This week I ‘ave been mostly drinking...

Russell Wallace, General Manager – As you have probably gathered from my recent blogging and Facebooking, I have mostly been sampling some divine Brazilian Wines. For those of you that missed it, where have you been? For around two years now Exel Wines have been paving the way in Brazilian wine in the UK. We started out with a lot of scepticism from all corners, I guess owing to the lack of knowledge over this emerging region. With the wine industry being centuries old, it is no mean feat to break a “new” kid onto this decidedly old block. I say new, but wine making has been going on in Brazil since the mid 1800’s, when a combination of Italian and Brazilian immigrants brought their vines, techniques and passion for wine making to their new found home. Over the years they have perfected the art and got to grips with what works in their new territory. The hardest thing to explain is what exactly Brazilian wines are about.  As a nation they grow an astounding variety of grapes, unlike their Argentinian neighbours who instead opt for a more subtle complex style of wine making. For me though the main characteristic of Brazilian wine is a general sense of unusualness. My favourite this weekend has to be the Marselan from Casa Valduga.  Marselan is a red varietal developed in Bordeaux in the 1960’s. It never really took off, despite being full of flavours, the tiny grape size made for a generally uneconomic wine.  Casa Valduga experimented and found the grape took well to the soils in Campanha, in Southernmost Brazil, and despite the low yields from these smaller grapes the Valduga family opted for quality, not quantity and decided that the quality of the wine could not be denied. This wine is lightly French oaked and displays an endlessly evolving medium body that would work well with game.  I also developed, over the course of a four day stint in London and the Taste of London Fair, a bit of a love affair with Casa Valduga’s Brut 130. A traditional method sparkler made with just Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, 30 months on Lees (that is nearly vintage Champagne territory!) and just a touch of French oak ageing. I have been waffling on for the last few weeks about my love of various Champagnes; well this is just the ticket - a real crowd pleaser and more UK-palate friendly than its French rivals.

Dianne Barrie, Company Administrator – …red wine! Yes, after a short spell enjoying some lovely white wines I’ve returned back to my good old red wines with Esk Valley Syrah 2009. And, what a red it is. This New Zealand Syrah is spicy and rich, full of dark cherry flavours with warming hints of black pepper – an easy-drinking wine ideal for a relaxed evening on the patio after the sun of the day has gone down. It is also a great wine to have with food, and my recommendation would be to enjoy a glass along with an indulgent supper of duck pate, stuffed olives and tangy blue cheese…yum!

Mark Powrie, Orders Team – This week I have been mostly drinkin’…Grant Burge Sparkling Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon. This is an abnormality to me. A sparking red!!!!! I have tried these in the past and not really liked them. This one is very, very different. The deep ruby wine with elegant bubbles is complex, earthy and very fruity.

As the sunshine has started to show its head, this sparkling red is a great one for sitting and sipping in the garden. It can be drunk at room temperature or for a major twist, chilled in the fridge over a little ice!!!!

This should be tried before it is commented on as it is a real head turner!!!!!!

John Read, Marketing Intern – I have to admit that on the whole I am not much of a wine drinker, however it was my sister’s birthday at the weekend and in actual fact as part of her present I treated her to a rather popular choice from Portugal, Conde Villar Vinho Verde Branco (2012). Having enjoyed a variety of wines whilst she was on holiday in Portugal recently I hoped that this wine would serve to bring back some good holiday memories. To avoid my sister’s present disappearing in the one night we let her take the bottle home unscathed as we already had our supply for the evening in the form of Moon River Pinot Grigio (Hungary 2011). Despite this being at the lower end in terms of what Hungary has to offer from the Pinot Grigio variety, even I was tempted to try this refreshing wine and enjoyed it for its vitality and contrasting concoction of flavours with notes of peach and grapefruit blending together to create a ripe and zesty finish. All in all, it’s a vibrant option to have at the party or on the dinner table that won’t break the bank.