This week I ‘ave been mostly drinking...

Russell Wallace, General Manager – This week I ‘ave been mostly drinking very little, so let’s make it a good one! That is usually my theory when I am the designated driver. We were dining with some guests at Gleneagles over the weekend, so to accompany a suitably exquisite dinner and company a great wine was called for. Having seen the list, first thought was to go for a nicely aged world favourite in the form of Antinori’s Guado al Tasso, but alas the reality was that a different and much younger vintage was on offer. So it was back to the drawing board. We contemplated a nice Southern French Cahors from Chateau du Cedre, a fantastic alternative to a big beefy Bordeaux. In the end though we opted for the 2006 Henschke Kenyeton Estate, a Shiraz dominated blend also featuring Cabernet and Merlot. When it comes to Aussie Shiraz, for me it can go one of two ways, too heavy in body and oak, and ultimately a wine for a very specific type of food and indeed type of mood. The Keyneton, I am delighted to report went the other route, balanced oak and a full body from the Shiraz but with a more subtle delicate fruity touch from the Merlot which was a surprise as it is usual just a small 10% addition to the blend. I would love to say that the 2006 runs as the best vintage, but from such a consistent vineyard I have to instead settle for the fact that it is, based on average prices, one of the best value vintages. The blend changes from year to year and therefore so does the overall style, but if you have a rich exuberant side balanced by a softer delicate side then the 2006 Keyneton Estate from Henschke is a wine that is drinking to perfection at the moment.

Susan Ross, Logistics Manager – This weekend with the lovely sunny weather (at long last!), I felt the need for something a little different, and with the prospect of maybe having a little time sitting in the garden, I thought Chase Rhubarb Vodka would fit the bill. Chase Distillery make their Award Winning Vodka on their farm in Herefordshire. To make the Rhubarb version, which is a Limited Edition, each bottle being numbered, they slowly cook their (farm grown) Rhubarb and marinade it with the award winning Chase Vodka. The taste is sweet with rhubarb and custard coming through on the palate. It’s extremely smooth, oozes quality and is streets ahead of its mainstream competitors – handmade from start to finish, the proof is in the pudding (excuse the pun!). This is good enough, smooth enough, and with a full flavour, to drink straight over ice. I topped it up with soda water for a long drink as I didn’t want to spoil the taste with anything stronger such as tonic. It would make a great base for a cocktail, especially one topped up with a sparkly, such as Prosecco, Cava or to keep the British theme going, English Sparkling Wine. This is a must for every budding cocktail maker!

Dianne Barrie, Company Administrator – On Sunday evening, Kieran and I ran a wine tasting for one of our local wine societies. The remit that had been given was to sample wines that were slightly off the beaten track and a bit unusual, and as such six wines had been selected to fit the bill. First up was Domno Ponte Nero Rose NV from Brazil. Brazilian wines are becoming more popular these days, and this one certainly proved to be an instant hit with the wine society. Not too dry and not too sweet, it was a perfect balanced wine with lovely soft strawberry and cherry fruit flavours. We were off to a good start! Next, we sampled the Springfield Estate Wild Yeast Chardonnay from South Africa. What can I say? Yum! This is an absolutely delicious wine, and in my opinion this is the perfect example of how a good Chardonnay should taste. It is fermented with natural wild yeast which makes for an incredibly complex yet mellow wine, creamy and smooth – I could have happily stopped right there! But, on to the next one which just so happened to be a wine that I have been very eager to try, Zorah `Karasi` Areni Noir 2011 from Armenia. I was not disappointed, and neither were members of the wine society – this is an exquisite wine. It’s not a wine you are going to glug however – to really appreciate its complexity, this is a wine you will want to take your time over and really savour. As it’s not overly fruity, this is a great wine to accompany food – it has earthy characteristics and herbal notes which I think would really lend itself particularly well to egg-based dishes such as a sun-dried tomato and basil quiche with a lovely buttery pastry crust…mmm. Anyway, on to the next wine! Casa Valduga Villa Lobos Cabernet Sauvignon 2006. A rich and spicy Cabernet Sauvignon again from Brazil. This is a powerful red which reminded me somewhat of Rioja – so if you like Rioja, you will love this one too. The penultimate wine was another I have been very keen to try, Alma 4 Sparkling Bonarda – yes, a sparkling red! Many people are sceptical of sparkling red wines, but I urge you to give this one a try. My first impressions…WOW, I think this could very easily become my new favourite sparkler! It has lovely rich fruity flavours, but is incredibly smooth on the palate. This is the perfect wine to enjoy with desserts such as a chocolate tart. It truly is a thing of beauty! And, last but most definitely not least, was Songlines Estates Bylines Shiraz 2005 from South Australia – it has to be said, this is a firm favourite with everyone here at Exel Wines and it certainly went down a treat with our friends at the wine society – what a finale!