article, however, delves into what sake means to Japan and how that is changing.

A Guide to Vegan Wine

The start of 2020 has brought with it new year’s resolutions and with it over 250,000 people signing up to “Veganuary”, a campaign where people go vegan for a month. The number of vegans in the UK reached 3.5 million last year and we have found that more and more people are asking for vegan wines. Previously, it has been assumed that all wine is vegan friendly, however, this is not the case. As people become more aware of this, the demand for vegan wines has increased.

Delving into Japan With Eilidh: Sake Explained Part 2

Part 2: Shopping

When buying sake there are many styles and grades. The quality, as previously discussed, is determined by the level of polishing the rice undergoes before being steamed.

Note: Indications about the degree of polishing is always in terms of what percentage of material remains. Ie. The less material that remains, the higher the grade.

To keep things simple I have chosen the main styles and classifications.

Christmas Advent Calendar: Day 24

Day 24: Happy Christmas Eve! Our final advent opening before the big day is of course a sparkling - we are celebrating after all.

Christmas Advent Calendar: Day 23

Day 23: It wouldn't be Christmas without a cheese board and what goes better with a cheese board than a glass of port?

Christmas Advent Calendar: Day 22

Day 22 offers a quick trip to the west coast of the USA - it's a big wine that is not to be missed.

Christmas Advent Calendar: Day 22

Day 22 offers a quick trip to the west coast of the USA - it's a big wine that is not to be missed.